The Proud Tower (Jan. '08)

I listened to The Proud Tower, by Barbara Tuchman audio book over several weeks at work. It was LONG so I can't imagine how long the actual book must be! As with most of the audio books I listen to while working, I couldn't pay close attention to everything, but it was very interesting all the same. It was a look at the social and political mood of the world in the 30 or so years leading up to World War I. That is a time period I don't recall studying much in school. The growth of socialism, the growth - in numbers and political power - of the middle class, the advances and restrictions on new weapons ... all these contributed to the political climate leading up to the Great War. I don't know if I'll ever sit down and read this book in full, but it is a wonderful resource for someone wanting to understand how the world changed seemingly overnight.