#5530

Mentioned in 9 episodes

Catastrophe

Book • 2025

In 'Catastrophe 1914', Max Hastings provides a comprehensive account of the events leading to World War I, focusing on the dramatic first year of the war.

He explores the breakdown of diplomacy and the pivotal battles in Europe, arguing that Germany and Austria-Hungary were primarily responsible for the conflict.

The book offers a detailed analysis of military strategies and political decisions, highlighting the human cost and the inevitability of a war of attrition.

Mentioned by

Dominic Sandbrook

Mike Carruthers

Christopher J. Ferguson

Mentioned in 9 episodes

Mentioned by

Dominic Sandbrook

, who knows

Tom Holland

is a massive fan of this book.

594. The First World War: The Invasion of Belgium (Part 1)

Mentioned by

Tom Holland

, quoting the author's description of the Austro-Hungarian army.

598. The First World War: The Eastern Front Explodes (Part 5)

Mentioned by

Dominic Sandbrook

, which tells the awful story about this woman who fights her way into this carriage with her three children

599. The First World War: Downfall of the Habsburgs (Part 6)

Mentioned by

Louis Berman

as containing his most important essay about Eliezer Yudkowsky.

Tech CTO Has 99.999% P(Doom) — “This is my bugout house” — Louis Berman, AI X-Risk Activist

The episode promotes the book, stating it delivers a searing indictment of the forces that led to genocidal war on Gaza.

State of Impunity w/ Alberto Toscano and Stuart Schrader

Mentioned by

Mike Carruthers

as being written by

Christopher J. Ferguson

and discussing why good people make bad situations worse.

How Smart People Can Make Dumb Choices & The Serious Dangers of Social Media

Mentioned by

Henry Cornell

as one of the books about how nations fell into cataclysm 100 years ago.

Henry Cornell on Merchant Banking (Podcast)

Mentioned by

Henry Cornell

as one of the books about how nations fell into cataclysm 100 years ago.

Henry Cornell on Merchant Banking (Podcast)

Mentioned by

John Sherman

as the book for which he wrote a no‑punches essay, recommended in the episode to illustrate AI risk emotionally.

We Debated the Future of AI Safety in Brussels — Here's What Happened

Mentioned by

Edward Luce

as the author of "Catastrophe, Europe Goes to War, 1914."

The Sunday Debate: Britain Should Not Have Fought in the First World War

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