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  • Darkest Hour

  • Jack Tanner, Book 2
  • By: James Holland
  • Narrated by: Gordon Griffin
  • Length: 16 hrs and 23 mins
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars (122 ratings)
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Darkest Hour cover art

Darkest Hour

By: James Holland
Narrated by: Gordon Griffin
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Summary

May 1940: Sergeant Jack Tanner has been posted to a training company on the southeast coast of England where the mysterious deaths of two Polish refugees lead him to believe there has been foul play. As the Germans launch their blitzkrieg in Europe, the entire company are sent to join the battle to stop Hitler's drive across the Low Countries. Pitted against the die-hard Nazis of the SS "Death's Head" division and the great panzer commander, General Rommel himself, it is left to Tanner to get his men back to Allied lines. But if they are to have any hope of surviving the mayhem of Dunkirk, Tanner must first deal with an enemy far more deadly than the Germans....

©2009 James Holland (P)2012 Magna Publishing, Random House Audiobooks

What listeners say about Darkest Hour

Average customer ratings
Overall
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    3 out of 5 stars

Sharpe (Tanner) meets Obediah (Blackwell)

The overall story is brilliant but the whole CSM Blackstone part has a bit too many plot holes for me, sort of Jack Tanner, the man who thinks everything through and all of a sudden can't see the obvious in front of him.

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    3 out of 5 stars

Jack Tanner meets Obadiah Hakeswill

What did you like best about Darkest Hour? What did you like least?

I think that the Battle of France and the near distruction of the BEF is dramatic enough material for the author without reaching for formula of a wicked Company Sargeant Major and a Commanding Officer who cannot recognise Tanner as the super soldier he is.

How would you have changed the story to make it more enjoyable?

Some recognition of his achievements in Norway would be nice. Tanner hits his head hard on the reset button and would have been better off shooting Oden for all the use it does his career.

Tanner left Norway with no promotion and no medals. Seems implausable

Any additional comments?

Jack Tanner clenches his fists with rage (he does this alot) throughout the BEF retreat in France fighting not only the Germans but also the wicked Obadiah Hakeswill (Sgt Blackstone) and the idiot Upperclass Commanding Officer who does not recognise Tanner's ability.

Tanner who can smell a German ambush from 11km away, always walks into Hakewill's traps and ends up mistrusted and disliked by the CO and robbed of his promotion.

Looking forward to 3rd book, Tanner clenching during the Retreat in Crete

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Excellent Story Telling

James Holland weaves an excellent story again! Looking forward to the next Jack Tanner story.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

loved it!!

as usual James has done an amazing job, more please !!
you gotta love that tanner answer sakes!!!!

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
  • Mr
  • 11-02-23

Great historical fiction

Some really strong characters and nice links to historical events. A rip roaring listen, would recommend to anyone with an interest in World War Two history, or is a fan of Sharpe (just to be clear I’m not saying this is better than Sharpe, but it pretty close!)

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Excellent story based on actual events/locations.

In the main...excellent! A couple of (very minor) niggles, "20 pounder" for 2 pound AT gun and use of "Op" rather than O.P. The narrative as well researched as you could hope for.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Bloody amazing

Absolutely fantastic book with an awesome story. Shows the true struggle of the battle of France. Highly recommend.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Compelling

Great story with interesting characters - good multiple plot lines - very well read

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  • Overall
    1 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    1 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    1 out of 5 stars

Boys Own stuff

The fiction reminded me of the stories I read as a lad in the “Hotspur”, Wizard not adult reading.However I have listened to many historical books by the Author and found them to excellent










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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

Jack goes to beach

I really liked this book a good World war 2 story.
Jack has to fight his way across France to Dunkirk to escape the German blitzkrieg and along the way he has to deal with
A incompetent commanding officer and a Sergeant Major who is crooked deceitful and out to get him.

Well worth your time

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