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Summary: Fun, Enjoyable, and Informative
Review: Barbara Tuchman's "The Guns of August" is a recollection of August 1914, one of the most historical months in human history. Within the confines of thirty days, a world was at war, battle lines were drawn, and mobilization took place that would decide the winners and losers of what was to be known as "The Great War". The Guns of August is an in-depth look at the characters that shaped that month, their motives, and the men and women who made it happen. I truly enjoyed reading about the Germans and their sweep across Europe. Tuchman's description of Birtha, the German's 14" cannon that traveled by train and shattered every window in the vicinity of its titanic percussion, made for some of the best historical reading I have ever been privileged to indulge. I would highly recommend "The Guns of August" to anyone interested or semi-interested in World War I and to any proctor looking for an easier read regarding these same events.
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Summary: A life-altering read
Review: I was never a huge fan of history in school - it seemed so static and dry. This book was forced upon me, and it opened my eyes to the grandeur of historical events and the necessity of understanding history to understanding the world today. I in turn forced it upon someone I know, and upon finishing the book she wrote "I feel as though I have lost a best friend."If you read one book on 20th century history, make it this.
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Summary: How The First Thirty Days Happened
Review: Barbara Tuchman was born in New York City in 1912. She was a self-taught historian but did receive a BA from Radcliffe College. She began a career in journalism by writing for The Nation, owned by her father, in 1935 and traveled to Madrid in 1937 to cover the Spanish Civil War. During this period she also worked as a staff writer for War In Spain and New Statesman. As a liberal she was deeply disappointed by the outcome of the conflict and this may have affected the tenor of her writing. She was awarded her first Pulitzer Prize in 1960 for The Guns of August. The Guns of August only covers the first thirty days of the war, until the eve of the Battle of the Marne, but is still a wide ranging book. It covers in great detail the nationalism, diplomatic maneuvering, and military planning which seemed to lead the European continent to war; as well as the military maneuvers and battles of the first thirty days both on land and sea. The author's focus on a limited time period, rather than the entire war, allows her to delve into detail on the war's causes and the key decisions and actions that occurred early in the war. She places great emphasis on, and explores in detail, the personalities and governments she feels were instrumental during the crisis that led to the war and whose actions, during the first weeks of the war, contributed greatly to its future course. Though The Guns of August does not explore the war plans of the great continental powers in great detail it does provide a good background and overview of the different plans. More than other books it explains the basic beliefs espoused and followed by the military planners of Britain, France, Germany, and Russia. Tuchman demonstrates to a certain degree that the plans were not developed following impartial and objective research, but were driven by the pervasive military doctrine accepted by each countries General Staff. The result was plans that were destined to failure by the amazing ability of the highly educated General Staffs to alter their perception of reality to fit the plans that they wished to execute. The most interesting portions of the book are those sections that deal with the lesser-known facets of the war. Tuchman does a good job describing the remaining European royalty, their personalities and personal relationships, and the effects these had on European politics and alliances. For instance, the significance of King Edward's efforts to find a rapprochement with France and Russia are seldom mentioned in other books on the war. Another section develops the German military's punishment of Belgium's civilians to induce their surrender or subservience. Though other books mention Germany's major depredations they do so in the context of a confused situation that exploded out of control of the soldier's leadership. Tuchman is the first author I've read that deals frankly with the German's philosophy of war, based on Clauswitz, and the fact that the severe punishment meted out in civilian areas was both planned and widespread. In doing so she demonstrates the huge philosophical differences separating the belligerents, which only served to make an early negotiated settlement less likely. This is a very helpful book. More than any other it assists the reader in understanding the underlying causes of the war and the key events and personalities which contributed to the course the war was to follow. I wouldn't suggest reading it; however, until after completing a more comprehensive history of the war such as A Short History of World War I to aid in putting the significance of some of the war's early events in perspective. PJZ
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Summary: History made human
Review: I began this book with a minimal amount of background on WWI. Barbara Tuchman has turned the period leading up to the war, and its first 30 days into a read that is as pleasurable to read as 'The Lord of the Rings,' and yet it is informative and complete. She has a lyrical mastery of the language and the ability to bring the humanity to the players, both statesmen and military commanders that is extremely rare. I felt that I got to know them as more than just the issuers of orders; I understood their motives and the interpersonal issues that affected their conduct. When I began the book I was somewhat skeptical, but now I regret that she did not go any further that the first month of the war. If all history were this well written, I would give up fiction.
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Summary: History comes alive.
Review: Should be required reading. Not just an explanation of how the origins of WWI, but of the end of past millenium, and the beginning of our modern history. Told as a terrific and thrilling story. Cannot recommend enough for history and non-history students, political science buffs, and the curious. Fantasitc insight into timeless themes of people, cultures and politics.
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Summary: the causes for war are human...it's results are inhuman
Review: i think that that is what i got out of this book and it was shocking and revealing at once. "guns" took me to the more human and fallible side of war...the mistakes driven by ego and misunderstanding...the passionate stories behind the names of leaders that gave me insight into what really caused them to decide this or the other.
this aspect of "guns" is as relevant today as it should have been in 1914...leaders drive their governments and countries into battles mainly out of their wish to develop greater personal power...they should be stopped, but unfortunately, they will probably live forever.
this is not a book just for war history buffs although, to be honest, i did find myself interested in troop movements and strategies. this is a gripping hollywod adventure with the added bonus that it is true!
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Summary: Worst History Book I've Ever Read
Review: I am an avid history buff and have read many books on World War II, the Civil War, and the Revolutionary War. This is the first book I attempted to read that covered World War I and I was beyond disappointed. Barbara Tuchman actually succeeds in turning a non-fiction into what seems like fiction by making events way too dramatic and focusing on unimportant dialogue. In what was the worst omission of history I've ever seen, she actually only dedicates 3 pages to the murder of Archduke Ferdinand, which was the even that set off the war. She gives no history of the tension between Serbia and Austria. In fact, this book is very lacking in history in general and way too abundant in useless drama. For true history buffs, this book is a waste of time. For people looking for the cheesy Hollywood version of World War I, then this book is for you.
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Summary: To Bad All History Books Are Not Written This Well
Review: After reading the first chapter of this book, you'll understand why it was awarded a Pulitzer. Tuchman's writing is so rich and authoritative that you come to think she must have known everybody that she writes about. And beyond the detail in her writing, the interpretation and analysis of the events is superb and well told. My only criticism of the book is that her presentation of the actors of this drama is quite harsh and relentless. Everyone seemingly involved, except for Churchill which she doesn't seem to want to criticize, is portrayed as a band of idiots set on their own personal ambitions. I almost get the feeling that as she researched this war that she became more and more disgusted with everything and this disgust shows up in her writing throughout the book. The ineptness of the leaders is is the central theme of the book of course, and does serve as a "wonderful" example of how not to run a war or deal with a crisis. It's no wonder that this book was on the mind of JFK during the Cuban missile crisis.
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Summary: Marvelous
Review: Bravo! This is marvelous work that animates the black-and-white world of 1914 Europe with technicolor dynamics and stunning detail. Ms. Tuchman's prose is elegant and erudite; the book is a joy to read. Like David Halberstam, Mr. Tuchman refrains from facile judgment (tempting as it is) and lets the facts (damning as they are) speak for themselves. My only complaint is that Ms. Tuchman, as she did in "A Distant Mirror: The Calamitous 14th Century," assumes too great a knowledge on the part of the reader. Simple reminders of who's who, what's what and where's where would have made it all the more rewarding. Nevertheless -- 5 stars!
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Summary: Essential reading for people interested in World War I
Review: Deals with the opening phase of World War I,how France withstood the onslaught of German armies.Infact ,power politics and some of the rash steps taken by the German monarch Kaiser Wilhelm who torpedoed Bismarck's policy of conciliating the British precipitated the outbreak of hostilities in Europe.Early period of the 20th century ,Europe was divided into two hostile power blocs,perched above an ammunition dump just waiting for a spark to set it aflame.Unfortunate train of events in this direction commenced with the assassination of Austrian heir apparent Archduke Franz Ferdinand by a Serbian nationalist on June 28, 1914.This had a domino effect which pushed feuding European powers one after another on the road to war.Germany invaded France on August5, 1914.German armies marched through Belgium and Britain was drawn into the conflict since London had pledged to uphold Belgian neutrality.More precisely because it wanted to contain Germany's hegemonistic urge.This was in tune with Britain's balance-of-power policy which it steadfastly pursued right from the time of Tudor monarchs.Tuchman has narrated the course of the war and how it unfolded as the days passed by.Germans were able to stop the Russians at Tannenberg but gross ineptitude of Jr Von Moltke botched much-touted Schlieffen manoeuvre.Allies were able to turn the tide in the Battle Marne but war degenerated into ruinous attrition.Military operations bogged down,Western front streching from Switzerland to North Sea stagnated then petrified.Tuchman's book is impeccably and meticulously researched.Also very racy that you are inclined to read it one lap.
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