The Sleepwalkers: How Europe Went to War in 1914
Christopher Clark
Description: The clash of european Great Powers in the First World War killed millions of human lifes and changed the political map essentially. What happend, that lead to this four years long, world wide catastrophe? Christopher Clark, Bestselling author of Iron Kingdom: The Rise and Downfall of Prussia, 1600-1947, describes in his new novel the preliminary events leading to the war in a new and diffrent way: as a not wanted, posibily avoidable event in a thick series of events and decisions in a world with complicating and complex relationships and conflicts. And he puts into question what was consenus for historians: that Germany was wearing the primary debt for the break-out of the First World War.
My opinion: "The Sleepwalkers" is a very interesting book. It is not a made-up story, but facts that are explained. It is kind of hard to read sometimes, because you have to concentrate and there are many information in a small part of the text. Still, it is fascinating, because there are a lot of things, you don't know before and it gives a look into a whole diffrent world.
Written in a way, that's great to understand and objectiv, it is simple to understand and not only for scientist. Instead it is possible for many people to read and like it. Focusing not only on the vents happening in 1914 and the following years, but going back in history - when necessary to the years 1800 following - the author makes sure, you have all the information needed.
Really nice is the fact that Christopher Clark is kind of objectiv. He doesn't says it is the fault of this country or this person or that person, but shows their lives and reasons to act and says probably that wasn't the best, but if that had been the only mistake, we probably wouldn't have had this big war.
You can not only learn a lot about the begining of the 20th century, the first world war and culture and history of many countries, but also a lot about acting in a moral right way, conflict behaviour and management and social interactions. The novel makes you think again about a topic, that seeemed to be obvious for a long time - the primary debt of Germany.
All in all: It is a novel worth reading and a must-read for everyone interested in the history of the 20th century or in world history. But also for others, who just like to learn something or are opne for new things and willing to try somethign out, it is a great novel.
Written in a way, that's great to understand and objectiv, it is simple to understand and not only for scientist. Instead it is possible for many people to read and like it. Focusing not only on the vents happening in 1914 and the following years, but going back in history - when necessary to the years 1800 following - the author makes sure, you have all the information needed.
Really nice is the fact that Christopher Clark is kind of objectiv. He doesn't says it is the fault of this country or this person or that person, but shows their lives and reasons to act and says probably that wasn't the best, but if that had been the only mistake, we probably wouldn't have had this big war.
You can not only learn a lot about the begining of the 20th century, the first world war and culture and history of many countries, but also a lot about acting in a moral right way, conflict behaviour and management and social interactions. The novel makes you think again about a topic, that seeemed to be obvious for a long time - the primary debt of Germany.
All in all: It is a novel worth reading and a must-read for everyone interested in the history of the 20th century or in world history. But also for others, who just like to learn something or are opne for new things and willing to try somethign out, it is a great novel.
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