The Last Days of Innocence, Meirion Harries
The Last Days of Innocence, Meirion Harries
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The Last Days of Innocence
America at War, 1917–1918

Author: Meirion Harries, Susie Harries

Narrator: John Lescault

Unabridged: 19 hr 24 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Published: 09/29/2009

Synopsis

In just a few years early in the twentieth century, the federal government grew from one tiny cog in the machinery of American life into a colossus, controlling the behavior of every individual. Paranoia, suspicion, and hatred of foreigners took hold, forming the mind-set with which the nation made its first acquaintance with communism in 1918. It was a seminal period in the history of the United States and the world, but the American side of the story has remained largely untold.The Great War was the gateway through which our ancestors passed from the relative innocence of the nineteenth century into our own troubled, uncertain age. The Last Days of Innocence explores this huge mobilization during America’s nineteen months of war with Germany in 1917 and 1918, including its corrosive effects on daily life at home.

About Meirion Harries

Meirion and Susie Harries began their writing partnership in 1979 and have since coauthored six books, as well as articles on Japanese security and environmental policy for English and Japanese newspapers. They live in England.

About Susie Harries

Meirion and Susie Harries began their writing partnership in 1979 and have since coauthored six books, as well as articles on Japanese security and environmental policy for English and Japanese newspapers. They live in England.

About John Lescault

Patrick Cullen (a.k.a. John Lescault), a native of Massachusetts, is a graduate of the Catholic University of America. He lives in Washington, DC, where he works in theater.

Reviews

Goodreads review by Clif on November 11, 2021

This book first published in 1997 tells the story of World War I from the American perspective. It brings particular focus on all the problems and disorganized efforts, first at mobilization and second in the actual fighting. The book provides such a long litany of inefficiencies and corruption that......more

Goodreads review by 'Aussie Rick' on April 13, 2014

The Last Days of Innocence: America at War, 1917-1918 offers the reader a decent and balanced view of America's role and involvment in the Great War. If you wanted one book that would provide you with a detailed account of the United States' role in the Great War this is it. The author's cover every......more

Goodreads review by Todd on June 28, 2022

Review title: Making America safe for empire While Woodrow Wilson's tag line defined America's planned role in the first World War to "make the world safe for democracy," in the end its actual outcome was to raise America to global imperial prominence. This narrative of America's progress to and thro......more

Quotes

“A neatly plaited narrative...rich in detail. A splendid history.” Washington Times

“Meticulously researched…provides a rich picture of 1917 America.” Boston Globe

“Well-crafted in every way...a vivid and authoritative history.” Cleveland Plain Dealer

“Patrick Cullen’s interest in this story of American involvement in the Great War can be felt in his careful, expressive narration…Readers who choose this book to be informed will find a pleasant, often poetic, experience.” AudioFile

“A lively and persuasive history of America’s experience in WWI…A sad, gripping account of one of the defining moments in our history.” Kirkus Reviews

“Cullen reads in an American voice, even but involved, absorbing to listeners who like political history and documentaries. Superb social history, well integrated with political and military history.” Kliatt

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