Historian and Pulitzer Prize-winning author Barbara Tuchman here brought to life again the people and events that led up to World War I. With attention to fascinating detail, and an intense knowledge of her subject and its characters, Ms. Tuchman reveals, for the first time, just how the war started, why, and why it could have been stopped but wasn't. A classic historical survey of a time and a people we all need to know more about, The Guns of August will not be forgotten.
©1962 Barbara Tuchman, Renewed 1990 by Lester Tuchman (P)2011 Tantor
"Fascinating.... One of the finest works of history written.... A splendid and glittering performance." (The New York Times)
In reading The Guns of August one must ask questions about the world past and present. The fact that the Allies let Germany rise again so soon after "The Great War" is amazing. The Germans were horrendously aggressive in the first WW and every one knew it.
As incomprehensible as the outcome of this history seems it should give us pause about the current situation today and the parallels developing in the 21st century.
Perfect primer for a study of WW1. John Lee's narrative is another excellent example of his superlative rendering of complex subjects. highly recommend this work to all history eficionados.
Slow in the starting, it gathers momentum towards the middle. The story takes you right into the battlefield and into the minds of the generals fighting the initial battles. But it's the narration that makes the experience outstanding.
Gripping historical account of the beginning of World War I. I learned a lot of things I probably should have already known, but have only learned in bits and pieces. Tuchman's narrative is exquisitely written, empathetic to all parties but not without judgment, helping the reader understand all the twists and turns of a complex plot. John Lee's narration on the audio is superb. Only two issues for me: no discussion of the war as to Austria-Hungary's role, and - because I listened rather than read - no maps. I frequently had to consult an atlas to understand what was going on. Like most good books, it left me wanting more.
takes the start of the great war and puts the real people that shaped the war into human stories while you see the horror of war occur.
I am a working mom who loves to squeeze in listening to books while walking, doing chores or commuting.
I would not listen to it again. It is long and full of many details. It was hard to keep the details straight in an audio format.
No spectacular ending.
No, I have not.
No, I was glad to have it finally end.
Barbara Tuchman's history of the first month of the First World War is a classic. John Lee does it justice with his very capable narration.
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