"CATASTROPHE 1914: Europe Goes to War," by Max Hastings, Knopf, $35, 672 pages (nf)
Last year saw a veritable host of new books on World War I, and in particular on the conflict's beginning. Far less understood by Americans today than the seemingly more dramatic Second World War, the 1914-1918 conflict undoubtedly set the stage for the 20th century. The Russian Revolution, the rise of Nazism, and the U.S.-Soviet Cold War all have their genesis in what occurred in the trenches of Europe during World War I.
Adding to this new wave of historical study is Max Hastings' new book, “Catastrophe 1914: Europe Goes to War.”
“Catastrophe” examines both the diplomatic failures that led to the outbreak of war in 1914, and the military actions that colored its opening orchestrations. Hastings offers penetrating looks at many figures unfamiliar to the modern American reader, such as Austria-Hungary's army chief of staff, Conrad von Hötzendorf, and German general Erich Ludendorff, as well as more familiar names, such as Kaiser Wilhelm II and British First Lord of the Admiralty Sir Winston Churchill.
Hastings also presents a wide tapestry of many different sources, from soldiers to schoolchildren to emperors. The breadth of voices included in this work is truly astounding and creates a rich, deep understanding of the myriad viewpoints that existed at the war's beginning.
An Englishman, Hastings' sympathies are firmly with the Allies, though he is quick to point out the shortcomings of the British, French and Russian armies, particularly when it came to command. Hastings spends much time, however, attempting to assign primary blame for the war upon Germany. Here he is only partially successful, however. While he is quick to note that there were indeed many real German atrocities (not just the fabled stuff of Allied propaganda), he never adequately proves his thesis that a German hegemony of Europe under the kaiser would have led to a new dark age.
Dealing with counter-factual arguments in history is always tricky, and while Hastings fails to build a solid case, many of his conclusions do offer a good portion of food for thought.
Despite the flaws of one of the book's central arguments, Hastings' work is definitely worth checking out if you want to learn more about this important period in European history.
“Catastrophe 1914: Europe Goes to War” contains some graphic descriptions of wartime violence, and occasional strong language, usually in the form of quotations.
Cody K. Carlson holds a master's degree in history from the University of Utah and currently teaches at SLCC. He has also appeared on many local stages, including Hale Centre Theatre and Off Broadway Theatre. Email: ckcarlson76@gmail.com