A shattered peace : Versailles 1919 and the price we pay today /

Andelman (executive editor, Forbes.com) illustrates the truth of the dictum "the end of a war is a terrible time to make peace." His monograph examines the "other Versailles"--the efforts of the victors to reorder eastern Europe, the Middle East, and Asia in light of the defeat of imperial Germany and the collapse of Austria-Hungary and czarist Russia. Andelman's fascinating introduction to this massive effort is unsympathetic to the problems the peacemakers faced. Essentially, he catalogs the "follies of the victors," asserts their share of culpability for the mess that followed their treaty making, and sees in the policies of contemporary leaders--most notably George W. Bush--a repetition of earlier mistakes. The author catalogs but then seemingly ignores the very real problem that many of the suppliants at Versailles sought outcomes that undercut their fellow lobbyists. Disappointing is the bibliography, which is limited to English-language and a few French sources. Nevertheless, a useful introduction to this topic, of real utility for undergraduates or senior scholars seeking a broad overview of the "other Versailles." Summing Up: Recommended. All academic levels/libraries. G. P. Cox Gordon College

The Versailles peace conference, held between the Allied victorious powers and Germany following World War I, attempted to create a lasting peace-and parcel out the world. The great powers felt that they should inherit much of it; inhabitants of the countries to be parceled out felt otherwise. The shortsightedness of the conferees produced a world that fragmented in unexpected ways and arguably generated a century of continuous conflict. With chapters on some of those present, such as the young Ho Chi Min, on the shared goals of Emir Feisal and Chaim Weizmann, and on the abortive stab at making peace in revolutionary Russia, Andelman (executive editor, Forbes.com) casts a bitter light on the rest of the 20th century. The author's constant theme is that the failures of the Versailles conference laid the groundwork for World War II, the iron curtain, the Vietnam War, the various Middle East conflicts, and the Balkan wars. Andelman's sprightly view of the peace process, the major and minor players, and the decades-later outcomes is an excellent read that will enhance most history collections. Recommended for most subject collections.-Edwin B. Burgess, U.S. Army Combined Arms Research Lib., Fort Leavenworth, KS (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.