The Modern Scholar

World War l: The Great War and the World It Made

By: Professor John Ramsden

Narrated by: John Ramsden

Length: 8 hrs and 30 mins

Publisher's summary

"The Great War", as it was known at the time, was also said to be the "war to end all wars". It seized all of Europe and much of the rest of the world in its grip of death and destruction.

The first truly modern war, it changed how war and peace would be conducted throughout the remainder of the 20th century and even to the present. The Great War was a time of "firsts" and opened the door to the modern era. Almost all the major developed countries had a role to play in this war, as they never had before. This was the first time for fighting on land, at sea, and in the air. Modern weapons and munitions were developed in previously unimaginable quantities.

By the end of the war, international politics, the relationships between the individual and the state, gender relations, and the role of artists and the media were all drastically changed.

World War I laid the foundation for the modern world. This course examines the major events of the war to further understand how they led to the shaping of this new world.

Download the accompanying reference guide.

©2004 John Ramsden (P)2004 Recorded Books

The war told as a story

What made the experience of listening to The Modern Scholar the most enjoyable?

The material is presented as a story... it is not about facts and figures. The instructor does an excellent job of telling you the story of the war, and the world that existed at the time. I was already familiar with the war, but still learned quite a bit from listening.

What did you like best about this story?

I most liked that the material is presented as a story.

What does the narrator bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

The narrator was more a storyteller than "teacher teaching a class". I really appreciate that style of teaching history.

Any additional comments?

If you have interest in better understanding the lead up to the war, the war itself and the ways that it helped shape our world, this is an excellent course. If you are interested in a methodical explanation of facts and figures (different weapon systems, order of battle), then this is probably not the best choice.

A Great Introduction

I wish I had listened to this book when I first started reading about the Great War. Many of the facts were not new to me, but were presented in a concise and organized outline that would be perfect for someone who wanted an overview of the principal players and the primary battles and conflicts of the War. But the lecturer also included enough detail and background that I still felt like I learned a great deal from this book. If you are just starting to study this period of time I think this book, then George, Nicholas & Wilhelm, The Guns of August, The Zimmerman Telegram and finally Paris, 1919 would be the perfect reading list for you.

Wonderful lecture series,

Wonderful series of lecture, but academic style is starting to feel a little bit dated. Still, it is an excellent introductory course into the essential elements of World War 1, the Great War

My worst audible.com listen by far!

What would have made The Modern Scholar better?

The narrator seemed to ramble and ramble on and on in a very dry tone. I believe he is knowledgeable, but he just didn't deliver the material in a clear way so that the listener actually learned.

What was most disappointing about John Ramsden’s story?

His presentation made it difficult to learn.

How did the narrator detract from the book?

He stuttered quite a bit throughout the course and it was apparent that there were many points at which there was splice and second or third take.

What reaction did this book spark in you? Anger, sadness, disappointment?

Disappointed. I love learning and am sad to say that I have so little knowledge about World War I. I truly wanted to learn more about the war. I logged on and took a "final exam" that is on the Modern Scholar website. I only got a 57% on the final. In other academic type activities, I usually score over 90.

Any additional comments?

I hate to complain and get something in return, but I wish I could have this credit back.