The Liberator

One World War II Soldier's 500-Day Odyssey from the Beaches of Sicily to the Gates of Dachau

By: Alex Kershaw

Narrated by: Fred Sanders

Length: 11 hrs and 2 mins

Publisher's summary

The true story of the bloodiest and most dramatic march to victory of the Second World War: the battlefield odyssey of a maverick U.S. Army officer and his infantry unit as they fought for over five hundred days to liberate Europe - from the invasion of Italy to the gates of Dachau.

From July 10, 1943, the date of the Allied landing in Sicily, to May 8, 1945, when victory in Europe was declared - the entire time it took to liberate Europe - no regiment saw more action, and no single platoon, company, or battalion endured worse, than the ones commanded by Felix Sparks, who had entered the war as a greenhorn second lieutenant of the 157th "Eager for Duty" Infantry Regiment of the 45th "Thunderbird" Division. Sparks and his fellow Thunderbirds fought longest and hardest to defeat Hitler, often against his most fanatical troops, when the odds on the battlefield were even and the fortunes of the Allies hung in the balance - and when the difference between defeat and victory was a matter of character, not tactics or armor.

Drawing on extensive interviews with Sparks and dozens of his men, as well as over five years of research in Europe and in archives across the US, historian Alex Kershaw masterfully recounts one of the most inspiring and heroic journeys in military history. Over the course of four amphibious invasions, Sparks rose from captain to colonel as he battled from the beaches of Sicily through the mountains of Italy and France, ultimately enduring bitter and desperate winter combat against the diehard SS on the Fatherland's borders. Though he lost all of his company to save the Allied beach-head at Anzio and an entire battalion in the dark forests of the Vosges, Sparks miraculously survived the long bloody march across Europe and was selected to lead a final charge to Bavaria to hunt down Adolf Hitler.

In the dying days of the Third Reich, Sparks and his men crossed the last great barrier in the West, the Rhine, only to experience some of the most intense street fighting and close combat suffered by Americans in WWII. When they finally arrived at the gates of Dachau, Hitler's first and most notorious concentration camp, the Thunderbirds confronted scenes that robbed the mind of reason. With victory within grasp, Sparks confronted the ultimate test of his humanity: after all he had faced, could he resist the urge to wreak vengeance on the men who had caused untold suffering and misery?

Written with the narrative drive and vivid immediacy of Kershaw's previous best-selling books about American infantrymen in WWII, The Liberator is a story for the ages, an intensely human and dramatic account of one of history's greatest warriors and his unheralded role in America's finest achievement - the defeat of Nazi Germany.

©2012 Alex Kershaw (P)2012 Random House Audio

Critic reviews

"[Kershaw] is a captivating narrator, hammering home the chaos and carnage of war, sparing no sensory detail to paint a cohesive picture. [His] portrayal of his subject (based on interviews with Sparks, who died in 2007, and other survivors) makes for a riveting, almost epic tale of a larger-than-life, underappreciated figure." ( Publishers Weekly)

"This engrossing wartime narrative offers a fresh look at the European campaign and an intimate sense of the war’s toll on individual participants." ( Kirkus Reviews)

"A searing, brilliantly told story of the heroism and horror of war, Alex Kershaw's The Liberator is a book that's impossible to put down. A must read for anyone who loved Band of Brothers." (Lynne Olson, author of Citizens of London)

Personal account

Very riveting story and personal story.
Interesting and a view into history. Kept the listener glued to audio history

Biography of a true American Hero

A beautifully written and researched biography of a citizen soldier and inspirational leader Lt. Col. Felix Sparks led the 157th Infantry Regiment in liberating the Dachau concentration camp and its gas chambers and crematoriums. The book tracks 157th Infantry Regiment through its distinguished performance in major battles in Sicily, Anzio, Italy, France, Belgium and Germany. The loss of life in multiple battles and the ineptitude of senior generals including the narcissist and incompetent Gen. Mark Clark in Italy, whose command cost the life of thousands of GIs.
What Lt. Col. Sparks observed with his own eyes at the liberation of Dachau allowed him to challenge Holocaust deniers at every opportunity. The book vividly describes the human carnage of war and its lifelong effects of war on its participants as our citizens soldiers discharged their duty without the glorification of war. Sparks advocacy of Native Americans and Mexican Americans who comprised a significant part of the 157th Infantry Regiment reflected the decency of this American hero. Sparks’s final victorious battle was against the NRA in the Colorado legislature in promoting legislation that prohibited children under 18 from owning and possessing firearms. A wonderful listen with an outstanding narrator.

Best account of Italian campaign and others

I have read a number of WW2 books - almost all the good ones that exist I think. This was probably one of 4 that at least starts with the ITalian campaign, but does a better job detailing some things. I disagree with the other reviewer who said this book is the same material as others - I found details here that were not in other works - both about the journey through Italy, and the landing on the beaches. Good book if you are looking to learn more about some of the lesser known European theater, but not what I would call broad overview of the European campaign. Won't disappoint.

D-Day received all of the attention but...

D-Day received all of the attention but... Sicily, Rome, southern France then northward to Dachau was a compelling tale and lead by a great human being and leader. No regrets about buying this excellent book. Well told by the narrator as well.

For Band of Brothers Fans

Band of Brother's fans will love this walk across the European battlefield that describes the fighting life of Felix Sparks in gritty detail.

Just doin' my job

As a veteran, I never faced ANY of the horror and hardships that the Men and women who fought against Hitler and Hirohito did and for that, I thank them. they are my heros.

Interesting take away at the end re: NRA

First off, wonderful book overall.

I had an interesting personal takeaway at the end. Sparks, after enduring a family tragedy, fights the NRA to make it illegal for those under 18 to carry a handgun.

I'm a conservative and generally support the NRA, so I found it interesting that a man I, after reading the book, now greatly respect and admire needed to push back against them. Basically, it was an eye opener for me. I'm not weighing in on who's right and who's wrong, only saying that it was a different experience to have my worldview change. When hippies and social justice warriors and big gov control folks start bashing the NRA I could care less, doesn't sway my opinion. But when a man like Felix Sparks, someone I have the utmost respect for, feels the need to push against them that is an opinion I will take seriously.

It's made me realize that I shouldn't always blindly follow an organization, and to look for room for reasonable compromise.

Anyways, just a takeaway I had.

A real account of a real WWII hero

If you could sum up The Liberator in three words, what would they be?

Powerful Enlightening Real

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Liberator?

When he got out of a tank to rescue his men and the SS decided not to shoot out of respect for a ranking officer that would do such a thing

Which scene was your favorite?

My favorite scene was the whole story about the concentration camp and Colonel Sparks reaction to the shooting of the guards and his respect for human life regardless of the situation he was in. This was coupled with his reaction to the General that wanted a photo opportunity. I was touched by someone who could witness such horrors and maintain such decency in all of it - a true hero.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

There were several shocking scenes in this book that made the reality of war come to light.

Outstanding story of an American hero

Well written and well performed. Would highly recommend it for its histort, humanity, and character.

OK Story, Great Narration

The story provides great insight into the trials and tribulations encountered by US infantry in the less publicized side of the European Theater of Operations. It highlights the fact the US involvement did not start with D-Day. Fred Sanders does a great job of providing color to the story and the various voices he uses help support the story without becoming a "performance".
I did not feel the story was well balanced in its presentation of General Felix Sparks. It read a bit like a "puff" piece.
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