Rating: 
Summary: gripping readable history
Review: Barbara Tuchman's account of the 30 days of August 1914 can be viewed as a prism of events before and after this pivotal month at the start of the WW1. There are many views as to whether this War was an inevitable manifestation of tottering monarchies, deadly new technology, colonial rivalry and and the still very prevalent romance and chivalry associated with War. WW1 forever debased that latter notion, but sadly did not put an end to war. Although this can be read as a stand alone piece it is better put in the perspective of it's precedent, the war itself and its aftermath. John Keegan's new study 'World War One' is highly recommended, and perhaps Clausewitz's classic study of causes and tactics 'On War'. Tuchman does not present an ideological or chauvinistic perspective. Her strength is in her objective narrative rendering, and her character insights, including the llumination of some lesser known figures who played a key roll in events. Excellent, readable history with the drama and immediacy of a novel. You'll have trouble putting it down.
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Summary: A superb history of the first month of the 1st World War.
Review: Although we think of the First World War in terms of the stalemate and carnage of the trenches, for the first few weeks of combat, it was a war of movement. The battlelines shifted daily and the British and French came closer to disaster than I realized before I read this book. It's a gripping story, which Tuchman tells superbly. The political and military leaders come alive, the maps are clear, and even though you know how the story ends, you can't put the book down. Tuchman is also a reliable: I didn't find any factual errors. My complaints are minor. I agree with the previous writer who thought that the book ended too early: the war of movement in the west really ended with the French counterattack on the Marne, which is not discussed in the same detail as the campaign that led to it. Also, while Tuchman, presumably legitimately, dismisses the story of the angels of Mons as a legend, she should have told us what the legend was. Overall, however, I thought that the book was great, and I strongly recommend it even to those readers who think they know the story after reading such popular histories of the First World War as those by John Keegan or Martin Gilbert. You'll be surprised how you learn.
Rating: 
Summary: History can be fun and instructive
Review: Whoa! I loved this book. I like Keegan's books, too. It's hard to say which is best. Tuchman describes a lot of personalites. Keegan has more relevant facts and explore strategies better. I read both auhors will equal fervor. I plan to read her "Stillwell and the American Experience in China".I've lent this book to several other non-history buffs and they can't get past page 50. Obvioulsy they will not be going to Amazon and entering a 1 star rating! You should love history before opening the book.
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Summary: 30 days that changed the world...
Review: Barbara Tuchman's account of the outbreak of the First World War is the definitive book on the subject. From the political crises and entangling alliances that characterized Europe in 1914 to the "damn fool thing in the Balkans" that set the war machines in motion, Tuchman provides insight and clarity to a complex situation. Tuchman goes beyond the superfluous details of the alliances and actions which brought the war about to bring about a deeper understanding of the prevailing attitudes in each country. She explains the German approach through the expansionist philosophy of Hegel and Nietzsche, along with the ideas of Clausewitz on how to fight a war and deal with conquered enemies. Also the political culture in France (where government was rapidly changing, especially with regards to mandatory military service), and the English policy of sending only volunteers abroad, and only when enough replacements could be brought back from remote outposts all over the world. These and many other meticulously resarched details provide a fascinating depth to the story. Also very interesting are the studies in character of the main players in the drama of August 1914. Joffre, French, von Kluck, and the German Kaiser (among many others) are studied in detail, in an effort to understand the decisions each made through the first month of the war. To her credit, Tuchman doesn't place thoughts in anyone's head; reasons for action are given in the individual's own words (as recorded in journals or official histories), or when the reason is not clear, Tuchman gives a number of possible answers puctuated by the fact that we can't be sure exactly what anyone was thinking. This is a brilliant book. Thorough from the battles on the western front to the well-intentioned if ill-conceived Russian offensive at Tannenberg, along with an interesting subplot with the German battle cruiser Goeben, the intricate detail, along with Tuchman's reader-friendly writing style, make for some great reading.
Rating:
Summary: Simply the greatest history book ever written
Review: What Barbara Tuchman has done here is something precious few historians are able to do. With her stunning prose and fathomless knowledge, she brings to life that first fateful month of World War One. The historical figures she describes seem more like a collection of characters from an action novel. More than once I found myself saying "Did they really do that?" Ordinarily I can only read about 75 pages at a time before I start to lose interest and need a break. This book I began one morning and didn't put it down until I finished it. Tuchman kept my interest throughout and at times, though I knew the outcome, I found myself sitting at the edge of my chair wondering what would happen next. Even some of the best novels do not have this kind of power. As for the book itself, it covers only the first month of the war. Though it does go into some depth of the war's origins, the main focus is on the movement and action of the armies from mobilization day until stalemate is reached. Tuchman's research is exhaustive, and this is the definitive work on that period. When the book was finished, I was disappointed only because she didn't continue. I wish I could give this more than five stars. If you have any interest in history whatsoever, regardless of your field, you must read this book, because this is what history should be!
Rating:
Summary: Como se inicio todo
Review: Es sencillamente un libro magnifico, facil de leer, aun para quienes no somos angloparlantes, muy didactico, donde parece que los actores de ese momento estuvieran hoy entre nosotros.
Fue a traves de esta obra que comence a interesarme sobre la Primera Guerra Mundial, sobre todo porque uno va entrando en forma paulatina en la voragine de los sucesos que llevaron al conflicto. La descripcion de las potencias antes del inicio de la guerra es sencilla, clara, pero no por eso menos interesante. Esta primera etapa de descripcion de la situacion fue quiza la que mas me gusto y me llevo a leer otros libros relacionados. Los capitulos relativos a los primeros combates estan bien desarrollados y a uno le permiten visualizar como seguira en el tiempo la contienda. He leido tres libros de la Sra. Tuchman y me parece que este es el mejor de todos, sin desmerecer al Zimmermann Telegram que me parecio tambien estupendo.
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Summary: Anti-German bias? Laughable!
Review: ... The book lays out the facts. The Germans murdered thousands of Belgian and French civilians, 99.99999% for no reason other than to "inspire" the fear that the doctrine of terrorism the "Grosser Generalstab" had inculcated into its commanders and troops. The exposes the dithering stupidity of much of the British cabinet--how can that be "pro" British in the sense of bias? Of course, it can't. It also demonstrates the tragic stupidity--there's no other word for it--of French politics and military planning during the Third Republic (1871-1940) and shows quite clearly that had the "offensive a l'outrance" had been abandoned for trench systems along the entire French border from Switzerland to the Channel, the Germans would have been stopped cold in Belgium and the French and British would have been fighting from the high ground--rather than the other way around. For anyone to call stating the cold, hard facts about the crimes of the Imperial German Army, is an insult to the thousands they murdered and to the only thing this book is about: the truth! So, neo-Nazis be gone! This book is about the truth, something you're not interested in. Germany was clearly, completely and totally at fault. Nothing in her strategic posture demanded hooking the "Reich's" fate to the tottering, imminent collapse of the Austrian Empire. Bismarck regarded the idea with horror and did all he could to distance Germany from creaking, bellicose Austria and her sociopathic commander-in-chief Conrad von Hoetzendorff. And yes, Mrs. Tuchman is pro democracy and pro-freedom--ideals few of Germany's pre-1914 elite held dear. And, yes, she is against shooting 6 month old babies in the head as the Germans did in Belgium. As Sir John Keegan points out, in his excellent "the First World War" (despite the bizarre and irrelevant criticism of this book by obviously weakly informed reviewer, is fantastic and MUST be on every student's shelf), everywhere the Germans went in France and Belgium, villages and towns were burned--sometimes cities, e.g Louvain--women, children, babies and old men were systematically shot--not by special death squads, but by members of some of the premiere regiments of the German Army (e.g. The Prussian Foot Guards, the "Big Red One" of the German Army). In almost every town in Belgium and the northern 1/4 of France occupied by them you can find grave stones with the inscription... "fusillie par les Allemands" "Shot dead by the Germans." And, next to those whose death are marked 1914 is entirely new and much larger contention of graves with the very same words, only the date, 1940, changes. You see, in both wars, the Germans engaged in systematic war crimes and crimes against humanity. It took the destruction of their cities and the deaths of 9 million German men from 1914-1945 to convince our Teutonic cousins that they would never be allowed to conquer the planet. Mrs. Tuchman presents this with calm, studied prose that diminished none of the horror nor conceals the deeply moral center that drove this woman's life and work. Criticism is either revisionism or foolishness. This book is for the ages.
Rating:
Summary: Still a Great Book
Review: If you are looking at these reviews and deciding if you should or should not read this book - think about the following. It has a high ranking on the Amazon.com list but the book might be older than some of the readers. The fact that it is still popular should tell you something. It does not read like an old book. The other thing is that this was in many ways a fascinating war involving the main powers of Europe and in a war in which tanks just started to be introduced, people still used horses, and it was simply a horrific conflict that quickly evolved into static trench warfare. Having said that the book is an excellent description of the build up to the military action of World War I just from the time before the war in 1914 to about a month or so into the war when as quasi-static situation developed. It reminds me of some of the books on the Arab-Israeli wars in more modern times but this book is on a much grander scale with lots of related information. It remains one of my favorite books and was highly recommended by the critics. I found it to be well written and a to be a compelling read. Highly recommend for history or war buffs. Five stars. Jack in Toronto
Rating:
Summary: One of the greatest histories ever
Review: There is a reason this book is still around. There is a reason that Presidents refer to it, why it is read at West Point and why friends recommend it to friends. It is because Tuchman has both the gift of the well researched historian who gets her dates right, and the gift of the story teller who understands that history is not about dates, it is about the human experience. Tuchman is one of the best selling and most highly regarded historians ever. Years from now when the great historians are numbered, on the list with Herodotus will be this woman. If she is still alive I only have one request: keep typing.
Rating: 
Summary: Sophisticated Propaganda and Distortion
Review: I agree with the many other reviewers here who cite this biased work as slanted propaganda. While the author clearly has a degree of crafty writing skills - such are certainly applied here in a biased manner -which provides an end product of twisted versions of events during World War I. Apparently done so for the sensationalistic impact of storytelling from the British perspective. I would respectfully request you look elsewhere for a more realistic and truthful account of the war. This book is not only inaccurate but it is insulting.
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