Von Moltke and 'quick victory': Jellicoe and the Battle of Jutland: P???tain and the wave of mutinies: Ludendorff and the 1918 offensives. Four key men, four key moments in the Great War. Corelli Barnett, in his famous study, writes with brilliant insight about these flawed men grappling with events that were outside their comprehension. In his preface he writes thus: 'The Theme of this book is the decisive effect of individual human character on history. The background, in sharpest contrast, is a sudden and violent ...
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Von Moltke and 'quick victory': Jellicoe and the Battle of Jutland: P???tain and the wave of mutinies: Ludendorff and the 1918 offensives. Four key men, four key moments in the Great War. Corelli Barnett, in his famous study, writes with brilliant insight about these flawed men grappling with events that were outside their comprehension. In his preface he writes thus: 'The Theme of this book is the decisive effect of individual human character on history. The background, in sharpest contrast, is a sudden and violent transition to mass collectivised life - to twentieth century industrial civilization. The principal actors are four national commanders-in-chief: two German, one Frenchman, one Englishman. Theirs was the novel task of directing these new and terrifying forces of mass powering battle. Each had been born and bred in the last century; each belonged to a highly conservative profession. Their abilities and defects reflected and illustrated those of their countries. For the historian, with the priceless gift of hindsight, it is moving and fascinating, therefore, to study these men locked in struggle with events greater than themselves; to see their moments of clarity and prophesy, of optimistic self-delusion, of uncertainty, of despair. Each in turn, as commander-in-chief, bore his nation's sword at a period when the course of the war pivoted on his judgement and will: four actors in a continental tragedy of death and re-birth.'
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Add this copy of The Swordbearers: Supreme Command in the First World to cart. $2.37, fair condition, Sold by ThriftBooks-Atlanta rated 5.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Brownstown, MI, UNITED STATES, published 1975 by Indiana University Press.
Add this copy of The Swordbearers: Supreme Command in the First World to cart. $2.37, good condition, Sold by ThriftBooks-Baltimore rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Halethorpe, MD, UNITED STATES, published 1975 by Indiana University Press.
Add this copy of The Swordbearers: Supreme Command in the First World to cart. $3.26, fair condition, Sold by Once Upon A Time Books rated 1.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Tontitown, AR, UNITED STATES, published 1975 by Indiana University Press.
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Fair. This is a used book. It may contain highlighting/underlining and/or the book may show heavier signs of wear. It may also be ex-library or without dustjacket. This is a used book. It may contain highlighting/underlining and/or the book may show heavier signs of wear. It may also be ex-library or without dustjacket.
Add this copy of The Swordbearers: Supreme Command in the First World to cart. $3.50, good condition, Sold by HPB Inc. rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Dallas, TX, UNITED STATES, published 1975 by Indiana University Press.
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Add this copy of The Swordbearers: Supreme Command in the First World to cart. $4.80, fair condition, Sold by Wonder Book - Member ABAA/ILAB rated 5.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Frederick, MD, UNITED STATES, published 1975 by Indiana University Press.
Add this copy of The Swordbearers. Supreme Command in the First World to cart. $4.98, good condition, Sold by ThriftBooks-Atlanta rated 5.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Brownstown, MI, UNITED STATES, published by William Morrow.
Add this copy of The Swordbearers. Supreme Command in the First World to cart. $4.98, good condition, Sold by ThriftBooks-Reno rated 5.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Reno, NV, UNITED STATES, published by William Morrow.
Add this copy of The Swordbearers. Supreme Command in the First World to cart. $4.98, fair condition, Sold by ThriftBooks-Atlanta rated 5.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Brownstown, MI, UNITED STATES, published by William Morrow.
Add this copy of The Swordbearers. Supreme Command in the First World to cart. $4.98, fair condition, Sold by ThriftBooks-Dallas rated 5.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Dallas, TX, UNITED STATES, published by William Morrow.
Add this copy of The Swordbearers: Supreme Command in the First World to cart. $5.34, good condition, Sold by Wonder Book - Member ABAA/ILAB rated 5.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Frederick, MD, UNITED STATES, published 1975 by Indiana University Press.
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Good. Good condition. A copy that has been read but remains intact. May contain markings such as bookplates, stamps, limited notes and highlighting, or a few light stains.
This is an fascinating series of "cameos" on some of the key leaders of World War One. Mr. Barnett examines the personalities of these men, and the elements of their backgrounds that led them to sometimes make controversial or puzzling decisions. While somewhat dated, Mr. Barnett's take on those decisions, particularly the decision to go to war itself, reflects current thinking that those critical decisions were ultimately made by small coteries of men in each country. Very readable, and enjoyable.