Laurence Lafore (1917–1985)

Good book; well written. Not too much new regarding 'the origins of the First World War'. However......what I did find interesting and new in this work is the emphasis on Austria-Hungary in reviewing the origins of the war. The author goes back to the German Wars for Unification to lay out how AH was starting to loose its status as a Great Power. He argues quite adequately how the efforts of AH to maintain status had a large contribution in starting the war. I won't say any more other than show more this. If you want a different view on the early origins of the war, read this book. It will be worth you time. show less

1051 The End of Glory: An Interpretation of the Origins of World War II, by Lawrence Lafore (read 26 Apr 1970) This is a study of the opening of World War II and is much less intriguing to me than studies of the coming of World War One. Why? basically, because it is so well-known and clear to me. In 1938 world affairs became a subject of awareness to me, and, my mind being fresh and blank, what I learned I retained far better than is the case as to subsequent events. The book is lightly show more footnoted, but otherwise is well-written, and I cannot say I disagree with the author's reasoning. show less

This was a textbook for a college course on the War. Quite even handed on the war guilt question, and the bibliography is useful to the student. My copy was the 1972 edition.

Good overview of the between world war years. Nothing special though.