Jeff Shaara has enthralled readers with his New York Times bestselling novels set during the Civil War and the American Revolution. Now the acclaimed author turns to World War I, bringing to life the sweeping, emotional story of the war that devastated a generation and established America as a world power. Spring 1916: the horror of a stalemate on Europe’s western front. France and Great Britain are on one side of the barbed wire, a fierce German army is on the other. Shaara opens the window onto the otherworldly tableau of trench warfare as seen through the eyes of a typical British soldier who experiences the bizarre and the horrible–a “Tommy” whose innocent youth is cast into the hell of a terrifying war. In the skies, meanwhile, technology has provided a devastating new tool, the aeroplane, and with it a different kind of hero emerges–the flying ace. Soaring high above the chaos on the ground, these solitary knights duel in the splendor and terror of the skies, their courage and steel tested with every flight. As the conflict stretches into its third year, a neutral America is goaded into war, its reluctant president, Woodrow Wilson, finally accepting the repeated challenges to his stance of nonalignment. Yet the Americans are woefully unprepared and ill equipped to enter a war that has become worldwide in scope. The responsibility is placed on the shoulders of General John “Blackjack” Pershing, and by mid-1917 the first wave of the American Expeditionary Force arrives in Europe. Encouraged by the bold spirit and strength of the untested Americans, the world waits to see if the tide of war can finally be turned. From Blackjack Pershing to the Marine in the trenches, from the Red Baron to the American pilots of the Lafayette Escadrille, To the Last Man is written with the moving vividness and accuracy that characterizes all of Shaara’s work. This spellbinding new novel carries readers–the way only Shaara can–to the heart of one of the greatest conflicts in human history, and puts them face-to-face with the characters who made a lasting impact on the world.
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"Great book. I have always enjoyed Jeff Shaara. I've yet to read one of his series and be disappointed with the book. This is actually the second time that I have read this one. It helps paint a picture of just how horrible this conflict was. "
— Dan (4 out of 5 stars)
" Now I understand Snoopy's hatred of the Red Baron, but man, I love that man! "
— Viola, 2/17/2014" a very good book about world war 1. I learned more about a lot of the major players than I ever learned in my history classes. "
— Tony, 2/14/2014" Good book about the horrors of WWI, however, I got bogged down with the descriptions of the battles, and skimmed through much of those parts. "
— Rosemary, 2/12/2014" really good book! read it "
— Chris, 1/31/2014" Possibly one of the best novels of America's involvement in the First World War. Provides a detailed, entertaining look into a little known part of US 20th Century history. Well worth the time spent, possibly my favorite Shaara novel. "
— Bob, 1/29/2014" Amazing book about WWI. Shaara does an awesome job getting into the minds of the characters and what they may have experienced. "
— Chad, 1/19/2014" This is a very comprehensive historical novel of the American involvement in WW1. As it deals with the American involvement more than half of the book deals with the air war over Europe, and the various politics and machinations that were involved. The later portion of the book involves the ground war and also the politics and machinations involved there as well. Due to the large portion of the book devoted to the politics of the war the book can tend to seem heavy at times. The air and ground warfare is somewhat limited, so persons looking for that may be a bit put off by this book. However for a very comprehensive and historical look at all aspects of the American involvement in the war, involving numerous historical characters, this book was very informative. More like a history lesson in a novel than an action oriented novel. Good reading for a more specific target group. "
— Robert, 1/17/2014" After renewing this book TWICE (something I never do), I am finally done with it. I think I undertook to read this at the wrong time of year with school starting and canning fruits, vegetables, and jams it took a long time for me. That being said, I am glad I read it. I really enjoy Shaara's insights into past wars and I always feel that I have no idea what war is really like but am glad for the glimpse. I wanted to read this because I know so little about "The Great War" and the losses were incredible "The cost in human life can be translated to the loss of more than five thousand men every day the war was fought. Thus an entire generation of young men is erased from the future of humanity." Wow! I recommend this along with his other books but make sure the time is right. "
— Kelly, 1/10/2014" Great book on WWI. Very interesting and well writen "
— John, 1/7/2014" One of the best examples of historical fiction I have encountered. I listened to the unabridged audio version read by Paul Michael. "
— Kk2717, 1/5/2014" Great book. I love all Shaara books. Jeff and his late Father write quality stuff. I think men enjoy his subject matter more but maybe I will force it on my bookclub. We need to read a variety! "
— Meredith, 12/28/2013" so far so good. a book of wwI and accounts from all sides of the war. very well written and keeping me interest. "
— Rob, 12/19/2013" Interesting to me as a history buff and a member of the U.S.M.C. "
— Jerome, 12/18/2013" May be his best book! He makes you connect with these characters and what they went through. A must read if you like other Shaara books. "
— Bob, 12/9/2013" interesting account of the red baron and the american volunteer pilots in the first world war, of the reality of trench war fare from the eyes of a marine, and of the political obstacles faced by General Pershing. "
— David, 8/21/2013" A terrific and sad book on war. Tremendous amount of history in the book. There is a tremendous amount of history in all of Shaara's books. A great writer/stroyteller. "
— Bill, 4/24/2013" Great book. I have always enjoyed Jeff Shaara. I've yet to read one of his series and be disappointed with the book. This is actually the second time that I have read this one. It helps paint a picture of just how horrible this conflict was. "
— Dan, 3/23/2013" This novel follows the development of the American involvement in WWI. The development of the United States Army is told from the viewpoint of pilots, marines and officers. Although I can't pinpoint the reason, somehow this book didn't captivate my attention as much as the author's series of WWII. "
— B.j., 8/20/2012" Starts off slow, but is an awesome read. "
— Ron, 3/25/2012" I don't know how Shaara conssistently writes these historical fiction books. "
— Scott, 12/29/2011" Another great book about America at War by Jeff Shaara. I like the way the author attempts to recreate the personalties and thoughts of some of the greatest people in our nations history. "
— Jim, 9/30/2011" WWI military historical fiction that follows a handful of different characters fighting in various capacities along the Western Front. Not that well written, but often paints and insightful and, at times, harrowing portrait of the fighting conditions. He spends a long time (too much) on the air war. "
— Daniel, 5/30/2011" I consider this the best of Jeff Shaara's work. I have studied WW1 but never have really made the human connection with what it was like for the soldiers and airmen. This novel did that for me. "
— David, 4/25/2011" One of the best Jeff Shaara has written. I love all of them, but this one is one of my favorites. "
— Daniel, 1/24/2011" an easy read. very informative on a war that is largely forgotten. "
— Linda, 1/21/2011" By far the best researched historical fiction I have ever read. This story takes you there and you will learn about a period of History and the prominent figures who shaped it, along the way. "
— Greg, 1/5/2011" interesting account of the red baron and the american volunteer pilots in the first world war, of the reality of trench war fare from the eyes of a marine, and of the political obstacles faced by General Pershing. "
— David, 12/30/2010" A GREAT way to learn about World War I! "
— Catherine, 12/17/2010" I knew so little about World War I before reading Shaara's book. This really filled in the gaps in my knowledge -- while being a good read. "
— Catherine, 12/16/2010" Came to truly appreciate a real American hero General John Pershing. The last page was incredible - what an image. "
— John, 12/9/2010" First half much better. Enjoyed the early focus on Lufbery and the Lafayette Escadrille and also the German aviators. Got bored when the story moved away from aviation, although Pershing was interesting. "
— Scott, 7/20/2010" Now I understand Snoopy's hatred of the Red Baron, but man, I love that man! "
— Viola, 7/18/2010Robertson Dean has played leading roles on and off Broadway and at dozens of regional theaters throughout the country. He has a BA from Tufts University and an MFA from Yale. His audiobook narration has garnered ten AudioFile Earphones Awards. He now lives in Los Angeles, where he works in film and television in addition to narrating.
Jeff Shaara is the New York Times bestselling author of A Blaze of Glory, The Final Storm, No Less Than Victory, The Steel Wave, The Rising Tide, To the Last Man, The Glorious Cause, Rise to Rebellion, and Gone for Soldiers, as well as Gods and Generals and The Last Full Measure—two novels that complete the Civil War trilogy that began with his father’s Pulitzer Prize–winning classic, The Killer Angels. Shaara was born into a family of Italian immigrants in New Brunswick, New Jersey. He grew up in Tallahassee, Florida, and graduated from Florida State University.
Paul Michael, winner of several Earphones Awards, has also won the prestigious Audie Award for best narration. He has acted on stage, radio, television, and in feature films in Canada, Great Britain, and the United States. He has had leading roles in series and made-for-television movies and has guest starred in such series as VIP and Alias. He has been nominated for a Canadian Emmy and has recorded over 150 audiobooks, including the international bestseller The Da Vinci Code.