The Long Fuse: An Interpretation of the Origins of World War I, 2nd Edition

by Laurence Lafore

Book Overview

The author analyzes the events that led to World War I.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0397472420
• ISBN13: 9780397472420
• Release Date: January 1971
• Publisher: Addison-Wesley Educational Publishers
• Length: 284 Pages
• Weight: 0.55 lbs.

Customer Reviews

Lessons for a post 9-11 world

This fascinating and readable account of the causes of World War I goes far beyond discussion of rigid mobilization plans and ill-considered alliances among Great Powers (though the author covers these areas thoroughly enough). Mr. Lafore takes us to Eastern Europe and the Balkans, the dangerous issues that metastasized between Serbia and Austria-Hungary, and the fatality of Russian decisions. It also carries important lessons for today. Germany's two-front war plan and the generally provocative mobilization requirements of the period are often discussed elsewhere. There has been maybe less study of what in the post 9-11 world looks like an elephant in the living room. Serbia's blatant support and encouragement of anti-Hapsburg terrorism and Russia's military support of Serbia's hostile policy are extremely interesting in comparison to the current world situation. Lafore seems to show that the general nature of what became World War I was not inevitable. Russia did not have to guarantee Serbia's intolerable antagonism of Austria. Before German armies rolled into Belgium, setting the world on fire, Russia signaled its decision to militarily protect Serbia's terrorist campaign to bring down the Austria-Hungarian government.

Buy This Book

This is absolutely the clearest, most concise, and yet complete book you can find on the origins of WW1. Not a waste of money like many. Most important is the detailed annalysis of how the internal conditions of the European powers influenced foreign policy decision making. The book is a clear warning about the difficulties and dangers in the conduct of foreign affairs inherent to multinational states.

Putting the Balkans back in

Lafore's work is not only the most readable account of the Great War's origins, it puts the emphasis where in should be: not on the naval rivalry between Germany and England, or on the ruling classes fear of revolution, but on the corrosive consequences of nationalism for domestic (and consequently) international stability. The focus of the work, moreover, is on Eastern, not Western Europe--where it belongs. A wonderful balance of background and foreground, the work builds to an exciting climax. I love it--and everyone I know who has read it says the same!

A Terrific Analysis

This may well be the premier, or at least at the top of the list, analysis of the causes of WWI in print. LaFore presents his case in this book in a manner that is both well written and remarkabley reliable. The readibility of this book and thorough but understandable style it possessed make it a top selection for anyone wishing to delve deeper into WWI's causes than the mere bullet that killed Ferdinand explanation. Lafore explains quite clearly that this was only a spark, something that really warrants little consideration on its own. What does warrant consideration are the progressions of European hisotry ever since the unification of Germany by Bismarck in the 1860's. Lafore's analysis of the Austro-Hungarian Empire is especially worthy of merit, and as this leads into his explanation of the alliances and the tensions on the Balkans, it is easy to see why this title is so worthy of acclaim.