July Crisis

This book provides a detailed analysis of the events leading to World War I, emphasizing the role of individual decision-makers and the collapse of Great Power politics.

It explores how the actions of key figures in Berlin, Vienna, Belgrade, London, Paris, and St Petersburg contributed to the outbreak of war.

Otte argues that the crisis was not primarily driven by abstract concepts like the balance of power or alliance systems, but by the miscalculations and flaws of European leaders.