A General Sketch of the European War: The First Phase

"A General Sketch of the European War: The First Phase" by Hilaire Belloc is a deep examination into the start of World War I, breaking down the reasons why the war started, who was fighting, and what their first moves were. The book wants to make sense of the confusing politics and war plans of the time, pointing out that the war really came down to countries wanting different things. Belloc explains that countries fight because they have different goals and feel threatened, especially highlighting Germany's desire to be united and powerful, which clashed with what France, England, and Russia wanted. He shows how these disagreements led straight to the war, stressing that knowing where these conflicts came from is key to understanding the whole story of the war, getting ready to investigate the important battles and choices made in the early days of the conflict.