The First World War: An Agrarian Interpretation - Hardcover

Offer, Avner

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0198219466 ISBN 13: 9780198219460

Publisher: Clarendon Press, 1989

Synopsis

In this new interpretation of the First World War, the author weaves together the economic and social history of the English-speaking world, the Pacific basin, and Germany, with the development of food production and consumption. He argues that global changes in agrarian production paved the way for the war and affected the experience and prospects of ordinary people and the outlook of admirals, generals and statesmen. The book also discusses the social history of emigration and settlement, racial exclusion, and the wider ramifications of food production and consumption. The text is meant to be accessible to a wide range of people and requires no technical knowledge. It will appeal to anyone with an interest in the origins of the 20th century world and questions of defence and strategy.

About this title

Review

Offer has opened up a rich seam of enquiry, as well as producing a masterly and fascinating book...a magnificently original piece of research (Economic History Review)

Dr Offer's breadth of vision is remarkable, his scholarship is challenging and his eye for the telling detail is keen. In range and depth this book would be hard to equal; and its style and structure make it something of a rarity, for it is as enjoyable as it is important. (Times Higher Educational Supplement)

a brilliant, deeply disturbing and intellectually restless account... For students of the period, this book is full of insights... Offer has no competition at all in his marvellous discussion of the imperial dimension of agrarian history, or of its poltiical and diplomatic meaning. Overall, this book will open a new debate... It is historical writing of the highest order: shrewd, compassionate, occasionally moving, always alive. (Rural History)

This is a superb piece of historical writing. (Journal of Economic History)

From the Back Cover

This is a completely new interpretation of the First World War. Dr. Offer weaves together the economic and social history of the English-speaking world, the Pacific Basin, and Germany, with the development of food production and consumption. The roots of Germany's defeat went back to the late-Victorian decline of British agriculture and the development of Canada, Australia, and the United States as agrarian exporters, while the agrarian interests of America and Australia were crucial in shaping the peace. The book examines the relation between economic and military power, and legal and moral questions of selecting civilians as a strategic target.

Edition details

• Publisher: Clarendon Press
• Publication date: 1989
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0198219466
• ISBN 13: 9780198219460
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 468