The Great War

A Combat History of the First World War

By: Peter Hart

Narrated by: Roger Davis

Named one of the 10 Best Books of 2013 by The Economist

World War I altered the landscape of the modern world in every conceivable arena. Millions died; empires collapsed; new ideologies and political movements arose; poison gas, warplanes, tanks, submarines, and other technologies appeared. "Total war" emerged as a grim, mature reality.

In The Great War, Peter Hart provides a masterful combat history of this global conflict. Focusing on the decisive engagements, Hart explores the immense challenges faced by the commanders on all sides. He surveys the belligerent nations, analyzing their strengths, weaknesses, and strategic imperatives. Russia, for example, was obsessed with securing an exit from the Black Sea, while France - having lost to Prussia in 1871, before Germany united - constructed a network of defensive alliances, even as it held a grudge over the loss of Alsace-Lorraine. Hart offers deft portraits of the commanders, the prewar plans, and the unexpected obstacles and setbacks that upended the initial operations.

©2013 Peter Hart (P)2021 Tantor

Absolutely astounding, and horrifying

The scope and depth this book manages to cover is an achievement. Peter Hart ties in the larger events of the war with vibrant and shocking accounts from the people who lived through it. It's as comprehensive as possible, while keeping a narrative focus. It's well balanced with it's judgements. And it's hard to hear some of the stories. if you're looking for a good jumping off point for delving into the history of the great war, I really can't recommend anything higher than this.

Well Done!

Peter Hart’s work and writing is superb. It is a compelling story. The narration is excellent.

The best of the best WWI Combat histories

As always, Peter Hart knocks it out of the park with this book. His combat history is just that with fair analysis and limited to no revisionist history. Too often historians try to justify or apologize for the past seeming mistakes. Hart puts it all in perspective and it’s fair and very unbiased, which is always refreshing today. It’s linear and easy to follow and doesn’t bog down the reader. It just doesn’t get better. And with Roger Davis’s narration it just makes it the very best. Davis is in a class by himself.

One of the seminal works in WW1

This book, Hew Strachen’s work of the same name and The World Undone are the three books I recommend to anyone wanted to get a really well rounded accounting of WW1. Lucky for us all three are on Audible. I would put this one in the middle. The World Undone read by the late Robin Sachs’s is in a league of its own. Following next is this one. If you’re interested in The Great War, absolutely give this one a listen.

Great book.

Peter hart books are so good to listen to. I highly recommend listening to this book and his other books.

One of those books i didn't want to end.

I had a great time listening to this book. It doesn't just focus on the Western Front in WwI; it covers most areas of the war. A very good listen. I'll probably listen to it again at some point.

Great history

Amazing in-depth recount of just about every angle of combat taken during The Great War. Gives a surreal look of the human during the inhumane.

Horrible Listen

Another great book by Peter Hart, but it’s nails on the chalkboard to listen too.

Good history

Tremendous research and quotes from soldiers on the front lines. Very thorough but lacked a true narrative to tie it together. Reads more like individual snippets of each battle/venue than an engaging story line.

Detailed

This book was a bit detailed but did make the reader feel what it was like to be a soldier in this war. Excellent narration