Old Europe's Suicide; or, The Building of a Pyramid of Errors An Account of Certain Events in Europe During the Period 1912–1919

"Old Europe's Suicide; or, The Building of a Pyramid of Errors" by Christopher Birdwood Thomson is a historical examination of Europe between 1912 and 1919. Told from the perspective of someone who saw these events unfold firsthand, it carefully presents the political and social issues that led to the destruction of the Central Empires. The story starts by explaining Thomson's background and what he hopes to achieve with this book. He looks back at his time during important military actions before moving into the reasons that led to World War I. Thomson understands how national desires and old wrongs played against each other, and he points out the dangerous tensions in the Balkans and how they dramatically affected Europe. He uses strong comparisons, viewing the period's mistakes and zealous national strategies as a growing pyramid of errors. He suggests the conflicts weren't just random events but signs of larger problems. He aims to break down these happenings to promote smarter international cooperation, urging society to think more carefully about how decisions are made in politics.