The British Working Class and Enthusiasm for War, 1914-1916

This book examines what motivated the ordinary British man to go to France in 1914, especially in the early years when Britain relied on the voluntary system to fill the ranks.

David Silbey is an assistant professor of European History at Alvernia College, Reading, PA. He obtained his PhD at Duke University in 1999.

1. Introduction 2. The Rush to Colors, Business as Usual, and the Coming of Conscription, August, 1914-January, 1916 3. Currents within the Flood: Who were the Volunteers? 4. 'The Monotony of the Trivial Round': Enlistment and the Escape from Domesticity 5. 'Money was the Attraction.' Enlistment and Economic Motives 6. 'We Were Being Patriotic. Or Young and Silly.' Enlistment and Allegiance 7. 'A View of the Round World.' The Workers, Britain, Europe, and Empire 8. Conclusion: The Shadow of the Somme 9. Bibliography