20–7755
The book is an attempt at an altogether impartial statement of the causes leading to the war, and the treaties and peace conference resulting from it. The author states that he has no inside knowledge of what went on in Paris or of any unpublished documentary material, that he has relied largely on newspaper and magazine material, unsatisfactory as that may be, and that his object is to give his readers a clearer idea of what is going on in the world. “A considerable part of the book is taken up with a detailed summary of the treaty with Germany, including more or less extensive explanatory comments on many of its clauses,” (Preface) and an attempt has been made to summarize as fairly as possible the arguments on both sides. Contents: War causes and war aims; Peace plans and negotiations during the war; The peace conference; The framing of the treaty of Versailles; The supplementary treaties; The Austrian settlement; The Bulgarian settlement; Hungary; Elements of the Near-eastern settlement; Italy, the South Slavs, and the Adriatic; Public opinion and the settlement; References for additional reading; Index.
“Mr Scott’s book is an excellent illustration of the value of perspective combined with careful study of documents, as opposed to the impressions of first-hand observation. It seems to the reviewer that he has succeeded admirably in a difficult task.” C: Seymour
+ Am Hist R 26:137 O ’20 320w
“The author’s comments are discriminating, unbiassed, and always helpful.”
+ Am Pol Sci R 14:737 N ’20 100w
“A useful aid to the reader or voter who wishes to form intelligent opinions.”
+ Booklist 16:332 Jl ’20 + Ind 103:187 Ag 14 ’20 100w
“Though the author escapes the criticism of partisanship to which Keynes, Dillon, Baker, and other commentators on the peace have been subjected, his book lacks the interest and color of theirs. A good many of the author’s comments upon treaty clauses might be questioned.” Quincy Wright