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  • The Savage Storm

  • The Brutal Battle for Italy 1943
  • By: James Holland
  • Narrated by: Al Murray
  • Length: 18 hrs and 24 mins
  • 4.7 out of 5 stars (146 ratings)

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The Savage Storm cover art

The Savage Storm

By: James Holland
Narrated by: Al Murray
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Summary

Brought to you by Penguin.

This is World War 2 in microcosm told through the brutal story of the most pivotal campaign the Allies were to fight by one of the UK's most acclaimed and bestselling historians

From the bestselling author of Brothers in Arms comes the story of the most pivotal Allies campaign of World War II.

With the invasion of France the following year taking shape, and hot on the heels of victory in Sicily, the Allies crossed into Southern Italy in September 1943. They expected to drive the Axis forces north and be in Rome by Christmas. And although Italy surrendered, the German forces resisted fiercely and the swift hoped-for victory descended into one of the most brutal battles of the war.

Even though shipping and materiel were already being safeguarded for the D-Day landings, there were still huge expectations on the progress of the invading armies, but those shortages were to slow the advance with tragic consequences. As the weather closed in, the critical months leading up to Monte Cassino would inflict a heavy price for every bloody, hard fought mile the Allied troops covered.

Chronicling those dark, dramatic months in unflinching and insightful detail, The Savage Storm is unlike any campaign history yet written. James Holland has always recounted the Second World War at ground level, but this version telling brings the story vividly to life like never before. Weaving together a wealth of letters, diaries, and other incredible documents, Holland traces the battles as they were fought - across plains, over mountains, through shattered villages and cities, in intense heat and, towards the end, frigid cold and relentless rain - putting readers at the heart of the action to create an entirely fresh and revealing telling of this most pivotal phase of the war.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio.

©2023 Griffon Merlin Ltd (P)2023 Penguin Audio
  • Unabridged Audiobook
  • Categories: History

Critic reviews

'Impeccably researched and superbly written' Observer

'Holland has something new to say.... Filled with insight and detail' Neil Oliver

'James Holland is the best of the new generation of WW2 historians' Sebastian Faulks

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What listeners say about The Savage Storm

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    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

The pain of war

My grandfather fought in Italy in 1943 and lost many friends. By a miracle he survived. This has been a great insight into what he and others faced. Only 4 stars as I feel somehow I felt a little lost from the midpoint onwards, not sure how the story could have been told any differently to change that, but from after the boats landed it just gets quite complicated. Incredible insights nonetheless.

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A savage conflict

an amazing listen, perfectly captures the heartbreaking story of the Italian campaign and shares the horror of those in it,

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Excellent history of start Italian campaign

Loved the details as I thought I knew everything about the campaign. Loved the reader fantastic

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Cracking

Absolutley brilliant
As ever Mr Holland delivers History and Mr Murray narrates so well totally absorbing

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Brilliant history of overlooked campaign

Well read, written and researched book, poignant first person perspectives and Brilliant history of an overlooked campaign

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Savage

Another emotive and well written James Holland masterpiece. Excellent mixture of narrative history and contemporary accounts

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    5 out of 5 stars
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James Holland

James relives the war in Italy. It is a revealing story frighteningly real and told well by Al Murray without drama or pretence. I can’t say I enjoyed it all , it was hard to take in but compelling and left me with a sadness and gratitude for those men , women and children who James Holland brought to life in this epic .

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Great read

A great record of the war in Italy in 1943 brought to life by James Holland. A remembrance of the so called and miss named "D Day Dodgers" much forgotten

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Fascinating account, read well

I really enjoyed this, much like James Holland’s other works. A fascinating account of elements of the Italian campaign.

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  • D.
  • 11-04-24

The pain of Italy

Horrendous account of a mostly ignored campaign of the Second World War. Excellent narration and vivid story telling.

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