One more book that I didn’t have time to review earlier!

38. The Sleepwalkers: How Europe Went to War in 1914 by Christopher Clark. A wonderful history read. For some reason I’ve been interested in WWI history lately, so this book hit the spot. A popular history, to be sure, but quite well researched (a note on that – I thought I still had a lot to read through when I hit the end notes – over a hundred pages of end-notes/citations!) For those who have studied up on WW1 and know all there is to know, this book probably isn’t adding much. But for the novice (such as myself), this book had so much in it that I’d never read or heard before. I will confess this one took me a bit to get through(think I’ve been working on it these past 2-3 months or so?), but that isn’t a bad thing. This book is dense and full of all the names and places and events and so as gripping as the subject is, it doesn’t lend to a quick read.

But what does this book focus on? It’s not about the war itself or the battles. Very little military dogma (though some obviously does come in as a discussion of larger strategy). Rather, this book is about the lead-up to the Great War, starting with events early in the 20th century and how Europe inexorably(?) sleepwalks(!) towards continental war. Each country gets focus sections and the author weaves together the threads of each country’s own dramas and motivations and how the seeming myopia of various actors contributes towards the muddle of European affairs and how things degenerate so tragically into interstate conflict. One of the questions everyone asks about WW1 is – who started it? Who is to blame? Who are the bad guys? While now the opinion is relatively common that WW1 was no one country’s fault – instead a rather tragic result of the mixture of the unwieldy alliance structure of Europe and the inflexible military doctrines of its players – still one wonders how Europe blundered into such a bloody morass. This book attempts to explain and though the author doesn’t quite present us with a neat and tidy conclusion – for any such attempt is folly – he does strive to show us how and why each state did what it did. Each state and its actors felt themselves constrained and forced along the path and that it was only the acts of other states that forced their hand. It’s remarkable how human a trait it is to always see the fault and assume the worst in the country across the table. I could attempt to spin my own thoughts together and come with a take, but I hesitate to tread where far greater minds have trod. I will say that while I understand why certain states did what they did, if I had to apportion blame (for truly, we all love to point the finger!), I would glare pointedly in the direction of both Austria-Hungary and Russia. Both of these states acted in ways that helped tip some of the initial dominoes that led so catastrophically to war, and did they have to? I would argue not, though again – I understand now better than I did before why. Russia in particular – oh Russia, why did you stir things up so? Yes, it’s easy to blame chaotic messy Serbia, but really – Russia should know better. But really, every nation shoulders its share of blame. It’s interesting reading this because while it’s easy to read some of the details of this history and assume war was inevitable, it appears as if conditions were actually becoming more adverse to war between 1913-1914. Yet…one assassination that was years in the making, and Austria-Hungary felt its hand forced if it were to avert its own seemingly predestined collapse and then of course Serbia could only respond a certain way – especially knowing Russia urged them on, because of course France made sure that Russia didn’t lose its nerve and of course, so too did England not overly discourage its French allies and then what could Germany do when mobilized against by the growing might of Russia and so and so and so. The few pages in which the author shows the last few hours and days of July were truly gripping. Especially seeing the actions and reactions in Moscow as the Russian high command took the fateful steps towards war.

I have let this review go on far too long. I’ve been living this book for the past few months you see, and even now the events and personages whirl around inside my head. Is this book perfect? No, of course not. The middle does drag just a bit, especially as it seems the narrative force slows and one is slightly unsure where the author is going with some of his discussions on various conditions on the continent. And there are so many people who play pivotal roles in this drama, of course it is not easy to remember who they all are (I cannot claim to be one whose memory is up to this task). The author does do a remarkable job attempting to humanize and bring out in living color each character – these long-ago politicians and diplomats and rulers and generals seem so human!! Yet even with the inevitable dry spot here and there that will always come with the territory in such a book as this, I really did much enjoy this one. An utterly fascinating read. Reading a book like this inevitably makes one think of the present day and wonder how it applies. I hesitate to make too many comparisons. But if anything, I can say with certainty how tragic war is. Reading this book punctured many of the common myths of WW1 and I’m grateful I now have a (slightly) better understanding of its causes.