Echoes of Distant Thunder: Life in the United States, 1914-1918

by Edward Robb Ellis

While the conflict began in 1914 with the assassination of an obscure nobleman in a faraway land, the Great War would eventually touch the lives of every American, as Edward Robb Ellis shows in this vivid history. The author draws vigorous portraits of the era's leading figures, including Woodrow Wilson, the cerebral president; Teddy Roosevelt, the saber-rattling ex-president; Henry Cabot Lodge and Robert LaFollette, bitter Senate foes, the former favoring intervention, the latter never wavering from his conviction that the war was anathema; and many others. Ellis also focuses on working people and the growing labor movement that led to vicious confrontations such as the deadly massacre at John D. Rockefeller's Ludlow mine in Colorado. Rich in human drama and telling detail, this is social history at its most compelling, written by a unique chronicler of our times.

Genres: History, American History, World War I

510 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1975

Reviews

[Deb Grove · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a very good history of the years and personalities leading up to WWI. Among others, the author presents a portrait of President Woodrow Wilson and what he faced while leading a country retreating from involvement outside of its borders. As I read it I was reminded of the question that many keep asking: When will we learn from history?

[Jack Swiatoschik · Rating 4 out of 5]

Much of the discussion of the the lead up to The Great War focuses on the rivalries, relationships and aims of the European great powers, and would only briefly touch on how America was shaped before and during the war. This book did a great job outlining how America experienced the lead up to it joining the Great War and its experience of being a belligerent itself. The author clearly outlines the political and cultural changes that occurred between 1914-1918 and clear connections can be made to modern day even reading the book nearly 50 years after it was published.

The book is naturally very Wilson-focused, and does do well to present a balanced view of him leaving the reader to draw their own conclusions.

One potential enhancement would be if the author had included a longer prologue/epilogue to comment further on the lead up to 1914/impact after the war. Things such as the Spanish American War, failure of the League of Nations, and the the roaring 20s in these sections might have helped put the 1914-1918 period in larger perspective.

[Mark Hundley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ellis, perhaps the premier diarist of he 20th century, gives a rich overview of American life just prior to World War I. I learned from this book that you would never get from a standard history text. Worth the read if you enjoy learning about that period.

[Jenna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Perhaps one of the most comprehensive studies of life in the United States during the war years. My only complaints is there are no citations, just a bibliography at the end.