I'd like to give this book 5 stars, but the story was just too tidy. I love Elton - he writes compulsively readable, thought-provoking stories.The idea of war as a diversionary strategy to avert class struggle isn't new, of course. Livy did it long ago, and Elton stretches credulity a little too far to get the point across.But interesting questions are raised, and after reading this book I definately want to learn more about the first world war.Ben Elton is a smart guy, and his heart is in the right place.