Thus, the conquering power had to leave property in the hands of the local population while incurring the costs of conquest and occupation.

"[9] Angell said that arms build-up, for example the naval race between the UK and Germany that was happening as he wrote the book in the 1900s, was not going to secure peace.

The Great Illusion was a best-selling popular success and was quickly translated into eleven languages, becoming something of a "cult", spawning study groups at British universities "devoted to propagating its dogma."

The book was taken up by Viscount Esher, a courtier who was charged with remodeling the British Army after the Boer War.

[10] Also enamored of the book was Admiral John Fisher, the First Sea Lord, who called it "heavenly manna".