A detailed and thought-provoking study of one of the most decisive years of the First World War, 1917: War, Peace, & Revolution examines how global conflict, political upheaval, and revolutionary change reshaped the direction of the twentieth century. Leading historian David Stevenson explores the military campaigns, diplomatic struggles, and social pressures that transformed a war of attrition into a turning point for the modern world.
Focusing on the dramatic events of 1917, the book analyses the Russian Revolution, America’s entry into the war, German submarine warfare, and the growing search for peace among exhausted nations. Stevenson shows how leaders faced increasingly difficult decisions as losses mounted and strategic options narrowed, revealing how deliberate political choices — rather than impersonal forces — influenced the course of the conflict.
Moving between battlefronts, cabinet rooms, and revolutionary movements, this scholarly yet accessible history places the reader at the centre of a year that reshaped alliances, sparked revolutions, and accelerated the path toward the war’s conclusion. Widely praised for its balanced analysis and clear narrative structure, the book offers valuable insight into diplomacy, strategy, and the human dimension behind wartime decision-making.
An essential addition for collectors and readers interested in First World War history, modern European politics, and military strategy, this Oxford University Press edition is a substantial academic work ideal for both serious study and informed general reading.
