The subject of this book is essential reading; how badly our political leaders can screw up with no idea on the consequences of their selfish actions. Particularly worth reading around Remembrance Day (Veterans' Day).
This is a fairly light-reading historical novel set in the period from the run-up to WWI up until shortly after the Paris conference that set the terms for German surrender.
I have read quite a few history books covering this period and found it to be a good representation. I give it 5 stars because, although I could find a few faults here and there it kept me engaged even when tired and not able to read more literary or factual works, and the theme is essential reading.
It covers the war: how it got started and the fateful decisions made during its conduct, leading to millions being slaughter.
It also covers the women's suffrage movement, the rise of the British working class and the Labour Party and the Russian revolution.
It has characters representing the points of view of
- the British aristocracy, working class (miners) and servant class
- the American presidency through one of his advisers
- the Russian mafia in USA
- the Russian aristocracy and revolutionaries
- the German aristocracy through a disenchanted younger member
it has both the historical threads and the personal lives of the characters.
You may have guessed that it is a fairly thick book.
I found it somewhat better writing (much less irritating) than his earlier historical series.