Sons of Freedom

The Forgotten American Soldiers Who Defeated Germany in World War I

By: Geoffrey Wawro

Narrated by: Geoffrey Wawro

The "stirring," definitive history of America's decisive role in winning World War I (Wall Street Journal).

The American contribution to World War I is one of the great stories of the twentieth century, and yet it has all but vanished from view. Historians have dismissed the American war effort as largely economic and symbolic. But as Geoffrey Wawro shows in Sons of Freedom, the French and British were on the verge of collapse in 1918, and would have lost the war without the Doughboys. Field Marshal Douglas Haig, commander of the British Expeditionary Force, described the Allied victory as a "miracle" -- but it was a distinctly American miracle.

In Sons of Freedom, prize-winning historian Geoffrey Wawro weaves together in thrilling detail the battles, strategic deliberations, and dreadful human cost of the American war effort. A major revision of the history of World War I, Sons of Freedom resurrects the brave heroes who saved the Allies, defeated Germany, and established the United States as the greatest of the great powers.

Critic reviews

"A stirring story and a careful work of military history."—Wall Street Journal

"Well-researched and engaging...Wawro offers intriguing reexaminations of a devastating conflict...Sons of Freedom shows how the U.S. moved itself from isolationism to world power with startling speed, mostly on the shoulders of its muddy and bloodied Doughboys."—Dallas Morning News

"As the 100th anniversary of the end of World War I approaches, a loud 'huzzah' is due Geoffrey Wawro -- one of the few historians bold enough to declare that American intervention was decisive in the conflict."—Washington Times

"[A] masterpiece of military history...Sons of Freedom will change the way you look at how the World War was won."—Washington Book Review

"Masterful...Based on extensive archival and secondary research, [Sons of Freedom] belongs on bookshelves everywhere."—Choice

"Wawro's ability to do research in the French and German languages, as well as English, makes him somewhat unique among American scholars who have written about the U.S. in World War I...[Wawro] reminds us of the important role played by Americans."—ARMY Magazine

"Geoffrey Wawro has written distinguished works of military history before, but this might be his most compelling. His tale of the Doughboys is gripping, his argument about their accomplishment is persuasive, and his enthusiasm for the era and the subject is irresistible."—H.W. Brands, author of The General vs. the President: MacArthur and Truman at the Brink of Nuclear War

"In this bold and bracing new history, Geoffrey Wawro argues that the American intervention in WWI was decisive, and that the Allies would not have won the war without it. What is more, the critical American contribution was not, as we are usually told, financial; nor even material or technological, as was the case in World War II. Rather, it was about raw infantry manpower. Surprising the Germans, American doughboys stormed heavily fortified German positions with little more than rifles, grenades, trench mortars, and bayonets, fueled by kill-or-be-killed grit and courage under fire. With Sons of Freedom, Wawro has rewritten the history of the Allied victory in 1918, bringing the last months of the war to gory, gas-choked and blood-soaked life, along with the forgotten Americans--of all races--who fought, bled, suffered and died to win it."—Sean McMeekin, author of July 1914: Countdown to War

Solid and thoughtful

Excellent and ballance history of WWI. More history teachers should study this so they provide a better understanding of American involvement and reasoning.

Fantastic

Focus on America's involvement in WW1 and it's necessity for allied victory over the German juggernaut.

Great content tedious performance

Loved the story and content. Had to listen at 1.3x in however in order to barely tolerate the unnatural emphasis and contrived staccato reading of the second half of almost every last sentence.

Often Forgotten History

The author makes a very fluid and compelling case for American necessity and exceptionalism in The Great War. This key facet of Allied victory is often overlooked by many contemporary historians and it is a refreshing take on the subject of WWI.

History can repete

As much as we think “we” are better that the people that came before us we realize we are still the same. We are destined to repete history even if we know what happened. Enough of the philosophy, this was an eye opening book about a war the nobody who fought is still alive. Issues of the time and the disagreements about what to do! A President who’s ideals did not follow with the nations. How one Frenchman’s speech changed many minds. The pressure on General Pershing to build, keep together an army of untrained men. WOW I never knew and I truly hope I (or my sons) will never see this ever happen again.

Look at the maps before you start to listen. It will make more sense. I looked at additional WW1 maps with more detail to get a better perspective.