War of Attrition

Fighting the First World War

De: William Philpott

Narrado por: Derek Perkins

The Great War of 1914-1918 was the first mass conflict to fully mobilize the resources of industrial powers against one another, resulting in a brutal, bloody, protracted war of attrition between the world's great economies. Now, 100 years after the first guns of August rang out on the Western front, historian William Philpott reexamines the causes and lingering effects of the first truly modern war.

Drawing on the experience of front-line soldiers, munitions workers, politicians, and diplomats, War of Attrition explains for the first time why and how this new type of conflict was fought as it was fought, as well as how the attitudes and actions of political and military leaders, and the willing responses of their peoples, stamped the 20th century with unprecedented carnage on - and behind - the battlefield.

©2014 William Philpott (P)2014 Tantor

Reseñas de la Crítica

"An astute examination by an expert war historian that sifts through the collective 'theatres of attrition' in this unprecedented slaughter." ( Kirkus)

A Factual account of misguided actions

What did you love best about War of Attrition?

I am a history buff and I had no idea of just how horrific this war was. The first modern war was fought with outdated generals and politicans who were truly clueless of the cost in human suffering

Who was your favorite character and why?

I kind of like the British Lord Kittchner and the Frech Gen who figured out how to win after millions were needlessly killed

Have you listened to any of Derek Perkins’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

Mr Perkins is a great factual reader who brings a degree of logic to a senseless situation

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

After reading the book I couldn't go to a movie, it would be too painful to know that millions died due to complete stupity Sorry

Any additional comments?

I did enjoy the book with a cast of Millions who never made it back home this was an eye opener to the fact "You don't win this War fighting the same as the Last one"

Decent WW1 book

While not a gripping account of the war, it's an excellent explanation for the character of the war.
Attrition. Body count. Material production. Courage on the battlefield is not a factor, morale is. The war is a meat grinder, and the generals who realized how to fight and win an attritional war, are the heroes.
The leaders thinking in outmoded terms of valour and élan...are the ones responsible for the worst decisions.
Offensives only work with a vast expenditure of material, mostly artillery shells, for limited objectives. The losses of 1916 are presented as achieving a great deal; they led to German attrition on a large scale.

Military History

Gave it a shot after after Wall Street journal gave it a best non fiction award. It was. Little dull for me, the military history was just too vague. I wanted
more specifics.

Deep Analysis of the War

Deep analysis of the various ways attrition played a part in the great war. Gives good insight into the thinking and though process of the various leaders and generals of the war. Showing how the war evolved along with the new types of attrition it created. Narration was very good and the vocabulary of the author was very enjoyable.

Excellent

Very engaging, thoughtful, outstanding read and reading. Highly recommended to any student of World War 1.

One of the most boring books that I have ever read

This book wasn’t for you, but who do you think might enjoy it more?

Only a World War One specialized historian and even in that category I'm doubtful. This 17 chapter books outlook could be summarized in one chapter. This book was extremely tiring to listen to.

Would you ever listen to anything by William Philpott again?

I don't think so. It wasn't the narrator. No narrator could save this book. Because I waited so long to listen to it I didn't apply for a refund but I should have. I can't recommend this book to anyone. And, I AM interested in World War I.

What do you think the narrator could have done better?

Nothing could have saved it.

You didn’t love this book... but did it have any redeeming qualities?

Not much.

Any additional comments?

Avoid this book.

Confusing and disorganized

Any additional comments?

I recently listened to A World Undone and loved it. I was hoping to see WWI from a different perspective and thus broaden my understanding of its history. This book is not very well organized the characters are presented with little or no back ground. The author uses very few original quotes and makes statements without backing them with evidence or quotations.