The War to End All Wars

Gr 7 Up—From the 1914 assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand and his wife Sophie to the Treaty of Versailles in 1918, Russell Freedman's excellent resource presents complex historical events in a way that young people can understand. Freedman breaks down the Great War into key battles and issues, covering the causes of the war, the leaders, the modern weapons and technology, and the war's consequences. Firsthand accounts of allied and German soldiers are presented as well. Zach McLarty reads in a reporter-like style, but his periodic rising intonation can be somewhat annoying. The discussion guide in PDF format at the end of the last CD includes thought-provoking questions, some facts about the war not covered in the book, related websites, and further reading. An excellent resource for American history classes.—Ivy Miller, Wyoming Seminary Upper School, Kingston, PA