The Long Way Home

An American Journey from Ellis Island to the Great War

De: David Laskin

Narrado por: Erik Synnestvedt

The United States has always been a nation of immigrants - never more so than in 1917, when the nation entered the First World War. Of the 2.5 million soldiers who fought with U.S. armed forces in the trenches of France and Belgium, some half a million - nearly one out of every five men - were immigrants.

In The Long Way Home, David Laskin, author of the prize-winning history The Children's Blizzard, tells the stories of 12 of these immigrant heroes. Starting with their childhoods in Europe, Laskin unfolds the saga of their journeys to Ellis Island, their struggles to start over in the land of opportunity, and the ordeal of their return to Europe in uniform to fight - and win - a war that had already killed tens of millions.

Three of these soldiers died on the battlefield; two won the Congressional Medal of Honor; all were transformed forever by their experiences in combat. It is a transformation that continues to be felt in the pride and pain and cherished memories of immigrant families that have long since assimilated.

In tracing the lives of these 12 men, Laskin tells the story of an immigrant generation - a generation that streamed into this country in unprecedented numbers around the turn of the last century, that sweated to support their families through back-breaking physical labor, and that fought loyally for their adopted country on the battlefields of Belleau Wood, Soissons, St. Mihiel, and the Argonne forest. Based on stories, letters, and diaries passed on by descendants - as well as Laskin's personal interviews with two foreign-born Doughboys who were still alive at the time he was researching the book, The Long Way Home is a reverent work of history and a deeply moving evocation of the dreams and sacrifice at the heart of the American experience.

©2010 David Laskin (P)2010 Tantor

Reseñas de la Crítica

“[A] quietly absorbing glimpse of some of the brave soldiers who helped win WWI.” ( Publishers Weekly)

Something different

This book chronicles the lives of several men of foreign ancestry who fought in world war I
It shows their bravery, their humanity and passion. This book is a timely read and Bert worth it.

WWI History

What did you love best about The Long Way Home?

Facts presented in personal way.

What did you like best about this story?

Fascinating comparison from pre-WWI era to today, especially wrt prejudices and hardships experienced by emigrants.

What about Erik Synnestvedt’s performance did you like?

Clear, articulate.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

soldiers' descriptions of what they went through during the war.

Any additional comments?

At times, the horrors of war and the prejudices against emigrants was a bit much to bear.

Deftly composed.

This book has a slow start but the description of the war and the lives around it make the intro worth it. Very good. Very unique.

Incredible story of immigration and war

This book is a chronicle of 12 men who emigrated to the United states in the early 1900s. many of these men, not American citizens, fought in their old homelands and beyond for the United States and sometimes even against the very people who had once been their neighbors. There are 12 stories, some of which intertwine, some of which do not, which does make it a little bit confusing. Some passages repeat themselves, while other seem to jump around. The narration almost made me give up, but the tales of these men, and many others, kept my interest and inspiration. It is worth a credit!

Loved this book

It was very informative, it pushed me to see 1917, EXCELLANT! I highly recommend both!