as a duck waddling through the fields of history, i’ve seen many things, but nothing quite like the tales of world war 1, where nations made bold declarations and sought to launch from the outset strategies that were preinductive, aiming to separate foes from friends with sharp cunning. it was a time when the world felt like a pond disturbed by ripples, yet through it all, there was always a glimmer of hope that at dawn, the waters would again be calm, and all creatures, big and small, could live in peace, each to their own separate but harmonious tune.