I have just completed Jeff Shaara’s To the Last Man, a story of World War I. As with many of Shaara’s books, the story is a weaving of historical fact into a novel format by expressing the thoughts and feelings of the characters followed. Four people are followed in this book, General John Pershing, Raoul Lufbery, Roscoe Temple and Baron Manfred von Richthoven. Many others, familiar to me and others new, are come in and out through the book.

The opening is a superficial view of the economic, political and social climate in Europe when the time war began. From that point on chapters, or several chapters at a time, are devoted to a one person’s experience. At first the war is a gentlemanly pursuit, but gradually the violence escalates. The Americans come in late, but are the last impetus to bring a close to the killing. World War I is the first war where massive munitions, airplanes and gas are used. The mechanization of war far outstrips the ability of any man to survive – luck of the draw seems to rule whether you live another day or die now. The killing, maiming and destruction are described in enough detail to give some understanding of what these men endured. The book gradually builds, through the experiences of the characters, to climatic explosions, death and crushing, life-long damage to the souls of the men who survive.

I do not know if the characters are all real. I do not know if the thoughts and feelings depicted here are exactly what these people felt. I do believe the responses Shaara paints are real and did happen to some of the participants in the upheaval. The end summary of each man, true or not, draws a picture of people haunted by what they experienced. Most of them died young. Most of them suffered their whole life from what they did and saw.

This book is one of the first I have read drawing the picture of the hell on earth these people endured and how it changed them, not all for the better, for all their lives. I was haunted by the end where the living thought the lucky ones were the ones left behind – maybe they were.

I have read several of Jeff Shaara’s books and learned from and enjoyed them all, so I may be biased in my review. Being a veteran and working with veterans though gives me a picture of what these people live with.

I give this book five stars. ( )

I am a huge fan of historical novels and history in general, yet despite being an avid reader for over 35 years, do not recall ever reading a novel dealing with the First World War. Why is this?

I've read many novels centering on the Revolutionary War, dozens dealing with the Civil War (one of the best, Killer Angels, written by Jeff Shaara's father, Michael), likewise World War II and Vietnam. Maybe a couple on Korea, but never World War I, which is a shame, because as this novel so clearly demonstrates, it is an event rich with material.

Written in a style identical to that frequently used by his father (selecting several combatents and following the events through their eyes), Shaara successfully takes us from the trenches, to the skies and finally to Pershing's AEF headquarters, with all the political intrigue surrounding it.

I must admit to being almost embarressed by my lack of knowledge of this key era in American history. My only familiarity with The Red Baron (Baron von Richtofen) having been provided by Snoopy's narrative as he pilots his Sopwith Camel. This novel has left me wanting to learn more about the conflict and the personalities involved. ( )

One of the only books I have read by Shaara. Never having an interest in the civil war, I thought I would give this book a try. I was fairly disappointed and good not get past the first couple of chapters.

Though an unfair comparison, I would prefer re-reading All Quiet on the Western Front than this nonsense. ( )

Jeff Shaara will never hold a candle to his dad, but this is a pretty good novel on the First World War. It is told from many different perspective, something that is a trademark of the author. He uses both fictional and real historical figures to tell the story. There are some good stories here, but it is a novel, just the same. He has a new book out now on WW2 that I am reading presently. Once again, good book, just light on history. ( )