The author presents the fateful quarter-century leading up to the War, concentrating on the social aspects, not the state aspects, of history.

The Patricians. England: 1895-1902 -- The idea and the deed. The anarchists: 1890-1914 -- The end of a dream. The United States: 1890-1902 -- "Give me combat!". France: 1894-99 -- The steady drummer. The Hague: 1899 and 1907 -- "Neroism is in the air". Germany: 1890-1914 -- Transfer of power. England: 1902-11 -- The death of Jaures. The socialists: 1890-1914.