Crucible: The Long End of the Great War and the Birth of a New World, 1917–1924 - Charles Emmerson (Books)

Title: Crucible: The Long End of the Great War and the Birth of a New World, 1917–1924

Author: Charles Emmerson

Published: October 15, 2019

Publisher: PublicAffairs

Length: 752 pages

Category: Non-fiction / History / World War I / Global Politics

In Crucible, historian Charles Emmerson offers a sweeping narrative of the transformative years following World War I. Spanning from 1917 to 1924, the book examines how the aftermath of the Great War reshaped the political, social, and cultural landscapes of Europe and America. Emmerson delves into pivotal events such as the Russian Revolution, the rise of fascism, and the emergence of new cultural movements, illustrating how these developments set the stage for the tumultuous decades that followed.

The narrative interweaves the lives of influential figures—including Lenin, Hitler, Josephine Baker, Ernest Hemingway, Rosa Luxemburg, and Mustafa Kemal—highlighting their roles in the era’s upheavals. Emmerson’s portrayal captures both the optimism and the chaos of a world in flux, offering insights into how the period’s events continue to influence contemporary society.

Critics have praised Crucible for its vivid storytelling and comprehensive analysis. The Guardian noted Emmerson’s ability to bring historical figures to life, providing anecdotes that reveal their complexities and the era’s absurdities.

Charles Emmerson is an Australian-born historian based in London. He is a Senior Research Fellow at Chatham House, focusing on resource security, foreign policy, and global geopolitics. Emmerson is also the author of 1913: In Search of the World Before the Great War and The Future History of the Arctic.

Crucible is available in hardcover, paperback, ebook, and audiobook formats through major retailers such as Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and Penguin Books.