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End of part 1. Not much in overt politics so far. Basic argument is that people will very quickly have an emotional response or gut feeling to something (such as a political issue) and then use reason and keep trying to come up with justifications after the fact for something they emotionally feel. Rather than using reason/logic to come to an opinion and then being passionate about it.

Really good so far. First 50 pages on early life and experiences in colonial Malaya. Next 50 pages on his time as vice-consul in 1912-1914 Russia. Very good insight into what those places were like at the time.

695-815 Interesting chapter on German attempts to inspire revolution in the French and British Empires including trying to cause a worldwide Jihad or getting Afghanistan to invade British India and why these failed. Also a good part on the war in the Caucasus in 1914.

Pages 495-643 on the war in Africa through to 1918. Very interesting on the logistics, the issues with health and porters, and campaigns. Pages 644-694 Shorter chapter on Turkish entry into the war and the state of the Turkish army for war but nothing on their military campaigns.

About 120 pages first on the naval war in the North Sea (the planning and the war in 1914-15, so no details on the Battle of Jutland) and then on the naval war in the Pacific until 1917 including the German raiders, the siege of Tsingtao and the politics of the alliance between Britain and Japan. The Pacific part has been one of the more enjoyable parts of the book so far.

Pages 163-373. About 100 pages on the Western Front in 1914 and 100 on the Eastern Front in 1914. Rather dry. Very top level view. Focus on army movements and the personalities of the generals. Very little on the experiences of ordinary soldiers.