Items related to July 1914: Countdown to War

McMeekin, Sean July 1914: Countdown to War ISBN 13: 9781848316577

July 1914: Countdown to War - Softcover

 
9781848316577: July 1914: Countdown to War

Synopsis

The outbreak of the First World War was ‘a drama never surpassed’.

One hundred years later, the characters still seem larger than life: Archduke Franz Ferdinand, brooding heir to the Habsburg throne; the fanatical Bosnian Serb assassins who plot to murder him; Conrad and Berchtold, the Austrians who exploit the outrage; Kaiser Wilhelm and Bethmann Hollweg, backing up the Austrians; Sazonov, Russian Foreign Minister, trying to live down a reputation for cowardice; Poincaré and Paléologue, two French statesmen who urge on the Russians; and not least Winston Churchill, who, alone among Cabinet officials in London, perceives the seriousness of the situation in time to take action.

July 1914 tells the story of Europe’s countdown to war through the eyes of these men, between the bloody opening act on 28 June 1914 and Britain’s final plunge on 4 August, which turned a European conflict into a world war. The outbreak of war was no accident of fate. Individual statesmen, pursuing real objectives, conjured up the conflict – in some cases by conscious intention. While some sought honourably to defuse tensions, others all but oozed with malice as they rigged the decks for war.

Dramatic, inevitably tense and almost forensically observed, Sean McMeekin’s unique book retells the story of that cataclysmic month, making clear as never before who was responsible for the catastrophe. You will never think the same way again about the origins of the First World War.

"synopsis" may belong to another edition of this title.

Review

'A work of meticulous scholarship ... McMeekin's description of the details of life in the European capitals - small events that influenced great decisions - makes July 1914 irresistible.' Author: Roy Hattersley Source: Times

'A genuinely exciting, almost hour-by-hour account of the terrible month when Europe's diplomats danced their continent over the edge and into the abyss.' Author: Nigel Jones Source: BBC History Magazine

'Sean McMeekin's splendid July 1914 unravels all the shenanigans, bluffs and bunglings by which Europe's leaders and diplomats turned a minor murder in a Balkans backwater into total war ... There are scenes in July 1914 that linger long after the cover is closed.' Author: John Lewis-Stempel Source: Sunday Express

'McMeekin shows us precisely why the conflict happened ... [he] tells these stories with clarity and skill, drawing expert portraits of all the characters involved.' Author: Keith Lowe Source: Mail on Sunday

'Learned, punchy and enjoyable ... the book reads like a crime drama.' Author: Christopher Clark Source: London Review of Books

'A refreshingly original counterpoint to the traditional focus' Author: Bronwen Maddox Source: Prospect

'A shocking history, told with edgy, angry authority.' Author: Iain Finlayson Source: Saga Magazine

'Sean McMeekin, in July 1914, [offers a] new perspective ... McMeekin has chosen the zoom lens. He opens with a crisp but vivid reconstruction of the double murder in the sunshine of Sarajevo, then concentrates entirely on unraveling the choreography day by day.' Author: Harold Evans Source: New York Times Book Review

'[A] detailed account of the events and decisions that marked the road to war' Source: Times Higher Education

'[McMeekin] has ... literary and historical skill to make this a page-turning read.' Source: Literary Review

From the Publisher

(This is the longer blurb - we are seeing if we can get a shorter one to appear on the AI without having to change the main blurb, because at the moment it goes onto two pages). In July 1914 award-winning historian Sean McMeekin tells the incredible story of Europe’s countdown to war, as seen through the eyes of the men who, even at the distance of a century, still seem larger than life. We meet the Archduke Ferdinand, brooding heir to the Habsburg throne and fanatical Bosnian Serb assassins who plot to murder him as well as Conrad and Berchtold, the Austrians who seek to exploit the outrage. Kaiser Wilhelm II and Bethmann Hollweg recklessly urged on the Austrians and Sergei Sazonov, Tsarist Russian Foreign Minister, was trying to live down a reputation for cowardice. Poincaré and Paléologue were two French statesmen who urge on the Russians and help Sazonov overcome his fears; and Winston Churchill, who, alone among Cabinet officials in London, perceives the seriousness of the situation in time to take action. It is not true that, as many popular historians have told us, ‘no one wanted the war.’ 1914 was no accident of fate. Individual statesmen, pursuing real objectives, conjured up the conflict – in some cases by conscious intention. While some sought honourably to defuse tensions, others all but oozed with malice as they rigged the decks for war. In this groundbreaking and powerful work of popular history Sean McMeekin makes clear as never before who was responsible for the catastrophe.

"About this title" may belong to another edition of this title.

  • PublisherIcon Books
  • Publication date2014
  • ISBN 10 1848316577
  • ISBN 13 9781848316577
  • BindingPaperback
  • LanguageEnglish
  • Number of pages560

Buy Used

Condition: Very Good
The book has been read, but is... View this item

Shipping: £ 5.60
From United Kingdom to U.S.A.

Destination, rates & speeds

Add to basket

Other Popular Editions of the Same Title

Search results for July 1914: Countdown to War

Stock Image

McMeekin, Sean
Published by Icon Books Ltd, 2014
ISBN 10: 1848316577 ISBN 13: 9781848316577
Used Paperback

Seller: WorldofBooks, Goring-By-Sea, WS, United Kingdom

Seller rating 4 out of 5 stars 4-star rating, Learn more about seller ratings

Paperback. Condition: Very Good. The book has been read, but is in excellent condition. Pages are intact and not marred by notes or highlighting. The spine remains undamaged. Seller Inventory # GOR005931053

Contact seller

Buy Used

£ 2.58
Convert currency
Shipping: £ 5.60
From United Kingdom to U.S.A.
Destination, rates & speeds

Quantity: 8 available

Add to basket

Stock Image

McMeekin, Sean
Published by Icon Books Ltd, 2014
ISBN 10: 1848316577 ISBN 13: 9781848316577
Used Paperback

Seller: WorldofBooks, Goring-By-Sea, WS, United Kingdom

Seller rating 4 out of 5 stars 4-star rating, Learn more about seller ratings

Paperback. Condition: Good. The book has been read but remains in clean condition. All pages are intact and the cover is intact. Some minor wear to the spine. Seller Inventory # GOR007501284

Contact seller

Buy Used

£ 2.58
Convert currency
Shipping: £ 5.60
From United Kingdom to U.S.A.
Destination, rates & speeds

Quantity: 2 available

Add to basket

Stock Image

McMeekin, Sean
Published by Icon Books Ltd, 2014
ISBN 10: 1848316577 ISBN 13: 9781848316577
Used paperback

Seller: HPB-Diamond, Dallas, TX, U.S.A.

Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars 5-star rating, Learn more about seller ratings

paperback. Condition: Very Good. Connecting readers with great books since 1972! Used books may not include companion materials, and may have some shelf wear or limited writing. We ship orders daily and Customer Service is our top priority!. Seller Inventory # S_405633669

Contact seller

Buy Used

£ 5.66
Convert currency
Shipping: £ 3.02
Within U.S.A.
Destination, rates & speeds

Quantity: 1 available

Add to basket

Stock Image

Sean McMeekin
Published by Icon Books Ltd, 2014
ISBN 10: 1848316577 ISBN 13: 9781848316577
Used Paperback

Seller: ThriftBooks-Atlanta, AUSTELL, GA, U.S.A.

Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars 5-star rating, Learn more about seller ratings

Paperback. Condition: Very Good. No Jacket. May have limited writing in cover pages. Pages are unmarked. ~ ThriftBooks: Read More, Spend Less 0.88. Seller Inventory # G1848316577I4N00

Contact seller

Buy Used

£ 8.86
Convert currency
Shipping: FREE
Within U.S.A.
Destination, rates & speeds

Quantity: 1 available

Add to basket

Stock Image

-
Published by -, 2014
ISBN 10: 1848316577 ISBN 13: 9781848316577
Used Paperback

Seller: AwesomeBooks, Wallingford, United Kingdom

Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars 5-star rating, Learn more about seller ratings

Paperback. Condition: Very Good. July 1914: Countdown to War This book is in very good condition and will be shipped within 24 hours of ordering. The cover may have some limited signs of wear but the pages are clean, intact and the spine remains undamaged. This book has clearly been well maintained and looked after thus far. Money back guarantee if you are not satisfied. See all our books here, order more than 1 book and get discounted shipping. Seller Inventory # 7719-9781848316577

Contact seller

Buy Used

£ 4.31
Convert currency
Shipping: £ 4.99
From United Kingdom to U.S.A.
Destination, rates & speeds

Quantity: 1 available

Add to basket

Stock Image

McMeekin, Sean
Published by Icon Books Ltd, 2014
ISBN 10: 1848316577 ISBN 13: 9781848316577
Used paperback

Seller: HPB-Emerald, Dallas, TX, U.S.A.

Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars 5-star rating, Learn more about seller ratings

paperback. Condition: Very Good. Connecting readers with great books since 1972! Used books may not include companion materials, and may have some shelf wear or limited writing. We ship orders daily and Customer Service is our top priority!. Seller Inventory # S_425821284

Contact seller

Buy Used

£ 6.63
Convert currency
Shipping: £ 3.02
Within U.S.A.
Destination, rates & speeds

Quantity: 1 available

Add to basket

Seller Image

McMeekin, Sean
Published by Icon Books, 2014
ISBN 10: 1848316577 ISBN 13: 9781848316577
Used Softcover

Seller: WeBuyBooks, Rossendale, LANCS, United Kingdom

Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars 5-star rating, Learn more about seller ratings

Condition: Good. Most items will be dispatched the same or the next working day. A copy that has been read but remains in clean condition. All of the pages are intact and the cover is intact and the spine may show signs of wear. The book may have minor markings which are not specifically mentioned. Seller Inventory # wbb0025182559

Contact seller

Buy Used

£ 2.35
Convert currency
Shipping: £ 7.85
From United Kingdom to U.S.A.
Destination, rates & speeds

Quantity: 1 available

Add to basket

Stock Image

-
Published by - -, 2014
ISBN 10: 1848316577 ISBN 13: 9781848316577
Used Paperback

Seller: Bahamut Media, Reading, United Kingdom

Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars 5-star rating, Learn more about seller ratings

Paperback. Condition: Very Good. This book is in very good condition and will be shipped within 24 hours of ordering. The cover may have some limited signs of wear but the pages are clean, intact and the spine remains undamaged. This book has clearly been well maintained and looked after thus far. Money back guarantee if you are not satisfied. See all our books here, order more than 1 book and get discounted shipping. Seller Inventory # 6545-9781848316577

Contact seller

Buy Used

£ 4.31
Convert currency
Shipping: £ 6.98
From United Kingdom to U.S.A.
Destination, rates & speeds

Quantity: 1 available

Add to basket

Stock Image

McMeekin, Sean
Published by Icon Books, Limited, 2014
ISBN 10: 1848316577 ISBN 13: 9781848316577
Used Softcover

Seller: Better World Books Ltd, Dunfermline, United Kingdom

Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars 5-star rating, Learn more about seller ratings

Condition: Good. Ships from the UK. Former library book; may include library markings. Used book that is in clean, average condition without any missing pages. Seller Inventory # GRP78801839

Contact seller

Buy Used

£ 4.69
Convert currency
Shipping: £ 8
From United Kingdom to U.S.A.
Destination, rates & speeds

Quantity: 2 available

Add to basket

Stock Image

McMeekin, Sean
Published by Icon Books, Limited, 2014
ISBN 10: 1848316577 ISBN 13: 9781848316577
Used Softcover

Seller: Better World Books Ltd, Dunfermline, United Kingdom

Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars 5-star rating, Learn more about seller ratings

Condition: Very Good. Ships from the UK. Former library book; may include library markings. Used book that is in excellent condition. May show signs of wear or have minor defects. Seller Inventory # GRP83693407

Contact seller

Buy Used

£ 4.69
Convert currency
Shipping: £ 8
From United Kingdom to U.S.A.
Destination, rates & speeds

Quantity: 5 available

Add to basket

There are 3 more copies of this book

View all search results for this book