A well-written and interesting look at the years leading up to World War I (and beyond) through three first cousins: Wilhelm II, George V, and Nicholas II. Carter is adept at making the times and people live, helped by her copious amounts of research and occasional insights into the personages and circumstances of which she writes, though remembering who is who in the government can get confusing (the appendix helps with that, as she mentions which position each of them held the first time they're introduced). Also included are many photos. Highly recommended, as it also makes sense of attitudes prevalent through World War II and into today.