The focus on troops in Western Europe in ww2 (Italy, France, Belgium) leaves a lot missing such as the more bA roughly six hour unabridged audiobook .
The focus on troops in Western Europe in ww2 (Italy, France, Belgium) leaves a lot missing such as the more brutal (Yes I said that) eastern front, and the entire pacific. So my first thought is that I'll feel this book is lacking.
But I am happy to report that I walked away impressed with it. It had reports from British, American, Canadian, French and Germans included. The covered areas I never thought about and this book would actually serve as a good reference for authors and screenwriters who wanted to portray with authenticity. I really enjoyed this book and only wish it were longer (a rarity for me)....more
Perfectly wounded a five hour and 20 minute unabridged audiobook.
Quite the stirring account. A childhood full of abuse didn't break him, but rather inPerfectly wounded a five hour and 20 minute unabridged audiobook.
Quite the stirring account. A childhood full of abuse didn't break him, but rather inoculated him to withstand physical punishment that most couldn't. Such a tragic end to this American hero....more
Post WW2 my family moved to a part of southwest Poland that was near Breslau (now Wroclaw). I remember the area from summers in my yoA 268 page ebook.
Post WW2 my family moved to a part of southwest Poland that was near Breslau (now Wroclaw). I remember the area from summers in my youth and recall seeing some German fortifications. So I certainly have an interest in the topic.
This book details well the history of the city from the rise of nazism to the war itself. Detailing in much detail how lines of defense around it were breached, civilian evacuations were botched, locals were drafted into service, and all hell breaking loose. The Easter bombings. The house to house fighting, etc.
It's always tough to hear of women and children suffering and freezing in the snow. The fact that they may have been ardent nazis does lessen the sympathy, but only to a degree. I'm glad to have read this. It doesn't merely end with the siege, but also covers the resettlement of Poles and Germans, the rebuilding, and the modern look....more
A 15 hour unabridged audiobook. It reads like a novel but is based on extensive interviews and research that the author had to place in chronological A 15 hour unabridged audiobook. It reads like a novel but is based on extensive interviews and research that the author had to place in chronological order (radio transmissions to personal accounts, for example) to tell the story. What a story it is, enjoyed listening to every minute....more
A 6 hour and 45 minute unabridged audiobook. I've seen at least two movies based on this book and they do not do it justice. It did not come across asA 6 hour and 45 minute unabridged audiobook. I've seen at least two movies based on this book and they do not do it justice. It did not come across as an anti war book to me so much as a "what war is like" sort of book. Looking away from the pageantry, parades, and jingoism and focused on the frustration, bewilderment, and brutality. 4.5 stars (rounded 5). Glad to have listened to it. A classic....more
A 12 hour unabridged audiobook. Having left Parris Island a little over twenty years ago, I was curious about this account that was written a few yearsA 12 hour unabridged audiobook. Having left Parris Island a little over twenty years ago, I was curious about this account that was written a few years before my own experience. Perhaps it would rekindle my memories? It definitely gave me an insider view of the behind the scenes to boot camp. If it was just focused on how the Corps makes Marines I would have given it 4 stars. But that was perhaps half the book. The rest covering a broader spectrum of Marine history, current events, even army training. Some parts of this were interesting but much of it was not enough to keep it at 4 stars overall. But I did like this book....more
This was a few hours of a BBC dramatization. I don't know how much of the book was selected and if the best parts were chosen to get the feel across, This was a few hours of a BBC dramatization. I don't know how much of the book was selected and if the best parts were chosen to get the feel across, but the acting and narrations were good enough for 3 stars....more
A 16 hour unabridged audiobook. Easily worth 4 stars, almost a 5. What did Soviet soldiers eat, wear, think about, dream of, etc. This book captures thA 16 hour unabridged audiobook. Easily worth 4 stars, almost a 5. What did Soviet soldiers eat, wear, think about, dream of, etc. This book captures that expertly. It was a pleasure to listen to....more
An 11 hour unabridged audiobook. For an author known for alternate history here is a book thats moreso historical fiction. Real people, places, and eveAn 11 hour unabridged audiobook. For an author known for alternate history here is a book thats moreso historical fiction. Real people, places, and events where the dialogue is added to fill in the storytelling. Nicely done here. I enjoyed it. 3 stars....more
Considering current events (two weeks into the 2022 Russian of Ukraine) its evident the author gave the RussiA 10 hour 30 minute unabridged audiobook.
Considering current events (two weeks into the 2022 Russian of Ukraine) its evident the author gave the Russians a lot more credit than they're due when it comes to their military readiness and capabilities. They can't seem to figure out basic logistics or combined air support. This ranged between an "I liked it" and an "It was okay". But ultimately the aforementioned overestimation of Russian capabilities brought it down it to an "okay"....more
A 32 hour unabridged audiobook. My first Tom Clancy, and my first post WW2 alternate history.
I'm surprised. Tom Clancy found a way to turn ww3 into aA 32 hour unabridged audiobook. My first Tom Clancy, and my first post WW2 alternate history.
I'm surprised. Tom Clancy found a way to turn ww3 into a borefest. The characters are robotic, as if ww3 would have been devoid of all human emotion. I came close to shelving this book a few times, which is extremely rare for me to do. It was okay at best....more
First impressions: Not a very sympathetic view towards General Almond (perhaps deservedly not), while givA 12 hour and 10 minute unabridged audiobook.
First impressions: Not a very sympathetic view towards General Almond (perhaps deservedly not), while giving General Smith much credit. Let's see what the evidence from the rest of this book bring.
2/3 of the way through- Okay I'm convinced, both Generals Almond and MacArthur needed to be fired for letting their personas and egos get in the way of listening to the information on the ground and forcing X corps into an encirclement.
Being a former Marine myself it's easy to get swept up in a pro Marine story, where many examples of courage and battlefield skill and grit are given. But this book covers more than that history, it also covers the journey of a Korean interpreter, and other characters, while giving a history lesson that's easy to listen to. I liked it enough to round it up to 4 stars....more
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