Researching World War I: A Handbook

(Hardback)

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Description

World War I was the greatest cataclysm Europe had ever known, directly involving 61 million troops from 16 nations. Yet the history of the war and the reasons it started and spread so rapidly were vastly more complex than the players realized. Written by highly respected authorities, this book discusses the literature on all aspects of the war, making it an excellent starting point for anyone seeking guidance to the immense, and often daunting, body of World War I literature. The struggle mobilized manpower from home, troops from the colonies abroad, andin most countries-women as well as men. Governments increasingly intervened in everyday life. New weapons and organizational structures were developed. Yet the history of the war and the reasons it started and spread so rapidly were vastly more complex than the players realized. Written by highly respected authorities, this book discusses the literature on all aspects of the war. Dennis Showalter's opening chapter covers the controversial issue of the war's originsa complex subject that has been much debated by historians. Ensuing chapters consider the literature on each of the participating countries. The broader subjects of the war at sea and the war in the air are also covered. Daniel Beaver's final chapter discusses the mobilization of industry and the new military technology. This book is an excellent starting point for anyone seeking guidance to the immense, and often daunting, body of World War I literature.

Reviews

"Anything that guides one around the sheer volume of scholarly work on the First World War is very welcome. Robin Higham and Dennis E. Showalter are to be congratulated on this very useful book....[a] most useful tool for the historian."-The Journal of Military History
Anything that guides one around the sheer volume of scholarly work on the First World War is very welcome. Robin Higham and Dennis E. Showalter are to be congratulated on this very useful book....[a] most useful tool for the historian.-The Journal of Military History
This book fills a long-standing need for an accessible, up-to-date bibliographic guide to the vast historical literature on WW I. Perhaps its most attractive feature is that its scope is not confined to the Western Front like so many of its predecessors. The volume's geographic breadth (chapters cover Italy, Japan, Canada, Africa, the Balkans, and the Middle East) is complemented by thematic chapters focusing on war origins, aerial and naval warfare, and technological innovation....this book has a place in all collections. Highly recommended. All libraries.-Choice
This guide will prove useful in any llibrary supporting degree programs in modern history.-Lawrence Looks at Books-Gale
"This guide will prove useful in any llibrary supporting degree programs in modern history."-Lawrence Looks at Books-Gale
"This book fills a long-standing need for an accessible, up-to-date bibliographic guide to the vast historical literature on WW I. Perhaps its most attractive feature is that its scope is not confined to the Western Front like so many of its predecessors. The volume's geographic breadth (chapters cover Italy, Japan, Canada, Africa, the Balkans, and the Middle East) is complemented by thematic chapters focusing on war origins, aerial and naval warfare, and technological innovation....this book has a place in all collections. Highly recommended. All libraries."-Choice

Author Bio

ROBIN HIGHAM is Professor Emeritus of Military History at Kansas State University and editor of the Journal of the West. The author of many articles, monographs, and bibliographical volumes, he has also been editor of the journals Military Affairs and Aerospace Historian.