Plotting for Peace

'This ground-breaking book transforms our understanding of British policy and American mediation during the First World War, incorporating the missing dimension of spies, codes and intelligence, together with new insights from economic history. It corrects many of the distortions in our current understanding of this crucial conflict.' Richard J. Aldrich, author of GCHQ: The Uncensored Story of Britain's Most Secret Intelligence Agency 'Dr Larsen challenges assumptions both about how to write international history and about the events of 1914-1917. Using the tools of political, diplomatic, economic and intelligence history, he analyses the failed American mediation attempts, and argues that long-held historical beliefs are entirely wrong. It is a very stimulating book.' Kathleen Burk, author of The Lion and the Eagle: The Interaction of the British and American Empires 1783-1972 'A bold reinterpretation of Britain and America in the Great War, probing anew whether the struggle had to be fought to a finish. It reconsiders Woodrow Wilson's mediation efforts in 1914-17 and offers revisionist portraits of Asquith and Lloyd George.' David Reynolds, author of Island Stories: Britain and its History in the Age of Brexit 'Daniel Larsen provides us with by far the best account of Anglo-American relations in the crucial months preceding America's entry into the First World War. Challenging received interpretations, compellingly argued, and eloquently written, it blends finance and secret intelligence with diplomacy and high politics.' David Stevenson, author of 1917: War, Peace, and Revolution 'Fascinating … helps to redress the balance, away from howitzers and trenches, and towards understanding.' Peter Hitchens, The Mail on Sunday 'A memorable lesson in the sheer contingency of history and how the lives and deaths of millions can depend on the decisions of a few men.' Oliver Moody, The Times '… invaluable, gripping and entertaining …' Simon Heffer, Daily Telegraph