Freedman once again demonstrates his incomparable mastery of presenting complex, sweeping historical subjects in an engaging, dynamic narrative. Using his signature photo-essay format, the author examines the first modern global war that inflicted mass slaughter. He lucidly explains the complicated political situation that led to war and discusses how the first use of modern weapons such as aircraft, flame throwers, long-range artillery, machine guns, poison gas and tanks used in a war fought with old-style strategies and tactics resulted in horrific carnage. Especially vivid is the graphic depiction of trench warfare. Focusing primarily on Western Front campaigns, the narrative effectively interweaves the big picture of the war’s causes and consequences with intimate stories of individual German and Allied soldiers drawn from reports, letters and diaries. In the concluding chapter, the Newbery, Sibert and Wilder Award winner offers a brilliantly concise discussion of the direct connections between the “Great War” and the causes of the Russian Revolution, World War II and conflict in the Middle East. Carefully documented in appended chapter notes, the text is illustrated throughout with maps and stunning photographs. (Nonfiction. 12 & up)
