This book attempts to shatter one of the most popular myths of our time: that the catastrophic loss of life on the Western Front in 1914-1918 was entirely due to incompetent leadership. In fact, as the author shows, a host of other, more decisive factors played a part. Why was Britain so unprepared for a European War in 1914? What contribution did Britain's allies really make on the battlefield? Did anyone at the time understand the implications of trench warfare? #FDEAbove all, why was Britain's political machine so paralyzed and indecisive throughout the tragedy?