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.
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“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.”
—
AudioFile