I agree with the previous review. This book offered provocative conclusions about the origins of World War I: first, that precipitating the war and bringing in the reluctant British was the aim of French and Russian diplomacy, and second, that Serbia was a "rougue terrorist nation"--my words, not Goodspeed's--wholly undeserving of the support provided by Russia in the weeks after Franz Ferdinand's assassination. The history of the Balkans from about 1871 to 1914 provided by the first two chapters is very valuable and relevant given today's headlines.

This book is a sort of old-fashioned diplomatic and military history which seems to be out of fashion today. It focuses on an overall strategic view of the two wars. Such a view contrasts sharply with, say, the focus on soldiers' experiences which the PBS documentary "The Great War" presented.

I actually had the good fortune to have this man as my history professor at Brock University for a semester (he was a retired Colonel in the Canadian armed forces). We were studying military tactics in the 19th and 20th century and naturally it was recommended that we buy and read his book.

The book focus's on the idea that the first and second world war were not seperate events but rather one long war with a period of peace between the 2 conflicts. To support this idea, the book delves into the political/social and economic factors that lead to the first world war. Following the first world war, the book presents more political, social and economic factors that inevitibly lead to the second world war.

The 2 wars themselves are not covered in much detail except for the major strategies of each country involved. The strategies are criticized/applauded as being great/bad and are reviewed in great detail.

The book itself is a little dry at times especially in the events leading up to WWI, but it's a fascinating idea that the 2 wars are so closely tied especially in light of all the political events that are revealed.
Discussions on strategy are also very indepth and interesting.

I recommend it to anyone who is interested in political/social/economic background of the 2 wars and the major countries strategies in each war.