World War One: History in an Hour

Rupert Colley

Mar 2012 · Sold by HarperCollins UK

About this ebook

Love history? Know your stuff with History in an Hour.

The ‘Great War’, from July 1914 to November 1918, was without parallel. It brought to an end four dynasties, ignited revolution, and forged new nations. It introduced killing on an unprecedented scale, costing an estimated nine million lives. It was the war that destroyed any notion of romance or chivalry in battle; it pulled in combatants from nations across the globe and shattered them, body and mind.

The War involved all of the world’s great powers – the Central Powers, dominated by Germany and Austria-Hungary; the Triple Entente, lead by Britain, France and Russia; and America. World War One: History in an Hour explains the unprecedented battles on land, sea and in the air and describes the Home Front, espionage, and the politics behind them. This, for the first time in history, was ‘total war’.

Love history? Know your stuff with History in an Hour...

Ratings and reviews

I liked it. It's exactly what it says it is; a short overview of the major events and players of WWI. It's a good primer for someone who just wants to familiarize themselves with the basics before diving into something more in-depth or something set during that time period. I'm curious to see what some of the others in the series are like. The eBook was formatted well with only one noticeable spelling error.

Some good key points and overview of events I didn't get taught in history, especially regarding the Eastern front. More images and maps would have made it more engaging. There were a few, and they were helpful, but I'd liked to have seen comparisons made of weapons, field equipment and maps of battlefields. I will definitely read it again, it was an interesting and informative read. If I could give four and a half stars, I would. Good value.

To anyone who wants to brush up on history, this is a great read. It does not go into great detail but it points out the important facts. A great stepping stone for those who wish to look into WWI a little more.

About the author

Rupert Colley was a librarian in Enfield for 22 years until September 2011. A history graduate, he launched the original History In An Hour in 2009 with a website, blog and ‘World War Two In An Hour’ as an iPhone app. He then expanded it to Kindle, iBooks and into the USA with a series of titles, and enlisted new writers by encouraging guest bloggers on the website. History In An Hour was acquired by Scott Pack for HarperPress in 2011.