The Trigger
The Hunt for Gavrilo Princip - the Assassin who Brought the World to War
Published on 2. July 2015
Book
Paperback/Softback
352 pages
978-0-09-958133-8 (ISBN)
Description
'The most original of First World War centenary books; it is a travel narrative of rare resonance and insight' Sunday Times
On a summer morning in 1914, a teenage assassin fired the starting gun for modern history.
It was a young teenage boy named Gavrilo Princip who fired that fateful shot which killed Archduke Franz Ferdinand in Sarajevo and ultimately ignited World War War. A hundred years later, Tim Butcher undertakes an extraordinary journey to uncover the story of this unknown boy who changed our world forever. By retracing Princip's journey from his highland birthplace, through the mythical valleys of Bosnia to the fortress city of Belgrade and ultimately Sarajevo, he illuminates our understanding both of Princip and the places that shaped him while uncovering details about Princip which have eluded historians for more than a century.
'A masterpiece of historical empathy and evocation...This book is a tour de force' Guardian
On a summer morning in 1914, a teenage assassin fired the starting gun for modern history.
It was a young teenage boy named Gavrilo Princip who fired that fateful shot which killed Archduke Franz Ferdinand in Sarajevo and ultimately ignited World War War. A hundred years later, Tim Butcher undertakes an extraordinary journey to uncover the story of this unknown boy who changed our world forever. By retracing Princip's journey from his highland birthplace, through the mythical valleys of Bosnia to the fortress city of Belgrade and ultimately Sarajevo, he illuminates our understanding both of Princip and the places that shaped him while uncovering details about Princip which have eluded historians for more than a century.
'A masterpiece of historical empathy and evocation...This book is a tour de force' Guardian
Reviews / Votes
The most original of First World War centenary books; it is a travel narrative of rare resonance and insight * Dominic Sandbrook, Sunday Times * Superb... Highly readable but profoundly researched -- Ben Macintyre * The Times, Books of the Year * A triumph... A marvellously absorbing book on the nature of one man's political grievance and its terrible aftermath -- Ian Thomson * Observer Books of the Year * The most imaginative and singular book on the centenary of the outbreak of the First World War to date... This is expeditionary journalism at its best - a historical inquest radiated through the mind and experience of an outstanding reporter -- Robert Fox * Evening Standard * A masterpiece of historical empathy and evocation... This book is a tour de force -- Christopher Clark * Guardian * A fascinating study of one of those rare individuals whose act of violence changed the history of the world. An incisive, shrewd, wholly compelling investigation of an assassin's life and times -- William Boyd A fabulous book that all First World War historians will now have to take account of... Superb -- Saul David A splendid book. It takes its place among classics of Balkan history -- Norman Stone Tim Butcher goes from strength to strength. I enjoyed every paragraph -- Dervla Murphy Insightful, useful and delightfully written... A great book - one to be recommended to professional and amateur historian alike -- General Sir David Richards, former Chief of the Defence StaffMore details
Language
English
Place of publication
London
United Kingdom
Publishing group
Vintage Publishing
Product notice
Paperback (UK-B)
Illustrations
integrated b/w
Dimensions
Height: 198 mm
Width: 128 mm
Thickness: 25 mm
Weight
252 gr
ISBN-13
978-0-09-958133-8 (9780099581338)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions
E-Book
05/2014
1st Edition
Vintage Digital
€10.99
Available for download
Person
Tim Butcher is a best-selling author who blends travel with history. His first book, Blood River, was a number one bestseller, a Richard & Judy Book Club selection and was shortlisted for the Samuel Johnson Prize, while his next, Chasing the Devil, was longlisted for the George Orwell Prize. A journalist with the Daily Telegraph from 1990 to 2009, in 2010 he received an honorary doctorate from the University of Northampton for services to writing. Born in Great Britain, he is based in Cape Town with his family.