The great temptation for any author writing about a war, especially the First World War, is to concentrate on the great personalities and the broad movements of thousands of troops. Cowley, to his credit, spends a considerable amount of time on the middle ranks and their stories. His sources often include diaries, letters, regimental histories and later narratives by the participants. The use of this material is compelling and gives the reader a feel for what the First Ypres was like as it unfolded. Photographs of the battle sites and the combatants are also unusually informative and their subjects unusual. One of the photographs is of an alcoholic bargeman Hendriik Geeraert, who, as much or more than any soldier on the field, determined the outcome of the battle.

Much of the First Ypres was fought in Belgium around low land that became usable for habitation, transportation and farming by virtue of a series of dikes. Without these dikes, the land would be flooded and unusable by the Germans. Albert, who was not only the King of Belgium but also the Commander of its armed forces, made the difficult decision to inundate this land with sea water. However difficult a decision this was, it meant nothing without Geeraert. The men who maintained the dikes had all fled to France and with them the knowledge of how to operate them. Their tools had been hidden away. Geeraert not only had the technical skill but knew where the tools were and was willing to put his life on the line to execute the plan.

Stories like these are what distinguishes this from other histories. Cowley believes this battle may have been the determining factor in whether the Germans would win the war. Had they prevailed they might have controlled the channel ports and prevented aid and troops from Britain from coming. He makes a good argument but for me there are so many other variables at play that we cannot say this with any sort of certainty.

This was an excellent read and I will return to it.

My thanks to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group - Random House for an advance copy of this history book that tells of a battle in the First World War where so much was decided, the tactics, the advances in killing both civilians and fighting men, and how the outcome of the war could have been remarkably different, changing the history of the 20th century.

History in my school usually stopped after the Second World War, maybe touch on the 50's, but it didn't matter what age, or even if it was honors, or AP, we never seemed to get too far past 1945. Not that we covered World War I much, either. A archduke was killed, Europe went to war, things happened, America entered, the end. World War One was much more than that. This was a war that many wanted to happen, and when it did became powerless for them both to stop, and it seemed to win. Plans were drawn and deviation seemed impossible, no matter that the way they had planned had changed due to technology, and the will to fight. I have read quite a few books on the War to End all Wars, but few have touched me, made me think, nor have made me as mad at the people involved as this book. Looking at a battle that seemed could be called a hinge of history in the war, this book tells so much more. About arrogance, ignorance, loyalty, patriotism, and a willingness not only to die for a cause, but to let entire generation die out of pride. The Killing Season: The Autumn of 1914, Ypres, and the Afternoon That Cost Germany a War by Robert Cowley looks at the First Battle of Ypres, a battle that could have changed the history of the 20th century, and maybe the lives of so many soldiers on all sides.

The book begins in the past, explaining the sides, Germany, France, Belgium, England and others and the moments and ideas that brought this nations to not only wanting a war, but needing a war. The German plan was to invade the West, win a quick victory, and turn their efforts to the East. Even if the West wasn't really interested in war. Cowley looks at the many players, the Generals who planned the war, the men who fought in it, and the politicians who seemed almost gleeful, until the numbers of casualties starting rolling in. Cowley follows the wars beginnings, spending much time in Belgium, covering the slaughter of civilians, the destruction of libraries and universities, towns that had lasted since the Middle Ages destroyed in hours. All moving to the First Battle of Ypres where Belgians, English, French and German clashed, along with the advancing technologies in Maxim guns, mortar, aeroplanes and gas.

I have read quite a few books on World War One. Most even now have a bit of Boy's Own Adventure to them. Cavalry fighting with swords, the Knights of the Air, massed charges into machine guns. Cowley is definitely not that kind of writer. Cowley can set a scene, give the facts needed to understand why things are happening, and write passages that make one really feel what it was like to be under fire. Or watch a library burn. Or see brave men with little training give their lives. Every page is loaded with information, about war, about sea locks, about mud. This is a large book but at no point did I feel that I was being lectured to, or feed a line about how much fun this gallant war was. Cowley keeps everything real. So real that even a hundred years later I am mad at so many people involved in this deadly debacle. And how we keep thinking war is worth it.

A really clear history of well to quote another book the march of folly that World War One was. One could just read the first half and understand how the war came about and why. Reading the second part is a revelation of how it could have gone differently. A really fantastic book, one that left me with a lot of thoughts both good and angry. Just like good history should do, and this is excellent history. I have only read one other book by Cowley before, I plan to change that as soon as possible.

First and foremost, a large thank you to NetGalley, Robert Cowley, and Random House Publishing Group for providing me with a copy of this publication, which allows me to provide you with an unbiased review.

Always eager to tackle books by authors new to me, I eagerly accepted this tome about the early part of the Great War. Robert Cowley delivers a great reading experience for those who are curious about the early part of the Great War and how Germany may have bungled things in the opening months, with focus on Belgium, as well as the great powers who fought in the region. Crowley delivers not only a thorough explanation of events, but a detailed account of the war effort, including all essential actors. Crowley makes his own presumptions, supported by ample fact, and keeps the reader in the middle of a great analysis. I could not ask for more of this stellar tome!

Robert Crowley enters this great tome on the Great War arguing that Germany was headed for defeat in the opening months. It was not a long and arduous tactic battle that did them in, but the skirmish at Ypres. He lays the groundwork for this throughout this piece, focusing on the bloody opening months of battle in 1914, events that would seal Germany’s fate.

Cowley’s effectively recounts the moving parts of this crucial time and  how German armies could not close the deal in France, an area they were destined to capture on their way to securing the Channel. By doing so, they would have kept the English out and been able to run things effectively on the mainland.

Instead, Germany ignored the signals and entered the First Battle of Ypres ill-prepared for what awaited them and the Belgian people. A ragtag group of British soldiers led the way to battle against the Germans, whose war plans were so textbook and out of date, they could not evolve on the fly. As the French joined the push in Belgium, cracks began to show and the Germans were no longer the powerhouse they purported to be.

While the war would last four years, it was this period in the early stages that would set the scene. The inability to lock down Belgium, thereby trapping the French and keeping the English from arriving on the continent, helped turn the tables early and set the stage for long term disaster, argues Cowley. While it was not swift, it was pronounced and would surely be an early turning point. A brilliant recounting of the early parts of the Great War. Robert Cowley is on point throughout!

While to love war is a little macabre, I do enjoy reading about the Great War. It was strategic and required planning, rather than slaughtering for the sake of race or ethnicity, as things have become now. Robert Cowley pens this sensational read that had me so eager to learn from the opening pages. Pulling on a vast number of sources and perspectives, Cowley sheds light on the whole story, rather than the telling of the victors. He brings life to Belgium and its importance in the war, even if it might not have been a military powerhouse. Chapters push the piece along and provide great context for the reader to learn and follow progress. I can see Cowley’s points with ease while never succumbing entirely to simply believing everything he writes ‘just because’. He is able to convince me if the importance and kept me enthralled until the very end. I cannot wait to read more from Cowley soon!

Kudos, Mr. Cowley, for a strong depiction of the Great War.

An Advanced Review Copy was provided by the publisher in exchange for a review.

Introduction:
"The Killing Season: The Autumn of 1914, Ypres, and the Afternoon That Cost Germany a War" by Robert Cowley is a meticulously researched and engagingly written account of one of the pivotal moments in World War I. This book delves into the First Battle of Ypres, an event that significantly altered the trajectory of the conflict and the nature of modern warfare itself. Cowley, with his background as the founding editor of MHQ: The Quarterly Journal of Military History, brings a depth of understanding and a narrative flair to this critical period of history.

Summary:
Cowley's narrative begins where Barbara Tuchman's "The Guns of August" left off, focusing on the intense and bloody battles in the autumn of 1914. The book explores how the German forces, after their failure at the Marne, aimed to capture the Channel ports, potentially knocking England out of the war. However, this plan was thwarted by the unexpected resistance from a hastily assembled group of British, French, and Belgian troops during the First Battle of Ypres. Cowley paints a vivid picture of the desperation, the heroism, and the strategic improvisations that characterized this "killing season," highlighting how these events set the stage for the prolonged and brutal trench warfare that would define the rest of the conflict.

Quoted Passages:
"The Marne may have saved Paris and prevented a devastating setback for the Allies, but it did not spell eventual defeat for Germany. Ypres did." - This passage underscores the significance of the Battle of Ypres in the broader context of the war.
"German armies in France were poised to sweep north to capture the Channel ports and knock England out of the war—and were only held back by a brilliant improvisation from a cobbled-together handful of desperate British, French, and Belgian troops." - Here, Cowley captures the critical moment of improvisation and bravery that turned the tide.
"We follow the unlikely progress of French General Ferdinand Foch, the former professor of military science, who actually practiced what he taught." - This quote introduces one of the key figures whose strategic decisions played a crucial role.
"And here is a young Adolf Hitler, who received a formative experience at Ypres, and Winston Churchill, who showed up uninvited at the siege of Antwerp and bought the time that may have saved the Allies." - Cowley not only narrates the military aspect but also connects the battle to the future leaders who would shape world history.
"The vast brawl of four armies in Flanders was not only a turning point but one that irrevocably changed the nature of modern warfare." - This statement emphasizes the battle's long-term impact on military strategy.

Ratings Breakdown:
Historical Accuracy: 5/5 - Cowley's reputation in military history and his extensive research ensure a factual and nuanced recounting of events.
Writing Style: 4/5 - The author's novelistic approach makes the historical narrative engaging, though some might find the style occasionally veering into sensationalism.
Depth of Analysis: 5/5 - The book goes beyond mere recounting of events, offering deep insights into military strategy, leadership, and the human cost of war.
Character Development: 4/5 - The portrayal of military leaders and lesser-known figures adds depth, though some characters remain sketches due to the broad scope of the narrative.
Overall Impact: 4.5/5 - The book stands out for its contribution to understanding a crucial but often overlooked aspect of WWI, making it essential reading for military history enthusiasts.

Conclusion:
"The Killing Season" by Robert Cowley is an authoritative and compelling narrative that successfully captures the essence of a battle that changed the course of World War I. Through detailed accounts, strategic analysis, and human stories, Cowley brings to life the chaos and courage of this pivotal moment. While the book might not delve deeply into every individual's story due to its broad scope, it excels in illustrating how the First Battle of Ypres was not just a military event but a transformative moment in modern warfare. This work is highly recommended for those looking to understand the complexities and the human elements of one of history's most significant conflicts.

The many men, so beautiful!/ And they all dead did lie:/ And a thousand thousand slimy things/Lived on; and so did I.
Jan 16
The Killing Season: The Autumn of 1914, Ypres, and the Afternoon That Cost Germany the War by Robert Cowley (Random House, 2025)

Reviewed by Elizabeth Stice



Though written in 1834, Coleridge’s poem “The Rime of the Ancient Mariner,” quoted in the title of this review, is all too apt for the Great War. A mariner on a ship has killed a kindly albatross, which has cost the crew the wind. Like those who started the Great War, his bad choice has destined all for “woe.” Soon the crew begins to dry out and languish:

Water, water, every where,

And all the boards did shrink;

Water, water, every where,

Nor any drop to drink.

The very deep did rot: O Christ!

That ever this should be!

Yea, slimy things did crawl with legs

Upon the slimy sea.

This could be the cold and wet Flemish countryside, filled with water unsafe to drink, but slowly rotting away men’s feet. In the poem, all the crew except the mariner are taken by death. The bodies drop around him, but he lives on, much like the survivors in the trenches, traumatized by what he has seen and done.

The many men, so beautiful!

And they all dead did lie:

And a thousand thousand slimy things

Lived on; and so did I.



“The Rime of the Ancient Mariner” can evoke the Great War because some of the images of the war have been so engraved in our minds that even after over a century almost anyone can picture the mud of Flanders, with its oozy clay, and the storms that swallowed men whole in their trenches. We can imagine a forlorn man walking across duckboards in a shell-scarred, sunken landscape. When we think about the Great War, we think of the waste of life and shake our heads about the “lions led by donkeys.”



Robert Cowley’s new book The Killing Season does not greatly depart from that familiar scene, but it is masterful nonetheless. The Killing Season is about the iconic first battle of Ypres, in the autumn of 1914. It was still the beginning of the Great War but the end of an open war fought outside of trenches. It was an incredibly costly battle, with the familiar mud and foolish generals. The British had 58,155 casualties (including 7,960 dead), the Belgians lost 18,522, and the Germans somewhere between 80,000 and 134,000. During the time of the battle, the French lost 104,000 men across the Western Front. As Cowley emphasizes at the beginning of his book, “more men died in the first four months of the Great War on the Western Front than in any comparable interval in the four-year struggle.” It was a veritable killing season.



The Killing Season is an incredibly descriptive work, weighing in just over 700 pages, but it is also fiercely analytic. The book has a clear argument, that the Battle of Ypres was a/the deciding point in the war and more significant than the Battle of the Marne, which is often more emphasized. Though the Battle of the Marne is credited with stopping the German advance, Cowley demonstrates the ways in which Ypres decisively ended the Schlieffen Plan and initiated trench warfare and the ways in which the Germans squandered an opportunity for victory, which meant the beginning of a slow defeat. Remarkable for its length, this book is an engaging and interesting read even for readers who have no strong feelings about the significance of Ypres versus the Marne.



The Killing Season is not kind to the war’s generals. Though in recent years, the war’s generals have been somewhat re-appraised by historians like Spencer Jones, Simon Robbins, and Dan Todman, Cowley considers most of them to have indeed been “donkeys,” which he demonstrates with anecdotes of their wartime leadership. Only three major leaders demonstrated excellence according to Cowley: Ferdinand Foch, King Albert of Belgium, and Fritz von Lossberg. Several leaders of lower-rank are highly praised in this book, though. And the lack of appreciation of leadership at lower levels is identified by Cowley as one of the causes of the German blunders at Ypres.



In contrast with German leadership in 1914, Cowley excels at crediting soldiers (and marines and sailors) at all ranks. This book has illuminating passages about major figures like Ferdinand Foch, John French, Erich von Falkenhayn, and Moltke the younger. But it also highlights the lives and service of men like Paul Maze, a French artist who rode a motorcycle for the British and did some scouting and translating. (He later wrote A Frenchman in Khaki.) There are numerous passages about the efforts of the Belgians to open the locks and inundate their own land and the heroism of Hendrik Geeraert, a barge captain who understood the canal system and was willing to risk death, over the course of several nights, to serve his country. By drawing on existing scholarship, official histories, diaries and journals published and unpublished, Cowley is remarkably able to describe the war and the men in it.



Despite engaging the world of so many of the Western Front tropes, Cowley describes and analyzes much that has been overlooked about the early days of the war. In many chapters, this book centers the Belgian experience and its leadership, which is very rare—despite the importance of Belgium. Just as Cowley draws attention to less known figures alongside the famous, he is able to emphasize the significance of smaller struggles like the Siege of Dixmude, comparing the efforts of the French Marines to the Spartan defense at the Battle of Thermopylae. This book offers insights into Churchill’s (and the Navy’s) role on the Western Front, before Gallipoli.



In 1914, much of the Entente world believed that the Germans had to be stopped, for the sake of civilization. Newspapers in the Entente world made much of German atrocities, much of which would be disregarded as propaganda after the war. Like historian Michael Howard, Cowley does not shy away from the nature of the German war effort. The Germans did commit atrocities in Belgium. Though driven by their fear of the franc-tireur, there is no disputing that Germans killed and assaulted civilians and pillaged towns. When the Germans entered Ypres, they demanded 70,000 francs, and when the town couldn’t come up with all of it, they broke into the post office and took the petty cash (though the later destruction of Cloth Hall and St. Martin’s Church was likely accidental). Cowley also very much blames the Germans for expanding the war beyond Serbia and Austria-Hungary, writing that “the Germans hijacked a war.” In particular, Cowley makes the case for Moltke the younger bearing a great deal of responsibility, writing, “no person in charge was more responsible for starting the Great War.”



Perhaps most damning for Cowley was the way that the Germans wasted their men. Though all armies were guilty of foolish attacks, in too many British accounts, the Germans who charged the trenches, shoulder to shoulder, were soon after described as dead lying “in heaps.” “Der Kindermord bei Ypern” were overwhelmingly young and inexperienced, 55% were under twenty, 80% under twenty-five and 95% single. The lives seem truly wasted, because the Germans had the initial advantage and the manpower, but failure of nerve and failure to understand the battlefield in the moment meant that the Germans did not seize their opportunity to effectively break a very thin Entente line, which was held heroically but very tenuously. The Killing Season makes very clear the German errors in these early days that ultimately cost them the war.



The emphasis on the waste of human life on the Western Front is familiar. The Killing Season is consistent with many of the works written after the war, which saw the conflict as a crisis of civilization. It seemed to be a self-destructive impulse across a continent, a moment of madness, a living example of Freud’s death instinct in action. How else to explain the mass murder perpetrated on both sides, often against their own soldiers through foolish commands? Vera Brittain would likely agree with the last portions of the book, which reflect on the war more broadly as a cultural crisis.



You might think that a work of military history covering the relatively familiar ground of the Western Front, with its cruelty and charnel smell, would not be especially captivating. You would be wrong. Cowley’s style is exceptional and his descriptions of people and battles is engaging. His approach involves covering traditional topics like tactics and generals and including maps, but also integrating minor figures, addressing emerging technologies, and his selection of quotes from primary sources is exceptional. The book, for all its 700 pages, is, at times, a page-turner, and proof that the Western Front continues to be not just an important site of the war but an important part of World War I study. This book is capable of engaging the wide audience it was written to reach.

The Killing Season will be released in February 2025.



Elizabeth Stice is a professor of history and assistant director of the honors program at Palm Beach Atlantic University. When she can, she reads and writes about World War I and she is the author of Empire Between the Lines: Imperial Culture in British and French Trench Newspapers of the Great War (2023).

An extensive and well-written history of the first few months of the Great War in Europe. The author portrays both the battles and the characters effectively with gripping prose. His mastery of the topic is apparent. At times the book the difficult to put down because of the effective tension created by the author. Would recommend this book to anyone interested in military history and would definitely read another title by this author.

I have just concluded my reading of an ARC of "The Killing Season: The Autumn of 1914, Ypres and the Afternoon that Cost Germany a War," written by the noted military historian, Robert Cowley and published by Random House who graciously provided me with the ARC. It is, in my view, a "Tour de Force" in revisiting the often neglected mobile war that preceded trench warfare on the Western Front, It reads, in some ways, rather like an historiographical essay examining the current state of scholarship surrounding these events in the first few months of the war, with all of the lost opportunities that characterized that time. Those months were critical in leading to the stalemate which settled over the balance of the war until the U.S. entrance in significant numbers in 1918. The author is clearly well-versed in his sources and includes frequent critical but justified examinations of both Entente and Central Powers military doctrine and leadership as it evolved (devolved?) on the Western Front. Discussions of the partisan war, Allied propaganda and French and German stubborn persistence in half baked planning and the development of tactical doctrine is particularly illuminating. Many of you are familiar with Barbara Tuchman's "The Guns of August"; this book takes off, in great detail, precisely where the earlier text ends. It is recommended for every serious collection on World War I.

An in-depth coverage of the first few months of a war that would eventually change the face of Europe. Proposing a new event as the turning point for Germany during the war, this book is well worth a read for its fresh ideas.