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Overlord

D-Day and the Battle for Normandy 1944

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Overlord

By: Max Hastings
Narrated by: Barnaby Edwards
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About this listen

With an introduction read by Max Hastings. The famous D-Day landings of 6 June, 1944, marked the beginning of Operation Overlord, the battle for the liberation of Europe.

Republished as part of the Pan Military Classics series, Max Hastings’ acclaimed account overturns many traditional legends in this memorable study. Drawing together the eyewitness accounts of survivors from both sides, plus a wealth of previously untapped sources and documents, Overlord provides a brilliant, controversial perspective on the devastating battle for Normandy. Max Hastings, author of over 20 books, was born in 1945. He was a scholar at Charterhouse and University College, Oxford, before working as foreign correspondent for newspapers and BBC television, reporting from over 50 countries. He was editor of the Daily Telegraph for almost a decade, and then for six years edited the Evening Standard. He has won many awards for his journalism, particularly for his dispatches from the South Atlantic in 1982. He was knighted in 2002.

©1984 Max Hastings (P)2014 Audible Studios 20th Century Europe France Germany Great Britain Military Modern Scary Thought-Provoking War

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All stars
Most relevant
A fascinating account of the turning point of the Second World War. Gripping and shocking in equal measure. Highly recommended.

A fantastic account.

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“Overlord” is a history of the Allied campaign in Normandy from June to August 1944. Hastings combines description and analysis of the campaign at the strategic (corps, army and division) level with vivid personal accounts of combat by soldiers from both sides.

For me one outstanding feature of this book was Hastings unbiased appraisal of the performance of the Allied soldiery. British and American soldiers were citizen-soldiers from liberal democracies. These men regarded war service as an unpleasant duty and, in combat, displayed a lack of initiative. The Germans, by contrast, came from a totalitarian state that placed a high value on a warrior ethos. German soldiers in Normandy were superior to Allied troops in fieldcraft, initiative and overall fighting ability. German weaponry was also superior. Despite their ultimate defeat in Normandy the soldiers of the Wehrmacht gained a psychological dominance of the battlefield in the West that was to last to the end of the war.

Nonetheless the Allies finally triumphed after a bitter, hard-fought campaign. Despite their limitations Allied soldiers fought doggedly to achieve ultimate victory. Hastings shows that they were aided by German strategic incompetence, Allied air superiority and massive Allied superiority in logistical resupply.

The book is very well read by Barnaby Edwards.

All in all, an excellent audiobook.

An excellent account of the Battle for Normandy.

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The book was more than I expected in that it moves its focus from the upper reaches of the leadership to the everyday soldier and civilian. Its span and open critical style without prejudice is eye opening and refreshing. Great book, heartwrenching and honest.

informative, sparks curiosity very well read

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This is a well researched account of D-Day and the liberation of Normandy . The bravery, heroics and determination of fighting men on both sides is staggering. The outcome was by no means certain , many mistakes were made but the allies ultimately prevailed against better armed dogged and greatly experienced defenders . Sobering accounts and descriptions abound , I thoroughly recommend this book which I personally enjoyed greatly.

what really happened on 6th June 1944 and beyond ?

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This story is drama at it’s best,the stark reality and brutality faced by the ground force of soldiers is chilling. Brilliant narration, clear, unemotional,almost matter of fact, even though the facts delivered were gut wrenchingly real. I would recommend this story to anyone, particularly people like myself for whom the war was a lifetime ago, out there but thankfully not experienced. Sadly looking at the world around us today we don’t seem to have moved on that much, but we certainly owe a great debt to the players who participated in that dreadful experience.

Illuminating

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