SILENT NIGHT The Story of the World War I Christmas Truce

On the first Christmas of WWI, hundreds of thousands of soldiers in the trenches of France spontaneously created an unsanctioned holiday truce, communicating their intentions to each other through small acts of kindness. In telling the story of this remarkable episode, Weintraub asks the question: What if they had simply refused to take up their arms again? Whoever narrates this work has to be multilingual and multitalented. Edward Holland excels with his German, French, three classes of British English, and some well-aged Scots. Nor is he taxed by the requirement to recite poetry, soldier's prayers, and even to sing a bit. The story moves to different spots on that night held holy by both sides. Through audio we see soccer games and lighted trees in the killing zone, while Tommy and Hun celebrate together and exchange biscuits and sausages from their gift boxes. J.A.H. (c) AudioFile 2002, Portland, Maine [Published: JUN/JUL 02]