The Unknowns

The Untold Story of America’s Unknown Soldier and WWI’s Most Decorated Heroes Who Brought Him Home

By: Patrick K. O'Donnell

Narrated by: Dan Woren

Length: 12 hrs and 54 mins

Publisher's summary

The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier is sacred ground at Arlington National Cemetery. Originally constructed in 1921 to hold one of the thousands of unidentified American soldiers lost in World War I, it now also contains unknowns from World War II and the Korean and Vietnam Wars and receives millions of visitors each year who pay silent tribute.

When the first unknown soldier was laid to rest in Arlington, General John Pershing, commander of the American Expeditionary Force in World War I, selected eight of America's most decorated, battle-hardened veterans to serve as body bearers. For the first time, O'Donnell portrays their heroics on the battlefield 100 years ago, thereby animating the tomb by giving voice to all who have served.The body bearers appropriately spanned America's service branches and specialties. Their ranks include a cowboy who relived the charge of the light brigade, a Native American who heroically breached mountains of German barbed wire, a salty New Englander who dueled a U-boat for hours in a fierce gunfight, a tough New Yorker who sacrificed his body to save his ship, and an indomitable gunner who, though blinded by gas, nonetheless overcame five machine gun nests. Their stories slip easily into the larger narrative of America's involvement in the conflict, transporting readers into the midst of dramatic battles during 1917 and 1918 that ultimately decided the Great War.

Celebrated military historian and best-selling author Patrick O'Donnell illuminates the saga behind the creation of the tomb itself and recreates the moving ceremony during which it was consecrated and the eight body bearers, and the sergeant who had chosen the one body to be interred, solemnly united.

Brilliantly researched, vividly told, The Unknowns is a timeless tale of heeding the calls of duty and brotherhood and humanizes the most consequential event of the 20th century, which still casts a shadow a century later.

©2018 Patrick K. O'Donnell (P)2018 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

The Unknowns

This is exactly what I've been searching for! It's the best book I've ever "read" on WW1. (I listened to it on Audible.com.)

The Unknowns gives the big picture of The War to End All Wars, and the stories of the major fronts/battles the Americans faced in France and Belgium, to flesh out the service and heroism which resulted in the eight body bearers and honor guards being chosen to select, accompany, and guard the first American Unknown Soldier after WW2.

It was informative - very! It caused many epiphanies in my understanding of the war. But it was also immensely moving, bringing me to tears at points, especially the post-war selection and honoring of the Unknown Soldier himself, and the responses of the world to this honored soldier "known but to God."

I have spent time wandering through the American war cemeteries there, and been so deeply touched when I found a stone of an unknown soldier, and read that phrase there.

I highly recommend this book for anyone who loves history, who feels a bit cheated in how little we were taught about The Great War in school, who is going to Arlington or France, or who just loves to learn. You won't regret it.

An Inspiring Tribute

An amazing story expertly told and performed and a timeless tribute to our armed forces.

An interesting book.

An interesting book in honor of the Unknowns, and the soldiers involved with the process of bringing the selected unknown. Fascinating stories of service, heroism and love of country. Sad to think of how many unknowns & the families that will never have closure for loved ones. I thought the narrator did very well and an exceptionally good job of pronouncing the many locations of battles and other war time events. You and the author deserve our thanks!

Wow, what a book

What a pleasent experience listening to this book. Great subject, to combine a history of WW1 with such vivid prose on the experience of the men makes for a great but sad story. Heroism by so many young men and women.
I was choked up listening to the final chapter. I'll have a new appreciation when I visit Arlington cemetery next time.

Excellent telling of Our History

Very informative telling of our history. It honors the sacrifice they made so long ago. It is all the more sad because it was for an ungrateful Europe...and we are still protecting them even while they hate us.

Very Moving

Inspiring stories of the those who carried him home. Moving story of the nations response.

Good battle story

I was hoping for more on the actual tomb Bd there was that but also a lot of battles and I had a hard time staying focused. But I did enjoy and learned a lot about wwi

Definitely Worth A Read

I have been binging Patrick O'Donnell on Audible lately. He has a way of telling stories about the common warrior like no other. The Unknowns is no exception. Well written and excellently narrated, the author puts you in the trenches, over the barbed wire and had me scratching through my mud soaked uniform for lice and other vermin. I can wait to start my next O'Donnell book.

WWI Unknown

Excellent book.
Meticulously researched. Recommended for anyone who likes military history and desires to learn how the Unknown was selected and who were the men selected to accompany Unknown to the final resting place - Arlington.

Riveting and beautifully read by Dan Woren

The heroism of these men, and the way the author personalizes the men in this horrific war is spellbinding. Thanks