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A review by ashurbanipal
1914: The Year the World Ended by Paul Ham
2.0
Its thesis is laughably superficial and so is his analysis. I've spent the past month grading high school essays on the first world war and Ham writes with the skill of a competent 15 year-old. If you want a history of the July Crisis written during the centenary you're better off with Clark, MacMillan, Otte, McMeekin, Hastings, Martel... Honestly probably anything else.
Ham's argument that his book serves as an introductory piece to the topic is a paper shield. It does not excuse what a poor piece of history and writing this is. The idea that this degree of mediocrity is what's needed to reach the general population should, frankly, insult the reader.
Do yourself a favor and pick another book.
Ham's argument that his book serves as an introductory piece to the topic is a paper shield. It does not excuse what a poor piece of history and writing this is. The idea that this degree of mediocrity is what's needed to reach the general population should, frankly, insult the reader.
Do yourself a favor and pick another book.