Tag Archives: Max Hastings

Studying reasons for First World War leads to “permanent state of confusion” Sir Max Hastings claims

Posted on March 26, 2014 by George Vascik, Historian

Dear students, if the historical debate that we study in the first three modules of the course is driving you crazy (“How will I ever sort it out? How will I keep authors and ideas straight?”) you are in good … Continue reading →

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The “War Guilt Question” in France

Posted on March 8, 2014 by George Vascik, Historian

One of the difficult questions being raised in the centenary commemoration regards national and individual culpability for starting the Great War. Both the British and the Germans are much taken with it at this point. The BBC has run shows … Continue reading →

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German commemoration of the Great War

Posted on March 4, 2014 by George Vascik, Historian

How should Germany commemorate the Great War? Having just had a spasm of high-profile events, the British are asking, “are we the only ones.” There is also an attitude of “why can’t they be like us” that Americans are frequently … Continue reading →

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On Niall Ferguson

Posted on February 28, 2014 by George Vascik, Historian

A 9PM GMT, the BBC aired The Pity of War with Niall Ferguson. The page for the show is here.  At this posting, the full hour thirty minute show is not available, nor the series of video clips. After the … Continue reading →

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BBC newsletter

Posted on February 27, 2014 by George Vascik, Historian

Was Britain right to fight in World War One? In August 1914 Britain declared war on Germany. In the four years that followed, millions died, in scenes of destruction the like of which the world had never seen before. Some, … Continue reading →

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The Great War Debate

Posted on February 26, 2014 by George Vascik, Historian

In the Telegraph, Keith Lowe (Savage Continent: Europe in the Aftermath of World War II) reviews BBc2 programs by Max Hastings and Niall Ferguson, arguing that Hastings “came out victorious.” Lowe sets the stage well: “Here’s the scenario. You are a … Continue reading →

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Preparing for the Great War

Posted on February 24, 2014 by George Vascik, Historian

This was originally posted my Western Civ blog January 26, 2014. I am preparing to teach an online course on World War I – the Great War – fall semester 2014. Books, especially on the July Crisis, are coming fast … Continue reading →

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