NPR American Chronicles: World War I

by NPR Narrated by Rachel Martin

Overview

Famously referred to by US president Woodrow Wilson as “the war to end all wars,” the first world war eclipsed all previous wars with its scale of destruction. With over twenty-seven nations involved, the battle-field horrors and political outcomes of the first truly global military conflict had repercussions that are still felt today.

NPR presents a vivid portrait of what most experts consider the first modern war, including profiles of America's flying ace Eddie Rickenbacker, unlikely savior of war-torn Belgium Herbert Hoover, and the last surviving doughboy Frank Buckles.

Contents:

Introduction by Rachel Martin

Washington's World War I Memorial

Stumbling Into World War I, Like Sleepwalkers

1913 Leads a Tour of the World a Century Ago

A Race Against Time to Find WWI's Last Doughboys

The Human Toll of the War To End All Wars

National World War I Museum

Frank Buckles: Last U.S. Veteran of World War I

Belgian Exhibit Honors Hoover's WWI Effort

Christmas Truce

Battle of the River Aisne

WWI Poetry: The Words of War

Ground War: Winston Rochet

Last Post: Final Thoughts from Britain's WWI Vets

Diary Provides Black Soldier's View of WWI

Battle of the Somme

France Pays Tribute to Early U.S. Fighter Pilots

Thomas Sopwith, Plane Designer

“Fast Eddie” Rickenbacker

Robert K. Massie's Castles of Steel

Veterans Day Journey Ends Near WWI Trenches

New Clues in Lusitania's Sinking

Germany's Last WWI Debt

Artists' Masks Hid Wounds of WWI Soldiers

WWI Munitions Still Live Beneath Western Front

11th Month, 11th Day, 11th Hour

The Middle East and the West: WWI and Beyond

The Bonus Army: How a Protest Led to the GI Bill

The Savage Peace of 1919, Relevant Today

Pete Seeger on His Uncle, Alan Seeger

Editorial Reviews

From the Publisher

“The short pieces, featuring historians, authors, and veterans, are interesting enough as stand-alone stories. Together, they make a fascinating WWI primer. There are many new books coming out to mark the centennial of The Great War—this is one not to miss.”
—AudioFile

“An interesting look at this oft-overlooked war.”
—DWD’s Reviews

DWD's Reviews

An interesting look at this oft-overlooked war.”
—DWD’s Reviews

Library Journal - Audio

★ 06/01/2014
NPR compiled this wonderful assortment of World War I stories to mark the 100th anniversary of "The War To End All Wars." Included are firsthand accounts from veterans, author talks with noted war historians, poetry, broadcasts from that era, and stories of many often overlooked events and battles. Covering from the last of the doughboys to the Christmas Truce of 1914, this compilation is a must for fans of military history. Not only does it shed light on the first World War, but it sets the stage for the factors and scenarios that triggered World War II as well. Fans of American and cultural history will also enjoy the commentary and stories on a wide variety of topics from the "Bonus Army" to Armistice Day and the Great Depression. VERDICT Hosted by Rachel Martin, this NPR collection is essential for both military buffs and novices, with something for everyone.—Erin Cataldi, Johnson Cty. P.L., Franklin, IN

APRIL 2014 - AudioFile

NPR is marking this year’s 100th anniversary of the beginning of WWI by releasing this riveting compilation of audio documentary pieces about this incredibly wasteful war, which cost millions of lives and arguably resulted in WWII. The production embodies the standards of professional broadcasting, and the reporters/narrators are highly skilled. While those are two big pluses, the big draw here is the content. The short pieces, featuring historians, authors, and veterans, are interesting enough as stand-alone stories. Together, they make a fascinating WWI primer. There are many new books coming out to mark the centennial of The Great War—this is one not to miss. G.S.D. © AudioFile 2014, Portland, Maine

Product Details

BN ID:	2940170010967
Publisher:	HighBridge Company
Publication date:	04/22/2014
Series:	NPR American Chronicles
Edition description:	Unabridged

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