The Guns of August (Modern Library 100 Best Nonfiction Books)

Selected by the Modern Library as one of the 100 best nonfiction books of all time

The Proud Tower, the Pulitzer Prizewinning The Guns of August, and The Zimmerman Telegram comprise Barbara W. Tuchmans classic histories of the First World War era

In this landmark, Pulitzer Prizewinning account, renowned historian Barbara W. Tuchman re-creates the first month of World War I: thirty days in the summer of 1914 that determined the course of the conflict, the century, and ultimately our present world. Beginning with the funeral of Edward VII, Tuchman traces each step that led to the inevitable clash. And inevitable it was, with all sides plotting their war for a generation. Dizzyingly comprehensive and spectacularly portrayed with her famous talent for evoking the characters of the wars key players, Tuchmans magnum opus is a classic for the ages.

Praise for The Guns of August

A brilliant piece of military history which proves up to the hilt the force of Winston Churchills statement that the first month of World War I was a drama never surpassed.Newsweek

More dramatic than fiction . . . a magnificent narrativebeautifully organized, elegantly phrased, skillfully paced and sustained.Chicago Tribune

A fine demonstration that with sufficient art rather specialized history can be raised to the level of literature.The New York Times

[The Guns of August] has a vitality that transcends its narrative virtues, which are considerable, and its feel for characterizations, which is excellent.The Wall Street Journal