Britain and the Origins of the First World War

Description

Taking into account scholarship since 1980, this new edition rejects recent arguments that Britain went to war out of either weakness, fear of an "invented" German menace or fears for the Empire. Instead, while placing greater emphasis than before on the role of Russia, Zara S. Steiner and Keith Neilson maintain the view that Britain was forced into the war in order to preserve the European balance of power and Britain's favourable position within it.

ZARA S. STEINER is Emeritus Fellow of New Hall, University of Cambridge. - KEITH NEILSON is Professor of History at the Royal Military College of Canada.

Reviews of the first edition: 'Zara Steiner's book is a sober, sensible account of how this country became impelled into the First World War. She is a very good historian, with exceptionally balanced judgement.' - C. P. Snow, Financial Times '[Steiner's] brilliant exposition provides many ideas to argue over and some to agree with.' - A. J. P. Taylor, The Observer 'This is a fine study of British politics and attitudes during the momentous decade and a half from the death of Queen Victoria to the outbreak of the Great War.' - J. A. S. Grenville, THES 'With careful scholarship, [Steiner] describes the circumstances and intermittent crises that brought a country...to the moment of truth in 1914.' - John Grigg, The Listener 'Zara Steiner...has now synthesized both the labours of other British scholars and her own to produce this excellent work on Britain's role in the coming of World War I...This is the best analysis so far produced of this highly contentious issue, containing as it does a wealth of interesting material and a thought-provoking sketch of the personality of British Foreign Secretary Sir Edward Grey. I recommend this book with enthusiasm as a major contribution to the continuing debate about the causes of World War I, and one which should appeal to teachers and undergraduates alike.' - M. L. Dockrill, British Book News 'Zara Steiner has the control of sources and the mastery of detail that are taken for granted in Cambridge dons.' - Economist 'Here at last we have that balanced, learned account which will make it easily the best guide to this complicated and important topic. The structure and layout of the book are admirable; the style is clear and flowing; and the erudition and clarity of argument convincing.' - Paul Kennedy, Sunday Times