World War I is a sweeping and immersive account of the global conflict known as the Great War and the First World War, a catastrophe that engulfed Europe and much of the world from 1914 to 1918.Beginning with the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand in Sarajevo, this comprehensive history traces how rising nationalism, imperial rivalry, and militarism drew the Allied Powers and the Central Powers into total war. Follow the mobilization of the German Empire, the Austro-Hungarian Empire, the Ottoman Empire, Britain, France, and Russia as the conflict expanded across continents.Experience the brutal realities of trench warfare on the Western Front, including the Battle of the Somme and the Battle of Verdun, alongside the ill-fated Gallipoli campaign and the vast struggle on the Eastern Front. Discover how submarine warfare, the sinking of the Lusitania, and the entry of the United States under President Woodrow Wilson transformed the balance of power.Beyond the battlefield, this book explores the collapse of empires, the Russian Revolution, and the political upheaval that reshaped Europe and the Middle East. Examine the Armistice of 11 November 1918 and the Treaty of Versailles, whose harsh terms would help set the stage for World War II.Through meticulous research and vivid storytelling, World War I examines military strategy, technological innovation — including machine guns, tanks, and chemical weapons — and the profound social changes brought about by total war, from women's suffrage movements to shifting global alliances.Perfect for readers of military history, twentieth-century history, and international relations, this authoritative yet accessible narrative reveals how the First World War redrew borders, toppled monarchies, and transformed the modern world.
