Britain and the Origins of the First World War: Second Edition - Hardcover

Steiner, Zara; Neilson, Keith

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0333734661 ISBN 13: 9780333734667

Publisher: Red Globe Press, 2003

Synopsis

How and why did Britain become involved in the First World War? Taking into account the scholarship of the last twenty-five years, this second edition of Zara S. Steiner's classic study, thoroughly revised with Keith Neilson, explores a subject which is as highly contentious as ever.

While retaining the basic argument that Britain went to war in 1914 not as a result of internal pressures but as a response to external events, Steiner and Neilson reject recent arguments that Britain became involved because of fears of an 'invented' German menace, or to defend her Empire. Instead, placing greater emphasis than before on the role of Russia, the authors convincingly argue that Britain entered the war in order to preserve the European balance of power and the nation's favourable position within it.

Lucid and comprehensive, Britain and the Origins of the First World War brings together the bureaucratic, diplomatic, economic, strategical and ideological factors that led to Britain's entry into the Great War, and remains the most complete survey of the pre-war situation.

About this title

About the Author

ZARA S. STEINER is Emeritus Fellow of New Hall, University of Cambridge.

KEITH NEILSON is Professor of History at the Royal Military College of Canada.

Review

"Here at last we have that balanced, learned account which will make it easily the best guide to this complicated and important topic. The structure and layout of the book are admirable; the style is clear and flowing; and the erudition and clarity of argument convincing." --Paul Kennedy, The Sunday Times

"Zara Steiner has the control of sources and the mastery of detail that are taken for granted in Cambridge dons." --The Economist

Zara Steiner's book is a sober, sensible account of how this country became impelled into the First World War. She is a very good historian, with exceptionally balanced judgement. --C.P. Snow, Financial Times

[Steiner's] brilliant exposition provides many ideas to argue over and some to agree with. --A.J.P. Taylor, The Observer
-- Review

Edition details

• Publisher: Red Globe Press
• Publication date: 2003
• ISBN 10: 0333734661
• ISBN 13: 9780333734667
• Binding: Hardcover
• Language: English
• Edition number: 2
• Number of pages: 349