The World's War

A unique account of the millions of colonial troops who fought in the First World War, and why they were later air-brushed out of history.

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'A groundbreaking and important book that will surely reframe our understanding of the Great War' David Lammy
'A genuinely groundbreaking piece of research' BBC History

'Meticulously researched and beautifully written' Military History Monthly

In a sweeping narrative, David Olusoga describes how Europe's Great War became the World's War – a multi-racial, multi-national struggle, fought in Africa and Asia as well as in Europe, which pulled in men and resources from across the globe.

Throughout, he exposes the complex, shocking paraphernalia of the era's racial obsessions, which dictated which men would serve, how they would serve, and to what degree they would suffer. As vivid and moving as it is revelatory and authoritative, The World's War explores the experiences and sacrifices of four million non-European, non-white people whose stories have remained too long in the shadows.