Peace and War
Britain in 1914
Published on 30. January 2014
Book
Hardback
224 pages
978-1-78185-253-8 (ISBN)
Description
1914 dawned with Britain at peace, albeit troubled by faultlines within and threats without: Ireland trembled on the brink of civil war; suffragette agitation was assuming an ever more violent hue; and suspicions of Germany's ambitions bred a paranoia expressed in a rash of 'invasion scare' literature.
Then when shots rang out in Sara-jevo on 28 June, they set in train a tumble of diplomatic dominos that led to Britain declaring war on Germany.
Nigel Jones depicts every facet of a year that changed Britain for ever. From gun-running in Ulster to an attack by suffragettes on a Velasquez painting in the National Gallery; from the launch of HMHS Britannic to cricketer J.T. Hearne's 3000th first-class wicket; from the opening of London's first nightclub to the embarking for Belgium of the BEF, he traces the events of a momentous year from its benign domestic beginnings to its descent into the nightmare of European war.
Then when shots rang out in Sara-jevo on 28 June, they set in train a tumble of diplomatic dominos that led to Britain declaring war on Germany.
Nigel Jones depicts every facet of a year that changed Britain for ever. From gun-running in Ulster to an attack by suffragettes on a Velasquez painting in the National Gallery; from the launch of HMHS Britannic to cricketer J.T. Hearne's 3000th first-class wicket; from the opening of London's first nightclub to the embarking for Belgium of the BEF, he traces the events of a momentous year from its benign domestic beginnings to its descent into the nightmare of European war.
Reviews / Votes
'Lavishly illustrated ... Jones has a hawk's eye for fascinating historical detail' Sunday Express. 'A terrific account that makes a strong bid for inclusion in any collection' BBC History Magazine. 'Excellent ... an exceedingly valuable history of the year as well as being a damned good read ... a brilliant primer for the First World War' The Army Review Service. 'A fascinating introduction to the First World War ... a recommended read for anyone interested in discovering what life was really like for ordinary people at this time' Discover Your History. 'Elegant and enjoyable ... A superb snapshot of Britain ... an outstanding introduction to the first year of the Great War' Irish Times. 'This book captures a society on the edge and ready for change' Good Book Guide. 'Jones paints a vivid portrait of a nation increasingly uneasy with itself and its place in the world as the storm clouds started to gather' Choice Magazine.More details
Language
English
Place of publication
London
United Kingdom
Illustrations
Colour Illus
Dimensions
Height: 246 mm
Width: 189 mm
ISBN-13
978-1-78185-253-8 (9781781852538)
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
12/2013
1st Edition
Head of Zeus
€8.49
Available for download
Person
Nigel Jones is an author, a former editor at History Today and BBC history magazines, and has been a TV and radio broadcaster.