From the opening shots to the signing of the armistice, the First World War lasted almost 52 months. It was fought on, or in the waters of, six of the seven continents, and in all of the Seven Seas. For the first time, the fighting was on land, sea and in the air. It became industrial, and unrestricted: poison gas, aerial bombing of cities, and the sinking without warning of merchantmen and passenger ships by submarines. Military and civilian casualties probably exceeded 40 million. Four empires collapsed during the course of the war – the German, Austro-Hungarian, Russian and Ottoman. Looking at the First World War month by month reveals its complexity while preserving the sense of time. Based on the author’s monthly commentaries in The Times throughout the centenary, this is a new and original portrait of ‘The War to End All Wars.’

Author Allan Mallinson Published by Bantam Press ISBN 9780857503800 EAN 9780857503800 Bic Code Cover Paperback