"A tour de force which traces each major thread in the complex tapestry of international politics....Stevenson is that rare individual who is able to synthesize all of the disparate factors of an era into an understandable narrative....[The book] is a significant addition to the body of historical work in this area for its ability to inform readers who are less than specialists in the field."--The Historian

"An informative, insightful, and comprehensive analysis....Deserves to be a widely discussed work."--Diplomatic History

"Building on his earlier studies of Allied war aims, Stevenson offers a densely packed examination of the interaction between diplomacy and war during the period of WWI. The focus of his work is on the evolution of war aims, both of the Allies and of the Central Powers....An excellent and thought-provoking study."--CHOICE

"Stevenson's book fills a gap for those who wish a comprehensive, balanced assessment of the tragedy of 1914 and its aftermath....This is a superb contribution, one that sythesizes relevant research and puts it into a manageable whole."--American Historical Review