Opening Moves: August 1914 by John Keegan is a detailed study of the first month of World War I, focusing on how the conflict rapidly escalated from a diplomatic crisis into a full-scale war. Keegan examines the early military strategies and mobilisation plans of the major European powers, including Germany, France, Britain, and Russia, and explains how initial decisions and miscalculations shaped the course of the war. The book highlights the speed, confusion, and rigidity of early 20th-century warfare planning, showing how these “opening moves” set the stage for a prolonged and devastating global conflict.