In "Washington and the Riddle of Peace" by H.G. Wells, the author delves into the complexities of international diplomacy and the quest for lasting peace following World War I. With his trademark blend of historical analysis and speculative fiction, Wells offers readers a thought-provoking look at the challenges faced by world leaders in the aftermath of conflict.

Throughout the book, Wells paints a vivid picture of the political landscape of the time, highlighting the competing interests and ideologies that shaped the post-war world. He also explores the role of the United States, particularly President Woodrow Wilson, in shaping the peace process and promoting the League of Nations as a means of preventing future conflicts.

One of the most compelling aspects of the book is Wells' examination of the concept of peace itself. He raises important questions about the nature of peace and the difficulties of achieving it in a world rife with competing interests and power dynamics.

Overall, "Washington and the Riddle of Peace" is a fascinating and insightful read that sheds light on an often overlooked period of history. Wells' meticulous research and engaging writing style make this book a valuable addition to any reader's library.

Book Description:
As an observer at the WASHINGTON CONFERENCE FOR THE LIMITATION OF ARMAMENTS held in 1921 and attended by the victorious nations of The Great War, the acclaimed author H. G. Wells wrote 29 short essays that were serialized in the New York World and other newspapers. This book is a collection of those essays. They are not a record or description of the Conference, but the impressions of one visitor. Wells noted that the failed League of Nations was the first American initiative toward an organized world peace, and in its absence “the American mind has produced this second experiment, which has been tried with the loosest of constitutions and the most severely defined and limited of aims. Instead of a world constitution we have had a world conversation.”
The essays relate “one observer’s conviction of how things can be done, and of how they need to be done, if our civilization is indeed to be rescued from the dangers that encompass it and set again upon the path of progress.” While history would not bear out all of Wells’ various expressions of optimism and pessimism, his vision of world peace nevertheless remains relevant today.