New York Times Current History: The European War, Vol 1, No. 1 From the Beginning to March, 1915, With Index

"New York Times Current History: The European War, Vol 1, No. 1" by Various, documents the opening months of World War I with a collection of essays and viewpoints from leading thinkers of the time. It explores the origins and effects of the war, analyzing the complex political situation in Europe. The book opens with George Bernard Shaw's "Common Sense About the War," which challenges popular ideas about the conflict, placing blame on nationalism and militarism. Shaw exposes how ruling classes in both England and Germany sway public opinion, raising concern for the role of propaganda in encouraging the war and arguing that the war highlights internal battles of power. This critical article sets the stage for the book's deeper examination of the war's underlying causes and societal impacts.