By the early 1900s both Britain and Russia, suspicious of Imperial Germany, decided to stabilize their relations and replace their rivalry in Central Asia - the 'Great Game' - with rapprochement. But as Jennifer Siegel here demonstrates, reality in the field told a different story. The momentum of imperial rivalry, spiced by oil and railway development, could not be arrested and various interests on both sides continued to stoke the fire with increasing aggressiveness. By 1914 Britain and Russia were on the brink of war with each other to be saved only by the outbreak of World War I. This book is a groundbreaking and original study based on hitherto unseen archives in Moscow and St Petersburg, as well as original research in London.

By the early 1900s both Britain and Russia, recognising the threat from Imperial Germany, decided to stabilise their relations and replace their rivalry in Central Asia - the great game - with rapprochement. But their rivalry escalated and by 1914 the two empires were on the brink of war.

About the Author
Jennifer Siegel undertook her research at Yale University and now teaches at Boston University.

Reviews
Journal of Modern History, Vol. 77, 2nd June 2005. Review by Edward Ingram: 'This stimulating book... a fascinating example of how a precisely defined, detailed monograph can suggest a new way of looking at issues of great historical importance.'



Book Information
ISBN 9781850433712
Author Jennifer Siegel
Format Hardback
Page Count 272
Imprint I.B. Tauris
Publisher Bloomsbury Publishing PLC