Sir Max Hastings is an author, journalist and broadcaster whose work has appeared in every British national newspaper. He has published twenty-six books, and rumour has it that he rises at 5 a.m. and writes 2,000 words before breakfast – every day. 

Catastrophe 1914 amounts to about 25 hours of listening, and bear in mind that it only covers the lead-up to the war, and the war’s first few months. Knowing that, you might expect this audiobook to plod along, but Hastings is a master storyteller (as is legendary audiobook narrator Simon Vance). Even if you only have a passing interest in military history and trivia, there’s a chance you’ll enjoy this immensely, and if you’re like me and read about the world wars as a hobby, you’re in for a real treat. As a special note, I’d like to thank John, an Audiobook fan from Reddit (DeadParrot78), for recommending this title!

Audio production by Graham Stephenson

Episode music: Caprese by Blue Dot Sessions (www.sessions.blue).