David Reynolds 
Long Shadow 
A Book Enough to Understand the World War I

The influence of the World War I from 1914 to 1918 on Britain is far-reaching and cannot be forgotten. In essence, Britain’s involvement in World War I was not directly for the sake of its motherland, but was based on morality. For Britain, World War I was seen as a war of principles to defend freedom and civilization, and it was a generous fight for the freedom of other countries. The Long Shadow is a historical masterpiece that pays attention to both the dead and the reality. David Reynolds, a professor of history at Cambridge University, with his profound historical accumulation, through the analysis of the British experience in the World War I in the international background at that time, tells the readers with enthusiasm the profound influence of the World War I on the 20th century and even the modern society in politics, economy, art and literature, which has both positive and negative effects. The author tells the "other side" of World War I in a plain and humorous way, challenges the traditional view and presents a brand new British Empire to the readers. The framework of the book is grand, but full of vivid details.