Barbara Tuchman's book.  Very good. Thumbs up BUT not a beginners book.  Seems like most of her books assume you know something. I intend to review her other turn of the century work (The Proud Tower) that I think is terrible. It is not slow like A Distant Mirror.  These Guns of August volumes are cheap, readily available and quick reading. I think a brand new is $6.50. Done on a macro scale.  I vote yes. However, Tuchman is part of the Anglophile sources that gave many westerners their view of the war through American and English eyes. You do not get a real feel from the Central Power side.