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Title: Scapegoats

Subtitle: Thirteen Victims of Military Injustice

Author: Michael Scott

Narrator: Brian Holsopple

Format: Unabridged

Length: 13 hrs and 22 mins

Language: English

Release date: 02-22-16

Publisher: Audible Studios

Genres: History, Military

Publisher's Summary:

"At all costs avoid blame." Such is the creed of dictators and politicians, tycoons and company chairmen, media celebrities, and spin doctors the world over. But what about men at war, where the penalties for errors of judgment can be devastating? History is full of tales of those who have been wrongly castigated in the rush to find a culprit; only later, sometimes much later, when the real truth comes out, is the scapegoat exonerated. Exposed here are the real stories behind the myths that allow the listener to make a balanced judgment on history's fairness to the individual, including those of: Captain Alfred Dreyfus, exiled and imprisoned on charges of treason in 1895; Lieutenant General James Longstreet, blamed for the failure of Pickett's Charge in 1863; Major General Jackie Smyth, removed from the Army after ordering the destruction of the Sittang Bridge in 1942; Lieutenant General Roméo Dallaire, let down by the United Nations over the Rwanda massacres of 1994. This superbly researched book by a former professional soldier uncovers what might be termed the most disgraceful miscarriages of military justice.

Members Reviews:

Circle the Wagons and Blame Someone Else

A summary of the review on StrategyPage.Com:

'Former British Maj. Gen. Scott recounts some egregious instances of scapegoating in military history. His bakerâs dozen of cases include soldiers, sailors, corporals, generals, admirals, Americans, Canadians, Britons, Frenchmen, and an Israeli over nearly 250 years from the mid-eighteenth to the late twentieth, with the victims suffering anything from death to damnation by historians. Coverage ranges from such well-known cases as those of British Admiral John Byng, French staff officer Alfred Dreyfus, Confederate Lt. Gen. James Longstreet, and U.S. Navy Capt. Charles McVay, as well as the lesser known British officers Jalheel Brenton Carey and Charles Bevan, Israeli chief-of-staff David Elazar, and even Canadian Lt. Gen. Roméo Antonius Dallaire. The common thread is that they were blamed for errors or wrongdoing committed by someone else.

'For each case, Scott opens with a review of the background, which is often overlong, not usually needed, and occasionally dated. But when he gets into the details of the case as it unfolded, and explains why and how a more or less innocent person ended up being penalized Scott shines. His account often looks into odd corners of political and military life in the period, the pathologies of institutional âwagon circling,â clashes of egos, and more, that caused the disgrace and at times the deaths of these men. Scott adds a look at how each man was vindicated, albeit most often not in his lifetime, by popular demand and legal process, by family efforts, or, often, by historians seeking to set the record straight.

'Scapegoats is written for a popular audience, but it will prove good reading for military personnel, historians, and students of institutional culture.'

For the full review, see StrategyPage.Com

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Title: The Battle of Britain and the Heroes of the Skies

Author: Go Entertain

Narrator: J.T. McDaniel

Format: Unabridged

Length: 2 hrs and 24 mins

Language: English

Release date: 02-05-16

Publisher: Go Entertainment Group Ltd

Ratings: 4.5 of 5 out of 4 votes

Genres: History, Military

Publisher's Summary:

The Second World War is littered with moments in which the destiny of the whole globe was shaped, but arguably few were as pivotal as the Battle of Britain. With invasion threatened, the hour of destiny over British shores was at hand. This was conflict in the raw, a life-or-death struggle in which the terrors of 20th-century combat were brutally brought home to the nation's doorsteps during what became known as the Blitz.

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Title: The Influence of Airpower upon History

Subtitle: Statesmanship, Diplomacy, and Foreign Policy since 1903

Author: Robin Higham, Mark Parillo, Richard B. Myers USAF (Ret.)

Narrator: Todd A Wilson

Format: Unabridged

Length: 10 hrs and 30 mins

Language: English

Release date: 01-26-16

Publisher: University Press Audiobooks

Ratings: 3.5 of 5 out of 5 votes

Genres: History, Military

Publisher's Summary:

From early zeppelins, to the Luftwaffe and the Enola Gay, to the unmanned aerial vehicles of today, air power has long been regarded as an invaluable instrument of war. However, nations have employed aircraft for many other purposes as well; they provide security and surveillance, and they are vital to myriad diplomatic and humanitarian efforts. Air power has become a means for statesmen to advance a variety of goals, opening up new possibilities and problems in times of peace as well as war.

The Influence of Air Power upon History examines the many ways in which aviation technology has impacted policymaking since 1903. It analyzes air strategy in nations around the world and explores how a country's presumed technological capability, or lack thereof, has become a crucial aspect of diplomacy. Together, the essays in this insightful volume offer a greater understanding of the history of military force and diplomatic relations in the global community.

Critic Reviews:

"This outstanding collection of essays delves into the complex nature of airpower in its first century and illustrates its profound impact on national growth and strategy. Highly recommended." (John B. Lundstrom, author of Black Shoe Carrier Admiral)

"A significant contribution to the fields of aviation history, military history, and defense policy... This is essential reading for student and scholar and also will be of interest to buffs." (Kenneth P. Werrell, author of Death from the Heavens: A History of Strategic Bombing)

"The Influence of Airpower upon History is an important book for scholars of aviation history." (Israel Journal of Foreign Affairs)

Members Reviews:

Adequate survey, poor narration.

By and large, this was a satisfactory survey of air power. However, there were some weaknesses. The narrator sounded like a computer-generated voice and was therefore distracting. Also, the inclusion of the essay by Rene De La Pejadra diminished the overall quality of the book. Pejadra spent most of his time bashing the United States and praising Castro, rather than discussing air power. Nonetheless, the remainder of the essays adequately discussed air power.

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Title: The Nightingale - by Kristin Hannah

Subtitle: Unofficial & Independent Summary & Analysis

Author: Leopard Books

Narrator: James H. Kiser

Format: Unabridged

Length: 35 mins

Language: English

Release date: 01-06-16

Publisher: Leopard Books LLC

Ratings: 3.5 of 5 out of 9 votes

Genres: History, Military

Publisher's Summary:

The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah | A 15-minute summary and analysis

Preview:

The Nightingale takes listeners into the world of German-occupied France during WWII. Set against the backdrop of war, the author explores the themes of love, family, and survival. The story unfolds in two sometimes intersecting plot lines - those of sisters Vianne Mauriac and Isabelle Rossignol - and follows their experiences during the war. The two women view and react to the war in very different ways but ultimately are united by their shared commitment to family and the will to live. The book explores the difficult choices both women are forced to make time and time again as the war continues to devastate France.

Please note: This is a summary and analysis of the book, not the original book.

This companion includes the following:

This analysis fills the gap, making you understand more while enhancing your book experience.

Members Reviews:

Horrible editing and typos abound

Horrible editing and typos abound. Cheesy, shallow, and NO in depth summary or review. A 2nd grader wrote and edited this. NOT WORTH THE PRICE.

Three Stars

Ordered the wrong thing! My fault. Thought that the book was the novel itself. Not so.

Three Stars

Helpful in leading discussion.

Total disappointment-waste of time!

This book was recommended by a friend and was a total disappointment. It would have been better to read the book itself.

I read the summary along with reading the book. ...

I read the summary along with reading the book. It was helpful but definitely needs to have proofreading. Several typos.

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Title: Siege at Jadotville

Subtitle: The Irish Armys Forgotten Battle

Author: Declan Power

Narrator: Gerard Doyle

Format: Unabridged

Length: 6 hrs and 45 mins

Language: English

Release date: 12-31-15

Publisher: Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Ratings: 4.5 of 5 out of 22 votes

Genres: History, Military

Publisher's Summary:

The Irish soldier has never been a stranger to fighting the enemy with the odds stacked against him. The notion of charging into adversity has been a cherished part of Ireland's military history. In September 1961, another chapter should have been written into the annals, but it is a tale that lay shrouded in dust for years.

The men of A Company, 35th Irish Infantry Battalion, arrived in the Congo as a United Nations contingent to help keep the peace. For many it would be their first trip outside their native shores. Some of the troops were teenage boys, their army-issue hobnailed boots still unbroken. They had never heard a shot fired in anger. Others were experienced professional soldiers but were still not prepared for the action that was to take place.

Led by Commandant Pat Quinlan, A Company found themselves tasked with protecting the European population at Jadotville, a small mining town in the Southern Congolese province of Katanga. It fell to A Company to protect those who would later turn against them. On September 13, 1961, the bright morning air of Jadotville was shattered by the sound of automatic gunfire. The men of A Company found their morning mass parade interrupted, and within minutes they went from holding rosaries to rifles as they entered the world of combat. This was to be no Srebrenica; though cut off and surrounded, the men of Jadotville held their ground and fought. This is their story.

Members Reviews:

Fitting tribute to those who fought.

Exhaustive and compelling - a thorough study of the events leading to and during the battle at Jadotville in The Congo in September 1961 with clear, polished, and well-paced reading.

Unknown Hero's!

Great Book! Really enjoyed it. Great insight into a small bit of history that was covered up.

History rewritten and a cover up revealed!

Having recently viewed the Netflix release of this story I was propelled to discover more of this story. Being Irish I was curious as to the reasons behind the cover up of information regarding this event in history. This story is well written, not too complex or confusing in language. It is also clearly narrated. This audiobook is truly worth giving your time to listen and reflect upon its contents.

politics vs soldiers

Politicians and soldiers serve their country in very different ways. One at the expense of the other.

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Title: Mighty by Sacrifice

Subtitle: The Destruction of an American Bomber Squadron, August 29, 1944

Author: James L. Noles Sr., James L. Noles Jr.

Narrator: Jim Seitz

Format: Unabridged

Length: 11 hrs and 49 mins

Language: English

Release date: 12-04-15

Publisher: University Press Audiobooks

Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 15 votes

Genres: History, Military

Publisher's Summary:

On August 29, 1944, the 15th US Army Air Force unleashed 500 bombers against oil and rail targets throughout central Europe. It dispatched the 20th Squadron of the Second Bombardment Group on what they regarded as an easy assignment: attack the Privoser Oil Refinery and associated railroad yards at Moravska Ostrava, Czechoslovakia. This "milk run" deteriorated into the bloodiest day in the Second Bombardment Group's history: not a single one of the 20th Squadron's B-17 Flying Fortress bombers returned from the mission. Forty airmen were killed, another 46 spent the rest of the war as POWs, and only four, with the aid of the OSS and anti-German partisans, and sympathetic Czech civilians managed to evade capture.

The 90 airmen on the mission to Moravska Ostrava provide a remarkable personal window into the Allies' Combined Bomber Offensive at its height during WWII. In a microcosm, their stories encapsulate how the US Army Air Forces built, trained, and employed one of the mightiest war machines ever seen. Their stories also illustrate, however, the terrible cost in lives demanded by that same machine.

Critic Reviews:

"Brilliantly captures the sights, sounds, and fury of the bomber war in World War II. From the fast-paced action of pilots outmaneuvering strafing FW 190s to the adrenaline-charged stress of a tail gunner's position, this ground-breaking book puts the reader into the lethal skies of Central Europe in the summer of 1944." (Patrick O'Donnell, author of We Were One, The Brenner Assignment and They Dared Return)

"This is a great story that deserves to be told.... The authors do such a wonderful job of relating the terror and speed of aerial combat." (Stephen L. McFarland, coauthor of To Command the Sky: The Battle for Air Superiority over Germany, 19421944)

Members Reviews:

BORING

What disappointed you about Mighty by Sacrifice?

Too wordy, long winded, too long to get to the point.

NO action!

What could James L. Noles Sr. and James L. Noles Jr. have done to make this a more enjoyable book for you?

I'm not a writer but this book has no story.

What didnt you like about Jim Seitzs performance?

He's good.

What reaction did this book spark in you? Anger, sadness, disappointment?

Longing for the story to begin.

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Title: Special Operations in World War II

Subtitle: British and American Irregular Warfare - Campaigns and Commanders Series

Author: Andrew L. Hargreaves

Narrator: Douglas R. Pratt

Format: Unabridged

Length: 12 hrs and 59 mins

Language: English

Release date: 12-04-15

Publisher: University Press Audiobooks

Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 2 votes

Genres: History, Military

Publisher's Summary:

British and American commanders first used modern Special Forces in support of conventional military operations during World War II. Since then, although special ops have featured prominently in popular culture and media coverage of wars, the academic study of irregular warfare has remained as elusive as the practitioners of special operations themselves. This book is the first comprehensive study of the development, application, and value of Anglo-American commando and Special Forces units during the Second World War. Andrew L. Hargreaves not only describes tactics and operations but also outlines the distinctions between commandos and special forces, traces their evolution during the war, explains how the Anglo-American alliance functioned in the creation and use of these units, looks at their command and control arrangements, evaluates their impact, and assesses their cost-effectiveness.

The first real impetus for the creation of British specialist formations came in the desperate summer of 1940 when, having been pushed out of Europe following defeat in France and the Low Countries, Britain began to turn to irregular forces in an effort to wrest back the strategic initiative from the enemy. The development of Special Forces by the United States was also a direct consequence of defeat. After Pearl Harbor, Hargreaves shows, the Americans found themselves in much the same position as Britain had been in 1940: shocked, outnumbered, and conventionally defeated, they were unable to come to grips with the enemy on a large scale. By the end of the war, a variety of these units had overcome a multitude of evolutionary hurdles and made valuable contributions to practically every theater of operation.

Members Reviews:

Like listening to paint dry

What would have made Special Operations in World War II better?

Listening to this book I would have shot myself as it was so dull

What could Andrew L. Hargreaves have done to make this a more enjoyable book for you?

Gone to the pub

Who might you have cast as narrator instead of Douglas R. Pratt?

No one

Not written to be an audiobook.

Although the subject is interesting the writing style is ponderous and tedious. I found it really annoying, and it's on a subject that fascinates me.

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Title: Vulcan Boys

Subtitle: From the Cold War to the Falklands: True Tales of the Iconic Delta V Bomber

Author: Tony Blackman

Narrator: Roger Davis

Format: Unabridged

Length: 11 hrs and 17 mins

Language: English

Release date: 10-29-15

Publisher: Grub Street Publishing LTD

Ratings: 4.5 of 5 out of 30 votes

Genres: History, Military

Publisher's Summary:

The Vulcan, the second of the three V bombers built to guard the UK during the Cold War, has become an aviation icon like the Spitfire, its delta shape instantly recognizable, as is the howling noise it makes when the engines are opened for takeoff. Vulcan Boys is the first Vulcan book recounted completely firsthand by the operators themselves. It tells the story of the aircraft from its design conception through the Cold War, when it played out its most important job as Britain's nuclear deterrent - before unbelievably, at the end of its service life, also playing a significant role, with its bombs and missiles, in liberating the Falkland Islands, for which it gained much celebrity. The individual accounts detail how hours at a time were spent on readiness, waiting to be scrambled to defend their country in the event of a third world war. In addition they detail how their aggressive skills were honed by carrying out Lone Ranger sorties flying to the States and westward around the world and taking part in Giant Voice and Red Flag, competitive exercises against the United States Strategic Air Command. The attacks in the Falklands using Shrike missiles are described accurately and in great detail for the first time, including the landing at Rio de Janeiro alongside a vivid account of Black Buck 2. Vulcan Boys is a fascinating and completely authentic listen, reminding us of the Cold War, how it was fought, and the considerable effort required to prevent all-out nuclear war.

Members Reviews:

a compelling work but slow to start

This is a great book about a very interesting aircraft and amazing people who flew it. Because it is first-person accounts, there are a few not as gifted storytellers. a few of the first stories particularly were dull but the vast majority of the book was very well-told and fascinating.

Loved It

A great audiobook sharing first hand stories from the operators who flew the Vulcan. Loved every minute of it

Excellent listening

this book is a brilliant account of the vulcan from test flight the its disbandment.. well read out

Dreadful narration

Any additional comments?

I only managed to listen for about three hours until I could no longer listen to the narration of this audiobook. I was just about coping with the strange staccato style, but could no longer concentrate on what was being said when the narrator broke into a comedy Australian accent when narrating a section written by an antipodean. Probably an interesting book, but the narration is too distracting.

Sonoian558

This really is an excellent account of Vulcan operations in its military and civil roles. A fitting tribute to the design team; and those men in the Royal Air Force who flew the aircraft, and maintained it. My late father was an engineer with the Vulcan and served at Scampton, Waddington, and Akrotiri with them. He also served with Valiants and Victors in both their bomber and tanker roles. Undoubtedly the Vulcan was always his favourite. This book is a truly good historical record for generations to come. Well done.

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Title: Being Silent They Speak

Subtitle: The Story of a WWII Submarine Unbeaten

Author: David JB Smith

Narrator: Alexander MacDonald

Format: Unabridged

Length: 8 hrs and 51 mins

Language: English

Release date: 09-30-15

Publisher: Stand-Easy

Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 4 votes

Genres: History, Military

Publisher's Summary:

His Majesty's Submarine Unbeaten was last heard from via a signal sent to Flag Officer Submarines on November 1, 1942. The signal simply stated: "Operation Bluestone completed". After this date the 58-meter British U-Class submarine inexplicably disappeared. Unbeaten was fully operational for just over two years. During its short tenure, Unbeaten successfully returned to war-torn Malta many times, symbolically flying its Jolly Roger. Being Silent They Speak endeavors to highlight the varied triumphs, tragedies, events and sacrifices of submarine life during World War II. This meticulously researched true story follows Unbeaten through its build at Vickers of Barrow, its war deployment to Malta and back, and then on to the submarine's final departure from Holy Loch. The crew of Unbeaten were the last to see the legendary British submarine HMS/M Upholder before commanding officer Lt. David Wanklyn VC and his indomitable crew also disappeared forever.

Several submarines have had books written about them. Unbeaten's activities were no less daring than those of Upholder or any other submarine taking part in World War II.

Exactly 70 years on, this compelling and revealing book encompasses all of Unbeaten's war patrols and expands on its final clandestine tasking in November 1942. The account of this secret operation concludes with an extreme twist of fate, which could leave the final chapter open forever and the last crew of Unbeaten still on patrol.

Members Reviews:

an ok story, not terribly exciting

overall it's not a bad tale, but also nothing particularly exciting ether. It's a shame the book Iron Coffins is not available, that is an exciting and captivating book.

one thing in particular that stands out is that the author constantly refers to the Captain as just " Teddy Woodward ". I'm not sure of English tradition, but having been in the US Navy, we would never have referred to our Captain the way, no matter how familiar he might have been. To me it suggests he's just a civilian casually ij charge of a submarine and just one of the guys...terribly disrespectful in my opinion.

I think I could have better spent my credit on another title. Red Star Rogue is a good pick. Pick this up on sale, not at full price and not for a valuable credit. Sorry.

Not Quite What I Expected ...

being heavily interested in submarine warfare, I came across this book in

the belief that it would give the reader a vivid, visceral and detailed

account of life aboard the HMS Unbeaten during its patrols in the second

world war. However, unfortunately, this is not quite what I got in this

read. The book itself is well researched and written but the mistake I made

by assigning this book a greater level of expectation was soon realized.

I had made the assumption that this book

would be largely made up of diary entries and memoirs from those that left

the boat before its demise and would provide a more immersive telling of the

exploits of this British submarine during its various war patrols.

To be fair, the book does make use of first hand accounts and very limited

diary entries but for the most part is put together more from a third

persons research than a first person set of accounts.

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Title: Rising Sun Victorious

Subtitle: Alternate Histories of the Pacific War

Author: Peter G. Tsouras

Narrator: David Baker

Format: Unabridged

Length: 9 hrs and 40 mins

Language: English

Release date: 08-18-15

Publisher: Audible Studios

Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 13 votes

Genres: History, Military

Publisher's Summary:

In war, victory can be held hostage to seemingly insignificant incidents - chance events, opportunities seized or cast aside - that can derail the most brilliant military strategies and change the course of history. What if the Japanese had conquered India and driven out the British? What if the strategic link between the United States and Australia had been severed? What if Vice Admiral Nagumo had launched a third attack on Pearl Harbor? What if the US Navy's gamble at Midway had backfired?

Ten leading military historians ask these and other questions in this fascinating book. The war with Japan was rife with difficult choices and battles that could have gone either way. These fact-based alternate scenarios offer intriguing insights into what might have happened in the Pacific during World War II and what the consequences would have been for America.

Members Reviews:

victorious

Not bad, a few of the summarise's were out there ,most had good historical a d military sense.