Season 2 Episode 4

Three Soldiers is a powerful and acclaimed novel written by American author and World War I veteran John Dos Passos. Published in 1921, the novel delves into the lives of three soldiers during their time in the military, exploring the disillusionment and hardships they face. Through vivid and realistic portrayals, Dos Passos offers a critical examination of the dehumanizing effects of war and the struggles of the individual within a larger bureaucratic system.

The plot of "Three Soldiers" follows the lives of three American soldiers: Chrisfield, Fuselli, and Andrews. Each soldier hails from a different background and holds distinct dreams and aspirations. As they join the war effort in Europe, their initial enthusiasm and patriotism are soon overshadowed by the harsh realities of military life.

Dos Passos skillfully depicts the disintegration of the soldiers' idealism and the erosion of their individuality as they navigate the brutalities of war. The novel highlights the impersonal nature of the military hierarchy, the horrors of combat, and the psychological toll on the soldiers. It delves into themes of alienation, loss of identity, and the sense of futility that permeates their experiences.

The novel "Three Soldiers" was adapted into a radio presentation as part of the "NBC University Theater." This radio program aired from 1948 to 1951 and was designed to bring educational content to listeners. While specific details about the adaptation are not available, it is likely that the radio presentation of "Three Soldiers" aimed to capture the essence of Dos Passos' poignant narrative and convey the emotional and psychological struggles of the soldiers to the radio audience.

"Three Soldiers" remains a significant work in the canon of war literature, offering a thought-provoking exploration of the human cost of armed conflict. Dos Passos' novel portrays the disillusionment and despair that war can inflict on individuals, prompting readers and radio listeners alike to reflect on the lasting impact of warfare on the human psyche.

Books in Sound is a free podcast series that presents a collection of hundreds of the world’s greatest books through the magic of the performing arts.

Different from audiobooks: Instead of having a single narrator read an audiobook, these performances have a full cast of actors, suitable background music, and special effects that help define the drama.

Most presentations are from old time radio theater broadcasts that have been remastered to remove most of the hissing, clicking and volume fluctuations. Many of the presentations are from the 1930's and 1940's, so a significant amount of work went into the remastering process.

Most presentations are about one hour, some are multiple hours, and some are abbreviated presentation that last about half an hour, making this series wonderful for bedtime stories, self-improvement by learning about literature, or simply as a very imaginative form of entertainment.

The episodes are not sequential, but we do recommend listening to the complete collection starting with the first episode so that you can grow and benefit from the wide assortment of styles and content.

For more information visit https://www.booksinsound.com