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The Ultimate Battle: Okinawa 1945—The Last Epic Struggle of World War II Audiobook
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(4.04) - 120 listener ratings
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Publisher Description
Respected historian Bill Sloan tells the full story of the Battle of Okinawa as it has never been told before, through the eyes of the men in battle.
Using the same grunt’s-eye-view narrative style of Sloan’s acclaimed Brotherhood of Heroes, The Ultimate Battle is the full story of the largest land-sea-air battle ever waged by the United States, a battle whose staggering casualties and take-no-prisoners ferocity led Truman to drop the atomic bomb on Japan. From April through June 1945, more than 250,000 American and Japanese lives were lost, including those of nearly 150,000 civilians who either committed suicide or were caught in the crossfire. This book tells a gripping story of heroism, sacrifice, and death.
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"A well-written and very personal account of the horrific battle of Okinawa. Highly recommended to anyone with an interest in understanding their fathers and grandfathers who fought in the war...especially in the Pacific theater."
— Rae (4 out of 5 stars)
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“Gripping. Authoritative. Masterfully told. I cannot praise this book highly enough.”
— Alex Kershaw, author of The Bedford Boys and The Longest Winter -
“Bill Sloan has a real feel for the human side of this horrific drama. He suggests there can never be such a battle again, and by the time you’ve finished reading, you will pray he’s right. A powerful, moving book.”
— Evan Thomas, author of Sea of Thunder: Four Commanders and the Last Great Naval Campaign, 1941–1945 -
“A compelling, immensely evocative story…the defining battle of the Pacific War, seen primarily through the experiences of the sailors, soldiers, and airmen who suffered through it. This is a terrific work.”
— Donald L. Miller, author of Masters of the Air and D-Days in the Pacific -
“Memory of an epic battle that altered history has begun to fade. Yet, the fighting for Okinawa was so ferocious that it influenced America’s decision to use the atomic bomb. If Japan would fight so furiously for an island outpost, what would an invasion of the mainland cost? Bill Sloan answers that question in this close up, you-are-there account of the Pacific war’s ultimate struggle. Battle reportage at its finest.”
— Joseph E. Persico, author of Eleventh Month, Eleventh Day, Eleven Hour: Armistice Day 1918 -
“Narrator Robertson Dean takes advantage of the chaos created by kamikaze attacks and bonsai charges to convey the desperation of the Japanese. His emotional level varies from almost shouting in battle to low whispers as men discuss the wounds of dying buddies while near them.”
— AudioFile
The Ultimate Battle Listener Reviews
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" This work should be required reading for every high school student on the planet for it underscores the true nature of humanity, less we truly learn to cast off our natural instincts to do evil to our fellow man…. "
— WILLIAM, 1/13/2024 -
" This is the second Sloan book that I have read and they have both been very good. The other was about the survivors of Wake Island. "
— Doug, 12/11/2013 -
" A new recap of the last and bloodiest battle of WWII. Truely horrific. "
— Alec, 12/3/2013 -
" Since I lived there for awhile I thought I should read this book. I wish I had paid more attention to landmarks when I was there. But I was young. "
— Elh52, 10/21/2013 -
" Vast in scope of human lives in the horror of Okinawa for everyone involved. Book shows Japan's determination to fight for the homeland and the staggering cost such an invasion would have been. "
— Paul, 9/16/2013 -
" Read it because I lived in Okinawa for a few years and never knew the real story... very detailed and interesting account of the Battle of Okinawa. "
— Michael, 4/15/2011 -
" Excellent history of the last great battle of WW II, the battle for Okinawa. Further reasons why the men who fought it were called "the Greatest Generation." "
— Harvey, 11/28/2009 -
" Excellent history of the last great battle of WW II, the battle for Okinawa. Further reasons why the men who fought it were called "the Greatest Generation." "
— Harvey, 6/25/2009 -
" Since I lived there for awhile I thought I should read this book. I wish I had paid more attention to landmarks when I was there. But I was young. "
— Elh52, 5/22/2009 -
" Read it because I lived in Okinawa for a few years and never knew the real story... very detailed and interesting account of the Battle of Okinawa. "
— Michael, 2/11/2009 -
" This is the second Sloan book that I have read and they have both been very good. The other was about the survivors of Wake Island. "
— doug, 2/1/2009 -
" Vast in scope of human lives in the horror of Okinawa for everyone involved. Book shows Japan's determination to fight for the homeland and the staggering cost such an invasion would have been. "
— Paul, 8/26/2008 -
" A new recap of the last and bloodiest battle of WWII. Truely horrific. "
— Alec, 4/1/2008
About Bill Sloan
Bill Sloan is an award-winning freelance journalist and the author of more than a dozen books, the most recent being Brotherhood of Heroes: The Marines at Peleliu, 1944—The Bloodiest Battle of the Pacific War and Given Up for Dead: America’s Heroic Stand at Wake Island. During his ten years as an investigative reporter and feature writer for the Dallas Times Herald, he covered many of the major events and personalities of the second half of the twentieth century and was nominated for a Pulitzer Prize. He lives in Dallas, Texas.
About Robertson Dean
Robertson Dean has played leading roles on and off Broadway and at dozens of regional theaters throughout the country. He has a BA from Tufts University and an MFA from Yale. His audiobook narration has garnered ten AudioFile Earphones Awards. He now lives in Los Angeles, where he works in film and television in addition to narrating.