Hoover Institution senior fellow Niall Ferguson examines the devastating human toll of World War I through the Hoover Institution Library & Archives’ extensive collection of photographs and historical records. Ferguson recounts the horrors of trench warfare on the Western Front, in particular the staggering casualties of the Battle of the Somme, and the experiences of his own grandfather, who survived a German gas attack. Recalling Wilfred Owen’s phrase “the pity of war,” which inspired the title of Ferguson’s 1998 book on World War I, Ferguson reflects on the conflict’s human legacy. He also traces the Hoover Institution’s origins to Herbert Hoover’s wartime relief efforts and his determination to preserve the historical record of war, revolution, and peace for future generations.
LEARN MORE
Videos
Despite China's growing economic influence in Latin America, Beijing faces challenges it cannot easily control, from the activities of Chinese nationals abroad to costly missteps by its companies.
October 26, 2026
Articles
To understand Trump’s approach to Ukraine, Iran, and China, look to Richard Nixon. The president’s instinct for superpower dealmaking reflects a hard-nosed realism, backed by the American economy.
October 23, 2026
Working Papers
History Working Paper 202602
September 30, 2026
