The series of books that I want to get on WWI is by
Hew Strachan. What got me interested is that these books are the basis for the
excellent WWI series on either Military Channel or History Channel that I've been watching. You'll like them I believe, furley, because, at least as presented on TV, there are episodes that show different perspectives of the war, including for example one called "Jihad" that focuses on Turkey. I would imagine that the books are equally balanced in their treatment of the war.
This is my favorite period of history (esp. the origins of the Great War) and my number one graduate course to teach. Strachan's work is THE best thing out there. One of the most thoroughly researched and best written accounts on any period of history. Each volume is a treasure. I love the Taylor work mentioned as well, though I believe having Tuchmann's 'Guns of August,' and Jannen's 'Lions of July,' (in the opposite order than I listed -- obviously) as a background greatly enhances the Taylor piece.For a core look, I would add:
The World Crisis -- Churchill (Grand Summary; Naval look)
The Experience of World War I -- Winter (Introductory work)
Origins of the First World War -- Joll (best overview, IMO; text I often use)
For a look at other fronts:
The Eastern Front 1914-17 -- Stone (a look at his bibliography can send you many places)
War of Lost Opportunities -- Hoffman (more on the Eastern Front)
The ******* War; The Mesopotamien Campaign -- Barker
The Gardeners of Salonika -- Palmer (almost imposible to find; nice look at the Balkan front;writing style is difficult)
There are other great books that concentrate on the Naval campaign (and arms race), the air batles, and the ground works. Just ask and I will do my best to help.
Oh, I also assigned my kids 'Dreadnought' by Robert K. Massie this term. A well written piece that views the naval arms race and relationship between the Germany and Britain (and the other Powers to a lesser extent) through biographical sketches of the major players involved. It ignores far too many things to be a great History book, but offers a good, albeit long, read for those with an interest in the period and a wonderful look at the people and the times just after the turn of the century.