The First World War, lasting just four years, from 1914 to 1918, waswithout parallel, the first true global conflict in which all of the earth's greatpowers participated.

A Short History of the First World War tellsthe story of this cataclysmic event. Following a description of the backgroundof the war, each year of the war is dealt with in its own chapter, the battles,various battlefronts and important incidents described and analysed for theirimpact on the conduct of the war. The war on the home front is also considered,both in the case of the Allies and the Central Powers. Finally, the bookexamines the last acts of this 'war to end all wars'.