Regina Marler
The futility and waste of this first modern war is movingly conveyed in The War to End All Wars, by Russell Freedman, a fast-paced history for young readers, dense with archival photos…Here's hoping Freedman's sane, balanced history inoculates a few readers against war fever and the urge to see any opponent as less than human.
—The New York Times
From the Publisher
"In his signature lucid style, Freedman offers a photo-essay that examines World War I. . .An important addition to history curriculum."—Booklist, starred review "Elegantly written and filled with vivid, powerful photographs, this masterful work demands a spot in every collection."—School Library Journal, starred review
"Freedman once again demonstrates his incomparable mastery of presenting complex, sweeping historical subjects in an engaging, dynamic narrative."—Kirkus Reviews, starred review "[Freedman's] dramatic, often heart-wrenching narrative ends with a brief description of the rise of Hitler, leading to the reopening of hostilities in 1939. Although his focus is the war in Europe, and the book is unusually evenhanded in assessing the faults and virtues of the combatant countries, Freedman touches on fighting elsewhere in the world."—Horn Book, starred review "It was the war that world leaders didn't want to fight, and the war that didn't quite end, and here Freedman narrates its story with a steady eye on the wasteful atrocity that ushered in modern warfare. . . . Freedman's timely organization of chronological events and topical issues is masterful, and the allegretto pacing of his narration seems deceptively effortless."—The Bulletin, starred review
"This gritty, well-sourced account of WWI offers a compelling and often horrific look at the conflict. Freedman (Washington at Valley Forge) hooks readers with his fluid style and a detail-rich story of Archduke Ferdinand's assassination and the political powder keg that existed at the time in Europe...Readers' conclusions will likely mirror that of a French soldier writing in his diary just before he was killed: "Humanity is mad!... What scenes of horror and carnage!"—Publishers Weekly, starred review —
OCTOBER 2010 - AudioFile
Russell Freedman's broad history of WWI is highly entertaining. Aimed at young readers, the book is engaging and action-packed from the start yet filled with enough detail for adults seeking an introductory text. The author excels at recounting the complicated military alliances at the root of the war as well as the repercussions of the conflict that led up to WWII. Narrator Zach McLarty delivers a straight narration that is consistently energetic and well paced throughout. However, a distracting aspect of the performance is his repetitive cadence. Fortunately, the production’s short duration and Freedman's interesting text make up for any shortfall in narration. J.R.G. © AudioFile 2010, Portland, Maine
