A World Undone

The Story of the Great War, 1914 to 1918

By: G. J. Meyer

Narrated by: Robin Sachs

Length: 27 hrs and 57 mins

Publisher's summary

NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • Drawing on exhaustive research, this intimate account details how World War I reduced Europe’s mightiest empires to rubble, killed twenty million people, and cracked the foundations of our modern world

“Thundering, magnificent . . . [A World Undone] is a book of true greatness that prompts moments of sheer joy and pleasure. . . . It will earn generations of admirers.”—The Washington Times

On a summer day in 1914, a nineteen-year-old Serbian nationalist gunned down Archduke Franz Ferdinand in Sarajevo. While the world slumbered, monumental forces were shaken. In less than a month, a combination of ambition, deceit, fear, jealousy, missed opportunities, and miscalculation sent Austro-Hungarian troops marching into Serbia, German troops streaming toward Paris, and a vast Russian army into war, with England as its ally. As crowds cheered their armies on, no one could guess what lay ahead in the First World War: four long years of slaughter, physical and moral exhaustion, and the near collapse of a civilization that until 1914 had dominated the globe.

©2006 G. J. Meyer (P)2022 Random House Audio

Critic reviews

“Meyer’s sketches of the British Cabinet, the Russian Empire, the aging Austro-Hungarian Empire . . . are lifelike and plausible. His account of the tragic folly of Gallipoli is masterful. . . . [A World Undone] has an instructive value that can scarcely be measured”—Los Angeles Times

“An original and very readable account of one of the most significant and often misunderstood events of the last century.”—Steve Gillon, resident historian, The History Channel

“Thundering, magnificent...this is a book of true greatness that prompts moments of sheer joy and pleasure. Researched to last possible dot...It will earn generations of admirers.”—Washington Times

Best book on WWI!

Best comprehensive history of the Great War that I have read. I highly recommend this book.

The best Historical account of WWI.

I have never read a more in-depth account of WWI than what was in this book. Love it highly recommend too any history buffs.

best world war 1 book ever

truly insightful a great narrator and a really good job of covering the first world war un biasfully from all angles

A great book!

Well worth the time to listen. I found myself rewinding and listening to certain parts over because they were so good! I will have to add this to my ever growing library at home and read it again!

Excellent Single Volume History of WWI

This is one of the finest historical books that I’ve ever listened to. I cannot say enough how excellent it is!

Best single volume history of WW I

Meyer’s writing is clear, crisp, and accessible to the lay— but informed— reader. Alternating action with background chapters on significant persons and places, the narrative never gets bogged down (no pun intended) in endless, seemingly repetitious battle scenes. His background chapter on Verdun is the best 15 minutes of Audible history listening ever.

Incredible breadth and depth on a war that changed the world

Trenchant details, none superfluous, neatly fit like puzzle pieces to produce a masterpiece. Best history of WW1 I’ve ever read.

Comprehensive Telling of World War 1

I loved the background chapters on various figures and parties to the war. Overall, it fleshed out the western and eastern fronts in great detail. There wasn’t much written about the Middle Eastern and African theaters as I would’ve wanted beforehand. Although, it’s forgivable when looking at the book as whole and the amount of research Meyer conducted.

amazing and insightful

I learned little of WW1 in school 50+ yrs ago. Meyer's content outline was easy to digest; the book was advertised as one for non_historians (lay people) and I believe he hit that goal. The story unfolds as a series of buikdingbblocks, laying foundation for why, then what and when. I highly recommend it. A great reference for future lookup.

Excellent overview of WW1

I already knew the major events and outcomes, this book did a excellent job discussing the people and plans behind it all.