Everyone admits that World War I was an “accidental” war. Like a set of dominoes, country after country fell into the conflict whether they wanted to or not. Christopher Clark’s magnificent history of World War I, The Sleepwalkers, vividly shows how governments can be as stupid as people and make horrifically Bad Choices. Clark’s detailed portrayal of the step-by-step lunacy that lead to one of the deadliest wars in history will fascinate and chill every reader. How could those political leaders and governments and military heads get sucked into such a disaster? The Sleepwalkers proves it was easy. GRADE: A
George, I’m often surprised how little people (where I live) know about WWI. “Who fought whom?” is the general refrain. Of course, it happened a very long time ago and besides it has been completely overshadowed by WWII that was closer to recall, particularly through an overdose of popular films and fiction. I’m going to read this book given my interest in wars, real and fictional. I have also noticed that it has got some very good reviews.
Prashant, most Americans have complete amnesia when it comes to history. THE SLEEPWALKERS scored the front page of the NEW YORK TIMES BOOK REVIEW (a coveted honor) so I bought and read it immediately now that I’m on vacation.
At least we learned a valuable lesson from history, George, and have never again gone into an unnecessary war without carefully weighing the risks and consequences–have we?
Ha, Dan! Our political and military leaders don’t study history so they’re condemned to repeating the mistakes of the Past: Vietnam, Iraq, and Afghanistan. And there are clowns in Congress who are pushing for us to get involved in Syria. Madness!
Just read the NY Times Book Review of this last week and it sounded really interesting.
Jeff, that’s where I first learned of THE SLEEPWALKERS. It may be the best book about World War I ever written.
“Governments can be as stupid as people”. Of course they can. Just as committees are more stupid than an informed individual. Governmental politics seems to always mess things up. The book sounds interesting, though I doubt it’s one I’ll read.
Rick, if you’re ever going to read a history of WWI, THE SLEEPWALKERS is the book I’d recommend.