Best histories of the first world war

[katsnmouse]

Feeling very ashamed at my sketchy knowledge of ww1, needing some enlightenment. Any suggestions for 'accessible' books that deal with this subject?

I read Wade Davis Everest book this year. It's called Into the silence, Mallory, the Great war and the conquest of Everest. I don't know how you feel about the mountain stuff but this book deals with the war in a very thorough way. It is a stunning read, there is obviously a lot of death, but it is a fabulous book, one of the best I've read. Like ever! You will get a good picture of what the war was like with this. And you can stop after it if you don't fancy the mountain stiff, but it's all fascinating stuff.

I haven't read this one, so not really a recommendation, but the other day Jonathan Jones in the Guardian recommended The Sleepwalkers, which is about the causes of WW1. As i've never understood the causes (in common with most people, I think), I think I'll give it a go. It seems to have been very well received:

www.amazon.co.uk/The-Sleepwalkers-Europe-Went-1914/dp/006114665X

Lyn macdonald has written a whole series of very accessible books about ww1. For example roses of no mans land is about ww1 nurses whilst Somme focuses on that battleground.