Rating: 
Summary: Timely and relevant.
Review: This book provides an essential education that puts current events in Europe into the proper perspective. Having recently read "Citizen Soldiers" by Stephen Ambrose, I found myself wanting to explore the causes of World War II. Keegan does an excellent job of showing how the aggression of Germany in the 30's was a direct result of the outcome of WWI. I enhanced my reading of Keegans book by simultaneously reading "Back to the Front" by Stephen O'Shea, who walked the length of the trench lines to give us a contemporary view of the physical scars that remain to this day. Keegan's book is very readable and I highly recommend it to anyone who is at all curious about European current events.
Rating: 
Summary: The usual wonderful Keegan book.
Review: Of course, any book by John Keegan is worth reading. He is a great asset to twentitieth century Western Civilization.In "The First World War," Keegan performs his usual service to us all. However, I preferred Martin Gilbert's "The First World War: A Complete History." Despite Keegan's reputation for his evocative description of the perspective of the common soldier, Gilbert's book was better at this. And I did not understand why Keegan, despite his well-known admiration for Americans, did not give more space to the American role in World War I. For those wish to see what Keegan really thinks about Amercians, read "Fields of Battle: The Wars for North America," Keegan's paean to American civilization. David W. Lee
Rating:
Summary: A good basic summary of the inexplicable
Review: Keegan's title "The First World War" sounds as though the book was written some time back. Keegan provides an orderly sequence to events which at the time had no apparent order. Even reading the book eighty years after the events, there is a sense of uncertainty as to how this war was going to end, and if it was going to end. While the events are laid out, Keegan rarely ventures into the "why" or "what if".Keegan's book is an excellent prequel to Liam Ferguson's "The Pity of War" which plunges headlong into why and what if. What a book Ferguson and Keegan could and should write together! I get the feeling, however, that Keegan is a bit too tired or perhaps, is too pinned down by his former work, to let loose his opinions on those topics.
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Summary: The Usuaul Superb Keegan Military History
Review: Simply put, John Keegan is the finest miltary historian in the world. I do not read his works for their action, their depth of character, or their poetic qualities--these are not his strong suit, and I understand why the reviewers who prefer novels to history have been less than overly kind (my advice: read a novel). I read Keegan because he is a master of analysis, of both strategy and tactics, even-handed and thorough, and an engrossing explicator of battlefield situations. I'm never quite sure when he's about to drop a bomb that will make me look at his topic in an utterly new way. So no, Keegan doesn't explain why so much blood and gold went into this war (has anyone? *Can* anyone?), but he does provide a sterling, thoughtful overview of the war, its origins, development, and consequences. If Keegan would do us Yanks the honor of writing a full-length analysis of our Civil War, I'd kiss him on his ruddy English cheek.
Rating:
Summary: An excellent one-volume overview of World War I
Review: John Keegan's book is a masterful summary of all the major events of World War One, enhanced by his unambiguous opinions about politicians, military leaders and the relative importance of their strategic and tactical decisions. Keegan gives us some surprises: the senior British officers weren't donkeys after all. Germany's lack of tanks was a telling factor in their ultimate defeat on the Western Front. The United States Army was unprepared for our sudden entry into the war. But Keegan concurs with what our most respected historians have been saying since 1918: World War One was a tragic crime, and it led to another - World War II. And in spite of Keegan's inexplicable oversight in not mentioning Robert K. Massie's brilliant "Dreadnought" in his bibliography, his notes and bibliography alone are worth the price of the book. All in all, it's a great read!
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Summary: It truly was the war to end all wars!
Review: John Keegan fills in the wholes on World War I that were left from High School and College general history courses. I really got a sense of that it was like to be on the front lines during the war. I am a bit shocked how little involvement the US had in the war (we certainly were spared most of the death and dismemberment).
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Summary: Can't see the forest.
Review: Keegan describes military events but confuses them with history. Our century saw Germany achieve European hegemony - in spite of itself - while "Great" Britain self destructed and Russia blew its shot at leadership. Moving pins around on maps is kind of fun, but it doesn't tell humanity much about why tens of millions were very cruelly murdered and unimagined wealth was simply blown up. Keegan is undoubtedly very well informed, but his "explanation" of the 1914-18 war comes across as rationalization - victor's history. Our world should have learned from WWI and its aftermath that while soldiers "do or die" they do not "reason why." We need reasons, not battlefied monuments.
Rating:
Summary: Engrossing
Review: John Keegan is the finest military historian of his time, and The First World War reflects all of his familiar strengths- immaculate detail, strong writing, an excellent grip on his material, and a strong sense of compassion. The book is particularly strong in its earlier sections, dealing with the outbreak of war and the first campaigns. It seems to wrap up a little to quickly, and not enough material is dedicated to the after effects of the war. Also, for the first time Keegan lets a bit of nationalistic bias creep into his narrative when discussing the skill and valor of the British troops. Nevertheless, the book is top notch, comprehensive, and thoroughly enjoyable. Not quite as good as A History of Warfare, but at least as good as any of Keegan's other works, if not better.
Rating:
Summary: A masterful account of the "War to end all wars"
Review: Some historians said the 20th Century actually began in August of 1914 when the First World War began. John Keegan has penned yet another winning volume of military history with "The First World War." His comprehensive, yet consise account of the causes, effects and costs of the war ring with a resonance to all of us today. Keegan's descriptions of the how and why the battles were (and were not)fought (such as the Battles of Verdun and the Somme, two of history's bloodiest battles) are superb examples of the military historian's craft. Keegan's summary of the war's effects on the world to this day (the Balkan and Middle Eastern conflicts are, he argues, after-effects of the 1914-18 War) make "The First World War" more than good history. This is a book to study the world of the violent 20th Century and how it became that way. Highly recommended.
Rating:
Summary: first class history as is usual with this author
Review: The mortality rate from influenza at Fort Devens was fifty percent, higher than any campaign in Europe. This was left out. There does not seem to be anyone with the ability and talent to write of miltary history as john Keegan does. His style is addicting. His account of the Russian Revolution was th clearest and most succinct. I hope that he writes on other non miltary subjects. Highest marks.
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