Right up to the war, Europe's power elites were driven: motivated by chauvinistic demands, a spirit of aggression and hopes for a quick victory. Although this study clearly identifies the tendencies that led to disaster, it refrains from turning the investigation of the causes into a court case. Thus the traumatizing events themselves are the focus of attention - with their scenes and developments. From trench warfare, the stalemate of defensive fire, to the birth of a new war of movement - from the bankruptcy of war to its revival. And it also looks at the consequences of the carnage: First, the effects on the human soul, as revealed in war neuroses and literary testimonies. On the other hand, the political consequences from which humanity suffers to this day.

PD Dr. Lutz Unterseher, sociologist and political scientist, has worked in empirical social research and in an international context as a consultant on defence issues. He teaches at the Institute for Political Science at the University of Münster.

Instead of an introduction: the self-fulfilling prophecy.- Before the war: powers and machinations.- Major theaters: An overview.- Technology, tactics, war picture: victory of the defensive.- Perspective: ways to save the war.- Material battle: effect on soul and spirit.- Aftermath: Reshaping the world.