This book addresses key questions such as: how did the Allies and Germany become so literally entrenched and unable to make any significant progress; What strategic philosophies caused generals on all sides to accept such a horrendous loss of life; and, What was life like for ordinary soldiers fighting and living in the trenches. It includes an analysis of the key battles of Verdun, the Somme and the third battle of Ypres - otherwise known as Passchendaele, or the "battle of the mud".