To the Last Man.

TO THE LAST MAN. Jeff Shaara. 2004. Read by Paul Michael. 26 cds. 31 hrs. Books on Tape. 1-159-1334-x. $119.20.Vinyl; plot notes. SA

Although Shaara is most associated with books about the Civil War, this time the venue moves to 1914-1918. He begins with a step-by-step picture of how alliances brought about the start of the war in 1914. He then calls upon specific characters to illustrate the day-to-day life of the combatants. Each one reveals a different perspective on the struggle, from the headquarters to the airfields to the battlefields. For example, General Pershing is determined to keep the American forces intact. Marine Private Roscoe Temple fights in all the major battles from Belleau Wood to the Argonne Forest. General Ludendorff utilizes new weaponry to slaughter the Allies on the ground while flying ace, Baron von Richthofen registers 80 kills in the sky.

Reader Michael provides an outstanding fully voiced presentation. He stirs the imagination in the battle scenes and gives believable personalities to the characters, whether they be "Farm Boy," "Jersey," or "Mountain Man." His tone evokes the appropriate emotion in every situation. This excellent blend of fact and fiction is a well researched, realistic, brutally frank, and spellbinding account of The Great War. Prof. John E. Boyd, Jenkintown, PA