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All Hell Let Loose

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The complete magisterial history of the greatest and most terrible event in history, from one of the finest historians of the Second World War. This shows the impact of war upon hundreds of millions of people around the world - soldiers, sailors and airmen; housewives, farm workers and children.

Reflecting Max Hastings' 35 years of research on World War II, All Hell Let Loose describes the course of events but focuses chiefly upon human experience. There are vivid descriptions of the tragedies and triumphs of a host of ordinary people, in uniform and out of it, in an 'everyman's story'.

This is now the entire audiobook, not in two parts.

©2011 Max Hastings (P)2014 Audible, Inc. Military War Imperialism Thought-Provoking Imperial Japan Submarine Holocaust Middle Ages Royalty Russia Africa Interwar Period
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This has been in my library for some time but I have only just got around to listening to it - why I can't imagine!

I was a child during the war and experienced some bombing, rationing and so on but it was all quite exciting and I had no idea how close we came to losing, how ill prepared and ill equipped we were or how much of the propaganda was far from accurate and designed, reasonably effectively as far as I can recall, to keep up our spirits.. The book is rich in quotations from indiviuals involved which bring home the sheer scale of the misery experienced by millions and from which I, secure in my Devon village for much of the time, was largely protected.I very strongly recommend this to anyone, who like me , lived through the war, but also for a younger generation who I find are woefully ignorant about it - why it occurred, how it progressed and , above all, how the outcome could have been very different had better decision been made, especially by Hitler. I shudder to think what our lives would be like today had he won. This excellent book makes it very clear that a German victory was a distinct possibility. With the aid of hindsight, and Max Hastings's insight, some of Hitler's decisions beggar belief - Thank God!

Gripping Fascinating, Illuminating

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I also have the hardback version of this and initially hesitated buying the audio, but I am glad that I did. It is superbly read by Cameron Stewart. I have listened to each day as I walk to and from work. Loosing track of what you have listened to can be a problem with some of the larger history books, but not in this case. It is entirely memorable. The detail is superb and there is a wealth of little known detail through out. I am looking forward to listening to part 2.

Stunning audio

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Hastings uses first person experiences to illustrate a consistently independent and thought provoking analysis of the war. I wasn't sure about this purchase because it seemed hard to believe that there was anything original or new to say but it's a pleasure to report that I grossly underestimated Hastings' ability to create something that's both gripping and touching. First hand accounts culled from combatants' letters home often conclude with a post-script that the letter was recovered from the writer's body shortly afterwards and over time we begin to get a sense of the human tragedy behind the casualty figures. The work required to produce such a clear account from such a large body of material must have been enormous and while I'd prefer to get both volumes for a single credit I didn't feel short-changed in terms of the duration of each volume or the quality of the writing.

Kaleidoscopic first person history

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. it takes out all the we won the war an replaces with some facts- History usually is written by the victors for the victors.. this work writes it as it is.. success and failure- Just a point.. the issues are a bit mixed up, there are 4 books, Book one Vol 1 & 2. and book 2 vol 1 & 2.. but whoever put it on here has got Vol 2 somewhat muddled up and calls them Vol 2 pt 2 and Vol 2 pt 3...- ?Just check it before you listen..- Well worth the money.

Bluntly put!

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this very long book gives great value. is also very well read, and keeps the listeners interest.

a fine and substantial account of this period

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