Synopses & Reviews
A vast amount of literature has emerged on the First World War and its repercussions since the Armistice. Two leading historians therefore present this comparative analysis of the ways in which the history has been written and interpreted. Identifying three generations of historians, literary scholars, film directors and writers who have commented upon the war, they assess social and cultural interpretations as well as diplomatic and military studies, seen primarily through the eyes of French, German and British writers.
Review
"...an outstanding historiographical study...the book is a very well written, well researched, and interesting study--a must read for advanced history students who are interested in a comparative analysis of World War I or preparing for comprehensive exams."
-H-German
Review
"This is a book for historians, students, and serious buffs. It is as much about the nature of historical inquiry as it has evolved in twentieth century Britain, France, and Germany as it is about various interpretations of the meaning of war. This kind of comparative analysis over such a huge and varied literature is rare, perhaps unprecedented, and certainly welcome. A rich and fascinating book, it deserves a wide readership."
-History: Review of New Books
Synopsis
Since the Armistice, a vast literature has been produced on the First World War and its repercussions. For the first time, two leading historians from the United States and France have produced a fully comparative analysis of the ways in which this history has been written. The book identifies three generations of historians, literary scholars, film directors and writers who have provided diplomatic, military, social and cultural interpretations of the Great War. This groundbreaking study will prove invaluable reading to students in history, war studies, European history and international relations.
About the Author
Jay Winter is Professor of History at Yale University. He is a specialist on the First World War and its impact on the 20th century. His numerous publications include Sites of Memory, Sites of Mourning: The Great War in European Cultural History (1996), and 1914-1918. The Great War and the Shaping of the 20th Century (1998).Antoine Prost is Professor of History at the Université de Paris I. He is the author and editor of several books, including Republican Identities in War and Peace, Representations of France in the 19th and 20th Centuries (2002) and The Emergence of European Trade Unionism (with Jean-Louis Robert and Chris Wrigley, 2004).
Table of Contents
Preface; Introduction; 1. Three historiographical configurations; 2. Politicians and diplomats: why war and for what aims?; 3. Generals and ministers: who commanded and how?; 4. Soldiers: how did they wage war?; 5. Businessmen, industrialists and bankers: how was the economic war waged?; 6. Workers: did war prevent or provoke revolution?; 7. Civilians: how did they make war and survive it?; 8. Agents of memory: how did people live between remembrance and forgetting?; 9. The Great War in history; Bibliography; Index.