Because we assume momentous events must have momentous consequences we too easily accept the conventional wisdom that the Great War of 1914-18 shook British society to its foundations, leaving nothing of the prewar world intact. Now, in this impressive study-the first major treatment of the theme-Gerard DeGroot examines every aspect of society in the period (c.1907-22) to understand what actually happened to the people of Britain during and after their trial by fire.