Rating: 
Summary: Reading in Bed
Review: "Paris 1919" took me quickly to unconsciousness. But reading it before bedtime meant I didn't finish it for nearly two months! I'm not saying it was bad but it wasn't a page-turner. I thought it would be more about the dynamics of the Conference itself rather than about the parties involved and all the geopolitical considerations. The book lacks an overarching narrative that would have helped bring the Conference alive. What I was hoping for was more of how the personalities of the leaders; Wilson, George and Clemenceau along with the national interests they represented played themselves out on this international stage. Instead the events at the conference came to a screeching halt every time a new country petitioned the Conference for more territory. Ms. Macmillan then provided the backstory on the country's history and the leader appearing at the conference. Often this was interesting but not gripping and I felt that the larger story and personalities got lost in the details. I got a good understanding of the political dynamics of various regions both going back and forward in time. The book made me interested in learning more about specific aspects of issues raised at the Conference such as the German presence on the Shantung peninsula and about the Turkish leader Ataturk. What I didn't get was a strong sense of the historic conference itself nor the larger themes that came out of it.
Rating: 
Summary: The Ultimate Narrative History of Versailles
Review: Review of British/ Canadian Edition (Title is "The Peacemakers") That such a narrative history could be feted by the world at large and be a best-seller in the English speaking world speaks volumes about the timeless nature of the search for international peace and, more importantly, the rich writing style of MacMillan. It is a very accessible book and one that should be read by the world's leaders and the general public. The book tries to cover all aspects the peace conference dealth with. In 500 pages that is hard, but there are chapters on all relevant countries and issues: for every country from China Hungary. Not surprisingly some topics are dealt with better than others. I was a little surprised at the German Treaty. It actually takes up less than 100 pages in this book. There is so much to cover that it is not surprising that one feels a little cheated in details. A few areas that are covered well is the attitude of Italy and is puerile histrionics at the talks and its boastful stance worthy of its eventual leader Mussolini. Hungary is the real orphan of the treaty with no friends at all. Rumania the great winner despite being on both sides in the war. China and Japan and the nacsent warfare between them boils below the surface with Japan's claims on China and the Shantung Penninsula. I liked this book a lot, but I thought it was a little blown out of porportion. I have honestly read better history of the early 20th Century (eg. Piers Brendon's "The Dark Valley), but I was still noticably impressed. In our postmodern world where everyone is a critic judging the problems of yesteryear through the lens of today, this may look like a bunch of stodgy toffs of the leaders of western countries making imperialistic decisions on the broad unshaped territories of the world. MacMillan to her credit rarely judges. She, like most people who read and incredible amount of history, realise that there are rarely good choices devoid of negative consequences. There is only a whole lot of bad choices and an even greater range of worse choices. Even in the establishment of the Palastine Mandate it is hard to see what the eventual outcome would be. If anything the British come across -- again -- as the far-sighted imperialists, ruling indirectly, trying to square the circle between US idealism and French/ Japanese raw territorial aggression. Their experience meant that they usually knew the consequences of their actions. They also had much more of a mature democracy with an independent press that was less willing to give carte blanche approval to the imperial moves of national policy. This contrasts with the French and the Italian press, which were essentially arms of the national policy when needed (some may say this has not changed in the case of Berlusconi). All in all a great book. worthy of plaudits, but I honestly do not know if it is as great as it is commonly touted to be.
Rating: 
Summary: Paris 1919 : Six Months That Changed the World
Review: MacMillan (Univ. of Toronto) uses the deliberations surrounding the Treaty of Versailles (together with its adjuncts: Trianon, St. Germain, Neuilly, Sevres, and Lausanne) in several ways. First, she introduces readers to a stellar cast of characters: Lloyd George, the "Welsh wizard"; Clemenceau, the "French tiger"; Wilson, the "American professor"; as well as King Faisal, Lawrence of Arabia, Ataturk, Ho Chi Minh, and even Gandhi. Second, she clearly articulates the intricacies of the welt politik that led up to WW I. Third, she discusses many of the issues that were on the table in 1919 and are still present: Balkan ethnic politics, Europe's relationship with Turkey, Britain's involvement with Europe, tensions in the Middle East. But, most important, 1919 marks the advent of the US as a moralizing force that at once castigated Old World imperialisms while initiating its own self-appointed role as global arbiter of good and evil. Somewhat poignantly, MacMillan closes this study of the aftermath of the "war to end all wars" with two questions: "How can the irrational passions of nationalism or religion be contained before they do more damage? How can we outlaw war?" Well footnoted, referenced, and illustrated with clear maps and intriguing photographs.
Rating:
Summary: Sometimes Short Reviews are Better
Review: Sometimes short reviews are better and then the reader (themselves) can discover and appreciate the details of the book. Have a look at the other reviewers and the editorial reviews and you will see that this is a book of substance and it is highly regarded. I will not repeat the praises heaped upon this book. Needless to say, it is a book that delves into the politics at a critical time in our history. A time that set the stage for what would happen when the fascists led by Hitler hijacked Europe, and led to the changes in the Balkans and then the nonstop state of war in the middle east that still continues. It was in these times that the first ideas were formed for many strategic changes and developments. This is a very well organized and well written book with lost of research and detail Excellent read for oneself or a gift. Five stars...
Rating:
Summary: Comprehensive Study of Seminal Event of 20th Century
Review: This excellent book provides an in depth review and analysis of the Versailles conference, a seminal event of the 20th Century that redrew the maps of both Europe and of the Third World of its colonies and which created the conditions, or at least provided the backdrop for, events leading to the Second World War 2O years later. Ms. MacMillan, a descendant of one the key players in this event, Lloyd George, along with other scholars and academics who publish their manuscripts through large commercial publishing houses, deserve a little more attention to their work from the anonymous editorial assistants who write the dust jackets of their books and who often, as in this case, obviously have not read the volume in question or have any great knowledge of its subject matter. Thus we are confronted on the inside flap of this book with the ridiculous assertion that Israel was created by the Versailles conference in 1919 which, as anyone who has ever even taken a high school history course knows, was formed in 1947 after a bitter struggle with both the British and the Arabs. True, Lord Balfour did make his declaration of intent in 1917, but that had nothing to do with the Versailles conference and did not establish any state. Nowhere does the author ever make such an ignorant statement or claim, the term Israel not appearing in the index. To spare its authors and the educated public that reads non-fiction books of this type from embarrassment in the future, Random House should take better care in promoting its authors' works in the future.
Rating:
Summary: A modern Classic !
Review: A recent work which is becoming a modern classic. MacMillan covers the entire Paris Peace conference with special emphasis on the actions of the 'Big Three', Lloyd-George, Wilson, and Clemenceau. She deftly illustrates the many conflicting issues facing the world leaders in their search for peace and postwar stability and argues against the scorn, which many have placed, on the treaties.
Rating: 
Summary: Did not live up to my expectations
Review: I was very disappointed with this book. I would have liked more detail on the actual events instead I felt the author dealt more with the characters that attended the meeting. If I wanted to know about Lloyd Gearge's mistress and the Queen of Rumania who attended with her plump children, I would read a biography. All in all, the book could not hold my interest. I tried to just read the chapters dealing with areas that I was interested in such as Yugoslavia, Greece, Turkey and the Middle East. I could not do anything but skim these chapters before giving up entirely on the book. It is very rare that I do not finish a book that I start.
Rating:
Summary: The Ultimate Narrative History of Versailles
Review: Review of British/ Canadian Edition (Title is "The Peacemakers") That such a narrative history could be feted by the world at large and be a best-seller in the English speaking world speaks volumes about the timeless nature of the search for international peace and, more importantly, the rich writing style of MacMillan. It is a very accessible book and one that should be read by the world's leaders and the general public. The book tries to cover all aspects the peace conference dealth with. In 500 pages that is hard, but there are chapters on all relevant countries and issues: for every country from China Hungary. Not surprisingly some topics are dealt with better than others. I was a little surprised at the German Treaty. It actually takes up less than 100 pages in this book. There is so much to cover that it is not surprising that one feels a little cheated in details. A few areas that are covered well is the attitude of Italy and is puerile histrionics at the talks and its boastful stance worthy of its eventual leader Mussolini. Hungary is the real orphan of the treaty with no friends at all. Rumania the great winner despite being on both sides in the war. China and Japan and the nacsent warfare between them boils below the surface with Japan's claims on China and the Shantung Penninsula. I liked this book a lot, but I thought it was a little blown out of porportion. I have honestly read better history of the early 20th Century (eg. Piers Brendon's "The Dark Valley), but I was still noticably impressed. In our postmodern world where everyone is a critic judging the problems of yesteryear through the lens of today, this may look like a bunch of stodgy toffs of the leaders of western countries making imperialistic decisions on the broad unshaped territories of the world. MacMillan to her credit rarely judges. She, like most people who read and incredible amount of history, realise that there are rarely good choices devoid of negative consequences. There is only a whole lot of bad choices and an even greater range of worse choices. Even in the establishment of the Palastine Mandate it is hard to see what the eventual outcome would be. If anything the British come across -- again -- as the far-sighted imperialists, ruling indirectly, trying to square the circle between US idealism and French/ Japanese raw territorial aggression. Their experience meant that they usually knew the consequences of their actions. They also had much more of a mature democracy with an independent press that was less willing to give carte blanche approval to the imperial moves of national policy. This contrasts with the French and the Italian press, which were essentially arms of the national policy when needed (some may say this has not changed in the case of Berlusconi). All in all a great book. worthy of plaudits, but I honestly do not know if it is as great as it is commonly touted to be.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent history
Review: Margret Macmillan's book is breathtaking in its coverage and originality, and I am proud to own it in my humble collection. I cannot imagine anyone covering this teritory with such mastery and authority. It is finely written too.
Rating:
Summary: An outstanding book
Review: This book is a must-read. Beyond the fascinating forgetten historical characters, the roots of unrest in the rest of century are well documented. I found this book to be very well written, balanced and haunting. At the end of every chapter, the last paragraph discuss what the eventual outcome of the nations and leaders involved...which I found particularly poingnant.
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