Paris 1919: Six Months That Changed the WorldParis 1919: Six Months That Changed the World
Score Modern
What it's about
For six months in 1919, the leaders of the world met in Paris to make peace after the First World War. Margaret MacMillan follows Woodrow Wilson, David Lloyd George and Georges Clemenceau, along with a crowd of diplomats and petitioners, as they redrew the map of Europe, the Middle East and beyond, creating new nations and grievances that would last a century.
Why it's worth reading
It won the Samuel Johnson Prize (now the Baillie Gifford Prize). It's lively, character-driven history that explains much of the modern world.
You'll love it if you liked
A Peace to End All Peace
The Guns of August
Team of Rivals: The Political Genius of Abraham LincolnGood to know
It's long, with a chapter for each region. It's also published as Paris 1919.
By the numbers
- Readers70 out of 100 · counts 42%
- Critics54 out of 100 · counts 34% (its stronger lane)
- Bestseller5 out of 100 · counts 14%
- Buzz0 out of 100 · counts 10%
Critics and Bestseller are two ways to earn a place: a book's stronger one counts more. Buzz rewards recent bestseller weeks and prizes, so older books start at zero. The parts combine into the Must-Read Score, shown on a scale where the best book we found scores 99 and the last book to make the ranking scores 50.
Where it ranks
- #476 of the 1,573 modern books we rank
- #912 of the 2,816 books we rank
Why it made the list
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Quick answers
Is Paris 1919: Six Months That Changed the World worth reading?
Yes. It won the Samuel Johnson Prize (now the Baillie Gifford Prize). It ranks #912 of the 2,816 books in our ranking, with a Must-Read Score of 73.9 (the best book we found scores 99).
What is Paris 1919: Six Months That Changed the World about?
For six months in 1919, the leaders of the world met in Paris to make peace after the First World War. Margaret MacMillan follows Woodrow Wilson, David Lloyd George and Georges Clemenceau, along with a crowd of diplomats and petitioners, as they redrew the map of Europe, the Middle East and beyond, creating new nations and grievances that would last a century.
How long does it take to read Paris 1919: Six Months That Changed the World?
About 14 hours (574 pages), or about 4 weeks at 30 minutes a day.
What awards has Paris 1919: Six Months That Changed the World won?
Baillie Gifford Prize winner (2002).
What should I read after Paris 1919: Six Months That Changed the World?
If you liked it, try A Peace to End All Peace by David Fromkin, The Guns of August by Barbara W. Tuchman or Team of Rivals: The Political Genius of Abraham Lincoln by Doris Kearns Goodwin.