The Sleepwalkers: How Europe Went to War in 1914" by Christopher Clark. I just finished this, which goes into extensive detail about how the politicians in Serbia, Austria-Hungary, Germany, Russia, France and the UK found themselves at war. A heavy focus on diplomacy, and on the Balkans (which makes judging the book by its cover a real mistake, as only one photo predates June 28, 1914, and most are of soldiers and weapons).
As the title says, Clark focuses on "how" - not "why", and eschews making judgments. In that way, Clark makes a very useful addition to the literature. Especially true for anyone with a strong interest in diplomacy, diplomatic history, and the Balkans (like me). Clark makes a strong case for how the Balkans came to be at the forefront of European diplomacy.
It was a not a page-turner (differing it again from Tuchman's Guns of August); Clark's style means that one must commit oneself to reading this serious and long book. It also ends, sharply, on mobilization - this is NOT a war history.
The most evocative passages are found near the end: "Boots", pp. 551-4, contrasting the sorrow of diplomats and ordinary citizens with the "unconcealed joy" of professional soldiers and hawks at the outbreak of war; and (for Kevin), the full paragraph on page 558, distinguishing "the objective factors acting on decision-makers and the stories they told themselves"... "the narratives." (Yeah, I'm not letting that go.)

This book is dense, but isn't a difficult read. A lot of the vocabulary is repeated so it eventually sinks in without great effort. Definitely a very interesting analysis on the lead-up to WW1. None of the war itself is covered, in case that isn't obvious from the description, so don't go in hoping for those details. The book is incredibly well cited.

(Audiobook) This was a struggle for me to get through. I'm sure it was well-researched, but so much was focused on the private exchanges of different diplomats, it was very hard to keep track of all the different players. A good book for people who are super into WWI, but probably wasn't the best choice for me.

A few things I learned:
1. This is one of the first history books I've read since high school where I felt like my high school history knowledge was not full of lies.

2. People were so incredibly prejudiced 110 years ago. So many stupid decisions based on stereotypes, and so much projection.

3. Physical barriers to information traveling caused people to make a lot of faulty assumptions.

4. Everyone thought it was a justifiable defensive war from their point of view.

Very systematic and thorough. I ground to a halt about halfway through for various reasons. May try again later on.

Christopher Clark mines fresh resources informed by events of the last few decades to throw new light on the background and causes of WWI. The principal focus of the book is on the Balkan nations, Serbian nationalism, and how the relationship between Serbia and the Austro-Hungarian empire led to the development of alliances the paved the way to war. In addition to the thorough analysis of history, events, and politics in the Balkans, the author examines the ministers and decision makers of the British, French, German, Austrian, and Russian governments. Clark attempts to put Balkan nationalism at the center of his analysis, looking to illuminate how the war began:

"It is a central argument of this book that the events of July 1914 make sense only when we illuminate the journeys travelled by the key decision-makers. To do this, we need to do more than simply revisit the sequence of international ‘crises’ that preceded the outbreak of war – we need to understand how those events were experienced and woven into narratives that structured perceptions and motivated behaviour. Why did the men whose decisions took Europe to war behave and see things as they did? How did the sense of fearfulness and foreboding that one finds in so many of the sources connect with the arrogance and swaggering we encounter – often in the very same individuals? Why did such exotic features of the pre-war scene as the Albanian Question and the ‘Bulgarian loan’ matter so much, and how were they joined up in the heads of those who had political power? When decision-makers discoursed on the international situation or on external threats, were they seeing something real, or projecting their own fears and desires on to their opponents, or both?"


Clark begins with the remarkable observation that we are now in a better position than ever before to understand the trigger of WWI, the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand. The murder was a terrorist act, performed by a rogue political organization without clear political or geographical location, unaccountable to any government. The "modernity" of the war is another key thesis.

Excellent history, extremely detailed, and certainly not recommended as a first book on the subject. But highly recommended for anyone with a basic knowledge of WWI, who is looking for new insights on the antecedents. The reader will also come away with a new understanding of the continuing dangers of Balkan nationalism.

Truly comprehensive and accurate description of the origins of the WWI. What I enjoyed the most and what many historians often fail to do, being preoccupied with the history timeline, is the role of the decision-makers mindset, perception and attitudes.