WastheoutcomeoftheFirstWorldWaronaknifeedge?InthismajornewaccountofGermanwartimepoliticsandstrategyHolgerAfflerbacharguesthattheoutcomeofthewarwasactuallyinthebalanceuntilrelativelylateinthewar.Usingnewevidencefromdiaries,lettersandmemoirs,hefundamentallyrevisesourunderstandingofGermanstrategyfromthedecisiontogotowarandthefailureofthewesternoffensivetotheradicalisationofGermany’swareffortunderHindenburgandLudendorffandtheultimatecollapseoftheCentralPowers.HeuncoversthestrugglesinwartimeGermanybetweensupportersofpeaceandhardlinerswhowantedtofighttothefinish.HesuggeststhatGermanywasnotnearlyascommittedtoall-outconquestaspreviousaccountsargue.NumerousGermanpeaceadvancescouldhaveofferedtheopportunitytoendthewarbeforeitdraggedEuropeintotheabyss.
