Spark the trenches ...

For the centenary of the First World War, the new historical publications abound: 1914 LA GRANDE ILLUSION explains the causes of conflict and tells the first battles. It favors the study of France in this globalized conflict.
Jean-Yves LE NAOUR points to paranoia and fear that agitate the different European governments: one is wary of their neighbors, they are ready bellicose intentions, you feel surrounded ... The feeling that war is inevitable is present in all countries.
The march to war is detailed: the brash attitude of Serbia in first and then the responsibility of Austria-Hungary with his staff going to war are clearly implicated. It is also true that the German Reich was convinced -to tort- the strict neutrality of the United Kingdom.
When the general mobilization is launched, the government is suspicious of the attitude of the Socialists. The same is thought to arrest union leaders. However, the ideas of "general strike" and pacifism are quickly abandoned. The French Socialists are mobilizing to go to the front.
Jean-Yves LE NAOUR remember any misconceptions peddled at the beginning of August as the short duration of the conflict ... The spy mania also in full swing.
Joffre's strategy is necessarily implicated with his theory of "all offensive." The great French military attacks in August, despite the enthusiasm of the troops, are brutally mowed by German machine guns.
Finally, 1914 ended with the success of the Battle of the Marne which stops (finally) l`avancées Germanic troops. He may lack one or two cards to illustrate the chapters on military phases. The merit of this victory -it returns to Gallieni or Joffre? This question divides again. The end of 1914 confirms the trench warfare.
In France, the political climate appears the sacred union but remain different.

A very good book dense, rich and interesting in this first year of the conflict. If the military aspects of the first months of the conflict are present, Jean Yves Le Naour especially emphasizes the social and political consequences in France.