The Road Less Traveled - by Philip Zelikow

The Road Less Traveled is a gripping historical examination that reveals one of the last great mysteries of the Great War - why it simply never should have lasted so long or cost so much.

Drawing on a wealth of source material from the archives and documentary repositories of the warring powers, Zelikow skillfully unearths the dispiriting tale of overmatched officials, missed cues, foregone initiatives, personal biases, political gamesmanship, and the powerful momentum of war.

This book provides a detailed account of the secret peace negotiations among the warring nations and offers an engaging and detailed account of the diplomatic story of what Zelikow calls 'the lost peace' of August 1916-January 1917.

With meticulous archival scholarship, Zelikow tells a page-turning narrative, based on deftly drawn characters, vivid locations, and a masterful blend of historical context and contemporary relevance.

The Road Less Traveled is an essential read for anyone interested in the history of World War I and its lasting impact on global politics.