NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • Drawing on exhaustive research, this intimate account details how World War I reduced Europe’s mightiest empires to rubble, killed twenty million people, and cracked the foundations of our modern world
“Thundering, magnificent . . . [A World Undone] is a book of true greatness that prompts moments of sheer joy and pleasure. . . . It will earn generations of … admirers.”—The Washington Times
On a summer day in 1914, a nineteen-year-old Serbian nationalist gunned down Archduke Franz Ferdinand in Sarajevo. While the world slumbered, monumental forces were shaken. In less than a month, a combination of ambition, deceit, fear, jealousy, missed opportunities, and miscalculation sent Austro-Hungarian troops marching into Serbia, German troops streaming toward Paris, and a vast Russian army into war, with England as its ally. As crowds cheered their armies on, no one could guess what lay ahead in the First World War: four long years of slaughter, physical and moral exhaustion, and the near collapse of a civilization that until 1914 had dominated the globe.
Praise for A World Undone
“Meyer’s sketches of the British Cabinet, the Russian Empire, the aging Austro-Hungarian Empire . . . are lifelike and plausible. His account of the tragic folly of Gallipoli is masterful. . . . [A World Undone] has an instructive value that can scarcely be measured”—Los Angeles Times
“An original and very readable account of one of the most significant and often misunderstood events of the last century.”—Steve Gillon, resident historian, The History Channel
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Great historical look at WW 1
A World Undone is one of two WWI histories that I highly recommend. It provides the details of the war but also adds a lot of historical background information that helps flesh out the debacle that cost so many lives (and created the setting for another world war).
Highly recommended!
The multitude of historical facts makes this a slow studious read.
A through and well written history of WWI.
This book is very interesting and full of information about WWI. It’s written in a very readable style and is insightful about the various causes and courses of this needless war.
“A World Undone” by G. J. Meyer is a concise and satisfying history of World War I. The author shows how the Archduke’s assassination provoked the majority of European nations to embark on a disastrous war. The author examines motives and futile decisions of leaders and generals. It tracks the major battles, the horrendous conditions of grunts …
Very good one-volume history of WWI. Told in chronological order, but each chapter has a section at the end that focuses on a particular theme, like aviation, technology, women, etc. I wish this author would write a similar history of WWII.
A superb history of World War 1
Well-written and researched.
For the first time, I feel I understand the start of WW1 and am amazed at the stupidity and arrogance of the whole affair. Very detailed information on the key figures and major events of the war. Tragic.
Gave me a great overview of a tragic event in mankind’s history and the folly and stupidity of those involved.
A book well written and deep in scope, very engaging and interesting throughout
Great book on WWI and a different slant from others I’ve ready. Really very good even for those with just a casual interest in history.
Great in depth review of the entire war, with background information on all the major players. Both very informative and entertaining.
This book is dense but very informative. The war was fought without much cause…and everyone joined in with millions gruesomely killed. Not light reading but you’ll learn a lot about early 20th century warfare.
Good military history
This isn’t a battle by battle account of WW I but more focused on the individuals, motivations and circumstances before and during the war. It provides depth more than detail.
Incredibly eye opening. I’ve been a WW2 history buff for a long time, but picking this up made me realize just how much more important and consequential were the events of the First World War. Stunning.
Best book I’ve ever read on WWI
The author tells us right up front that he is writing this book because there is such a lack of comprehensive WWI books available that are easy reads for people without a degree in history. As the world commemorates 100 years since WWI this is a must read for anyone wishing to learn the background and extent of this great conflict that still …