This book is not really about the "coming of the First World War" because it is a detailed account of the negotiations that resulted in the 1894 Franco-Russian alliance. The main actors are Montebello, Laboulaye, Mohrenheim, Giers, Obruchevs, and Boisdeffre. Kennan says the alliance was a bad idea, and pretty much blames this a priori as the cause of World War I. Kennan also says he sees too much of the 1890s mentality in the contemporary (1980s) world, but more dangerous because of nuclear weapons. But definitely a good account of the messy sausage making that was behind 19th century diplomacy.