The Marne, 1914: The Opening of World War I and the Battle That Changed the World

Description

For the first time in a generation, here is a bold new account of the Battle of the Marne, a cataclysmic encounter that prevented a quick German victory in World War I and changed the course of two wars and the world. With exclusive information based on newly unearthed documents, Holger H. Herwig re-creates the dramatic battle and reinterprets Germany's aggressive"Schlieffen Plan" as a carefully crafted design to avoid a protracted war against superior coalitions. He paints a fresh portrait of the run-up to the Marne and puts in dazzling relief the Battle of the Marne itself: the French resolve to win, and the crucial lack of coordination between Germany's First and Second Armies. Herwig also provides stunning cameos of all the important players, from Germany's Chief of General Staff Helmuth von Moltke to his rival, France's Joseph Joffre. Revelatory and riveting, this is the source on this seminal event.

Holger H. Herwig holds a dual position at the University of Calgary as professor of history and as Canada Research Chair in the Centre for Military and Strategic Studies. He has published more than a dozen books, including the prize-winning The First World War: Germany and Austria-Hungary 1914-1918 and (with Richard F. Hamilton) The Origins of World War I. From the Hardcover edition.

"Makes vivid the full tragedy of what the Marne set in motion."--The Wall Street Journal "A thoroughly informed panorama of the immense and bloody campaign that kicked off World War I."--The Washington Times "As fine an addition to scholarly World War I literature as has been seen in some time."--Booklist "[An] engrossing narrative . . . Herwig combines colorful evocations of the horrors of the fighting with a lucid operational history of the campaign."--Publishers Weekly "The commanders you'll encounter in The Marne, 1914 aren't familiar names to most people today, but their mistakes, fears and courage make them excellent dramatic characters."--The Oregonian "Meticulous research and solid writing."--North County Times