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Audiobooks > History >  Military > Silent Night: The Story of the World War I Christmas Truce

Download Silent Night: The Story of the World War I Christmas Truce Audiobook

Silent Night: The Story of the World War I Christmas Truce Audiobook, by Stanley Weintraub Extended Sample Click for printable size audiobook cover
Author: Stanley Weintraub Narrator: Edward Holland Publisher: Random House Audio Format: Unabridged Audiobook Delivery: Instant Download Audio Length: Release Date: August 2003 ISBN: 9781415911600
3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5 3.00 (3,750 ratings) (rate this audio book)
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In the early months of World War I, on Christmas Eve, men on both sides of the trenches laid down their arms and joined in a spontaneous celebration. Despite orders to continue shooting, the unofficial truce spread across the front lines. Even the participants found what they were doing incredible: Germans placed candlelit Christmas trees on trench parapets, warring soldiers sang carols, and men on both sides shared food parcels from home. They climbed from the trenches to meet in "No Man's Land" where they buried the dead, exchanged gifts, ate and drank together, and even played soccer. Throughout his narrative, Stanley Weintraub uses the stories of the men who were there, as well as their letters and diaries, to illuminate the fragile truce and bring to life this extraordinary moment in time. Download and start listening now!

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Quotes & Awards

  • “This is an emotionally stirring, uplifting, yet ultimately sad story brilliantly told by a gifted writer.”

    Booklist (starred review)

  • “Weintraub wonders at the close of this inspired study, would have happened if the soldiers on both sides had refused to take up arms again? His counterfactual scenarios are intriguing, and well worth pondering.” 

    Amazon.com, editorial review

Listener Reviews

Write a Review
  • 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5 Jake | 2/15/2014

    " I read a bit of this every so often when I need a pick me up. "

  • 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5 Karen | 1/18/2014

    " Read several years ago & just listened on tape because I had it & needed something for a long drive. Fun light read with Christmas theme. "

  • 2 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 5 Will | 1/18/2014

    " This nice story is well-known (possibly thanks to Paul McCartney???)and a bit overdone. It had no significant impact on the war, therefore this book has little to really talk about that is not conveyed equally well in the music video. "

  • 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5 Eminstitches | 1/15/2014

    " This was a bit of a challenging read, would have been better if I was better at skimming I think. Lots of use of german words and phrases with no translation (and I don't know any German), also at times seemed a little like train of thought and not always well organized writing. I figured out the style as I started getting further in the book, but it was still challenging to follow. It was interesting overall and the best chapter by far was the "What If?" chapter...lots of food for thought. "

  • 2 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 5 Shellie | 1/14/2014

    " A fun little Christmas mystery "

  • 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Thomas | 1/9/2014

    " Good quick read that tells the story of a truce between the British-Germans during Christmas of 1914. "

  • 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5 Jc | 12/31/2013

    " 3.5 stars, if I could do that. Not a very detailed history, more a snapshot of one brief week on one stretch of front in the horror that was WWI. Creates a moving picture of both the horror of war, and the reluctance of individuals to serve as the cannon fodder of their political leaders. A must read for anyone interested in what war does to people; and an interesting side-story for those with an interest in 20th century war history. "

  • 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Linda | 12/25/2013

    " A short, fast read, but a story that keeps moving and makes you want to see how it's going to come out. "

  • 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5 Wesley | 12/2/2013

    " A very interesting book. However, Weintraub's final conclusion about the 1914 Christmas Truce are seriously flawed, being in conflict with historical evidence. "

  • 2 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 5 Alison | 12/1/2013

    " I read all of Mary Higgins Clark books which is kind of a family tradition. I grabbed this one since it was set in New York at Christmas and I was going to be there. I was a two day read and a fine story but not overly compelling or suspenseful. "

  • 2 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 5 Katja | 11/10/2013

    " Sweet and touching Christmas story, but unfortunately with an expected ending. However I was relieved that the ending had that special Christmas spirit. "

  • 2 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 5 Julie | 11/1/2013

    " I didn't learn much. I'm not a very big fan of Mary Higgins Clark but it's not a very big book so I read it. Actually my copy is hard cover. "

  • 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Esteban | 6/9/2013

    " 5 stars because even if it isn't historically accurate, I want it to be. "

  • 2 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 5 Leanna | 5/1/2013

    " Perfect young adult novel, that is incredibly quick to read. Unfortunately, not as toothy as I'd hoped. Predictable and simple, cliched and wrapped up nicely in a Christmas bow. "

  • 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5 Brooke | 4/18/2013

    " Slower than the few other ones I have read. Only ok. "

  • 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Kristy | 4/3/2013

    " Five stars bec I loved the message about a family who kept their faith strong during a crisis on Christmas eve. It's a quick read. It's written in a very elementary manner. It's perfect for the christmas season! "

  • 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5 Bhindman | 3/18/2013

    " Quick - Christmas read "

  • 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5 Catherine | 9/13/2012

    " It was ok. Simple plot, quick read. I read it on the plane last week in one sitting. "

  • 2 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 5 Ryann | 6/29/2012

    " A sweet, short Christmas story. Not amazing or life changing, but a quick, easy read. "

  • 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Maryanne | 3/26/2012

    " IT will reaffirm your faith in humanity while making you wish you could really, really, really change the world. "

  • 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5 Bianca | 8/10/2011

    " I didnt really like it. -.- "

  • 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5 Kitty | 4/26/2011

    " OK, I did get the holiday spirit from reading this. Moist eyes at the end and an enjoyable way to spend the afternoon. "

  • 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Jenny | 3/12/2011

    " Good book haven't read many of hers not really what I expected for a Christmas book. "

  • 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5 Christa | 1/30/2011

    " This was an interesting part of history of which I was unaware. Parts of the book were dry and repetitive but I am glad to have learned something. "

  • 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Ginni | 1/2/2011

    " A true story, Christmas miracle. "

  • 2 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 5 Karen | 11/17/2010

    " It was just kind of boring! I couldn't get into it... "

  • 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Esteban | 6/14/2010

    " 5 stars because even if it isn't historically accurate, I want it to be. "

  • 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5 Erin | 4/14/2010

    " I really, really liked this book. My only complaint is the writing style - the author writes it almost like a textbook, not really like a narrative. But I learned a lot and loved the story of the Christmas truce. "

  • 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Elyse83 | 12/26/2009

    " Detailed military history about the WWI Christmas Truce of 1914 between German and English troops. "

  • 2 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 5 Tyger | 11/17/2009

    " Would have liked this to be better. Needed more stories not just rehashing. It is still a remarkable event! "

  • 2 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 5 Jonathan | 9/21/2009

    " A good magazine article laboriously padded to book length. "

About the Author

Stanley Weintraub is a National Book Award finalist and a former Guggenheim fellow. A professor emeritus of arts and humanities at Penn State University, he is the author of numerous histories and biographies, including Silent Night and 11 Days in December, and is an expert on George Bernard Shaw. He lives in Newark, Delaware.

About the Narrator

Edward Holland is an audiobook narrator whose credits include Confessions of a Spy, Vietnam, and How to Read a Book.