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The Vanquished
- Why the First World War Failed to End, 1917-1923
- Narrated by: John Banks
- Length: 10 hrs and 33 mins
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The Vanquished
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Summary
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.
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What listeners say about The Vanquished
Average customer ratingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Performance3 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- mcsmall
- 19-02-17
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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1 person found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- John P Bruce
- 07-11-21
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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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Jinty
- 21-03-19
Excellent
Broadened my understanding of this period of European history. Very appropriate given the Brexit debacle.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story4 out of 5 stars
- Grumpy Squid
- 26-10-21
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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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- GNMortensen
- 19-01-21
Wonderful
This book raises some fascinating issues still relevant to geo political discourse today. It truly is marvellous.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- W J Smith-Bowers
- 27-02-18
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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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- wells
- 04-02-17
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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2 people found this helpful
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Overall3 out of 5 stars
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Performance4 out of 5 stars
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Story1 out of 5 stars
- Mr Tickles
- 09-03-17
Illumination version of European history
Cleverly written and constructed account of European conflicts, uprisings and domestic slaughters beautifully read by John Banks. Not really a story, as it is very hard to follow all the names and dates and political upheavals but fascinating to anyone who likes war history.
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1 person found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance4 out of 5 stars
- S. Moorcroft
- 26-01-17
A Terrible Legacy
Well narrated history. A comprehensive history of the fall out from the 'Great War. Recommended reading.
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6 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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- Simon
- 27-03-17
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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