A Review of the Pity of War by Niall Ferguson
World War I (Originally coined the “Great War”) took place between 1914 and 1918. The fundamental causes of World War I, more than one hundred years later, are still actively debated by historians. In Niall Ferguson’s “The Pity of War”, Ferguson dives deep into the causes of World War I and takes on three major objectives throughout his book: He attempts to explain the origins of World War I, discredit any myths debated during the war, and explains some rigorous economic reasons the war destroyed the well-being of millions. He also explores counterfactual inquiries regarding how the war could have been avoided in the first place. Overall Ferguson’s book presents a controversial viewpoint on his …show more content…
Although no one can be certain of the origins of World War I, Niall Ferguson gives valid arguments as to why he things Germany, and Britain entered the war. Although his belief that German encirclement was the main reason Germany entered is one of his main reasons for the origin of the war, perhaps an even stronger one is his argument that Britain was indeed intimidated by the idea of Germany controlling Europe and decided they should do something about it. Ferguson also discredits the idea that Europe was in support of the war, as well as explains some rigorous economic reasons the war was such an impact economically and how both sides dealt with it. Ferguson also includes “what ifs” about the war which is my personal favorite. This gutsy book by Ferguson arguing against most historians is not only an intriguing argument, but one that I believe is one hundred percent valid. Obsessed with Europe’s state and his now seemingly irrelevant country, Ferguson concludes the same way I plan on concluding, by pointing out that World War I, which with the entry of Britain turned the War into a disastrous rivalry between countries, was ''worse than a tragedy, which is something we are taught by the theater to regard as ultimately unavoidable.''(542) and he contends that ''at once piteous . . . and 'a pity' ''; it was ''nothing less than the greatest error of modern
World War I (Originally coined the “Great War”) took place between 1914 and 1918. The fundamental causes of World War I, more than one hundred years later, are still actively debated by historians. In Niall Ferguson’s “The Pity of War”, Ferguson dives deep into the causes of World War I and takes on three major objectives throughout his book: He attempts to explain the origins of World War I, discredit any myths debated during the war, and explains some rigorous economic reasons the war destroyed the well-being of millions. He also explores counterfactual inquiries regarding how the war could have been avoided in the first place. Overall Ferguson’s book presents a controversial viewpoint on his …show more content…
Although no one can be certain of the origins of World War I, Niall Ferguson gives valid arguments as to why he things Germany, and Britain entered the war. Although his belief that German encirclement was the main reason Germany entered is one of his main reasons for the origin of the war, perhaps an even stronger one is his argument that Britain was indeed intimidated by the idea of Germany controlling Europe and decided they should do something about it. Ferguson also discredits the idea that Europe was in support of the war, as well as explains some rigorous economic reasons the war was such an impact economically and how both sides dealt with it. Ferguson also includes “what ifs” about the war which is my personal favorite. This gutsy book by Ferguson arguing against most historians is not only an intriguing argument, but one that I believe is one hundred percent valid. Obsessed with Europe’s state and his now seemingly irrelevant country, Ferguson concludes the same way I plan on concluding, by pointing out that World War I, which with the entry of Britain turned the War into a disastrous rivalry between countries, was ''worse than a tragedy, which is something we are taught by the theater to regard as ultimately unavoidable.''(542) and he contends that ''at once piteous . . . and 'a pity' ''; it was ''nothing less than the greatest error of modern