Book Description
Many American's today are taking note of the surprisingly strong political force that is the religious right. Controversial decisions by the government are met with hundreds of lobbyists, millions of dollars of advertising spending, and a powerful grassroots response. How has the fundamentalist movement managed to resist the pressures of the scientific community and the draw of modern popular culture to hold on to their ultra-conservative Christian views? Understanding the movement's history is key to answering this question. Fundamentalism and American Culture has long been considered a classic in religious history, and to this day remains unsurpassed. Now available in a new edition, this highly regarded analysis takes us through the full history of the origin and direction of one of America's most influential religious movements. For Marsden, fundamentalists are not just religious conservatives; they are conservatives who are willing to take a stand and to fight. In Marsden's words (borrowed by Jerry Falwell), "a fundamentalist is an evangelical who is angry about something." In the late nineteenth century American Protestantism was gradually dividing between liberals who were accepting new scientific and higher critical views that contradicted the Bible and defenders of the more traditional evangelicalism. By the 1920s a full-fledged "fundamentalist" movement had developed in protest against theological changes in the churches and changing mores in the culture. Building on networks of evangelists, Bible conferences, Bible institutes, and missions agencies, fundamentalists coalesced into a major protest movement that proved to have remarkable staying power. For this new edition, a major new chapter compares fundamentalism since the 1970s to the fundamentalism of the 1920s, looking particularly at the extraordinary growth in political emphasis and power of the more recent movement. Never has it been more important to understand the history of fundamentalism in our rapidly polarizing nation. Marsen's carefully researched and engrossing work remains the best way to do just that.
Customer Reviews:
Fundamentalism and American Culture.......2006-11-03
Good reading. It presents a good review of the culture and the strengths and weaknesses that religion can play in forming it.
Engrossing, Engaging and Well Researched.......2006-09-01
George Marsden's biography of Jonathan Edwards was so well written that I decided to read more of his stuff. This book on fundamentalism is a classic. Many scholars of Christian fundamentalism paint with too broad a brush, often lumping evangelicals into the fundy camp. Marsden avoids this mistake. He also acknowledges what many do not, that the fundamentalism of the post WWI era took on a much harsher and more separatistic tone.
Marsden does a nice of discussing some of the towering figures of the movement: D.L Moody, R.A Torrey, Arno Gaebelein, J, Gresham Machen, Jonathan Blanchard and Charles Blanchard (the President of Wheaton College). He shows how early fundamentalists like R.A Torrey and W.H Griffith Thomas thought that evangelical zeal should be coupled with social concern. Marsden also highlights the fundamentalist disdain over the more liberal Social Gospel, which jettisoned evangelism completely.
We also get to see the fundamentalists like Billy Sunday and William Jennings Bryan, who were concerned about people coming to know Christ, but not quite as concerned about people coming to know more about the doctrinal content of Christianity. This was a major concern of the evangelical Princeton theologians (BB Warfield, Charles Hodge, and J. Gresham Machen).
There is also a newer chapter in this edition that traces the development of fundamentalism from 1980 to the present day. In this chaoter, Marsden also takes himself to task for not discussing how the relaxed mores of the "Roaring Twenties" alarmed the fundamentalist community, nor did her mention the role of women in the fundamentalist movement of 1871-1925.
But these criticisms duly noted, I still like the book very much and commend it to those interested in religious movements.
Rev. Marc Axelrod
1980 Edition Read.......2006-06-18
I have read the 1980 edition of this book.
How to use the word miracle in one's vocabulary, but not accept the signs and wonders of Jesus Christ, the Virgin Birth, the ressurection, any event recorded in the Old Testament that goes against the laws of Nature. To accept the premise that God on rare occasions does something beyound the laws of Nature or the existence of God entirely, A modernist may use may use the word miracle to describe the unexpexted or an event happening despite the mathematical odds- but not an act by a supernatural being overruling the laws of Nature.
To not believe in such a Being, means to deny the facts described in the bible. These scholars do not accept the Lord God as described in the Bible. This type of Theologian albeit University instructor or Pastor of a church was quite prominant in Europe before 1870, but not in the United States until later. This book is a debate among those who accept the bible as true as it is and those who deny the word of God as valid.
The date of the book is not arbitrary. Since the author cites the end of the Civil war and Darwins theory of evolution as major cataylist to bringing the debate to the forefront in the United States. This includes the University, the pulpit and in the American Culture. This book is a narrative about social change in American society, theological thought, and the major players in Christian Revivals and Theology. Not just the scholars in the Universities. The book touches on changes in the Universities(1980 edition), but its main focus is on society. Is the Bible sufficient to show how God interacts with the created.
I found the reading interesting and easy to understand.
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Interesting background literature.......2006-02-23
I used this book to get insight in background of R.A. Torrey, and it helped wonderfully. Espescially for me as a European theologian, it helped to get insight in history and society of the States, especially concerning the relation between pre-millenianism and cultural atmosphere and impact on theology, especially on the question of the personhood of the Holy Spirit!
For European theology it gives an insight in the background of the more and more popular evangelical and pentecostal churches and their theology, that has its roots there, where this book is al about!
Stefan R Timmerman
Quality History of an Important Period of American History.......2004-07-01
The reviews above by Aitkin and Huchison are very helpful, but I felt it was important to add two points. The fourth part- Interpretations- deals with scholarly understanding of the movement within American Chistianity called fundamentalism. I found this to be especially helpful, a careful synthesis and interaction with the most important scholarly work in this area. I also found it to be a good demonstration of how a christian can do "history" with scholarly integrity. In this part, he also gives some interesting authors worth looking at later, of which he interacts. The last two pages of the book, the Epilogue, is something of Marsden's philosophy of history, and how it relates to theology and faith. Again, very worthwhile, and something I will share with friends who also have an interest in Christians doing scholarly work in history, He is always fair and evenhanded. In my opinion, the book is soild throughout, and very readable. Yet I learned more from the last fifty pages than the preceeding chapters.
Book Description
In analyzing the causes of World War I without concern for the question of guilt, the author places emphasis on two central facts: first, that when statesmen and peoples took actions they knew might lead to war, they were not envisaging the catastrophe that the war became but rather a quick and limited war; and, second, that among the many conflicts that might have led to war, the one that did was the threat to the integrity of Austria-Hungary posed by Serbia and Serb nationalism.
Customer Reviews:
A New Look at WWI.......2007-06-25
The causes and course of the First World War are taught to every high school student in the country. And in every textbook and supplement available to the teachers the three threats of nationalism, militarism, and colonialism are named as the trinity of death and destruction on the road to war. Historian and author Laurence Lafore takes issue with this commonly held belief in his book The Long Fuse : An Interpretation of the Origin of World War I. It is Lafore's contention that colonialism left only traces of its conflicts in Europe, and militarism might have hurried the war, but it was the idea of nationalism, and specifically nationalism in Serbia and its incompatibility with Austria, that is the root and reason of the war.
In The Long Fuse, Lafore looks at virtually every event, person, and idea that might be considered a cause of the war. The rise of German power, nationalism, militarism, the end of the Bismarkian system, and the rise of the alliances are all addressed. And while Lafore accurately places the items in their proper time and place the conclusions he draws from them are markedly different than the standard textbook.
Germany plays a central roll in Lafore's book. Indeed, it is the emergence of Germany as a new power in Europe that was a catalyst for the other great powers to begin to reevaluate their positions. According to Lafore, while Germany's power was undeniable the threat they posed to the other nations was not insurmountable. Lafore does examine Germany's fateful attachment of nationalism to its military power and their seemingly belligerent actions in the uncertain moments after the Archdukes Assassination but he explains them in a context that prevents them from being causes of the war. They become only fuel and not the match. The fuel furthermore might have been rendered inert if time and diplomacy were aloud to continue.
The author's argument against colonialism as a factor in the war is very convincing. Despite Fashoda, Morocco and other "near misses" the conflicts in the third world were kept as separate issues as far as the Great Powers were concerned. At the most they served as expressions of nationalism and pride for their mother countries and in the end seemed to barley leave a trace on Europe. Lafore is so definite in this statement that one feels obliged to take him at his word. But the evidence that he presents is proof enough that the textbooks and students of the Great War need to rethink the colonial connection.
After 268 pages of dense reading Lafore of explaining what was not a cause of the war he eventually explains what was. According to Lafore, the fact that Austria-Hungary was a supranational state in a system of national states made it fatally venerable to small nationalistic movements such as those in Serbia. Not only did they have to treat forcefully with these elements they could not easily retreat or negotiate. On the other hand the death of the Ottoman Empire and the rise of the Balkan states as well as the social awareness of the time made Serbian nationalism a potent and unstoppable force. This was the incompatibility that could not be negotiated, counseled, mitigated or ignored. All other "causes" could have, and most likely would have, been overcome, but not the Serbian Question.
What all the other causes did was provide a long fuse that brought the conflict from the Balkans to the rest of Europe. The alliances and prejudices created by decades of geo-political activity made the outbreak of a general war possible. To paraphrase Lafore; what was important to Europe was what the German military did, what the German Military did was what Austria needed, and what Austria needed was to deal harshly with Serbia. The chain of events that followed is well documented and is not Lafore's reason for listing them. Instead, at several places in these rapid and tragic events Lafore shows the readers different attempts to stop the insanity and the genuine efforts by some to prevent war. Such actions lend weight to his contentions that negotiation and détente was what could be expected in Europe on virtually ever other matter but the one that presented itself in August 1814.
Lafore's book is an exhaustive yet efficient treatment of the prewar years. Being both heavy with information and relatively short means that the book feels dense and requires the reader's utmost concentration. His concise and logical presentations make his arguments convincing but, Lafore's lack of adequate maps hampers the reader's ability to absorb the contents more readily. With judicious notes, supplemental maps, and a Zen state of reading concentration The Long Fuse is a terrific source of information on the Great War and a welcome contribution to the constant reevaluation of history.
Lessons for a post 9-11 world.......2006-08-10
This fascinating and readable account of the causes of World War I goes far beyond discussion of rigid mobilization plans and ill-considered alliances among Great Powers (though the author covers these areas thoroughly enough). Mr. Lafore takes us to Eastern Europe and the Balkans, the dangerous issues that metastasized between Serbia and Austria-Hungary, and the fatality of Russian decisions. It also carries important lessons for today.
Germany's two-front war plan and the generally provocative mobilization requirements of the period are often discussed elsewhere. There has been maybe less study of what in the post 9-11 world looks like an elephant in the living room. Serbia's blatant support and encouragement of anti-Hapsburg terrorism and Russia's military support of Serbia's hostile policy are extremely interesting in comparison to the current world situation.
Lafore seems to show that the general nature of what became World War I was not inevitable. Russia did not have to guarantee Serbia's intolerable antagonism of Austria. Before German armies rolled into Belgium, setting the world on fire, Russia signaled its decision to militarily protect Serbia's terrorist campaign to bring down the Austria-Hungarian government.
More than just Germany's fault.......2006-02-26
Laurence Lafore concentrates on the events which caused the First World War. Germany's fault is well founded but they did not cause the war by themselves. Lafore shows how other nations played a part in the events which caused the Great World War. Lafore does not blame any one nation, he simply points out the domino effect which brought about WWI and actually delayed the war until 1914.
In the spirit of A. J. P. Taylor, Lafore acknowledges the German actions but also points out they were not alone.
Buy This Book.......2002-02-12
This is absolutely the clearest, most concise, and yet complete book you can find on the origins of WW1. Not a waste of money like many. Most important is the detailed annalysis of how the internal conditions of the European powers influenced foreign policy decision making. The book is a clear warning about the difficulties and dangers in the conduct of foreign affairs inherent to multinational states.
Thw Long Fuse.......2001-09-03
At first glance, The Long Fuse, by Laurence Lafore, may seem dated. Originally written in 1971 with a second edition printed in 1997, it retains enough of the first edition to make the reader wonder if modern scholarship may have passed it by. True there is no indication of what has been updated in the newer edition, and the author in the early chapters does little to challenge long standing conclusions on World War One's origins. But Lafore ultimately shows why his original work warranted a second edition.
This book does not examine economic, social, or military causes of the war in any great detail. In part this is what makes the book appealing. Lafore instead follows traditional diplomatic arguments upon which his conclusions are based. He does seem to favor conservative viewpoints by stating the fringe areas of Europe (the Balkans, Ireland, and frontier provincial areas such as Alsace-Lorraine) did much to thwart the ambitions of the great powers. He also reluctantly includes Austria-Hungary with the great powers though it was comprised of the very fringe areas he is critical of.
Lafore does avoid one traditional Anglo-French opinion, that Germany bore sole responsibility for the war. This he flatly denies. Instead, he shows how each great power was in part responsible for its own actions, and how their actions subsequently crossed the frontiers and affected their neighbor's or allies'.
The title is somewhat a misnomer as he seems to brush on the period of 1871-1913 though in insufficient detail to connect it to the outbreak of war in 1914. In fact the first half of the book is a bit meandering. However, the real merit of the study covers the period 1913/4 and this is where Lafore exhibits his understanding of the wars' origins. But this does not mean the reader should merely skim the early chapters. There are ample euphemisms, witticisms, arcane words, and indeed humor ("No one quite agreed on where Macedonia was-but wherever it was, it was a problem.") to keep ones interest.
But it remains the last chapters, and especially the final pages that demonstrates the books' value, and for this reason it should be considered by anyone with an interest in the Great Wars' origins.
Book Description
When Washington Shut Down Wall Street unfolds like a mystery story. It traces Treasury Secretary William Gibbs McAdoo's triumph over a monetary crisis at the outbreak of World War I that threatened the United States with financial disaster. The biggest gold outflow in a generation imperiled America's ability to repay its debts abroad. Fear that the United States would abandon the gold standard sent the dollar plummeting on world markets. Without a central bank in the summer of 1914, the United States resembled a headless financial giant.
William McAdoo stepped in with courageous action, we read in Silber's gripping account. He shut the New York Stock Exchange for more than four months to prevent Europeans from selling their American securities and demanding gold in return. He smothered the country with emergency currency to prevent a replay of the bank runs that swept America in 1907. And he launched the United States as a world monetary power by honoring America's commitment to the gold standard. His actions provide a blueprint for crisis control that merits attention today. McAdoo's recipe emphasizes an exit strategy that allows policymakers to throttle a crisis while minimizing collateral damage.
When Washington Shut Down Wall Street recreates the drama of America's battle for financial credibility. McAdoo's accomplishments place him alongside Paul Volcker and Alan Greenspan as great American financial leaders. McAdoo, in fact, nursed the Federal Reserve into existence as the 1914 crisis waned and served as the first chairman of the Federal Reserve Board.
Customer Reviews:
Great read.......2007-08-30
This book is a great read. The topic is fascinating (to me, at least). Some of the material is a bit intricate, but the author does a great job of explaining it. He liberally uses footnotes to explain details which to an economist might be pedestrian but to a lay person such as myself are not obvious. (One ongoing topic is the exchange rate between pounds sterling and dollars, and how that relates to the price of gold and the cost of shipping gold between the UK and the US. He does a great job of walking the reader through the process and the arithmetic.) I highly recommend this book, and particularly recommend it to anyone who wonders what the Federal Reserve Board really does.
Fascinating history of how the U.S. became the world's financial leader.......2007-03-30
In Kazuo Ishiguro's novel The Remains of the Day, a blue-blood guest unmercifully grills James Stevens, the head butler at an English estate. The pompous guest is trying to demonstrate that uneducated people should not have the vote. "My good man," he asks, "do you suppose the debt situation regarding America is a significant factor in the present low levels of trade? Or...is the abandonment of the gold standard...at the root of the matter?" Stevens, aware that the question is meant only to baffle him, replies that he has no idea. Poor Stevens! Anyone without a degree in international finance would have an equally difficult time answering such an abstruse question. That's why this intriguing business history book by William L. Silber is so worthwhile: He brings global finance to life by spotlighting America's 1914 money crisis and by explaining how then-U.S. Treasury Secretary William McAdoo used this portentous episode to establish the nation's financial supremacy. We suggest you read this illuminating work of economic history to understand the seminal events that established U.S. monetary policy.
Book Description
Why did World War I happen? Several of the oft-cited causes are reviewed and discussed in this analysis. The argument of the alliance systems is inadequate, lacking relevance or compelling force. The argument of an accident or "slide" is also inadequate, given the clear and unambiguous evidence of intentions. The arguments of mass demands focusing on nationalism, militarism, and social Darwinism are also arguably insufficient. They lack indications of frequency, intensity, and process or influence on the various decisions.
Customer Reviews:
Excellent overview.......2007-01-16
Joll has written an excellent academic overview and introduction to the origins of the First World War. He covers all the angles, in a way that does justice to the majority of the arguments surrounding the academic debate. If there is a criticism worthy of mention, it is that he covers every argument, yet argues very little. This is perhaps natural, even inevitable, for a work that is intended to introduce the topic, and for readers seeking a sound introduction, this book is certainly worthy.
A Topical Approach to the Causes of World War I.......2006-05-12
The Origins of the First World War by James Joll was a concise but informative study of the major causes of the catastrophe that engulfed Europe and much of the world from 1914-1918. Joll began the book with a summary of the July Crisis of 1914 which was the proverbial straw that broke the camel's back. The rest of the chapters examined the major problems in Europe that made war inevitable. This review will examine each chapter and its importance in making World War I inevitable.
There were two major alliance systems in Europe in 1914: the Triple Alliance of Austria-Hungary, Germany, and Italy and the Triple Entente which consisted of France, Great Britain, and Russia. The lesser powers in Europe sided with one alliance or another, and their loyalties changed when it suited them. Joll explained how those alliances were formed. It was surprising how weak they were, as Austria-Hungary was frequently at odds with both Germany and especially with Italy. Great Britain also had problems with both France and Russia in the colonial sphere. If it was not for these alliances, then the July Crisis would have either never resulted in a war or the war would have remained localized in the Balkan Penninsula.
I found the next chapter on armaments and strategy to be especially useful. While many nations were spending vast amounts of money preparing for war and conscripting their young men, other states such as Austria-Hungary were spending a relatively low percentage of their Gross Domestic Product (GDP) on defense. I was surprised that France was investing far more of its resources preparing for the next war than Germany (the French had a three year conscription program).
There were several aspects of strategy that I found especially interesting. General Conrad von Hotzendorf of Austria-Hungary desperately wanted a war as soon as possible to unite the multi-ethnic nation and prevent Serbia from being able to incite the Slavic population. It was also interesting that both Austria-Hungary and Russia were both expanding into the Balkans, making a collision course inevitable. Finally, Germany and Austria-Hungary wanted a war in 1914 because Russia was in the midst of a vast building program (with French money) and they would be virtually unstoppable if the war was delayed until 1916 or 1917.
The chapter on domestic politics demonstrated that many of these nations viewed the war that arose from the July Crisis as a potential diversion from problems at home. The situation in Austria-Hungary has already been mentioned. The Russians believed that they could not back down from the conflict because they had failed to support the Slavic peoples in the Balkans twice before in 1878 and 1911; they would lose virtually all credibility if they backed down a third time in 1914. The Russians also hoped that a victorious war would enable them to achieve their dream of capturing Constantinople. According to Joll, the issue of Irish home rule was tearing the British apart, and they looked forward to a distraction on the Continent.
While France still coveted the lost provinces of Alsace-Lorraine, they did not expect to liberate them anytime soon. Joll believed that the French would have preferred to delay the war until her Russian ally had completed her militarization program.
Imperial rivalries proved to be a minor cause of the war. The author wrote about both the Fashoda conflict and the Moroccan crises in detail. These crises proved how weak the two alliance systems were, as England and France nearly went to war over the former and Italy failed to support Germany in the latter. Nonetheless, nobody was willing to go to war over colonies in Africa, Asia, and the Pacific. The most important consequence of imperialism to the outbreak of World War I was that Russia was forced to turn west to the Balkans as an avenue for expansion after they were defeated by Japan in 1904-1905.
Joll's overall opinion of the mood of the Europeans towards war was ambiguous. While there were some ultra-nationalist groups in all countries, they were balanced out by Socialists who opposed war. The Socialists hoped that a general strike might prevent Europe from mobilizing for war in the summer of 1914. According to Joll, there were some strikes (especially in France), but this movement was essentially killed when a French nationalist assassinated Jean Jaures ended any possibility that the Socialists could prevent the war; in reality, nationalism proved more powerful that Socialism in 1914.
I was impressed by The Origins of the First World War. This book was clear and concise. It analyzed the major issues in enough detail to give the reader a clear idea as to why war was declared. Not only did one learn about the July Crisis that officially began the war but also the underlying causes that led to this crisis.
Superlative.......2006-01-08
Joll's second edition of 'The Origins of the First World War' is without question one of the finest, most informative, and yet concise and easily readable treatises on the entire complicated topic. His analysis examines multiple factors influencing the war, and is admirably neutral, not displaying taint or bias (particularly that of Fischer), and provides one of the most excellent and succinct general analyses of the failure of the Second International that I have yet come across. Joll's bibliography is an excellent data mine and starting point for further research. Combined with Jannen's treatise on the diplomatic events of July 1914 ('The Lions of July') and Tuchman's classic 'The Guns of August', Joll's work is an essential element in any study of the origins of the single most important cataclysm in 20th century history.
Dry but informative.......2004-09-18
In the Book The Origins of the First World War, James Joll attempts to explain not only the causes of World War I but also begs the question "Why did it take until 1914 for war to break out, why not earlier?" To answer this question, Joll presents both foreign and domestic factors of the main participants and relates how they effected each nation's decision to enter the worst conflict in history to that date.
Each chapter examines a specific aspect of the causes that lead to the war. Throughout the chapters, Joll reveals the connections between the nations and their views toward the current status in Europe as well as other dynamics around the globe. In these comparisons, Joll pinpoints major considerations and analyzes why they were important and how they assisted or deterred a peaceful resolution. His format allows the reader to understand, for example, why Germany insisted on a "Naval Arms Race" with Britain, citing their desire to compete with the other major powers in the trade and colonization arenas.
Joll's research covers numerous factors involved, which shows his extensive research on the subject. The abundance of information supplies the thesis with a concrete foundation, showing the amount of thought put into the piece. Following each chapter is a list of references and notes used in the preceding section. This provides the reader the additional information to understand the subject without disrupting the flow of the text. After the final chapter, Joll incorporates inclusive maps of Europe and Africa, giving the reader reference to important relations between each nation and why border disputes and trade considerations were such a factor.
Joll also entertains the "Long Fuse" theory that many historians have labeled the time subsequent to July 1914. He shows how a crisis or situation that occurred as early as the 1905 Russo-Japanese war effected how the Imperialist nations viewed and reacted to colonial uprising as well as competitive colonization of African and Asia. Not to mention the consideration of Japan defeating a European world power on their way to dominate Southeast Asia, competing with countries such as Britain and France for control.
Throughout the essay, Joll provides useful information on the causes of the First World War without any hint of bias or faultfinding. His ability to remain neutral ensures the reader will not be swayed to Joll's belief or preconceived notions. Origins of the First World War is a well thought out, well written essay exposing many causes of the First World War. Unfortunately it is not a paper solely for entertainment purposes. The information contained will educate any reader interested in the subject, but can be somewhat difficult to grasp and maintain due to the sheer depth to which the author goes to support his conclusions. Unfortunately there is nothing Joll is able to do to combat this problem. As a whole, Joll accomplishes his task of explaining the causes of the First World War, giving the reader valuable information about not only why the war was fought but what kept it from being fought before 1914.
Into the vortex - from all the angles.......2001-10-24
The Origins of the First World War is a highly readable and enlightening tour of the world in mid-1914. Joll doesn't come at you from any particular political perspective and grants you access to all the arguments for the conflict. Nationalism, politics, military expansion, big business interests, imperialism along with conditions in each of the beligerents are examined in a free flowing easy style.
Joll does a very nice job in demolishing the Marxist line that WW1 was the result of imperialism and big business interests. By the end you are left convinced that, while the German naval expansions of 1912 were ultimately to blame for the process that led to war, each country got involved for entirely different reasons. There are good maps which give are easy to understand.
I do have some criticisms though. Each chapter is self contained but doesn't have any sub-headings or breaks. The editors could have spent a little time breaking up the text in each chapter to make the text a bit more readable. There isn't a great deal of attention to longer term history - such as the lingering impact left by the Crimean war and its peace treaty. But these are relatively minor quibbles about history writing that almost ranks as a work of art. Joll was a highly gifted historian.
Book Description
This book provides a detailed account of French history from the oripins of the Thrid Republic, born out of the collapse of Napoleon III's Second Empire, to the coming of the Great WAr in 1914. Part 1 begins with the fall of the "notables" and the victory of the republicans. Then follows a picture of the economy and society of late nineteenth-century France, and an examination of spiritual and cultural development under the increasing threat from nationalist and socialist forces. The moderates' brief ascendancy at the end of the century followed by the extreme sentiments unleashed at the time of the Dreyfus affair, brings the story in Part 2 to a more passionately political period, when the republic finallynbecame established as a bulwark of bourgeois prosperity, witnessing the rise of the banks and big business, and the dangerous revival of colonial expansion.
Customer Reviews:
Third Republic.......2007-06-02
This book is somewhat more scientific than I hoped. Of course it contains a lot of interesting info, exactly what I want, but the writing style is a little dry and photographs are lacking. I am enjoying it anyway!
Book Description
This innovative new study analyzes the origins of the First and Second World Wars in one single volume by drawing on a wide range of material, including original sources. In concise, readable chapters, the author surveys the key issues surrounding the causes of both wars, offers an original and critical survey of the conflict of opinion among historians and provides a lively selection of primary documents on major issues. The result is a unique perspective on the origins of the two most devastating military conflicts in world history.
Customer Reviews:
A good introduction to a vast subject........2001-04-20
This is a very short book on such a huge theme...
The book presents the reasons for both wars as an strategic decision by the rulers of Germany. It makes a very good case, of the connection between the reasons for both wars.
Due to its size it is not very detailed, but still is very interesting. The author has included excerpts of historical documents that are related to the reasoning developed in the book.
It is a good book to start understanding why these two wars happened.
Book Description
This book explores the influence of Helmuth von Moltke, Germany's Chief of the General Staff between 1906 and 1914. Based largely on previously-unknown primary sources, it shows that Moltke's influence on the Kaiser and on Germany's political decision-making to have been decisive, helping to foster an increasingly confrontational mood. The book also takes issue with the common perception of Moltke as a reluctant military leader, concluding that he was both bellicose and ambitious and played a crucial role in the outbreak of the First World War.
Customer Reviews:
EXCELLENT FOR WHAT IT IS - AN OVERVIEW.......2007-10-11
I surprisingly large amount of information in packed into this small volume. The reader must remember that this is a short, survey type book, and not an indepth study. The author does cover the alliance system, basic strategic decisisions, international envolvement and the oddities of the situation in the Balkans at that time. Yes, there are better works out there, some of them come in multi-volumes, some in 800 pages or more. There is much to be learned in all of them, but for a quick, insightful look, you cannot really go wrong with this one. The text is in logical sequence and quite readable (if of course you like history) and the author backs his conclusions up, one by one. Highly recommend this one. It is a good additon to any library and a great primer on the subject.
Excellent overview.......2007-01-16
Like the similar book by James Joll, this is a wonderful overview of the origins of the First World War. It covers all the major aspects, all the major arguments, and tries to provide a fair and thorough analysis of the war guilt issue. As with most overviews, it presents everything yet argues very little, but this is less a criticism than a statement of inevitable fact. Martel's book is useful both as an academic introduction and reference work, and as a brilliant primer for the layperson.
Excellent Overview of the "Great War".......2001-02-26
Gordon Martel's contribution to the informative "Seminar Studies in History" series is highly informative, especially for students who are embarking on studying the History of World War One. Martel provides a concise, well-written summary of the historiography on the orgins of the war, as well as an overview of both the events leading up to its outbreak and the deeper causes of the war; such as the alliance system among the "Great Powers" and the prevailing military and diplomatic convictions of the time. Despite his stated intentions to keep his own opinions relatively silent, Martel's views on why World War One occurred are clear throughout the book. Graduate students will also appreciate this book for the historiographical summary it provides. Casual fans of history may want to skip the introduction and go straight to Martel's narrative, which is very good, if not excellent. Martel also provides several important primary documents and some basic maps to guide the reader. Overall, a fine primer on an important subject.
Average customer rating:
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Desert Warfare: From Its Roman Origins to the Gulf Conflict
Bryan Perrett
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- Guantanamo and the Abuse of Presidential Power
- Helmut Wick: An Illustrated Biography Of The Luftwaffe Ace And Commander Of Jagdgeschwader 2 During The Battle Of Britain
- History: Fiction or Science? Chronology 2 (Chronology)
- History: Fiction or Science? (Chronology, No. 1)
- History: Fiction or Science? (Chronology, No. 1)
- History: Fiction or Science? (Chronology, No. 1)
- History: Fiction or Science? (Chronology, No. 1)
- History: Fiction or Science? (Chronology, No. 1)
Books Index
Books Home
Recommended Books
- Too Far From Home: A Story of Life and Death in Space
- Petroleum Refining for the Non-technical Person
- Charleston Style: Past and Present
- Evolutionary Game Theory, Natural Selection, and Darwinian Dynamics
- History: Fiction or Science
- People Styles at Work: Making Bad Relationships Good and Good Relationships Better
- Last and First Men and Star Maker : Two Science Fiction Novels
- City Living: Creative Design Ideas for the New Urban Home
- Design Like You Give a Damn: Architectural Responses to Humanitarian Crises
- The Handbook of Vermont Trees
Understanding Fundamentalism and Evangelicalism
A History of Christianity in the United States and Canada
The Democratization of American Christianity
The Scandal of the Evangelical Mind
The Rise of Evangelicalism: The Age of Edwards, Whitefield, and the Wesleys (History of Evangelicalism)
