Over the Top : Alternative Histories of the First World War

Although separated from the modern reader by a full century, the First World War continues to generate controversy and interest as the great event upon which modern history pivoted. Not only did the war cull the European peoples of some of their best and brightest, it also led to the destruction of the Austro-Hungarian, German, Ottoman and Russian empires, and paved the way for the Second World War. This thought-provoking book explores ten alternate scenarios in which the course of the war is changed forever. How would the war have changed had the Germans not attacked France but turned their main thrust against Russia; had the Greeks joined the allies at Gallipoli; or had the British severed the communications of the Ottoman Empire at Alexandretta? What if there was a more decisive outcome at Jutland; if the alternative plans for the Battle of the Somme in 1916 had been put into effect; or if the Americans intervened in 1915, rather 1917? Expertly written by leading military historians, this is a compelling and credible look at what might have been. Although separated from the modern reader by a full century, the First World War continues to generate controversy and interest as the great event upon which modern history pivoted. Not only did the war cull the European peoples of some of their best and brightest, it also led to the destruction of the Austro-Hungarian, German, Ottoman and Russian empires, and paved the way for the Second World War.#8232;#8232;This thought-provoking book explores ten alternate scenarios in which the course of the war is changed forever. How would the war have changed had the Germans not attacked France but turned their main thrust against Russia; had the Greeks joined the allies at Gallipoli; or had the British severed the communications of the Ottoman Empire at Alexandretta? What if there was a more decisive outcome at Jutland; if the alternative plans for the Battle of the Somme in 1916 had been put into effect; or if the Americans intervened in 1915, rather 1917?#8232;#8232;Expertly written by leading military historians, this is a compelling and credible look at what might have been. [Elib] Although separated from the modern reader by a full century, the First World War continues to generate controversy and interest as the great event upon which modern history pivoted. Not only did the war cull the European peoples of some of their best and brightest, it also led to the destruction of the Austro-Hungarian, German, Ottoman and Russian empires, and paved the way for the Second World War. This thought-provoking book explores ten alternate scenarios in which the course of the war is changed forever. How would the war have changed had the Germans not attacked France but turned their main thrust against Russia; had the Greeks joined the allies at Gallipoli; or had the British severed the communications of the Ottoman Empire at Alexandretta? What if there was a more decisive outcome at Jutland; if the alternative plans for the Battle of the Somme in 1916 had been put into effect; or if the Americans intervened in 1915, rather 1917? Expertly written... Bisac Code 1: HIS027090; Bic Code 1: HBWN; HISTORY / Military / World War I Der Tag : The German Decision To Go East In 1914 / Peter G. Tsouras -- Vormarsch! The Breakthrough At Ypres, 1914 / Spencer Jones -- Kitchener Of Arabia / Stephen Badsey -- The Queen Of Cities Beckons / Peter G. Tsouras -- Germania Delenda Est : America Enters The War, 1915 / Peter G. Tsouras -- Britannia Rules The Waves : The Battle Of Jutland, 1915 / Spencer Jones -- The Brusilov Offensive, 1916 : Russia's Glory / Peter G. Tsouras -- The Somme Steamroller / Stuart Mitchell -- 'from Mud, Through Blood To The Green Fields Beyond' : The Great Allied Tank Offensive Of 1917 / Spencer Jones -- German Strategic Raiding, The Murder Of David Lloyd George, And The Rise Of Lord Northcliffe / James Pugh. Peter G. Tsouras And Spencer Jones. Includes Bibliographical References. "Perhaps more than any other conflict, the First World War began the question 'what if?' In this unique collection, leading military historians examine that very question through ten ... alternate scenarios. Within these pages you will find a vast clash of empires as Germany and Russia decide the fate of Europe in 1914, an imaginative British scheme to attack the Ottoman Empire from land and sea in 1915, a desperate battle for survival as French and American forces fight side by side at Verdun in 1916, a reimagined 1917 where the tank truly comes of age, and much more besides."--Back cover Explores ten alternate outcomes of the First World War, covering all theatres of war not just the Western Front. Based on actual wartime plans, genuine possibilities and credible decisions.