“In this landmark, Pulitzer Prize–winning account, renowned historian Barbara W. Tuchman re-creates the first month of World War I: thirty days in the summer of 1914 that determined the course of the conflict, the century, and ultimately our present world. Beginning with the funeral of Edward VII, Tuchman traces each step that led to the inevitable clash. And inevitable it was, with all sides plotting their war for a generation. Dizzyingly comprehensive and spectacularly portrayed with her famous talent for evoking the characters of the war’s key players, Tuchman’s magnum opus is a classic for the ages.”
The Ophion is a classic design that strongly references pocket watches. The pistol is a Smith & Wesson Shield MP9.
Tuchman’s is the classic history of the beginning of the war. I would suggest “The Sleepwalkers” as an alternative that apportions blame more equally among Germany and France. I am reading it again after a year. I have read Tuchman’s book several times. I have also read Pat Buchanan’s “The Unnecessary War,” in which he blames Churchill and Grey. I disagree but he makes some good points; enough to get me to read a biography of Grey. The similarity of Asquith’s government and Biden is concerning. Grey ran things and lied about the treaty of alliance between Britain and France. Only when the BEF began to move to France was the truth evident.
I never blame Churchill for much of anything, but you are quite right about the Asquith reference. I smelled it from the get-go, but am astonished how few others make the same or similar connection.
That is an excellent book, Robert. I haven’t re-read it for a number of years, but I should.
Did you ever read her “The Proud Tower,” covering the years 1890-1914? I think you may have said you did, but if not, I highly recommend it. Frederic Morton’s “A Nervous Splendor: Vienna 1888-1889” is also a book in the same vein, pondering what would have happened if Franz Josef’s son Rudolph hadn’t killed himself at Mayerling.
In fact, last week’s Book Watch was “The Proud Tower.” A very great book.