Alan

This is only the 2nd book Ive given 5 stars to. The author and narrator grab your attention from the opening paragraph and hold it to the very end. Stalin, Roosevelt, Churchill, and Truman literally come to life with each paragraph. You can almost see them as Bob Walter reads this brilliant work. You are transported back to 1945 and you are witnessing these giants of history formulate the next 50 years of anglo-russian relations. The cold war is born and you are there to witness it.

I have only 2 minor complaints. The first one is the humanization of Joseph Stalin. For a man that killed more people then Hitler, Stalin is not portrayed in this negative light. The book describes how Stalin sought German reparations to aid in the rebuilding of his country but fails to acknowledge how Stalin caused a lot of this suffering himself. I.E. the great hunger in Ukraine

Second is the SLIGHT drop in audio quality during the last hour.

These 2 reasons do nothing to detract from the overall appeal of this book.

Buy it

Before you listen to this audiobook, spend 15 minutes and print out a few maps of France, Belgium, Holland, and Germany. THEN sit down and listen to this book. Great listen for the history buff. Highly recommended.

Ernst "Putzi" Hanfstaengl was a nazi.
Ernst "Putzi" Hanfstaengl was a high ranking nazi.
His wife Helene was a nazi who as legend goes, stopped Hitler from committing suicide.

Knowing these facts are very important when listening to this book.
When he wrote this book in 1957, the reader can tell that the author is still in love with Hitler. He goes into numerous stories of how smart and literate Hitler was. ( It is at this part Im reminded of Mel's Brooks play 'Springtime For Hitler' in his movie The Producers)

Once you get off the topic of Hitler and he starts describing his inter reactions with other party members does this book actually shine. Ernst's description of Geli Raubal (Hitler's niece with whom it is specualded he had a sexual relationship with) is one of the high points of the book and I actually wish more stories had been included. Ernst also had very little respect for Eva Braun. Ernst lays out numerous examples of why he believes Hitler may have been homosexual.

Ernst's biggest hatreds turned out to be against two of Hitlers most trusted followers, Joseph Goebbles and Alfred Rosenberg. He tries to blame these two people for poisoning his poor Furher's mind. This hatred probably was the main reason for Ernst's fall from grace

I always enjoy books from people who were the actual participants but Im always cautious as to people who write books in an effort to rehabilitate their names.

I really didnt like Albert Spear's book.
I definately didnt like James Duffy's book where he tries to rehabilitate Charles Lindburgh

In Putzi's case, i make a SMALL exception. There is an element of honesty that comes thru on certain topics and for this i give it 3 stars.

The book is easy to listen to and if you had an extra credit lying around, you could use it here.

Overall, an average book, nothing special. The beginning is good, the middle lags greanatly, and the outcome is known beforehand. One thing this book does accomplish is to get the reader interested in learning more about Harry Truman.

A good retelling of A Bridge Too Far. What is really needed for this audiobook is a pdf supplement with various maps showing key engagements. Narrator does a good job. This is one of those books that makes you proud to be an American.

Reader beware. Most of this audiobook has nothing to do with the July plot to kill Hitler headed by Claus von Stauffenberg. This audio book deals mostly with biographies of German philosophers, poets, composers, authors, and artists for the last 350 years. The central character of the second half of this book is not Stauffenberg, but that of Stephan George, a 20th century poet / philosopher. It is from George that we learn of the meaning of "Secret Germany"

Additionally, this book is in serious need of editing. In the first 45 minutes of this book, the author has killed Hitler twice and is beginning to retell it again for the third time. Historical fact checking was obviously overlooked ( example: German invasion of Poland began on Sept 1st 1939 but the book incorrectly states the war as beginning Sept 4th.) Central characters to the July 1944 plot aren't even mentioned or glossed over with little information. ( examples Generals Erich Fellgiebel and Friedrich Olbricht and Field Marshall Erwinn Rommel)

Fleet Cooper did a decent job presenting this audio book.

I was disappointed with this listen. I would suggest bypassing this audiobook.

Blood on the moon is a totally gripping account of the events leading up to and subsequent to the assassination of Abe Lincoln. Detailed biographies of every major player is given. This book deals with the plots to kidnap / kill the president and really doesnt delve into the civil war and Washington politics that a lot of other works tend to do. You are truly moved by the funeral. The trial of the conspirators is remarkably recreated before your eyes.

My only complaint with Blood on the Moon is the author's habit of when presented with a historical question where no definitive answer is known, the author drops his opinion down and without any justification, simply moves on. This is more annoying then anything else and should not prevent you froookm enjoying this wonderful book

William Coon did an excellent job reading this book to me and Ill gladly listen to other productions of his in the future.


Well worth the 1 credit

That is exactly what happens to the reader in In The Garden Of Beasts. You start listening to this book and all of a sudden you are teleported back to 1933 Berlin where Hitler and the Nazis have just taken power. Unlike William L. Shirer's book Rise and Fall Of the Third Reich,
this book has a more personal perspective of life in early nazi Germany. This story revolves around two central characters, William Dodd, a middle of the road liberal who gets appointed ambassador to Germany, and his out of control fun loving daughter Martha.

This book is well written and presented and should be a welcome addition to your collection.

Way too many German names and army divisions to remember. Unless you understand German, you can easily become overloaded. Additionally, the book lags greatly in the middle where the author feels compelled to tell you of every single foreign national to have joined the SS. The book however is not without its good points. It is very informative about the inner structure and politics of the RHSA and its evolution from a couple hundred members in 1933 to the vast organization it became. At the end of the book, the author purposely refused to mention the word "ODESSA" One can only guess as to its obvious exclusion.

The book is worth listening to despite its drawbacks. However, this is not one of those books you listen to more then once.

Bill O'Reilly fails to deliver in his recent book Killing Kennedy. This new book is nothing more then a compilation of already known facts concerning the Kennedy presidency.. The title of this book is extremely misleading as this book deals with Kennedy's adult life starting with his WWII career. The book is eight hours long and yet seven of those hours have nothing to do with November 22nd, 1963.

Killing Lincoln, O'Reilly's previous book was a #1 hit. But this book is sloppy and in numerous places historically incorrect. One prime example is O'Reilly stating that the "Wanted For Treason" posters
was a prime reason why in Sept '63 the upcoming November trip to Dallas should be cancelled. The problem is that the said posters were only published and distributed on Nov 21, 1963, two months later and only 1 day before the assassination

After to listening to this book, Ive come away with absolutely no new information about the assassination. I have however learned a little more about the President's personal life and his battles with Addisons Disease. You actually feel for him and what he must have suffered through.

I give this book 3 stars not because its a great literary piece of work but because it is easy to listen to and is informative.

If you love O;Reilly, buy this book

If you hate O'Reilly buy this book.

If you are looking for a serious work about the Kennedy assassination, then buy Vincent Bugliosi's book Reclaiming History