Nothing Less Than War

A New History of America's Entry into World War I

By: Justus D. Doenecke

Narrated by: Tom Lennon

Length: 16 hrs and 43 mins

Publisher's summary

When war broke out in Europe in 1914, political leaders in the United States were swayed by popular opinion to remain neutral; yet less than three years later, the nation declared war on Germany. In Nothing Less Than War: A New History of America's Entry into World War I, Justus D. Doenecke examines the clash of opinions over the war during this transformative period and offers a fresh perspective on America's decision to enter World War I.

Doenecke reappraises the public and private diplomacy of President Woodrow Wilson and his closest advisors and explores in great depth the response of Congress to the war. He also investigates the debates that raged in the popular media and among citizen groups that sprang up across the country as the US economy was threatened by European blockades and as Americans died on ships sunk by German U-boats.

The decision to engage in battle ultimately belonged to Wilson, but as Doenecke demonstrates, Wilson's choice was not made in isolation. Nothing Less Than War provides a comprehensive examination of America's internal political climate and its changing international role during the seminal period of 1914-1917.

The book is published by The University Press of Kentucky.

©2011 The University Press of Kentucky (P)2015 Redwood Audiobooks

Interesting and unknown period in America

If you could sum up Nothing Less Than War in three words, what would they be?

Educational, Detailed, Fascinating

Who was your favorite character and why?

Most Americans know very little about this period in history and Woodrow Wilson. This really gives insight into his personality and thought process.

Any additional comments?

This is not an easy read, or listen. The language is archaic and at limes tedious as much of the text is excerpts from letters and newspaper reports from the early 1900s. The comprehension and enjoyment would have both been better had the author simply restated the facts in more familiar modern day prose. Almost every sentence contain a quotation from an obscure source of the period. Keep your dictionary handy.The narrator's voice is very pleasant for long hours of listening, but he obviously also struggled at times with the style of writing and context. I give him a B for effort.

It is as if the book was published in 1917, not this century. I certainly didn't count, but it seems the average sentence length is probably 50 words!As a text book with a valuable lesson to be learned about an important, fascinating, and unknown period in American History this is 5 stars. As a read, or listen on the beech this summer - better pass.

Important knowledge most American's lack

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Yes. This is a period little known in American history today. Everyone knows the US did fight with the Triple Entente in WWI, but almost no one asks, why? Why we were we not on the Central Alliance side? Why fight at all? We were never attacked. No treaties bound us to enter. There were almost as many Monarchs on both sides, so defending democracy was not a very valid excuse.

This book explains why. Unfortunately, especially in hindsight, the reasoning that led to our ultimate entry late into the conflict is greatly flawed in many areas.

Which character – as performed by Tom Lennon – was your favorite?

There were no characters as this was a non-fiction book. He did a commendable job with a very long book frequently full of very dry material and kept my interest all the way.

Any additional comments?

This may be one of those cases where a "condensed" version might be able to convey all the important information and be a more enjoyable experience.

wow never taught us this in school

was great learned so much. very easy to follow. should have been taught in school

A detailed history

Nothing Less than War.
A detailed history of America's entry into ww1.
The politics and the mistakes that led to the America declaring war.
I found that some of the statements made by politicians and capitalists are prophetic when we look at the world today 100 years later.
I received a free copy of this audio book at my own request and voluntarily left this honest review.

Failure of Presidential Leadership

Would you recommend this book to a friend? Why or why not?

Yes if they have an interest in understanding why America entered a war that was clearly not in our National interest. Woodrow Wilson's folly.

Was Nothing Less Than War worth the listening time?

Yes. I've often wondered why America entered the War. Most agree that WW1 should never have happened. It was the result of incredibly poor leadership and ineffective diplomacy by the European powers. This book, in my opinion, makes it abundantly clear that there was no legitimate 'national interest' justification for Woodrow Wilson's decision to enter the war. Without American involvement, the the War would probably have ended in a stalemate due to war fatigue.

Why historians rate Wilson as a good President escapes me. Presidents should keep the country out of war, not drag the country into war unless there is a clear 'national interest' at stake. In this case there was none. And most agree that the draconian peace terms imposed on the Germans significantly contributed to the rise of Hitler and WW2. Woodrow Wilson foreign policy failure had enormous adverse consequences for the lives of millions of innocent people.

good

Loved it !! this story. the narrator is so fantastic it's like your really there!! good overall

Awkwardly written, badly narrated

This audiobook came very close to being the first of the dozens I have listened to, to being the first I could not complete. The story is barely above what a first year university history student could write. The constant comparatives of the views of historians, or contemporary press accounts, becomes exceptionally tiresome. But worst of all is the narration, filled with mispronunciations, garbled words, and just plain bad pace. I cannot recommend this book, as important as the topic is.