ww1

very informative about how WW1 started, would recommend that you listen to this as you will enjoy

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So It Wasn't German Aggression After All...

I was already aware that WW1 wasn't started by the Germans invading Belgium - despite what O' level History taught us in the early 1980's. But then again, neither was WW2. Don't believe me..? Do your own research. The demonisation of Germany started before WW1. But, as is usual, history is written by the victors.

Still, this was a fascinating and detailed account of the dealings, double-dealings, subterfuge along with the usual amount of hawks and doves that fly around diplomatic cages.

The only thing that let it down for me, was the total lack of accents for those not English. I think I even heard a Lancashire accent in there somewhere. For context, it would have been better if those from Serbia, France, Germany, Austria, etc spoke in English with the prerequisite accent from those countries. Surely actors could have been found from the countries involved..?

Still, that's not to detract from a very well produced podcast. And as usual, I neglected to get my chores done because - once again - Audible presented me with a fantastic piece of work. *sigh* 😁

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ww1

This was very interesting, I'd like to listen to more like this xx
There were things in this that I didn't know.

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Amazing stuff

Loved it, crazy how this all unfolds and great having detailed background on these key events building to war that’s broadly overlooked. We all know from school assassination led to war as the general lesson but how close it was to being so different.

This was the last time such a nonchalant approach to war has happened and this point was very well conveyed.

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2 people found this helpful

History is always interesting

History is always interesting but especially so when presented and brought to life by such a professional team of actors. superb narration moved the story along at a good pace.

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History Brought to Life

This was a simply incredible short period in world history. The complexities of human society have rarely been so starkly illustrated with the effect of unforeseen consequences allowing a world war to spiral from a local crisis. Portrayed as a series of meetings between the great and good of the key nations 'Countdown to War' cleverly details how the machinations of each of these great states and in many cases the best of intentions begat the worst of outcomes. Literally no-one really ended up with what they wanted out of those 37 days in the final analysis.

Hannah Gordon narrates well and the whole thing moves fast, perhaps requiring a little more than the average in terms of concentration as it zips from city to city.

Definitely well worth a listen.

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8 people found this helpful

emersive and informative

Worth a listen if you are interested in history and events that change the world

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Very informative

Very difficult to keep track of all the different threads. I will have to listen to this again as there is a lot of information to absorb on the meandering path to the start of the First World War. The production is let down by a couple of actors who deliver their scripts as if just reading through, which is a bit of a shame given the importance of the content.

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fantastic 👏

I never new or understand how ww1 was started... this is an eye opener. amazing story

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fascinating and worrying

Brilliantly written and performed, it gives a fascinating insight into the attitude and motivations of the countries and personalities who started ww1, and the mistrust and misinterpretations that went into the decisions leading up to the war.

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