The catastrophe of the First World War, and the destruction, revolution, and enduring hostilities it wrought, make the issue of its origins a perennial puzzle. Since World War II, Germany has been viewed as the primary culprit. Now, in a major reinterpretation of the conflict, Sean McMeekin rejects the standard notions of the war's beginning as either a Germano-Austrian preemptive strike or a "tragedy of miscalculation." Instead, he proposes that the key to the outbreak of violence lies in St. Petersburg. It was Russian ...
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The catastrophe of the First World War, and the destruction, revolution, and enduring hostilities it wrought, make the issue of its origins a perennial puzzle. Since World War II, Germany has been viewed as the primary culprit. Now, in a major reinterpretation of the conflict, Sean McMeekin rejects the standard notions of the war's beginning as either a Germano-Austrian preemptive strike or a "tragedy of miscalculation." Instead, he proposes that the key to the outbreak of violence lies in St. Petersburg. It was Russian statesmen who unleashed the war through conscious policy decisions based on imperial ambitions in the Near East. Unlike their civilian counterparts in Berlin, who would have preferred to localize the Austro-Serbian conflict, Russian leaders desired a more general war so long as British participation was assured. The war of 1914 was launched at a propitious moment for harnessing the might of Britain and France to neutralize the German threat to Russia's goal: partitioning the Ottoman Empire to ensure control of the Straits between the Black Sea and the Mediterranean. Nearly a century has passed since the guns fell silent on the western front. But in the lands of the former Ottoman Empire, World War I smolders still. Sunnis and Shiites, Arabs and Jews, and other regional antagonists continue fighting over the last scraps of the Ottoman inheritance. As we seek to make sense of these conflicts, McMeekin's powerful expose of Russia's aims in the First World War will illuminate our understanding of the twentieth century.
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Seller's Description:
Near Fine Condition in Near Fine jacket. 9780674062108. European History. VG+/VG+ 1st ed 2011 Harvard hardback, unclipped DJ, top corners a little pushed with light edge-rubbing wear to jacket, bright and unmarked throughout. Size: 164\nx 237\nx 29mm. 344 pages. Quantity Available: 1. Shipped Weight: 1-2 kilos. Category: History; European History; ISBN: 0674062108. ISBN/EAN: 9780674062108. Dewey Code: 940.311. The photos provided are of our own book, further photos may be arranged upon request. Inventory No: 084139.
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Hardcover. NOT Ex-library. Acceptable/fair. No dust jacket. Slight edgewear and bumping. Underlining. Page edges soiled. Proceeds benefit the Pima County Public Library system, which serves Tucson and southern Arizona. Until further notice, USPS Priority Mail only reliable option for Hawaii.
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Fine in Fine jacket. 8vo-over 7¾"-9¾" tall. Hard cover in dust jacket., no flaws or wear. clean. no markings. no bumps, tears. tight binding. appears unused.; xii-324pp., ten maps and several figures.
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May have some shelf-wear due to normal use. Your purchase funds free job training and education in the greater Seattle area. Thank you for supporting Goodwill's nonprofit mission!
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Fine in Fine jacket. pp. 344. The Catastrophe Of The First World War, And The Destruction, Revolution, And Enduring Hostilities It Wrought, Make The Issue Of Its Origins A Perennial Puzzle. Since World War Ii, Germany Has Been Viewed As The Primary Culprit. Now, In A Major Reinterpretation Of The Conflict, Sean Mcmeekin Rejects The Standard Notions Of The War's Beginning As Either A Germano-Austrian Preemptive Strike Or A "Tragedy Of Miscalculation." Instead, He Proposes That The Key To The Outbreak Of Violence Lies In St. Petersburg. It Was Russian Statesmen Who Unleashed The War Through Conscious Policy Decisions Based On Imperial Ambitions In The Near East. Unlike Their Civilian Counterparts In Berlin, Who Would Have Preferred To Localize The Austro-Serbian Conflict, Russian Leaders Desired A More General War So Long As British Participation Was Assured. The War Of 1914 Was Launched At A Propitious Moment For Harnessing The Might Of Britain And France To Neutralize The German Threat To Russia's Goal: Partitioning The Ottoman Empire To Ensure Control Of The Straits Between The Black Sea And The Mediterranean. Nearly A Century Has Passed Since The Guns Fell Silent On The Western Front. But In The Lands Of The Former Ottoman Empire, World War I Smolders Still. Sunnis And Shiites, Arabs And Jews, And Other Regional Antagonists Continue Fighting Over The Last Scraps Of The Ottoman Inheritance. As We Seek To Make Sense Of These Conflicts, Mcmeekin's Powerful Exposé Of Russia's Aims In The First World War Will Illuminate Our Understanding Of The Twentieth Century.