Published in a new edition on the centenary of the seismic battle, this book provides the definitive account of the Somme and assigns responsibility to military and political leaders for its catastrophic outcome.

A magisterial piece of scholarship. . . . It is a model of historical research and should do much to further our understanding of the Great War and how it was fought.-Contemporary Review

Revisionist history at its best.-Library Journal (starred review)

A major addition to the literature on the military history of the Great War.-Jay Winter