Discover the Best Sellers Audiobooks in History, European

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Title: Gestapo

Author: Edward Crankshaw

Narrator: Nicholas Guy Smith

Format: Unabridged

Length: 7 hrs and 36 mins

Language: English

Release date: 05-30-13

Publisher: Audible Studios

Ratings: 3.5 of 5 out of 6 votes

Genres: History, European

Publisher's Summary:

The Grim story of the most vicious Terror Agency of all time - its sinister power and barbaric acts, and the twisted men who led it - Hitler, Himmler, and Eichmann. This is the brutal expose of the rotten core of Nazi Germany. Here is revealed the true story of Hitler's terror police, the in-famous Gestapo-the madmen who headed it, the sadists who staffed it, the degenerate party that spawned it.

Edward Crankshaw (1909 - 1984) was a British writer, translator and commentator on Soviet affairs. Born in London, Crankshaw was educated in the Nonconformist public school, Bishop's Stortford College in Hertfordshire. He started working as a journalist for a few months at The Times. In the 1930s he lived in Vienna, Austria, teaching English and learning German (his competent grasp of German caused him to become part of the British Intelligence service during World War II). On his return he went back to write for The Times and began to write reviews-mostly musical-for The Spectator, The Bookman, and other periodicals. Crankshaw wrote around 40 books on Austrian and Russian subjects and after the war began his research in much more depth. Crankshaw's book on Nazi terror, Gestapo (1956), was widely read and in 1963 he began to produce the ambitious literary works, often on historical or monumental moments in Russian Political history.

Members Reviews:

Horrific and Fascinating

All at once juridical and fascinating, repellant and irresistible. A true horror story.

Narration was excellent, well written and thought provoking I didn't want it to end.

Interesting book

This is an old book was written in the 1950's but is worth listing to, the narrator gets the odd wrong and some of the accents at times are a bit naff but overall all does a decent job.

Very good

Well written and well narrated but for the love of god, can you employ a narrator that has a thorough knowledge of the English language and knows how to pronounce words like "scourge"? Also, if they're going to be narrating a book to do with nazi Germany then can they also be able to pronounce German words and names too?!

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Title: The Friar of Carcassonne

Subtitle: Revolt Against the Inquisition in the Last Days of the Cathars

Author: Stephen O'Shea

Narrator: Derek Perkins

Format: Unabridged

Length: 7 hrs and 26 mins

Language: English

Release date: 03-02-13

Publisher: Audible Studios for Bloomsbury

Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 24 votes

Genres: History, European

Publisher's Summary:

In 1300, the French region of Languedoc had been cowed under the authority of both Rome and France since Pope Innocent III 's Albigensian Crusade nearly a century earlier. That crusade almost wiped out the Cathars, a group of heretical Christians whose beliefs threatened the authority of the Catholic Church. But decades of harrowing repression - enforced by the ruthless Pope Boniface VIII; the Machiavellian French King Philip the Fair, of France; and the pitiless grand inquisitor of Toulouse; Bernard Gui (the villain in The Name of the Rose) - had bred resentment. In the city of Carcassonne, anger at the abuses of the Inquisition reached a boiling point and a great orator and fearless rebel emerged to unite the resistance among Cathar and Catholic alike. The people rose up, led by the charismatic Franciscan friar Bernard Dlicieux and for a time reclaimed control of their lives and communities.

Having written the acclaimed chronicle of the Cathars The Perfect Heresy, Stephen O'Shea returns to the medieval world to chronicle a rare and remarkable story of personal courage and principle standing up to power, amidst the last vestiges of the endlessly fascinating Cathar world.

Members Reviews:

Fascinating

This one's worth your time. The story is riveting, the window into a period that's rarely taught is valuable, and the man at the center of the book is exceptional. The author hits the right balance between scholarship and entertainment. And the vocal performance is good (although a little over done in a few moments).

Listen closely

An important story of an important man, but hard to follow for unfamiliar names and places, and who played what roll. My ears perked up and I focused during scenes of torture or the mention of places I've visited and recognized, and then I'd drift off during the politics and background regarding a new character to the story. I need to listen to it all again.

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Title: The Holy Place

Subtitle: Sauniere and the Decoding of the Mystery of Rennes-le-Chateau

Author: Henry Lincoln

Narrator: Gregory Nassif St. John

Format: Unabridged

Length: 4 hrs and 22 mins

Language: English

Release date: 02-23-13

Publisher: Audible Studios

Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 6 votes

Genres: History, European

Publisher's Summary:

In this book Henry Lincoln proposes that there is a huge outdoor temple in the Languadoc region of France, surrounding a "Pentacle" of Mountains and prominently featuring the hamlet of Rennes-le-Chateau. This temple, according to the author, was built using the English units of mile and rod.

Editorial Reviews:

In The Holy Place: Sauniere and the Decoding of the Mystery of Rennes-le-Chateau, former Dr. Who writer Henry Lincoln continues the titillating historical conjecture that formed the basis of The Holy Blood and the Holy Grail, the inspiration for Dan Brown's The Da Vinci Code. Throughout, narrator Gregory Nassif St John channels Lincoln's amazement with emphatic statements and dramatic pauses, as he first chances across a paperback novel called Le Trésor Maudit (The Accursed Treasure), and then slowly unravels the book's secret code revealing a massive outdoor temple in the Languedoc. Chilling and compelling, The Holy Place will cast a spell on listeners seeking the kind of intrigue they enjoyed in Dan Brown's popular story.

Members Reviews:

"More, more, and technical Holy Blood Holy Grail"

This is another of the Da Vinci Code related books by the co-author of Holy Blood Holy Grail. The book reviews the source La Tresor Maudit, initially read by Lincoln, which started this industry. Lincoln takes the case further with sacred geometry that he found in the landscape around Rennes La Chateau in the Languedoc of Southern France. He has discovered pentacles in the landscape coincident with natural and man-made landmarks in the region. Although I have not comprehend all of it, I used this book to explore this area on two occasions and this area is "A Holy Place." The author also feels and believes this in that he spends most of his days in the area still investigating.

This book is a good reference for the historical understanding of why this area is so interesting. The reader can be challenged by the diagrams and the complex cyphers contained in the book. I highly recommend this book for the student of this topic but do not recommend it for the recreational reader. This book will accompany me again when I return to the region.

Mind blowing

This is an amazing piece of work. Lincoln's discovery of the alignment of villages and churches in the Languedoc is truly inspired. Is the area really a giant temple? The alignments and distances are too perfect to be coincidence. I recommend this book.

worth a thought - maybe

Henry Lincoln has written about the mystery of Rennes-le-Chateau before, and he has produced British TV specials that have been well received. His new book was to be a further investigation into that same mystery, seeing if there's still gold in that vein (and judging by all of the seriously bad books published every year on the subject, that is still plenty).

The first couple of chapters rehash the well known story of Sauniere, the two coded parchments, the tombstones and Poussin's Shepherds of Arcadia, all of which appear in every book at least feigning research into Rennes. I found the decoding work to be interesting and fairly convincing. I am no cryptologist but it seemed to make sense. That takes up to page 65.

From there, Lincoln takes a detour from which he never returns.

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Title: A Brief History of Britain 1851 to 2010

Subtitle: Brief Histories

Author: Jeremy Black

Narrator: Roger Davis

Format: Unabridged

Length: 12 hrs and 23 mins

Language: English

Release date: 02-07-13

Publisher: Audible Studios

Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 4 votes

Genres: History, European

Publisher's Summary:

From the Great Exhibition to the Credit Crunch - the transformation of Britain from the world's greatest nation to the present day

In 1851 Queen Victoria opened the Great Exhibition in Hyde Park. It was the high water mark of English achievement - the nation at the forefront of the Industrial Revolution, at the heart of a burgeoning Empire, with a queen who would reign for another 50 years. In the following 150 years, the fate of the nation has faced turmoil and transformation. But it is too simple to talk of decline? Has Great Britain sacrificed its identity in order to stay part of the present world order?

Leading historian Jeremy Black completes the landmark four volume Brief History of Britain series with a brilliant, insightful examination of how present day Britain was formed.

About the author: Jeremy Black is one of the most respected historians, described by Andrew Roberts as the most underrated thinker in Britain. He is the professor of History at Exeter University and a renowned expert on the history of war. This title will be his 100th published work in an impressive oeuvre that has covered numerous subjects. He appears regularly on TV and radio, including BBC Radio 4's In Our Time.

Members Reviews:

Infuriating dates and conversions

I found the audio book very frustrating. Everytime a character is mentioned for the first time the narrator gives dates eg life span (1895 to 1948); period spent as MP etc. Similarly all measurements are given in imperial and then metric units and to 2 decimal places. So infuriating. Eventually I was so distracted by this that It spoilt the experience.

If this was an ebook I'm sure it would not be so annoying as it's easy to ignore such detail, But as it's audio it becomes very annoying.

Poor!

What disappointed you about A Brief History of Britain 1851 to 2010?

The author has split the era into two periods 1851 -1931 and 1931 to 2010. The history is thematic, ie deals with the total sub periods in terms of individual themes such as women's rights, welfare state etc. This is disconcerting in that he may be dealing with events of the 1930s and then slips back to 1850 for the next set. The author deals with broad trends and progressions utterly devoid of any reference to human personality. One of the great dramas of Victorian Britain was the political tension between Gladstone and Disraeli which informs much of the political and legislative history of the later 19th century. Not a word! The author seems to think that statistics, which he appears to love, are a substitute of living historical figures. He projects no feeling for the era or those who lived through it. It also requires a fairly detailed knowledge of British history and life before reading it eg what are non British readers to make of "ASBOs" which are mentioned but unexplained? Very disappointing. Very boring.

Would you ever listen to anything by Jeremy Black again?

Unlikely

Which scene did you most enjoy?

None come to mind

You didnt love this book--but did it have any redeeming qualities?

Nicely read

I shall listen to this again

There was so much information such as culture, economy the lot. I have read many histories of England, I found this really interesting.

Enjoy.

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Title: A Brief History of Britain 1066-1485

Subtitle: Brief Histories

Author: Nicholas Vincent

Narrator: Roger Davis

Format: Unabridged

Length: 18 hrs and 5 mins

Language: English

Release date: 01-07-13

Publisher: Audible Studios

Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 52 votes

Genres: History, European

Publisher's Summary:

From the Norman Conquest to the Battle of Bosworth Field - how Britain was invaded and became a nation. The first volume in the stunning four-volume Brief History of Britain series. From the Battle of Hastings to the Battle of Bosworth Field, Nicholas Vincent tells the story of how Britain was born. When William, Duke of Normandy, killed King Harold and seized the throne of England, Englands language, culture, politics, and law were transformed.

Over the next 400 years, under royal dynasties that looked principally to France for inspiration and ideas, an English identity was born, based in part upon struggle for control over the other parts of the British Isles (Scotland, Wales, and Ireland), in part upon rivalry with the kings of France. From these struggles emerged English law and an English Parliament, the English language, English humour, and Englands first overseas empires. In this thrilling and accessible account, Nicholas Vincent not only tells the story of the rise and fall of dynasties, but investigates the lives and obsessions of a host of lesser men and women, from archbishops to peasants, and from soldiers to scholars, upon whose enterprise the social and intellectual foundations of Englishness now rest.

This the first book in the four-volume Brief History of Britain which brings together some of the leading historians to tell our nations story from the Norman Conquest of 1066 to the present day. Combining the latest research with accessible and entertaining storytelling, it is the ideal introduction for students and general readers.

Nicholas Vincent has published half a dozen books and some fifty academic articles on various aspects of English and European history in the 12th and 13th centuries. He has studied at Oxford, Cambridge, Paris, and Canterbury and now is professor at the University of East Anglia.

Members Reviews:

Skating over an interesting period of history

I guess I shouldn't be surprised that there is little depth in this book as it is called A Brief History of Britain but I was disappointed at how little depth there was.

I find the conquest and then subjugation of the Britons and Anglo Saxons by the Normans fascinating - the way british collective personality seemed to develop at this time, the tenacity of the english language and the development of democratic government is so interesting but its not discussed in much depth which was frustrating.

The Wars of the Roses was dealt with very curtly and again this was disappointing.

I recommend this book as a primer - theres so much more to discover if you scratch the surface - this book really doesn't scratch very deeply at all.

This is excellent! Very well-done!

I'm not from England, but for some reason I'm obsessed with English history. Despite all the books I've read on the subject, there were definitely a few issues that left me confused. This series of books has a different author for each, who specialize in that particular time frame, with the same fantastic narrator.

This book starts with William the Conqueror and the Norman invasion at the Battle of Hastings; it ends with Henry Tudor at the Battle of Bosworth Field, where the sketchy Richard III is killed, thus ending the War of the Roses.

Incredibly well-written and well-read! It is a great story and is never dry or boring. If anything, this made me want to read more English history...

Speaking of, I'm starting part two already...

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Title: A Brief History of Robin Hood: The True History Behind the Legend

Subtitle: Brief Histories

Author: Nigel Cawthowne

Narrator: Eleanor David

Format: Unabridged

Length: 6 hrs and 9 mins

Language: English

Release date: 12-22-12

Publisher: Audible Studios

Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 11 votes

Genres: History, European

Publisher's Summary:

Who was Robin Hood? Throughout history the figures of the hooded man of Sherwood Forest and his band of outlaws have transfixed readers, listeners, and viewers; but where does the myth come from?

The story appeared out of the legend of the Green man, but found its location during the reign of Richard I, the Lionheart, who was away from England fighting in the crusades. In his absence, his brother John laid waste to the country.

But does this tell the full story? Was Robin a bandit prince ahead of a troop of brigands? Who was the Sherriff and was he in fact the legitimate law in the land fighting vigilantes?

Members Reviews:

For the love of Robin

This is a good book, and it was well read. It does lean more to the scholarly side that the action, adventure so be warned. Nigel Cawthowne does a great job exploring both the origins of the legend of Robin Hood and looking at how the legend has changed over time. While he doesn't pin down the real Robin Hood, I did find it interesting to find out how many parts of the legend can be tied to historical events and people.

Very well done

If you could sum up A Brief History of Robin Hood: The True History Behind the Legend in three words, what would they be?

Very well done

What other book might you compare A Brief History of Robin Hood: The True History Behind the Legend to and why?

The Legend of King Arthur

What does Eleanor David bring to the story that you wouldnt experience if you just read the book?

Reality. She helped make Robin Hood real. I thoroughly enjoyed that.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

The real story of Robin Hood

Very interesting

This was a very interesting summary of the various strands to the Robin Hood legend.

worst audio book performance ever

Some random woman goes "Oh, I am not an actress, but I can read out your audio book " and this is the end result.

Awful.

I am sure the book has excellent content, but the audio performance is woeful and deeply irritating. She gabbles away. Can't act. Doesn't try. Its a complete farce.

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Title: A Brief History of Life in Victorian Britain

Author: Michael Paterson

Narrator: Mark Meadows

Format: Unabridged

Length: 11 hrs and 25 mins

Language: English

Release date: 12-21-12

Publisher: Audible Studios

Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 78 votes

Genres: History, European

Publisher's Summary:

How a nation grew into an empire and the birth of a modern society

The Victorian era has dominated the popular imagination like no other period, but these myths and stories also give a very distorted view of the 19th century. The early Victorians were much stranger than we usually imagine, and their world would have felt very different from our own. It was only during the long reign of the Queen that a modern society emerged in unexpected ways.

Using character portraits, events, and key moments, Paterson brings the real life of Victorian Britain alive - from the lifestyles of the aristocrats to the lowest ranks of the London slums. This includes the right way to use a fan, why morning visits were conducted in the afternoon, what the Victorian family ate, and how they enjoyed their free time, as well as the Victorian legacy today: convenience food, coffee bars, window shopping, mass media, and celebrity culture.

Critic Reviews:

"Out of the babble of voices, Michael Paterson has been able to extract the essence of London itself. Read this book and re-enter the labyrinth of a now-ancient city." (Peter Ackroyd)

Members Reviews:

Brief, But Insightful

The biggest criticism anyone will ever find on a "Brief History Of" book is how much is left out. There are volumes upon volumes of histories of Victorian Britain out there, but this one is a social history. Names, dates, and events are used as touchstones here and nothing more; the real attraction is the Victorian society itself. The etiquette, protocol, fashion, habits, beliefs, attitudes, and lifestyles are put under the spotlight. Everything from bowler hats and hoopskirts to calling cards, curry, technological innovation, and Imperialism are looked at in terms of what it means to have these things as a part of everyday life. The queen herself and her prince consort are given a brief biography with the understanding that their examples set the stage for the transitions that had already begun when Victoria took the throne and seeing them through to the beginnings of the first world war. As an entry point into this era of history, this book is perfect for understanding why things were as they were, and it provides several launching points for further exploration. For those who already have the history under their belts, this book fleshes it all out from a more human perspective than a dry narrative might otherwise provide.

Mark Meadows is a fantastic narrator for this. His easy-going delivery makes this book even easier to connect with, and the result is the brief time you spend will seem even more brief if you're remotely inclined towards the subject matter.

Very well done!

As brief histories go, this one is extremely well done. Paterson's social history of Queen Victoria's reign is short on generalizations and dense with well-organized and meaty information about everything from architecture and furnishings to food and fashion. He stresses in particular the social revolutions that took place thanks to innovations in transportation and literacy during the Victorian era.

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Title: How the French Invented Love

Subtitle: Nine Hundred Years of Passion and Romance

Author: Marilyn Yalom

Narrator: Christine Williams

Format: Unabridged

Length: 10 hrs and 46 mins

Language: English

Release date: 10-23-12

Publisher: Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 28 votes

Genres: History, European

Publisher's Summary:

Spanning the Middle Ages to the present, How the French Invented Love explores a love-obsessed culture through its great works of literature, interlacing the authors charming personal anecdotes. This fascinating history will particularly delight fans of Alain de Botton, Adam Gopnik, and Simon Schama.

Love occupies an honored place in the French sense of identity, on a par with fashion, food, wine, and the rights of man. A Frenchman or woman without amorous desire is considered defective, like someone missing the sense of smell or taste. For hundreds of years, the French have championed themselves as guides to the art of love through their literature, paintings, songs, and cinema, yet no English book has seriously addressed the subject of French ideas about love. No one has followed the roadmap of French literary landmarks, which explore every nuance of love as it evolved over the centuriesuntil now.

In How the French Invented Love, acclaimed scholar Marilyn Yalom distills her readings of French literary works and the memories of her experiences in France to discover the central tenets of that cultures gospel of love. In the process, she examines almost a thousand years of divine culture in search of the intimate moments that reveal how the particularly French concept of lamour has endured and evolved.

Marilyn Yalom is a senior scholar at the Institute for Women and Gender at Stanford University. She is the author of A History of the Wife, A History of the Breast, Blood Sisters: The French Revolution in Womens Memory, and Maternity, Mortality, and the Literature of Madness. She lives in Palo Alto, California, with her husband, psychiatrist and writer Irvin Yalom.

Critic Reviews:

Seductive and fascinating. Marilyn Yalom is the perfect companion for this delightfully candid tour de lamour. (Diane Ackerman, New York Times best-selling author)

"Marilyn Yalom is a charming guide on an exploration of desire, romance, sex, and passion à la française. Like a detective on a steamy case, Yalom digs through literature and life, uncovering the mysteries of lamour. How the French Invented Love will surely seduce you." (Ellen Sussman, New York Times best selling author of French Lessons)

"Enchanting. At the heart of this delicious book is Yalom the reader, whose fascination with the French way of love and pleasure in sharing her enthusiasms is highly contagious. Readers will want to run to the library and stay there for a year, reading everything she deconstructs." (Publishers Weekly)

Members Reviews:

interesting, and a turn on

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Yes. The many friends I have who are into pleasure, sex, passion and the history and herstory of romantic love

Any additional comments?

this book is definitely a turn on. though its not pornographic or vulgar at all. its about juicy and passionate love. Love that has one main purpose: personal pleasure.

The author describes the evolution and the many faces of this juicy and passionate love by analyzing French literature, documents (such as lover letters) and culture throughout the ages.

I have always found the French culture interesting, and attractive for many reasons, so I found the book interesting for many reasons. This book was more about literature than life, for my taste.

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Title: The Northern Ireland Conflict: Bolinda Beginner Guides

Author: Aaron Edwards, Cillian McGrattan

Narrator: Richard Aspel

Format: Unabridged

Length: 7 hrs and 4 mins

Language: English

Release date: 07-03-12

Publisher: Bolinda Publishing Pty Ltd

Ratings: 3 of 5 out of 7 votes

Genres: History, European

Publisher's Summary:

The Northern Ireland conflict is one of the most protracted, bitter, and complex campaigns of terrorism the Western world has ever seen. Since the Good Friday Agreement in 1998, the region has come a long way, finally achieving a hard-won peace. Yet hostility between Unionists and Nationalists is as strong as ever, communities remain divided, and sectarian violence is rife. Edwards and McGrattans balanced introduction skilfully dissects the Troubles to offer fresh perspectives on their complicated history and legacy. Containing interviews with influential figures from both communities, this landmark work will help anyone seeking a better understanding of the ongoing dispute over Northern Ireland.

Editorial Reviews:

Dr. Aaron Edwards and Cillian McGrattan, experts in political science, here provide an important guide to the Northern Ireland Conflict. The audiobook is especially for beginners, and no prior knowledge of the conflict is assumed by the authors. In fact, they break down the feud's complexities into understandable components - the political, religious, social, and cultural. Richard Aspel narrates, his voice charmingly energetic. With these seven hours of information - including quotes and interviews from important political leaders - listeners should feel confident that this audio will bring them up to date on Irish politics.

Members Reviews:

inaccurate and nothing new

nothing new in this book that you couldnt already find for yourself despite claiming to have new information.. also full of inaccuracies, for example you state that in the Holy Cross situation that nationalist men where attacked by loyalists when taking their children to school however it was an overwhelming majority of women and children that where attacked, as seen in the world media at the time and since and easily seen if researched with any degree of care

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Title: Decision in Normandy

Author: Carlo DEste

Narrator: Tom Weiner

Format: Unabridged

Length: 16 hrs and 32 mins

Language: English

Release date: 06-29-12

Publisher: Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 20 votes

Genres: History, European

Publisher's Summary:

Field Marshal Montgomerys battle plan for Normandy, following the D-day landings on June 6, 1944, resulted in one of the most controversial campaigns of the Second World War. Carlo DEstes acclaimed book gives the fullest possible account of the conception and execution of Montgomerys plan, with all its problems and complexities. It brings to light information from diaries, papers, and letters that were not available in Montgomerys lifetime and draws on interviews with senior officers who were involved in the campaign and have refrained from speaking out until now.

This is military history at its most dramatic and destined to become the definitive account of the Normandy campaign.

Carlo DEste retired from the US Army in 1978 with the rank of lieutenant colonel to write full time. Among his books are Bitter Victory; Warlord: A Life of Churchill at War, 18741945; Patton: A Genius for War; World War II in the Mediterranean, 19421945; and Eisenhower: Allied Supreme Commander.

Critic Reviews:

SuperbAn extraordinarily careful and provocative study of the Normandy campaign. (Max Hastings,

New York Timesbestselling author)

The best-researched, best-written account [of the Normandy campaign] I have ever read. (

New York Times Book Review)

A fresh perspective on the leadership of Field Marshal Bernard Montgomery and the Allied landings after D-day. (

Publishers Weekly)

Members Reviews:

Good history choice to listen to

What did you love best about Decision in Normandy?

Typically I avoid listening to history books as I'm listening on the drive to an from work and there are so many map references it's hard to follow along. Since this book was of a narrow focus there were few places to look up. If you're a history buff you won't even need to do that much.

Great meta-narrative of a tough campaign.

Would you consider the audio edition of Decision in Normandy to be better than the print version?

I haven't read the print version.

What other book might you compare Decision in Normandy to and why?

D-Day by Anthony Beevor; Max Hastings' Overlord

Which scene was your favorite?

The description of the interplay between Montgomery and his subordinates in the battle for Caen.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

No.

Any additional comments?

D'Este achieves what few have - an impartial and reasoned view of Montgomery. Given all the controversy around the man, this was refreshing. Also, Tom Weiner's performance was exceptional.

A detailed analysis of the post D-Day struggle

This book though controversial upon publication has become the standard interpretation of the struggle from Caen to Falaise and the irritations between the Allied Commanders. I believe Carlo D'Este has put forward a fair and unbiased summary of events with painstaking analysis. The crux of the thesis is unfortunately that Monty was rather mendacious in cementing his image for posterity. The sad realisation for me was that many military commanders ( and perhaps the most effective) are ultimately driven by ego and a desire for a place in dusty history books and many have to die to appease this appetite. That said, I am grateful to Monty, Bradley, Patton and Ike, and all those who served and to rid Europe of Nazism.