Leaders of World War I examines the lives and personalities of the chief political and military figures of World War I.

From British prime minister David Lloyd George to the autocratic Tsar Nicholas II of Russia, the wartime heads of state struggled to respond to the demands of the armed forces while maintaining unity at home. While Lloyd George and many other democratically elected leaders achieved a degree of success, several hereditary rulers, including the tsar, found their authority smashed forever by the events of war.

Meanwhile, on the battlefields, commanders such as French marshal Ferdinand Foch and German general Erich von Lundendorff were responsible for developing and executing strategies that they hoped would bring victory.

What characteristics did these powerful men share? Why did they permit the slaughter of millions of young men to continue? What were their motivations and weaknesses? How did their public image contribute to their success or failure?

Lively biographies of these powerful and determined men provide a fascinating insight into the tactics and administration of warfare.