Finished Richard Lebow

After fits and starts, finally finished it and can recommend it to anybody, especially who has basic knowledge of history at that era.
Lots of nice information, and sound explanation as well. For example

p. 225

3 gradients shaping FP in 1014

1. Size of the middle class
2. Extent to which aristocrasts were comfortable in reaching compromise with the rising middle class: note that British did this very well.
3. Control of foreign and military policy.

In all 3, Germany fares unfavorably with Britain. As Lebow says, it was decisive in the matter of European peace: failed those tests.

Also Lebow's contention that WWI "is the result of material and ideational changes associated with modernity" seems apt enough.

How did those aristocrats perceive this phenomenon? Not too favorably, hence their preference of (honor of) war.

Note that German merchant magnates pleaded Kaiser to avoid war.

So,Cumberbatch's fine acting notwithstanding in the TV adaptation of Ford's novel, good riddance, aristocrats! You certainly went out with a Bang, killing millions.