116: What Was It All For? WWI by Martin Gilbert

“If the war was to be over by Christmas, as many believed, or at the latest by Easter 1915, tens of thousands of soldiers might be killed or wounded before the guns fell silent. Every army believed that it could crush its opponents within a few months.”

Welcome back to another episode of Made You Think! Join us as we dive into The First World War by Martin Gilbert. We'll explore the intricate details of WW1, from the seemingly pointless triggers to the significant aftermath that reshaped the world. We'll also touch on intriguing historical anecdotes, like Germany's return in WW2, and the far-reaching consequences of redrawing borders. History lovers, buckle up for this one!

We cover a wide range of topics including:

• Technological advancements from cavalry to tanks and planes
• How WW1 redrew the map and ended empires
• The concept of 'war guilt' and its impact
• America's pivotal role and the intercepted telegram
• The seemingly unnecessary triggers of the first World War

And much more. Please enjoy, and make sure to follow Nat, Neil, and Adil on Twitter and share your thoughts on the episode.

Links from the Episode:

Mentioned in the Show:

• The Great War on Youtube (2:32)
• Schlieffen Plan (10:57)
• French Foreign legion (16:48)
• Empires before WW1 (34:42)
• Zimmerman Telegram (41:21)
• Marshall Plan (1:13:34)
• They Shall Not Grow Old (1:26:26)

Books Mentioned:

• The First World War
• The Second World War (3:13)
• Shadow Divers (43:46)
• The Power of Geography (1:24:57)
• Blueprint for Armageddon (1:38:21)
• The Brothers K (1:39:40)
• Musashi (1:39:47)

People Mentioned:

• Martin Gilbert
• Ho Chi Minh (3:59)
• David Lloyd George (24:47)
• John J. Pershing (41:03)
• Dan Carlin (1:37:32)
• Ernest Shackleton (1:38:47)

Show Topics:

(0:00) Today, we’re covering The First World War by Martin Gilbert. While the book offers a detailed play-by-play of WW1, it wasn't the most enjoyable read. However, we gained significant insights into the war.

(4:53) The war’s triggers and conflicts felt somew