The Road Less Traveled: The Secret Turning Point of the Great War, 1916-1917

During the First World War, the German chancellor secretly sought President Woodrow Wilson's mediation to end the war, as British ministers and France's president also concluded that the time was right. This book explains the strategies and fumbles of people facing a great crossroads of history, revealing one of the last great mysteries of the Great War: that it simply never should have lasted so long or cost so much.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 352 pages
Publication date: 11 May 2023
Publisher: PublicAffairs,U.S.

This captivating historical exploration delves into the pivotal months in the midst of the First World War, when all parties involved - Germany, Britain, and America - believed that the war could have been concluded, altering the course of history.

Two years into the most devastating conflict the world had ever witnessed, the warring powers found themselves at a critical juncture. Military options were limited, resources were scarce, and the situation seemed grim. The German chancellor, in a covert move, sought the mediation of President Woodrow Wilson to bring an end to the war, just as British ministers and the president of France reached the same conclusion.

The Road Less Traveled vividly portrays how these visionary statesmen came perilously close to ending the war, preventing millions of lives from being lost and averting the devastating total war that cast a shadow over hopes for a better world. This secret battle, which is only now unfolding, unfolds a tale of civic courage, immense responsibility, and how some leaders rose to the occasion, while others faltered or pursued other agendas.

The German ambassador to the United States pleaded, "Peace is on the floor waiting to be picked up!" This book offers a comprehensive account of the strategies and missteps of individuals confronting a pivotal moment in history.

One of the greatest mysteries of the Great War, revealed in The Road Less Traveled, is the length and cost of the conflict. It sheds light on why the war persisted for so long and incurred such immense human and financial costs.

In conclusion, this revealing historical examination provides a profound insight into the critical months of the First World War, when the possibility of peace loomed large and the course of history was forever altered. Through meticulous research and compelling storytelling, The Road Less Traveled offers a valuable perspective on one of the most significant events of the 20th century.

Dimension: 210 x 140 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781541750968