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Download The Second World War Audiobook

Extended Audio Sample The Second World War Audiobook, by Antony Beevor Click for printable size audiobook cover
4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 4.00 (466 ratings) (rate this audio book) Author: Antony Beevor Narrator: Sean Barrett Publisher: Hachette Book Group Format: Unabridged Audiobook Delivery: Instant Download Audio Length: Release Date: June 2012 ISBN: 9781619690189
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Over the past two decades, Antony Beevor has established himself as one of the world’s premier historians of WWII. His multi-award winning books have included Stalingrad and The Fall of Berlin 1945. Now, in his newest and most ambitious book, he turns his focus to one of the bloodiest and most tragic events of the twentieth century, the Second World War.

In this searing narrative that takes us from Hitler’s invasion of Poland on September 1, 1939 to V-J day on August 14, 1945 and the war’s aftermath, Beevor describes the conflict and its global reach—one that included every major power. The result is a dramatic and breathtaking single-volume history that provides a remarkably intimate account of the war that, more than any other, still commands attention and an audience.

Thrillingly written and brilliantly researched, Beevor’s grand and provocative account is destined to become the definitive work on this complex, tragic, and endlessly fascinating period in world history and confirms once more that he is a military historian of the first rank.

Download and start listening now!

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Quotes & Awards

  • “[A] ripping account…In some respects, the focus on the carnage is salutary, as a reminder of war’s true human cost. But it is as well to remember too that there were acts of kindness and heroism alongside the folly and murder…It is instructive to read of unimaginable slaughter; it is equally instructive to read of efforts to transcend it.”

    New York Times Book Review
  • One of Beevor's strengths is his ability to describe the day-to-day experience of ordinary soldiers: the food, the weather, the smells, the humor, the fear. . . Perhaps this is what makes Beevor's D-Day such terrific reading. It details the shattering reality of D-Day and the months of savage fighting that followed instead of offering empty mythologizing. This is that rare hardcover worth your valuable attention and money. USA Today
  • The first impression on seeing D-Day on the bookshelf might be a question, "Why yet another book on D-Day?" The answer comes through in the detailed research and exhaustive treatment of individual stories as the Allies lodged ashore and then advanced on that fateful day and after, all the way to Paris...For anyone with any interest at all in World War II in Europe, especially the time from the landings through the liberation of Paris, D-Day is the book for you. Vice-Admiral Robert F. Dunn, Washington Times
  • This is a superb book and a model of the historian's craft. It stands as the best one-volume history of this decisive military engagement. Christian Science Monitor
  • His account of atrocities on both sides, of errors committed and of surpassing bravery makes for excellent -- though often blood-soaked -- reading. Beevor gets better with each book. Kirkus Reviews
  • Glorious, horrifying...D-Day is a vibrant work of history that honors the sacrifice of tens of thousands of men and women. Time

  • “Beevor has demonstrated, through his previous book on Stalingrad, D-day, and the fall of Berlin, that he understands precisely how to balance meticulous research with captivating prose…One senses, nevertheless, that those earlier books were just building blocks to this, his magnum opus.”

    Washington Post

  • “Rich in anecdotal detail…Beevor’s book gives us the opportunity to comprehend the greatest, most dire event of the twentieth century—and tells us more about human nature than we may wish to know.”

    Washington Times

  • “A page-turner…Hypocrisy and self-sacrifice, corruption and idealism, sadism and compassion, genocide and cannibalism: Beevor brilliantly shows, at all levels, that WWII defies easy generalization.”

    Publishers Weekly (starred review)

  • “Whether a battle or an atrocity, Beevor illustrates it with one person’s experience, preventing stupefaction over his data on the millions of dead…As a summarizing introduction to WWII, Beevor’s is a fine example of the form.”

    Booklist

  • “A deeply enlightening experience. A work of vast research, depth, and insight.”

    Kirkus Reviews

Listener Opinions

  • 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Joanne Parkington | 2/13/2014

    " Anthony Beevor is truely a brilliant & gifted writer ... this is an amazing read ... don't be scared by the size of the book as the chapters fly by .... a must read for all history buff's ... excellent account of an horrific chapter in our history. "

  • 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Ssawyer | 12/14/2013

    " This book gives a very good overview of the entirety of the second world war. It is well written, but is dense and is not a quick read. It is worth the effort however. "

  • 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Tom | 11/21/2013

    " Well executed bottom up narrative that covers the European war in greater detail than the Pacific. Graphic accounts of many of the participants versus the leaders. "

  • 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Carl Hubbard | 11/10/2013

    " Another great read from Antony Beevor, with his unique perspective and writing style which makes it almost feel like you are reading a fiction narrative. I find his books very hard to put down and this chronology of WW2 is no different. "

  • 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Greg | 10/15/2013

    " One of the best WWII history books I have ever read. There was new information, new conflicts in Europe and Asia to me that I just didn't know that Mr. Beevor brought to light. After reading it, I was filled with a profound happiness that I didn't have to live through any of it as well. "

  • 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Jonathan | 9/4/2013

    " Excellently written, most of the things presented are known if you are familiar with WWII but it is written in such a way that its still enjoyable. Very well researched, and I still learned things. "

  • 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Schmidleysscribblins.wordpress.com | 8/19/2013

    " Wonderfuly written and easy to read. However, a very sad book. Must reading for anyone desiring an overview of this greatest manmade destruction. "

  • 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Mike Murdock | 5/2/2013

    " Very informative but very academic. It was written by a British author so it has a British bias in it narrative. Overall I did learn more about the eastern front and the war in China. For a very detailed look at the entire scope of WW II then this book is for you. "

  • 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Katie | 4/27/2013

    " Easy to read history. Learned things I did not know about the war. "

  • 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Le Cycliste | 2/26/2013

    " Fascinating narrative from an expert. "

  • 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Joe Faust | 12/25/2012

    " Impressive single volume history of the Second World War, filled with interesting throw-away facts and peculiarities from the era. "

  • 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Jer Hogan | 8/20/2012

    " Up to his usual good standard. Exciting and interesting with some interesting revelatons. "

  • 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Reverenddave | 8/6/2012

    " Probably the best single volume overview of WWII I have ever read. It does by far the best job in explaining and connecting the geo-political motivations behind the war and its development. Just an exceptionally impressive work. "

  • 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Jeffrey Brown | 6/22/2012

    " Anthony Beevor gets through this huge story at a cracking pace. Plenty of gripping detail and interesting insights. He has a lovely writing style, too. "

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About the Author
Author Antony Beevor

Antony Beevor is an English military historian, educated at Winchester College and Sandhurst. He is a former officer with the 11th Hussars and served in England and Germany for five years before resigning his commission. He has published several popular histories on the Second World War and the twentieth century in general, winning numerous awards and accolades, including the Samuel Johnson Prize and the Wolfson Prize for History. He is the recipient of the 2014 Lifetime Achievement Award for Military Writing of the Pritzker Military Museum and Library Literature Award. His work The Battle of Normandy was a New York Times bestseller.

About the Narrator

Sean Barrett has won over twenty Earphones Awards and two prestigious Audie Awards for his audiobook narrations. He started acting professionally at the age of twelve and has since appeared on television and in film in Minder, Brush Strokes, War and Peace, Sons and Lovers, and Return to Oz. His stage credits include performing in the West End with Noël Coward in his Suite in Three Keys. He has worked extensively on BBC Radio and has also narrated several television series, including People’s Century and Crash.

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