The Lost Utopia By Laurence Lafore
The First World War also referred to as the Great War, is a landmark in history that forever altered the trajectory of politics in Europe and the world as a whole. The war, waged from the 28th of July in 1914 to the 11th of November in 1918, was sparked when a 19-year-old Serbian member of the Black Hand movement known as Gavrilo Princip fatally shot the heir to the Austrian throne, Archduke Franz Ferdinand and his wife, Sophie, in Sarajevo. The diplomatic crisis that ensued led to the reformation of international alliances constituted by the world’s economic powers and in a few weeks the world descended into a conflict that would result in the deaths of millions of combatants and innocent citizens, the eruption of revolutions across the involved
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Laurence Lafore’s book is divided into seven chapters that systematically advance his thesis. The first chapter, titled ‘The Lost Utopia’ illustrates the era of peace and progression that preceded the war. Chapter two, ‘The Austrian Anomaly’ shows how the mixed nationalities within Austria-Hungary triggered the actions of Serbia and the consequent actions. ‘The Europe of the Armed Camps’ brings the alliance system into play, as different nations mobilized their military might to defend their allies. Chapters four through seven, respectively titled ‘The “Encirclement” of Germany,' ‘The Bones of a Pomeranian Grenadier,' ‘The Third Man Falls Sick,' and ‘The Breakdown of Europe’ illustrate the progression of the actions throughout the different nations that unfortunately culminated in the World War. David Fromkin has also outlined his arguments in a logical manner throughout the 330-page book. Divided into ten parts further sectioned into chapters, Fromkin begins his book with a prolog, which is followed by the first part titled ‘Europe’s Tensions’ that explain the stressed state of affairs in Europe before the war. Part two and three, titled ‘Walking Through the Minefields’ and ‘Drifting Towards War’ take the reader through the diplomatic decisions that consequently led to the assassination that started it all. Part four, ‘Murder!’, part five, ‘Telling Lies’, and part six
Laurence Lafore’s book is divided into seven chapters that systematically advance his thesis. The first chapter, titled ‘The Lost Utopia’ illustrates the era of peace and progression that preceded the war. Chapter two, ‘The Austrian Anomaly’ shows how the mixed nationalities within Austria-Hungary triggered the actions of Serbia and the consequent actions. ‘The Europe of the Armed Camps’ brings the alliance system into play, as different nations mobilized their military might to defend their allies. Chapters four through seven, respectively titled ‘The “Encirclement” of Germany,' ‘The Bones of a Pomeranian Grenadier,' ‘The Third Man Falls Sick,' and ‘The Breakdown of Europe’ illustrate the progression of the actions throughout the different nations that unfortunately culminated in the World War. David Fromkin has also outlined his arguments in a logical manner throughout the 330-page book. Divided into ten parts further sectioned into chapters, Fromkin begins his book with a prolog, which is followed by the first part titled ‘Europe’s Tensions’ that explain the stressed state of affairs in Europe before the war. Part two and three, titled ‘Walking Through the Minefields’ and ‘Drifting Towards War’ take the reader through the diplomatic decisions that consequently led to the assassination that started it all. Part four, ‘Murder!’, part five, ‘Telling Lies’, and part six