A history of the outbreak of World War I, from the breakdown of diplomacy to the dramatic battles that occurred before the war bogged down in the trenches.

Originally published in Great Britain by William Collins in 2013 as: Catastrophe.

1914 chronology -- The organisation of armies in 1914 -- Sarajevo -- 'A feeling that events are in the air' -- The descent to war -- 'The superb spectacle of the world bursting into flames' -- Disaster on the Drina -- Death with flags and trumpets -- The British flight -- The retreat -- Tannenberg : 'Alas, how many thousands lie there bleeding!' -- The hour of Joffre -- The nemesis of Moltke -- 'Poor devils, they fought their ships like men' -- Three armies in Poland -- 'Did you ever dance with him?' -- Open country, open sky -- Ypres : 'Something that was completely hopeless' -- 'War becomes the scourge of mankind' -- Mudlife -- Silent night, holy night.