Massively detailed,awesome in scope; at times dragging.

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	• Dreadnought Robert K. Massie Ballantine Books, 1992 - 1040 pages average customer review:based on 81 reviews view larger image
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highly recommended

An epic of immense proportions.

It was the First World War - known at that time as "The Great War" which changed Britain and Europe forever. As the Generals on both sides sent millions and millions of men to their deaths in the carnage which they regarded as warfare, there came about a change in the psyche of the British male - a change which would herald a complete alteration in the way he thought and acted towards those of the upper, ruling classes. No longer would that British male be so quick to use such words as "M'Lord" or even "Sir." No longer would he doff his cap as a mark of respect, no longer would the ordinary police Constable be so quick to "arrest that man" just because a well dressed person had ordered him so to do.

That change in British Society continues to this day and is easily traced back to the feelings of loss and despair which came with the realisation that far too many young men had died "at the front" - even though the war itself had been won and mainland Britain had escaped unscathed.

In this epic tale, author Robert Massie delves deep into why that war occurred in the first place. Every single aspect of argument and behaviour on both sides (both military and political) is exposed and analysed. As the title of the book would suggest, the theme is the world's first great arms race. When Britain produced the first Dreadnought Battleship it rendered all other battleships obsolete at a stroke (including the remainder of the British Fleet!). From that moment onwards it was always a question of who could produce the most new Dreadnoughts in the quickest possible time. Set against this wish by both Britain and Germany to be seen as the world's supreme masters of the seas was a political intrigue which few have been able to commit to print in such a masterly fashion as is found in this book.

In short, this is one of the greatest books of our time. It is also a damn fine read.

NM

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Dreadnaught

This is perhaps the finest, most informative, and eminently readable book on history I have read in 50 years of exploring the subject. It is comprehensive and an indispensable book for those who wish to understand the dynamics of European and world history since the mid-19th century. Dr. M. H. Wilkinson

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Great for WWI Buffs

First of all -- you've got to have a real interest in the politics behind the First World War in order to complete this monster. There is some fascinating stuff here!!! The stories of Queen Victoria, Bismarck, the Kaiser, Admiral Fisher, and Winston Churchill were terrific. I give it four stars rather than five because the long narrative can be dry reading at times.

Still, if you've read the well-known WWI books already, this is a great read. 'New' history from a unique perspective -- the Royal Navy.

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Massively detailed,awesome in scope; at times dragging.

The book discusses a period in history when British power was at its height.
However emergence of Germany as a great power disturbed the status quo.
To exacerbate matters, Germany was ruled by a man who was abrasive,impetous,
arrogant.Kaiser Wilhelm II wanted nothing but an exalted status for his nation
under the sun. He advocated that Germany must have a colonial empire like Britain and
a strong navy commensurate to her status. "Seize the trident",Kaiser said. This forms the background to the naval
armament race between the two nations.

Both incurred colossal expenditure in building Dreadnoughts. This was a super
battle ship [huge,floating steel monster] capable of cruising at high speed and firing
armor-piercing shell at a long- range.Thanks to wealth she could draw from colonies
London was able to withstand the strain.

Kaiser's scheme of things envisaged a subordinate role for Britain under renascent
Germany which English pride,self-respect found hard to accept.As threat from across
the North Sea mounted ,London was forced to end her splendid isolation .Between
1904-1908 Britain became close with her former enemies : France,Russia.Europe was
now divided into two hostile blocs: Triple Entente,Dual alliance. As tensions mounted
Britain and Germany came closer to war :Agadir crisis in 1905.

German army General Staff was crowded by Prussian militarists .These men had no
qualms in violating in Belgian neutrality: the Schlieffen plan ,how Germany intend to
wage war in the west.Further Berlin was served by an ally [Hapsburg -ruled,partially
defunct Austro-Hungarian empire]which was very brash toward its neighbours.Under such circumstances sanity will never prevail.So the
two like-minded powers fused to generate violence on an unprecedented scale.Sad,tragic
incident in the Balkans, assassination of heir to the Hapsburg throne served as raison d'etre.

My gripe about this book , the text in many areas contains details which has no relevance
the subject making it exceptionally verbose. The book revolves too much around personalities.So I liked it only in patches.

However the section dealing with Admiral John Fisher's life was interesting.Innovations he effected in naval firepower ,ship propulsion revolutionized
war at sea. Also illuminating is author's elaboration of Admiral Alfred Von Tirpitz's
`Risk Theory' and run down of events leading to the outbreak of great war.

A reader requires abundant time, perseverance to wade through this tome.
Indispensable read for history buffs.

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Educational, entertaining and highly informative.

Probably one of the best histories of the period yet produced and - as an important bonus - written in excellent English.

reviews: page 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10

"A classic [that] covers superbly a whole era...Engrossing in its glittering gallery of characters."
CHICAGO SUN-TIMES
Pulitzer Prize-winning author, Robert K. Massie has written a richly textured and gripping chronicle of the personal and national rivalries that led to the twentieth century's first great arms race. Massie brings to vivid life, such historical figures as the single-minded Admiral von Tirpitz, the young, ambitious, Winston Churchill, the ruthless, sycophantic Chancellor Bernhard von Bulow, and many others. Their story, and the story of the era, filled with misunderstandings, missed opportunities, and events leading to unintended conclusions, unfolds like a Greek tratedy in his powerful narrative. Intimately human and dramatic, DREADNOUGHT is history at its most riveting.

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