Massie begins with the birth of Queen Victoria and describes the history of England and Germany up until the outbreak of World War I.

For example, as an eight-year-old the future Kaiser, who had a withered left arm due to damage from forceps suffered at birth, was made to take riding lessons, and "[o]ver and over" per the supervising tutor, the "'weeping prince' was 'set on his horse, without stirrups and compelled to go through the paces.

Other major players include William I, Alfred von Tirpitz, Lord Salisbury, Edward VII, Otto von Bismarck, Joseph Chamberlain, Arthur Balfour, H. H. Asquith and David Lloyd George, Sir Edward Grey and Winston Churchill.

The development of the British Navy is also covered in substantial detail, with Jackie Fisher presented fully.

Further, the history of the Kruger Telegram, Boer War, Boxer Rebellion and the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand and its aftermath are presented.