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The Vanquished

Why the First World War Failed to End, 1917-1923

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The Vanquished

By: Robert Gerwarth
Narrated by: John Banks
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About this listen

For the Western allies, 11 November 1918 has always been a solemn date - the end of fighting which had destroyed a generation and a vindication of a terrible sacrifice with the total collapse of their principal enemies: the German Empire, Austria-Hungary and the Ottoman Empire. But for much of the rest of Europe, this was a day with no meaning, as a continuing nightmarish series of conflicts engulfed country after country.

In this highly original, gripping book, Robert Gerwarth asks us to think again about the true legacy of the First World War. In large part it was not the fighting on the Western front which proved so ruinous to Europe's future but the devastating aftermath, as countries on both sides of the original conflict were wrecked by revolution, pogroms, mass expulsions and further major military clashes. If the war itself had in most places been a struggle purely between state-backed soldiers, these new conflicts were mainly about civilians and paramilitaries, and millions of people died across Central, Eastern, and Southeastern Europe before the USSR and a series of rickety and exhausted small new states came into being. Everywhere there were vengeful people, their lives racked by a murderous sense of injustice, looking for the opportunity to take retribution against enemies real and imaginary. Only a decade later, the rise of the Third Reich and other totalitarian states provided them with the opportunity they had been looking for.

©2016 Robert Gerwarth (P)2016 Audible, Ltd
20th Century Europe Military War & Crisis World War Imperialism Hungary Interwar Period Self-Determination Thought-Provoking Inspiring Ottoman Empire Refugee Winston Churchill Royalty Holocaust King
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What listeners say about The Vanquished

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The Legacy of the First World War

A very interesting overview of the legacy of WW1 .Previous studies have focused on the impact of the Treaty of Versailles but this provides a broader analysis and helps to explain the subsequent rise of the dictators in Europe.

The narration is clear but sounds a little hurried .

One small quibble- the author refers to Constantinople when it was known as Istanbul

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thoughtful overview

author brings together several histories weaving a wider picture for the reader to contemplate. as usual clarity breeds complexity. A valuable contribution which places many current policies in to a hidden or at least obscured context.

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Excellent

Broadened my understanding of this period of European history. Very appropriate given the Brexit debacle.

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Superb essays and terrible lists

This book has, to my mind, three sections. Firstly a fascinating introductory essay. Central chapters provide a catalogue of horrors, wars and brutality which sickened me. Finally another intriguing essay. Well worth listening to, a vindication of the aims of the EU.

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Wonderful

This book raises some fascinating issues still relevant to geo political discourse today. It truly is marvellous.

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Outstanding Overview of The Post FWW settlements

This is well researched and contemporary history of how the first world ended. The ending was protracted process starting in 1917 and ending in 1923. The conflicts after 11/11/18 and the treaties in Paris from 1919 created a new set of wars that shaped European history to this day.

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well written account

well written account and excellent analysis, put across in simple easy reading. I very much enjoyed this book and it bares the facts and confronts the truths of the war in a non partisan way.the narrator is serious and good.

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A Terrible Legacy

Well narrated history. A comprehensive history of the fall out from the 'Great War. Recommended reading.

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Excellent,interesting and informative

This was a great listen on a wide range of related topics.I doubted one part when the author referred to Hitler as finishing WW1 as a Private and a despatch rider?! It is probably commonly known that he was a Corporal and a (message) runner.. But overall a fascinating listen.

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excellent summary

A most enjoyable book. Succinct, well written, informative on a tangled era of european history.
Only negative is its sometimes prolonged and possibly unnecessary descriptions of extreme violence.

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11 people found this helpful