The War

An Intimate History, 1941-1945

By: Geoffrey C. Ward, Ken Burns

Narrated by: Ken Burns

The companion volume to the magnificent seven-part PBS series

The individuals featured in this audiobook are not those of historians or scholars. They are ordinary men and women who experienced–and helped to win–the most devastating war in history, in which between 50 and 60 million lives were lost.

Focusing on the citizens of four towns–Luverne, Minnesota; Sacramento, California; Waterbury, Connecticut; Mobile, Alabama–The War follows more than forty people from 1941 to 1945. Woven largely from their memories, the compelling, unflinching narrative unfolds month by bloody month, with the outcome always in doubt. The iconic events are here, but we also move among prisoners of war, defense workers and schoolchildren, and families who struggled simply to stay together.

An intimate, profoundly affecting chronicle of the war that shaped our world, The War captures the American experience of World War II through the words and deeds, thoughts and feelings of those who made history on the battlefields and on the home front.©2007 American Lives Film Project LLC; (P)2007 Random House, Inc. Random House Audio, a division of Random House, Inc.

Critic reviews

“Ken Burns has done it again. He has given us an intimate, memorable, and provocative portrait of America in World War II—the valor and victory, sacrifice and shame of ordinary Americans, north, south, east, and west. This is a treasure.” —Tom Brokaw

“Heartrending...Unique not only among previous volumes that have accompanied Burns’s documentaries but among just about any book on World War II.... It should be read by everyone in the family, from the high-schoolers to the Baby Boomers.” —Newark Star-Ledger

Stunning

The soldier bears the burden of carrying out the orders. Their stories tell of the grim reality of the day to day war which is far different than the highlights in the history books. The staggering casualties which are statistics to us now were our brothers and sons. Decisions were made by all sides knowing that they were throwing lives at strategic objectives. Interesting to hear from the soldiers’ point of view.

A great book

If you want to save yourself the 20+ hours in front of the TV watching to PBS series by the same name, but still get the same horrific feelings of the detailed accounts of the second world war, this is the audible pick for you.
My thoughts about WWII and many of my outlooks on today's military have changed since this book. It should be mandatory in any US history class.

Brilliant and respectful

This book is brilliantly written and performed. Ken Burns’ narration is somber and respectful considering the nature of the subject.

A must listen!

Without reservations, I recommend this book to all the citizens of this great nation. I sincerely believe that after completing this book you will have a new respect for the sacrifices our soldiers and their families made during the World War II.

Complete view of WWII

Most books on WWII are of Europe or the Pacific this didn't go deep into any one unit or issue. "The War" looks at most every aspect of life, from the opening days through the final surrender. This book did not neglect life on the homefront or the African campaigns and it even looks at the idea of PTSD suffered by the greatest generation. If you had to pick one book for someone learning about WWII for the first time I would say this would be an excellent choice.