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Denise Hogan has commented on (1) product.

The Guns of August by Barbara Wertheim Tuchman

Denise Hogan, January 1, 2012

An absolutely fascinating account of the lead-up to to WWI. With all the advantages of hindsight and a wry, blunt assessment of the personalities of players large and small, the author leads us through the mistakes, miscalculations, hubris and courage that started this war and turned it into the years-long slogging trench war that it became.

It's a gripping tale, chock full of oh-so-very-human characters from all sides. The 'what ifs' of this action or that decision abound. I have to admit that for a good way through the book I couldn't shake the idea that the Western powers were in deep, deep trouble. Surely Germany, with its superior planning, manpower and early advantages was going to win. No spoiler here - we all know how it turned out but Tuchman effectively sucks us into the now of the early 20th century and sweeps us along on a grand unfolding saga.

We're introduced to unlikely heroes and cement-footed commanders. And Maps. I do love a book with maps...troop placements...strategic planning... For someone who had never really thought about how exactly one fights a war, i.e., where do you put your troops?, and how many?, how to keep supply lines open and accessible? how in an age before satellites and air reconnaissance do you know what the enemy is doing?, this was an eye-opener.

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