Fabulous epic absorbing book, could not put it down. Wonderful stories from every front of First World War during it’s first year brilliantly illustrated by those who fought, lived, suffered and died. Catastrophe 1914 gives you a very complete picture and deep understanding of the complex causes of the conflict, the personalities, the battles, the leaders, and of those millions participatin and caught in the horrendous battlefields, including civilians and soldiers, from infantry and cavalry soldiers to the Commanders in Chief of every one of the warring nations. Highly recommend it.

Max Hastings has once again produced a superb book on the very origins and the immediate aftermath of the declaration of WWI...his attention to detail is fascinating and will expand and inform the knowledge of even those who think there is nothing more to write on this huge subject. He takes you into the minds of the leading protagonists from each country and manages to both explain the importance of this about to forgotten war and yet the feeling that was left of the futility of it all by many who were actually asked to " go over the top" A huge and important look at our past and that of the Europe that became the modern EU.