"Richard Hamilton and Holger Herwig have turned conference papers into a work that now becomes the standard on war planning before the Great War." -Samuel R. Williamson, Jr., The Journal of Military History "This useful collection of essays explores 'war planning' in Europe before World War I." -Eric Dorn Brose, American Historical Review An important work for those interested in World War I, military institutions, and war planning, not to mention the course of the twentieth century." -A. A. Nofi, StrategyWorld.com "The volume provides an excellent overview of the state of scholarship as well as a provocative focus on the decision-making process. Experts and students alike will benefit from reading it." -European History Quarterly

Richard F. Hamilton is Professor Emeritus at The Ohio State University. He is the author of President McKinley and the Coming of War, 1898; President McKinley and America's "New Empire"; and The Origins of World War I. Holger H. Herwig is Canada Research Chair in Military and Strategic Studies at the University of Calgary. He is the author of The First World War: Germany and Austria-Hungary 1914-1918, War Memory and Popular Culture, The Origins of World War I, and The Marne: 1914 (forthcoming).

1. War plans: obvious needs, not so obvious solutions Richard F. Hamilton; 2. Austria-Hungary Gunther Kronenbitter; 3. Germany Annika Mombauer; 4. Russia Bruce W. Menning; 5. French war plans 1914 - the 'Balance of Power Paradox' Robert Doughty; 6. British plans for war before 1914 Keith Neilson; 7. The uncertain partner: Italy and the war plans of the Triplice 1888-1914 John Gooch; 8. Conclusions Holger H. Herwig.