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To the Last Man (Abridged): A Novel of the First World War Audiobook
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(4.01) - 2,064 listener ratings
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Publisher Description
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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"If you've seen my list, I obviously enjoy the historical fiction of Jeff Shaara. Though WWII is my favorite war to study, this novel about WWI is, in my humble opinion, Shaara's best work. I'm anxious to read the finale Shaara just completed to the WWII trilogy."
— Bree (5 out of 5 stars)
Awards
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Winner of the 2005 W. Y. Boyd Literary Award for Excellence in Military Fiction
To the Last Man Listener Reviews
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" "Black" Jack Pershing and company take America into the WWI. Pretty well done. Lots of folks know diddly about this stuff. "
— Vance, 2/6/2014 -
" 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, 1/31/2014 -
" Starts off slow, but is an awesome read. "
— Ron, 1/27/2014 -
" Not my favorite Jeff Shaara novel. "
— Robert, 1/16/2014 -
" Awesome book, really love Shaara's ability to show the war from two sides and multiple angles. Previously read his World War II trilogy and look forward to reading more of his work. "
— Ian, 1/15/2014 -
" 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. "
— Gregory, 1/14/2014 -
" One of the best Jeff Shaara has written. I love all of them, but this one is one of my favorites. "
— Daniel, 1/6/2014 -
" 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, 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, 1/4/2014 -
" 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, 1/1/2014 -
" A first person account of battle in WWI. It covers the battlefield from the foot soldiers perspective, dogfights with the Red Baron, and battle planning by the generals. "
— Craig, 12/19/2013 -
" I don't know how Shaara conssistently writes these historical fiction books. "
— Scott, 12/15/2013 -
" Too Long. But, a good historical fiction book about the history of World War I and all the principal characters "
— Mark, 12/5/2013 -
" Will not finish this....boring "
— Ross, 9/23/2013 -
" Loved this book. I had a hard time putting it down. It was interesting to read about the first world war, which I don't know as much about as the second. "
— Jennifer, 1/26/2013 -
" great insight into the lives and thoughts of people from both sides of the fight. But the writing a little elementary. "
— Debra, 8/3/2012 -
" Great stories from WWI. Gives insight into amazing leadership and vision of General "Blackjack" Pershing, as well as historical-context of life of the Red Baron. Must read for any pilot, especially military pilots of all branches. "
— Jaime, 6/29/2012 -
" Jeff Shaara "
— Nathan, 6/21/2012 -
" I listened to the "abridged" version on CD. Bad decision. Read the book. "
— David, 12/4/2011 -
" This is a brilliant book that completely captures the horrors of World War I. From the men in the trenches to the pilots and even the generals, it does a great job of showing the war from the perspective of both sides. All in all, it is an amazing book. "
— Seth, 10/14/2011 -
" Great book on WWI. Very interesting and well writen "
— John, 7/31/2011 -
" 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 -
" 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, 8/15/2010 -
" 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, 7/18/2010
About Jeff Shaara
Robertson 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.