Peace and War
Britain in 1914
Published on 4. June 2015
Book
Paperback/Softback
272 pages
978-1-78185-335-1 (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 Sarajevo 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 Sarajevo 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
United Kingdom
Publishing group
Bloomsbury Publishing PLC
Dimensions
Height: 198 mm
Width: 129 mm
ISBN-13
978-1-78185-335-1 (9781781853351)
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.