The World Remade

America in World War I

By: G. J. Meyer

Narrated by: Rob Shapiro

A piercing, indispensable account of America’s pivotal involvement in World War I, rich with fresh insights into the tumultuous politics and towering historical figures that defined the era—from the New York Times bestselling author of The World Unmade

“[The World Remade] succeeds brilliantly . . . Meyer tells the story with brio. Characters come alive and the past seems near.”—Publishers Weekly

After years of bitter debate, the United States declared war on Imperial Germany on April 6, 1917, plunging the country into the vicious European conflict that would redraw the globe. When it declared war, the United States was the youngest of the major powers and militarily the weakest by far. On November 11, 1918, when the fighting stopped, it was not only the richest country on earth but the mightiest.

With the mercurial, autocratic President Woodrow Wilson as a primary focus, G. J. Meyer takes readers from the heated deliberations over U.S. involvement, through the provocations and manipulations that drew us into the fight, to the battlefield itself and the shattering aftermath of the struggle. Though America’s entry into the Great War was instrumental to the defeat of Germany, victory led to a peace treaty so ill-conceived, so vindictive, that the world was put on the road to an even bloodier confrontation.

On the home front, Meyer recounts the break-up of traditional class structures, the rise of the progressive and labor movements, the wave of anti-German hysteria, and the explosive expansion of both the economy and federal power, including shocking suspensions of constitutional protections that planted the seeds of today’s national security state.

Stunning in scope, The World Remade interweaves the many strands of this story into a gripping narrative that casts new light on one of the darkest, most forgotten corners of U.S. history and adds a compelling, uniquely American dimension to our understanding of the seminal conflict of the twentieth century.

Critic reviews

“A massive and ambitious effort that strives to cover and explain a very broad range of aspects, including our entry and participation in the [World War I], the failure of the ‘peace,’ and the changes the war brought to our political and social fabric. [G. J.] Meyer offers wonderful insights into many of the key players in this arresting saga. . . . This is a provocative and sometimes harshly judgmental history, but one that should be read to understand our emergence as a global power.”—Booklist (starred review)

“[Meyer] debunks many myths about America’s valiant intentions in joining the war, especially regarding President Woodrow Wilson’s sense of destiny on the world stage, and he closely examines why Wilson acquiesced to joining the fight. . . . Meyer gives a good sense of America’s future at that negotiating table and Wilson’s celebrated role at Versailles as the leader of the free world. . . . A refreshing look at this still-much-debated world debacle.”—Kirkus Reviews

“Here, with great skill and fidelity to fact, Meyer . . . relate[s] the complex tale of a nation venturing back into world affairs after a century of comparative isolation. . . . Meyer tells the story with brio. Characters come alive and the past seems near. . . . Meyer succeeds brilliantly with his basic narrative approach, and any reader who wants to learn about American participation in the war will benefit from this book.”—Publishers Weekly

“G. J. Meyer has written a keen observation about a historic and troubling period. This opus spans the war years, reflecting the [United States’] emergence as a global power while the other countries fought a war of attrition. Wilson is painted first as a complicated man who could be a sharp politician, then as a sick, indecisive man looking for validation. This book is well written, sharp, and has bearing on our present and future involvement in wars. A+”—Seattle Book Review

“Superbly well-written and deftly organized . . . [a valuable addition] to the literature of America and the First World War . . . that will challenge readers to think or rethink their ideas about the subject and its significance for understanding our present predicaments.”—The Common Reader

“This lengthy revisionist history will fit well with American history and governmental studies departments in both public and academic libraries.”—Library Journal

HHe really doesn't like Woodrow Wilson

Meyers dislike for Wilson is palpable. Pretty much says he's a racist, sanctimonious hypocrite.

He makes a convincing case. But I found his earlier World War history A World Undone more gripping.

One personal note: I have a great picture of my grandfather relaxing in a French courtyard in 1918. My dad used to quote the song. "How do you keep them down on the farm once they've seen Paree." So it's all not all that long ago.

EXCELLENT BOOK & READING

The book highlights things I already knew and things I didn't. The narrator is GREAT! I wholeheartedly recommend this book!!

Well done!

Gripping! So very interesting and enlightening! I highly recommend this book to anyone who wants to learn more about WWI, and what was going on in this country at that time. I especially enjoyed the background information at the end of each chapter.

Good history, with a little bit of a slant

The World Remade, by G.J. Meyer is the 'sequel' to his earlier work, A World Undone. That work is an exceptional history of the Great War and I recommend anyone considering The World Remade to read/listen to his other work first.

The World Remade focuses almost entirely on the United States during the war, and was very informative to me about where the US was extremely influential, and where they were not so much. It is focused primarily on the politics of the time, and the military events get relegated to a few chapters. However, as the US joined so late, and still was politically active from 1914-1917, it makes sense that most of the book would not be about the 6 months of combat US troops saw.

The book is very critical of President Wilson and his administration, and while I agree that he deserves this critism, it felt like the author was trying to exonerate the Germans from any wrongdoings besides being politically inept. The Allies are themselves cast as selfish and full of ulterior motives, and while they most certainly were, this is again done while German actions are defended by the author. As someone who has read much on the First World War, I was able to appreciate the German point of view that Meyer gives, but was aware that Meyer wasn't explaining the Allies' actions (i.e. the blockade of Germany) in the same light he did for Germany (i.e. unrestricted submarine warfare). A less aware listener may come away with a different impression.

Besides this, I do recommend The World Remade, and Rob Shapiro's wonderful narration made the 24+ hours a joy to listen to.

Realistic review

Very enlightening and engrossing narrative of a time when America became the greatest world power with all the twists and turns.