The Guns of August  (English, Paperback, Tuchman Barbara)

Barbara Tuchman tells the story of the events leading up to the “War to end all war” in The Guns of August, a detailed account of the causes of the First World War.

Summary of the Book

In the first half of the twentieth century, mankind came close to destroying itself. A cataclysmic war rocked the foundations of modern civilization, showing the world the bleak truth about mankind’s need for power. In one fell swoop, the pillars of world politics crumbled, and nothing could have stopped it from setting off a chain of events like a line of dominoes. The First World War was an inevitable event, foreshadowed for decades on end. The signs were there, but the world remained blind to them. However, could war have been prevented? Was the destruction warranted, unavoidable? In this classic account, imbued with her strong literary prowess and personal experiences, Barbara Tuchman delves into the reasons behind the First World War. She describes the chaotic political scenario before 1914, and the horrific logic that led to a war like a juggernaut, unstoppable in its path. From its gripping first line to the account of the brutal battles of 1914, this book deserves to be read by anyone who wants to understand how the entire world could be plunged into war.

About Barbara Tuchman

Barbara W. Tuchman was an American writer and historian. She is also remembered for Stilwell and the American Experience in China, 1911–45, a biography of General Joseph Stilwell.

Tuchman won the Pulitzer Prize twice, and one of the occasions was due to this book.