1914: History in an Hour: A Compelling Non-Fiction Overview of the Outbreak of the First World War

History In An Hour

by Rupert Colley

Love history? Know your stuff with History in an Hour.

In 1914 the world changed. Europe’s great powers were dragged, one by one, into a war by Serbian conflict which affected very few of them directly. At least it would resemble the short sharp battles of the previous century, many thought – fought with military bands, horsemen, and swift victories. But 1914 proved to be different, a watershed, as old notions of war were trampled in the mud.

‘1914: History in an Hour’ is the indispensable overview of the year that marked the end of the Belle Époque and the shocking birth of modern mechanised warfare. It became a war of unimaginable horror, fought with terrifying new weapons that produced death on an industrial scale, a war that involved so many nations and reached into the fabric of their societies. 1914 shaped the First World War, and the years beyond.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, War, Politics, Historical, World War I, Audiobook

99 pages, Kindle Edition

First published November 7, 2013

About the author

Founder, writer and Series Editor of History In An Hour (http://historyinanhour.com), owned by HarperCollins UK, and now author of two novels.

The first, "My Brother the Enemy", a novella, is set during the Hungarian Revolution of 1956.

The second, "This Time Tomorrow", set during and following World War One, is a compelling story of war, brotherly love, passion and betrayal.

My third novel, "The Black Maria", is set in Moscow in 1935, the height of Stalin's reign, about love crushed by the machine.

Reviews

[Dr. Appu Sasidharan (Dasfill) · Rating 3 out of 5]

1914 is considered a critical year in History, where a series of events led to the First World War. This book deals with all the significant events that happened during that year which started with the assassination of Archduke Francis Ferdinand and his wife, Sophie (Duchess of Hohenberg).

[Paige McLoughlin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short history with the highlights of Archduke Ferdinand in Sarajevo through the July Crisis the outbreak of war in Europe and the rest of the world in 1914 It is a short narrative and doesn't speculate too much it makes a fine outline of the opening of World War One.

[Markéta Forejtová · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jasné, stručné, informativní. To, co jsem od téhle audioknihy chtěla :)
4/5*

[Emilija · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was actually quite brief concerning 1914, and mostly deals with pre-war and post-war. It was quick and brief but informative.

[Lukasz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Głos lektora serii "History in an Hour" bardzo przypadł mi do gustu, także w wielkim zapałem sięgnąłem po kolejną część tej serii. Na temat Pierwszej Wojny Światowej wiem znacznie mniej niż na temat Drugiej Wojny Światowej, postanowiłem poprawić stan wiedzy na ten temat.
W zasadzie w tej części "history in an hour" dowiadujemy się więcej na temat klimatu jaki panował w Europie w przededniu wybuchu Pierwszej Wojny Światowej oraz jakie wydarzenie bezpośrednio następowały kiedy wybuchała Pierwsza Wojny Światowej.

[Joan Huehnerhoff · Rating 5 out of 5]

excellent history. in about an hour

[Samuel · Rating 2 out of 5]

Very brief about the start of WW1. Good if you don't know anything about the war.

[karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you want a general idea about how WWI started, this is a great book to read.

[counter-hegemonicon · Rating 3 out of 5]

Comprehensive history, a little too light on the brutality

[Jason · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great way to get smart on the big picture in short order. Very enjoyable to read for how succinct it is.

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

Listened to this one twice as there was a lot to take in, in one hour. There are so many names to remember and small important details to take note of, hence I thought it was a bit hard to follow the first time around. After listening to it for the second time, it clicked and I was totally engrossed. Again, Jonathan Keeble did a wonderful job with the narration. His voice is perfectly suited for a book like this as he is eloquent & engaging. He is definitely one of my favorite narrators.

[Abhinav · Rating 4 out of 5]

Covering several important events from the second half of the nineteenth century leading upto the most important year of beginning the "Great war", this book is truly a companion to those in need of some background about WWI. Concise and packed with interesting trivia, an interested reader would take less than an hour to read this volume.

[Brian · Rating 3 out of 5]

this went along with the rest of the ww1 history in an hour vignettes. it was good, although they spent a fair bit of the hour talking about pre and post 1914, expected.

all told, i dont think i gathered much from this that i didnt gather from the general ww1 history hour.

[Nicki · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ok if you want a general overview of dates, but nothing new that I have read elsewhere.

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a very informative book. It was short, to the point, and gave the details in a very interesting way. I would definitely recommend it for anyone starting to study WWI.