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The Great War

1914-1918

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About this listen

The Great War was the first truly global conflict and it changed the course of world history.

In this magnum opus, critically acclaimed historian Peter Hart examines the conflict in every arena around the world, in a history that combines cutting-edge scholarship with vivid and unfamiliar eyewitness accounts, from kings and generals, and ordinary soldiers. He focuses in particular on explaining how technology and tactics developed during the conflict - and determines which battles were crucial to its outcome. Combatants from every corner of Earth joined the fray, but their voices are rarely heard together. This is a major history of the conflict whose centenary has just passed.

This is a pioneering and comprehensive account of the First World War, comparable to Anthony Beevor or Max Hastings.

©2014 Peter Hart (P)2014 Hachette Audio UK Military War Imperialism Royalty
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I superbly researched, written an read account of the first world war. A master class in historical documentation

fantastic

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Not sure about the various accents used by the narrator. A little cringe worthy. But it does not detract from an interesting and well presented piece of work.

It does take a point of view that the Western front was the only one which really counted but does not scrimp on the campaigns elsewhere. including the Sea war both on the surface and underwater.

Uses material from all sides not just the Entente point of view.

Not a day to day account of soldiers lives but a look at the strategy and basic tactics, how they developed and some of the known thinking behind them. However, as you might expect from this author, it is illustrated throughout by eye witness accounts of what those decisions meant on the battlefield.

Overall a very good read which will give a reader an understanding of the general conduct of the war in all major theatres.

The Great Read

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very well told story of the great war.
a must listen to history buffs .I enjoyed very much

informed

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I am reasonably familiar with the history around WW2 but my knowledge of The Great War was mainly based on the narratives of "Lions led by Donkeys" and "Moving General Haig's drinks cabinet 6 inches closer to Berlin". This book throughly examines the mindsets of the main powers and the fears, motives and mistakes that led to war. It then charts year by year the main campaigns of the Western, Eastern and Mediterranean/Arabic fronts. So if you want a comprehensive accessible history of WW1 this is it. Lastly I came away with a much greater respect For Douglas Haig he is certainly one of our greatest if not the greatest General the British army has ever produced.

Engrossing and Informative

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A good account mixing overview and first hand sources. It gives a good sense of the experience of war, some of the strategic dilemmas and the technical and tactical innovations.

Solid

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