What Amazon says
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.
My review
I listened to the 30 hour audio book of To the Last Man. It was well narrated and the narrator, Paul Michael, had a pleasant voice which is important for such a long listen.
I bought this book because I wanted to learn more about the USA’s involvement in WW1 and it certainly surpassed my expectations in that regard.
The first half of the book is devoted to the role of aviators in this terrible war and focuses on the establishment of the American escadrille, called the Lafayette Escadrille, comprising of American pilots who flew for France prior to America’s late entrance into the war.
Raoul Lufbery is the central character for the telling of this perspective. Lufbery is not a war hero I’d heard of before reading this book, but he was my favourite character. Through Lufbery’s eyes, the reader meets other American aviation heroes from this flying corp including Kiffin Rockwell, Victor Chapman, Norman Prince, William Thaw, and others. I found the descriptions of the in air fights, different aeroplanes and guns, and attitudes and attire of the pilots fascinating. This is exactly the sort of detail I enjoy in a historical novel as it makes the people and events very real.
This section of the book also presents the German aviation perspective through the eyes of the famous Red Baron. I had, of course, heard of Manfred Von Richthofen, but I didn’t know all the details presented in this book. I thought the Red Baron and the attitudes and culture of the German military were well described.
The second half of this book was devoted to the story of America’s entry into the war and the appointment of General John Pershing to head up the USA army. The first part of this section included a lot of detail about the politics of America’s entrance into the war both internally, and among the British and the French. I found it very intriguing.
The last part of the book details the experiences of an American farm boy turned doughboy and his experiences in The trenches and on the ground in France. The details about the tanks, weapons and battles were extraordinarily well researched and the fights and battles vivid and horrifying.
These are two short extracts which illustrate the detailed descriptions of life for soldiers in this war:
“Soaked and thoroughly embarrassed, they were given soft blobs of foul-smelling soup that carried away the last remnants of the creatures who had taken up residence on the skin and hair of each man, and then, more hoses.”
“The darkness was complete, a slow march into a black, wet hell. He was the last man in the short column, one part of a line of twenty men, guided by the low sounds in front of him, soft thumps, boots on the sagging duckboards.”
The reason I am allocating 4 stars to this book is because the short clipped style of writing was a bit irritating in some parts. There was also a relentless usage of the word – said. I found it quite distracting and started listening for it.
For me, the disclosures about ‘the doughboy’ Roscoe Temples feelings of complete displacement and worry he’ll never fit in at home again we’re realistic and vivid. I was glad, however, that the book ended on a bit of a high note after all the misery and loss.
This book is a must read for people interested in learning more about America’s participation in the war.
If you are interested, you can listen to my review and a short extract from this book here:
roberta-writes.com 
I have yet to read anything by Shaara that wasn’t excellent. Good review, Robbie.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hi Jacqui, the research in this book was excellent. His style of writing was a bit clipped, for want of a better term, but a very good book.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I think he’s as much historian as storyteller. He just happens to be one of those who walks the line well in my estimation.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, he is more of a historian. His book was a retelling of events and is not a fictional story. It is a fictionalised biography of many famous people. He does do it well and makes the telling very vivid and interesting.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Sounds like an amazing read, Robbie. Thank you for sharing.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I really enjoyed it, Mark. If you are interested in America’s participation in WW1, then this book is an excellent one.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Shaara does impeccable work, but I’ve not been drawn to this time period. I think it’s rather awesome that you wanted to read a book about the involvement of the US in WWI when it is not your home nation. An excellent review, Robbie. Thanks for sharing!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I am interested in all aspects of this war. My new book is from the USA perspective though, so I am specifically researching the USA involvement. It is v interesting.
LikeLiked by 1 person
If you’re interested in primary sources about the US’s involvement in World War I, the Library of Congress website is an excellent repository. https://www.loc.gov/topics/world-war-i/
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Liz, I appreciate the link. The more information I have the better.
LikeLiked by 1 person
You’re welcome, Robbie.
LikeLike
It takes a good story to hold interest for thirty hours. Wonderful review, Robbie, though this isn’t my type of normal read.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hi Jacquie, I really enjoy history so it did hold my interest. I was a little overwhelmed by all the death and destruction by the end. I was glad it ended on a hopeful note.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Great review, Robbie:) I did a lot of research for a book during WW1, and this sounds interesting.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Denise. I learned an awful lot from this book.
LikeLike
I struggle to read war stories because I already know the horrors and don’t want to see them spelled out in detail. But to know it was handled well for people who are interested in learning more is a good thing. Thanks for sharing your thoughts.
LikeLiked by 1 person
My pleasure, Staci. I do find books about war fascinating. I always try to understand why people do the things they do. I am now listening to Gone with the Wind which includes the American Civil War.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Gone with the Wind I loved. It didn’t really venture much onto the battlefront.
LikeLiked by 1 person
No, it was more about how the war impacted civilians.
LikeLiked by 1 person
That I can handle. And Mitchell portrayed it brilliantly. (The person who wrote the sequel did not. I don’t recommend it.)
LikeLike
Hearing to such a complicated book is creditable Robbie. War books are difficult and stressful to read. Kudos for a fabulous review.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hi Balroop, the research in this book is brilliant and in-depth. A great book if you are interested in history and WW1.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Good review of an author who has many fans. I have not read his books but have a friend who has read them all, particularly about the Civil War. I think it’s a good idea to “read” (listen) a book like this on Audible. Great review of the pluses and minuses, Robbie. Thanks.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hi Pam, I am astonished at them number of books Jeff Shaara has, given the length of his books and the subject matter which requires so much research. I will listen to more of his books. He does have a few about the civil war and also about WW2. I am going to listen to The Frozen Hours about the Korean War next.
LikeLike
An audio book wouldn’t do it for me, because my memory is visual – I need to see the words on a printed page to remember:):) After my graduate work reading has drastically changed.I now only read magazines and the self help category. I am in my third year now to finish “The Hobbit,” lol!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hi Junie-Jesh, I have always had a passion for classic books and historical novels. I like listening to them as audio books because the narrator reads slower than I read to myself so I enjoy the vivid descriptions and writing in many of these books more. Also, I can listen to them while doing boring tasks like driving or ironing. I think our tastes in books change all the time over our lives. When my boys were babies, I only read romances by authors like Mauve Binchy.
LikeLike
Thank you for giving me that very personal info. To keep up with all my assignments in grad. school I took a course in speed reading and that “ruined” my reading just for pleasure probably!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I also learned to speed read but I only use the technique for work related documents.
LikeLike
Thank you for sharing your thoughts on this one, Robbie. I have never listened to an audiobook. I do think it’s a great way to hear a story and especially if the narrator is good.
LikeLiked by 1 person
HI Jan, audiobooks are lovely. I am going to see if I can convert some of my books to audio books as I think that is the way of the future. Michael has started listening to audio books while he does other things too. It is interesting to see your kids start doing the things you do.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Very true, Robbie. My grandson is a huge advocate for audiobooks. I know it’s the wave of the future for sure.
LikeLike