Episode Overview

Podcast: LSE: Public Lectures and Events
Episode: LSE Literary Festival 2014: The books that inspired David Stevenson
Date: February 21, 2014
Host: LSE Film and Audio Team
Guest: Professor David Stevenson, International History, LSE

This episode features Professor David Stevenson discussing the books that most profoundly influenced his study of World War I. Stevenson shares personal reflections on these works, contrasts differing historical interpretations, and reveals how his reading shaped his academic journey. The conversation serves as a special segment for the LSE Literary Festival "Reflections" series, commemorating the centenary of the First World War.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The LSE Literary Festival & the Centenary Event

[01:31]

• Stevenson is chairing the event: "Why Remember? Reflections on the First World War Centenary" (Feb 26, 2014).
• Multidisciplinary panelists:
  • Margaret Macmillan (modern history – July 1914 crisis)
  • Lily Kuluraki (media studies – WWI in media)
  • Michael Cox (international relations – League of Nations)
  • John Hutchinson (government – nationalism and commemoration)
• The centenary of WWI is used as a framework to reflect on the war’s lasting impact from different perspectives.

2. Early Inspiration: A.J.P. Taylor’s The First World War: An Illustrated History

[03:13]

• Citied as the book that ignited Stevenson’s fascination with WWI during his youth.
• Describes it as "a classic ... in print with Penguin unchanged ever since."
• Memorable for its "very disillusioned, cynical kind of book with wonderful captions to the photographs."
• Quote:

  "It tells you almost as much about the attitude and perspective of the 1960s ... as it does of the generation of 1914. But it's a very disillusioned, cynical kind of book." (David Stevenson, 03:41)

• Stevenson recalls reading the book while hospitalized; it shaped his view of WWI as "chaotic, as governments out of control, nobody really knowing what was happening."

3. Contrasting View: Fritz Fischer’s Germany’s Aims in the First World War

[04:18]

• Presents a diametrically opposed view to Taylor, depicting the German government as having clear, aggressive objectives.
• Quote:

  "This presents a diametrically opposed view to Taylor ... very important at its time, showing that the German government repeatedly discussed what they were fighting for ... it's a very purposive picture of the war." (David Stevenson, 04:47)

• Fischer’s research highlighted plans for buffer states and overseas colonies—supporting the idea of purposive policy over chaos.

4. Theoretical Perspective: Clausewitz’s On War

[05:18]

• Cites Clausewitz’s famous dictum: “War is the continuation of politics by other means.”
• The Taylor-Fischer contrast is described as representing two extremes: chaotic confusion vs. coldly rational intent, with Stevenson seeking a balanced interpretation in his own work.

5. New Interpretations: Christopher Clark’s The Sleepwalkers

[06:13]

• Stevenson recommends Clark’s recent book as a "new interpretation of the crisis of July-August 1914."
• Praises its inclusion of new evidence from Serbia and Russia.
• Highlights Clark's thesis: responsibility for the war was "shared" among powers, not solely Germany.
• Quote:

  "It kind of de-centers Germany from the overall picture ... that's controversial and I don't go as far as what he has to say." (David Stevenson, 06:50)

• Despite not agreeing fully with Clark, Stevenson finds the book "forced me to rethink my own views about this subject."

6. Literary Influence: Tolstoy’s War and Peace

[07:16]

• Stevenson reminisces about earlier days dedicated to classic literary reading, especially Tolstoy.
• Describes War and Peace as a "young man’s book" and a longstanding personal touchstone.
• Quote:

  "There are passages in that book, and scenes and episodes and dialogues which have just stayed with me, and I come back to them again and again." (David Stevenson, 07:38)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Historical Perspectives:

  "You have the A.J.P. Taylor view that it's all chaos and confusion and people are out of control. You have the Fischer view that is very purposive, much more chilling ... the truth I think is somewhere between these two alternative, extreme, opposed views." (05:29)

• On The Sleepwalkers and Academic Growth:

  "It's a book that more than anything else has forced me to rethink my own views about this subject." (07:09)

• On Wartime Literature’s Personal Impact:

  "Hopefully when I get to retirement I'll read it again. It'll be interesting to go back to it because I think of it as a young man's book ... and see how well it wears." (07:32)

Recommended Reading List from David Stevenson

• A.J.P. Taylor — The First World War: An Illustrated History
  • Striking for its 1960s perspective and lasting influence.
• Fritz Fischer — Germany’s Aims in the First World War (Griff Nacht der Weltmacht)
  • Key work for understanding German policy and WWI causality.
• Carl von Clausewitz — On War
  • Foundational military-political theory.
• Christopher Clark — The Sleepwalkers
  • Recent scholarship re-examining responsibility for 1914.
• Leo Tolstoy — War and Peace
  • Enduring literary meditation on war's meaning.

Conclusion

Professor David Stevenson’s thoughtful and personal account provides both a map of critical scholarship on WWI and a reflection on the enduring value of literature. His journey through historical interpretations, seminal works, and lasting literary influences serves as an inspiration for scholars and general audiences alike to explore the complexity and legacy of the First World War.