The Pity of War

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In The Pity of War, Niall Ferguson presents a provocative argument that the Great War was entirely England's fault. He contends that Britain entered the conflict based on misguided assumptions about German intentions, transforming a Continental clash into a global war that was poorly managed, leading to American involvement. Ferguson asserts that the war was not inevitable but resulted from individual miscalculations, despite later claims of being overwhelmed by larger forces. The war's horror is captured not only in the poignant poetry of figures like Wilfred Owen and Siegfried Sassoon but also in stark statistics: more British soldiers died on the first day of the Battle of the Somme than Americans in the Vietnam War, with total British fatalities in that battle surpassing American losses in both World Wars. Despite the war's catastrophic nature, many who fought did so with enthusiasm. Ferguson revives this harrowing era through compelling chapters that explore contemporary perspectives on the First World War. For those seeking to understand the motivations behind warfare and its lasting impact on the world, Ferguson's work serves as a sharp and stimulating guide.