Presents a narrative portrait of Europe in the years leading up to World War I that illuminates the political, cultural, and economic factors and contributing personalities that shaped major events.

Includes maps of: Europe, 1914; Western Front, 1914-18; Eastern Front, 1914-18; Balkans, 1912-14; German Empire; Africa in 1897; Fashoda Crisis; Russian Border in 1914; Austro-Hungarian Empire; Schlieffen Plan; Russia's Western Border; Bosphorus Straits; Balkans; Morocco in 1911; Kiel Canal.

War or peace? -- Europe in 1900 -- Great Britain and splendid isolation -- "Woe to the country that has a child for king!" : Wilhelm II and Germany -- Weltpolitik : Germany's place on the world stage -- Dreadnought : the Anglo-German naval rivalry -- Unlikely friends : the Entente Cordiale between France and Britain -- The bear and the whale : Russia and Great Britain -- The loyalty of the Nibelungs : the dual alliance of Austria-Hungary and Germany -- What were they thinking? : hopes, fears, ideas, and unspoken assumptions -- Dreaming of peace -- Thinking about war -- Making the plans -- The crises start : Germany, France, and Morocco -- The Bosnian crisis : confrontation. between Russia and Austria-Hungary in the Balkans -- 1911 : the year of discords : Morocco again -- The first Balkan Wars -- Preparing for war or peace : Europe's last months of peace -- Assassination at Sarajevo -- The end of the Concert of Europe : Austria-Hungary declares war on Serbia -- turning out the lights : Europe's last week of peace -- The War.