Review: The guns of August

It is seldom that a book combining at once such valuable historical material with such an excellent literary style comes along. This book, recounting the political events leading up to the first World War and the first horrible 30 days of that War, is such a work. Beginning with the pompous, colorful funeral of England's Edward VII in May of 1910---which was to prove the end of the old European order---the account reaches back into the growing competitive situation between England and Germany. It examines briefly but quite carefully the changes since Victoria's time---the power intrigues, Germany's thirst for power, England's constant incircling of her. Thus, with the immortal assassination of Ferdinand at Sarajevo in 1914, the martial stage is set. What followed (and again it is reported with succinct, vivid accuracy) was the horrible carnage which is modern war. The author shows how Germany planned its Belgian campaign, how General Foch developed a whole new military ""mystique"" to meet it, how Turkey, Russia, and Japan became involved, and how men began to die on the Western Front between Germany and France by the tens of thousands. Through the pages too move the great figures---Generals Molke, Joffre, Foch, and Hindenburg; Winston Churchill, Lord Kitchener, Admirals Jellico and von Tirpitz, and dozens more. Concluding with the great Battle of the Marne which saved Paris and turned the Germans back, the volume shows how European and then world history was forever changed by the terrible struggle. It is an exciting interpretation, and Book of the Month Club selection is the first salvo.

This is the third in the series of random texts recommended by Entertainment Weekly magazine for those suffering from Downton Abbey withdrawal. It comes with high accolades. It is cited as the “favorite novel of JFK.,” and as one of the finest pieces of history ever written. I can see why. But it is too name-and-place intensive to make it either digestible or even pleasurable as a reading experience. As a recollection of the first month only of WWI, it IS an incredible tour-de-force: incisive, insightful. Her command of the people seems omniscient, frightening, even. Overpowering, shall we say? The author writes as though she had been there, standing side by side with the kings, Czars, generals, and ministers of state, reporting their most minute thoughts, prejudices, avarices, strengths, and weaknesses. I found it very overwhelming. I have fancied myself a student of history. The depths of her story put my shallow understanding to shame, and made this book very difficult to read.
This is not the fault of the text, but my own shortcoming as a reader. On a positive note, the book gave me further insights into what great idiots the whole of humankind is made by the on-going body politic and those we elect to make political decisions that affect us and the country in which we live.
In particular, I was appalled by the expose into the mindset of the German people, whose Teutonic roots of savagery rose to the surface as a people intent on subjugating the entire world to their superior existence. I found this expose very frightening, and wonder what hubris awaits to further arise and create bedlam and chaos for earth?
Let me put the amount of detail in this novel into perspective for you. If this author could so handily write 525 pages about only the first thirty days of a four-year war, it follows that she could write FIFTY more 500 page books fo each of the warring months to follow, or about 25,000 pages. Somehow, I’m sure she could have written more, although the shame and disgust I felt after reading about the atrocities in the first month would preclude me from reading any of them. **** = Four Stars. 

Great book to read...1914...2014 will be here beofre you know it....hopefully we have learned from it

A history book that is incredibly easy to read. Tuchman has a way of writing about historical figures and events in a narrative way.

Review: The Guns of August

WWI as it unfolds in the first thirty days is narrated by Tuchman in an engaging and detailed analysis. Given multiple readings, a reader will likely still be overwhelmed by the fast-paced events and ... Read full review

Review: The Guns of August

While I can't say I enjoyed the book immensely (thus 2 stars), I am glad to have read it to understand more about WWI. The importance of the subject and the challenge of coherently presenting even 30 ... Read full review

Review: The Guns of August

A great, but ultimately depressing, chronicle of the very first part of the war. Ironically, I identified a lot with this book because while I've never been in war, much less The War To End All Wars ... Read full review

Review: The Guns of August

Really interesting and detailed look into what lead up to world war 1 and what happened during its first 6 weeks. This was my first in depth look at ww1. Read full review

Review: The Guns of August

Barbara Tuchman writes about the preparation and the first month of World War I. It is dense with information but it is very readable. It is a must-read on World War I. Highly recommended. Read full review

Review: The Guns of August

This book was a great way to learn about the causes of WWI. I read it as part of a lecture series that also emphasized the ongoing influence that that long ago war still has on our lives and attitudes today. Read full review