Apropos James Robbins’s piece about the First World War on today’s NRO, one

of the most succinct pieces of really good historical writing I have ever

seen is Michael Howard’s recent book The First World War. Page-turning narrative, excellent

maps, well-chosen photographs–all in 154 7.5″x5.5″ pages! If WW1 is a

blank spot in your knowledge of the late not-much-lamented 20th century, I

strongly recommend this little book.