A World Undone

A World Undone
G. J. Meyer

Another history of the First World War? Well, why not. G. J. Meyer wanted a more complete one-volume popular history than others available, but only partly succeeds in his mission. It’s certainly one of the most readable accounts of the Great War I’ve come across, but the campaigns in the Middle East are only a sidebar and Africa is hardly mentioned at all. Worst of all, for an account that set out to present a “well-rounded” history “without gaps,” ending in 1918 has the effect of shunting Versailles, an important and integral part of the larger story of the war, into a quick epilogue. Still, on the background to the war and the fighting in Europe Meyer does an excellent job.