Forty-Seven Days

How Pershing's Warriors Came of Age to Defeat the German Army in World War I

By: Mitchell Yockelson

Narrated by: Napoleon Ryan

The Battle of the Meuse-Argonne stands as the deadliest clash in American history: More than a million untested American soldiers went up against a better-trained and more experienced German army, costing more than 26,000 deaths and leaving nearly 100,000 wounded. Yet, in 47 days of intense combat, those Americans pushed back the enemy and forced the Germans to surrender, bringing the First World War to an end - a feat the British and the French had not achieved after more than three years of fighting.

In Forty-Seven Days, historian Mitchell Yockelson tells how General John J. "Black Jack" Pershing's exemplary leadership led to the unlikeliest of victories. Appointed commander of the American Expeditionary Forces by President Wilson, Pershing personally took command of the US First Army until supplies ran low and the fighting ground came to a stalemate. Refusing to admit defeat, Pershing stepped aside and placed gutsy Lieutenant General Hunter Liggett in charge. While Pershing retained command, Liggett reorganized his new unit, resting and resupplying his men, while instilling a confidence in the doughboys that drove them out of the trenches and across no-man's-land.

©2016 Mitchell Yockelson (P)2016 Tantor

This book carefully ignores the facts

This book portrays John J Pershing as a brilliant field commander. He wasn’t. Pershing largely refused to learn from British and French experience. His tactics produced large casualties for limited gains. French Premier Clemenceau was desperate to have Pershing fired because of his ineffectiveness. Fortunately Pershing’s better generals understood how the war needed to be fought and their leadership brought American success. But one won’t learn that from this book. Thunder in the Argonne is a much better history.

AMERICAN DOUGHBOYS , et al

Narrator had great 'radio voice' and it was a pleasure to listen, no shrill or irritating tones were present.
Really informative and written in a journalistic voice which makes the material seem dryly 'matter-of-fact'
at times. However, the recounting of the events of the 'great war', called for a linear retelling of people, places and events. The author was not taking sides in retrospect and avoids the temptation to editorialize over what one party may have done to the other in the first 'global conflict'.
Overall a worthwhile read.

Speed up the narration...

This is a great story, well conceived and written. The narrator left me flat, though. Slow and overly drawn out, it really helped to speed this up to 1.25x. There are times when a cut-glass British accent enhances an audiobook, but this wasn’t it.

Good book

Pershing is a hero of mine. Enjoyed this book very much. Narration is good, and it is well written.

Comprehensive history of The First Army in WWI

Two years ago at Hotel Jardin du mess in Verdun, I had the privilege of meeting the author. At the time, I was trying to visit the cemeteries and battlefields of WWI where the Americans fought. It was a monumental task that resulted in four visits over four years and I still was not able to put events into perspective. This comprehensive book was a factual insight into all aspects of the before, during, and after significance of the American First Army and later, First Army Group during 47 days of intense combat. Especially noteworthy were the personal insights from the vantage points of all ranks from Privates to Prime Ministers and their personal and moving experiences. It was well done in all regards !