First World War for Dummies - by Seán Lang (Paperback)

Book Synopsis

From the Somme to Gallipoli to the home front, First World War For Dummies provides an authoritative, accessible, and engaging introduction to the War to End All Wars. It takes a global perspective of this global conflict, proving insight into the actions and motivations of the participants and how each nation's story fits into the wider one.

Coverage also includes:

• The origins of the war and a snapshot of what the world looked like at the beginning of the 20th century
• The battles of Western Europe, and action in the Southern and Eastern Fronts
• The war at home -- the civilian war, propaganda, opposition, politics, protests, and more
• 1918: The German spring offensive, the Allied success and the beginning of the end
• The Treaty of Versailles, the League of Nations, and the effect on the future

First World War For Dummies is the go-to source for readers seeking to learn more about the fundamental event of the 20th century.

From the Back Cover

Learn about:

• The complex causes that led to war
• Key battles on land and sea
• Generals whose plans could lead to triumph or disaster
• The reality of life on the frontline and the home front
• How the war changed the world

The plain-English, easy-to-read guide to the First World War

Explore the causes and clashes of the First World War with this engaging guide to the 'war to end all wars'. From Europe, Africa and the Middle East to the Atlantic and Pacific, this book provides an essential overview of the lead-up to the war, the complex web of entangling treaties, the great battles (including Tannenberg, Gallipoli, Ypres, Verdun, the Somme and Vimy) and the aftermath that defined the world's balance of power for decades.

• Understand the origins of the war - dive in with an analysis of the causes of the First World War, the combatants, the rise of technology and more
• Be there at the beginning in Europe - study the exuberant beginning of the war and the horror that soon unfolded as battle after battle resulted in a massive toll for all the armies involved
• Witness the world at war - understand the nuances of the war as the conflict widened and drew in additional countries, the reality of trench warfare, the rise of U-boats and airplanes and the sinking of the Lusitania
• Investigate the home front - explore civilian life, how women contributed to the war effort, political struggles and more
• Analyse the Armistice and aftermath - dig into the details of the Russian Revolution, the collapse of Germany and the Treaty of Versailles

Open the book and find:

• A glimpse of the world before the war
• Details of battles fought across the globe
• The roles of civilians, propaganda, protests and politics
• The effects of technology on this first 'modern' war
• Discussions of the war's aftermath and long-term consequences
• The changing ways in which historians have viewed the war
• Places to visit, films to watch and authors to read to learn more

Review Quotes

"... an engaging and fascinating introduction to the 'War to end all Wars.' Expertly assessed and broken down into manageable bite-sized chunks, it is extremely well-written and covers every aspect of this appalling conflict, both on the front line and behind the scenes. As military history for the layman goes, this volume comes out top of the premier league." (This England, August 2014)

"The author succeeds in communicating the complexities of the whole issue in a straightforward, impartial and easy-to-read style... helping the reader to understand the Great War and all its many facets." (Leopard Magazine, July 2014)

"... this beautifully constructed and richly detailed book goes into the complicated reasons behind the start of the war and tracks its progress in an easy-to-follow manner" (On: Yorkshire Magazine, June 2014)

"This book is brilliant. Well-researched and full of anything you would want to know about World War I." (Frost Magazine, June 2014)"

About the Author

Dr Seán Lang is a Senior Lecturer in History at Anglia Ruskin University and has been teaching history to college and university students for more than three decades. Lang is the author of a number of books on history, including British History For Dummies and European History For Dummies.