The Childrens' Story of the War, Volume 1 (of 10) From the Beginning of the War to the Landing of the British Army in France

"The Children's Story of the War, Volume 1 (of 10)" by Sir Edward Parrott is a historical narrative crafted for young readers, exploring the initial period of World War I. The story starts by highlighting the serene atmosphere before the war, contrasting it with the escalating tensions between nations, specifically Austria and Serbia, whose conflict triggered the global catastrophe. It explains the underlying reasons for the war that include long-standing national desires and complicated relationships among the great powers of the world. The author uses the imagery of an earthquake destroying a peaceful town to represent how the war abruptly destroyed the calm, marking the beginning of a war story where young readers can understand critical historical events and the complex relationships that defined the start of the worldwide conflict.