Chapters in this book

1. Frontmatter i
2. Contents vii
3. Illustrations ix
4. Maps xi
5. Acknowledgements xii
6. Introduction to the Second Edition xiii
7. Introduction xix
8. Part I. Setting the Scene
9. 1. The Conundrum 3
10. 2. The Search for a Solution, 1915-1916 15
11. 3. Stratagems: January-May 1917 25
12. 4. Decisions: May-July 1917 31
13. Part II. Initiation
14. 5. Making Plans 45
15. 6. False Dawn: Messines 55
16. Part. III Gough
17. 7. The New Commander 69
18. 8. 31 July: The Implements 79
19. 9. First Strike 86
20. 10. Rain 97
21. Part IV. Plumer
22. 11. Menin Road 113
23. 12. Polygon Wood 125
24. 13. Broodseinde 133
25. Part V. Political Interlude (i)
26. 14. Deciding and Not Deciding: The War Cabinet and the War Policy Committee, August-November 1 91 7 143
27. Part VI. The Lower Depths
28. 15. Poelcappelle 159
29. 16. Neverending Story 165
30. 17. Final Folly 171
31. Part VII. Political Interlude (ii)
32. 18. The Last Inaction: The War Cabinet, October-November 1917 185
33. 19. Conclusion 194
34. Notes 201
35. Note on Sources 218
36. Bibliography 220
37. Index 229