How to Start a War

The Rise of Extremism, the Fall of Democracy, and the Lead Up to World War II

By: Michael Trapani

Narrated by: Michael Trapani

How To Start a War is unlike any audiobook you’ve ever listened to …

This new and expanded edition includes the complete story arc of How To Start a War, unabridged and with significant new material, as the author originally intended.

Adapted from the popular podcast miniseries of the same name, Michael Trapani immerses listeners in the dramatic events that led to the crime of the century—World War II and the Holocaust—documenting the actions of the criminals who carried it out. Listeners will feel like they are in the room as some of history’s most villainous characters plot to overthrow democracy, impose tyranny, and outmaneuver those who had the power to stop them. Importantly, How To Start a War is a story from the past that can help us understand our world today, with each chapter connecting lessons from history to domestic and geopolitical events of the present day.

This presentation includes an exclusive chapter not available in the original series: entitled “Risk,” it describes Germany’s first gambles on the world stage and the resulting international fallout. It pinpoints the very moment that the world realized it could not trust Hitler.

A gripping blend of narrative storytelling and dramatized scenes and characters, How To Start A War feels like a Golden Age radio drama. Far from a dry history lesson, How To Start a War is a resonant and compelling story about what happens when good people do nothing to stop the worst evils while they still can.

©2024 Michael Trapani (P)2024 Summit Marketing Advisory LLC

You must listen to this.

I highly recommend you listen to this book because it really cements the ominous fear of history repeating itself. Sooo soo good.

Captivating Don’t miss this

It was so well done. At times I felt like I was there, in the room. Truly wonderful and scary. The similarities to the world around us today are frightening. The narration was perfect. I enjoyed every moment.

Incredible

This was an incredible listen. I have listened to and watched a lot about WW2. The actual war. It was interesting and kind of scary to hear the events leading up to it.

An incredibly captivating story from a unique, exciting perspective voiced by an incredibly gifted voice actor!

This was one of the most attention-grabbing, unique, and entertaining performances rooted in one of the most interesting perspectives focused on the buildup of world world II in Germany. It is unbelievable journey of how a fringe, unpopular, and radical groups and opinions can utilize propaganda, externalized anger, and toxic-nationalism to spearhead one of the most devastating travesties of humanity. All of this written AND voiced by the author, who has an amazing range of characters, voices, figures, while brilliantly mixed to a series of immersive sounds and musical accompaniment with historical recordings, readings, and original sources for an entertaining journey. I did not believe this was a single performer recording until I read the title details, all even more testimony to the author/voice actor’s range and talent. Let me know when the New York Times comes knocking, I’ll look for my quote. My friends Frank, Anthony, Rob, Tim, and Sean all love it as well.

The best history book I've ever listened to!

We all know the tragic and horrific events of WWII. But do we really understand how it started? How did such an appalling person come to power? What were the ingredients necessary for a second world war to occur?
This audiobook takes a long look into each separate ingredient and analyzes them before adding them to a bowl to be stirred.
Michael Trapani fully immerses you in each ingredient by not only reading from actual transcripts but also by getting into each character conveying timid, persuasive or tumultuous personalities. From the vivid descriptions of the surroundings you "find" yourself in to the voices of the survivors from the Holocaust, you feel as if you are in the room face to face with history as it unfolds.
How to start a war is captivating, transporting you back in time.
As the book concludes Michael Trapani helps you to identify trends that happened so long ago that are starting to happen around the world again today.
I come away from this audiobook with not only further knowledge of WWII but also with hope for a better world for my children.

Obligatory - Really well done

Engaging, thrilling, chilling. Puts you in the room for one on history’s darkest moments. Really excited to see this get expanded in audiobook form!

Scary good

It's hard to get more scary than real life, good horror story with an inspiring yet urgent call to action.

This is a must listen!

He covers so much that was never covered in history class. I enjoyed this book so much and it’s brilliantly laid out.

Some good facts but sorry- Hitler was not a victim!

Stick to factual issues without the over dramatizations. Conclusions terribly flawed by influences of modern politics. There are better histories to hear!