William C. King
Published: 2015-06-30
Total Pages: 762
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Excerpt from King's Complete History of the World War: Visualizing the Great Conflict in All Theaters of Action, 1914-1918 The value of any work of history is measured largely by the intellectual equipment of the Author, the accuracy and authenticity of his data. The Editor of this volume was fortunately in possession of a background of European history of peculiar advantage in undertaking to prepare the story of the Great War. In 1910 (after 20 years of laborious research) he brought to completion, "Crossing the Centuries," a Synchroneous History of the Worlds Civilization extending from pre-historic times down to the present day - illustrated with vizualized charts, on which were pictured the great events of time, arranged in their chronological order and in their contemporaneous association, century by century. In the preparation of this stupendous work Dr. King was able to enlist the co-operation and collaboration of many of the foremost intellects of the Nation, Eminent Clergymen, College Presidents, Leading Publicists, Noted Historians, Scientific and Educational Specialists, representing a wide range of recognized scholarship. Probably no book of modern times has called forth stronger expressions of appreciation from prominent scholars, educational leaders, the secular and religious press, than was accorded to this publication. "Kings. Visualized Charts of American History" (extensively used in public schools) is another production of our Editor. In the preparation of this latter work, the Author had the editorial assistance of Dr. Wilber F. Gordy, author of Gordy's series of School Histories. In 1914 Dr. King's Alma Mater conferred -upon him the honorary degree of "Doctor of Letters" (Litt. D.), in recognition of his research work in history and other literary productions. (Four of his previous books reached a sale of two and one-holf million copies.) In view of Dr. King's familiarity with the economic, political, and diplomatic situation in Europe, at the time war was declared, he was in a particularly favorable position to undertake the preparation of this volume. The book could have been on the market two years earlier had the Editor been willing to sacrifice accuracy and completeness for quick financial returns. He preferred, however, to secure the full truth at the expense of time, and build a book which would stand the acid test of critical comparison. This work embodies numerous original and unique features found in no other history, prominent among which is the tabulation of the "Order of Battle," showing in opposite columns the numerical strength of the opposing armies, the list of Generals directing the respective forces, the date and place of battle, in every campaign and major engagement. Another original feature is the separate treatment accorded each battle under a system of striking boxed headings, the frequent use of sub-headings, which illuminate the text, greatly aiding the reader in visualizing the ebb and flow of battle. This helpful feature is in marked contrast with many histories which present an endless array of facts, unrelieved by any captions, to aid the reader in distinguishing between different phases of a great battle, or determine one battle from another in an extensive campaign. Still another unique feature is the index, which precedes the narrative story of each year, arranged chronologically in parallel columns, showing at a glance the events taking place on both Western and Eastern Fronts on any given date, including folio of descriptive text. About the Publisher Forgotten Books publishes hundreds of thousands of rare and classic books. Find more at www.forgottenbooks.com