Published in a new edition on the centenary of the seismic battle, this book provides the definitive account of the Somme and assigns responsibility to military and political leaders for its catastrophic outcome. A magisterial piece of scholarship. . . . It is a model of historical research and should do much to further our understanding of the Great War and how it was fought. -Contemporary Review Revisionist history at its best. -Library Journal (starred review) A major addition to the literature on the military history of the Great War. -Jay Winter