Kokoda (by Peter FitzSimons)

By: Peter FitzSimons

Narrated by: Lewis FitzGerald

Length: 16 hrs and 47 mins

Publisher's summary

For Australians, Kokoda is the iconic battle of World War II, yet few people know just what happened and just what our troops achieved. Now, best-selling author Peter FitzSimons tells the Kokoda story in a gripping, moving story for all Australians.

Conditions on the track were hellish - rain was constant, the terrain close to inhospitable, food and ammunition supplies were practically non-existent, and the men constantly battled malaria and dysentery, as well as the Japanese. Kokoda was a defining battle for Australia - a small force of young, ill-equipped Australians engaged a highly experienced and hitherto unstoppable Japanese force on a narrow, precarious jungle track - and defeated them.

©2005 Peter FitzSimons (P)2013 Audiobook recording produced by Evan Croker.

Eye opening

The war that many of us did not know but should! The truth about stupid generals and the truly expendable soldier.

On the Beach precursor

Complete with details and people. This is about a part of WWII in Pacific that is not well known. It ties together many parts of the story and makes it real. Worthwhile listen/read with ears.

Is There No Way Out?

Where does Kokoda rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

This audiobook is now in my top 5!

What did you like best about this story?

I'm pretty well versed with World War 2 from the European perspective and somewhat familiar with the US parts of the war in the Pacific, but this was my first exposure to the Australian perspective.

One of the great things about this book is how well written it is. The author zooms in to heart-wrenching accounts of individual experiences and the costs of war, zooms out to the international politics of the allied forces, and then back in again to the tactical decision making of the officers. All done effortlessly and captivatingly.

What about Lewis FitzGerald’s performance did you like?

Narrator has a clear, solid voice and deliver the material effortlessly. I am very pleased the narrator is Australian. This is such a quintessentially Australian story with quintessentially Australian characters. Nothing else would do.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

There were a great many. A few examples....

The pastor who decided to bury a killed soldier in mid combat as the bullets flew, and that both sides stopped and waited until he had completed his task.

The brothers singing together in camp, with one trying to shake off the sick feeling that his brother would soon be dead.

The soldier who after being shot badly in the belly, asks himself "Is this real, am I really going to die? Is there no way out?".

Any additional comments?

You'd be a fool to pass this one up!

Superb biographical narration of another day that will live in infamy

Although relatively new to audio books, I was so engulfed in the story from beginning to end that many times I felt as if I was fighting alongside the 39th in the quest for supremacy over the Japanese. The intense detailed description of the battles and what the men had enduredWas simply heartfelt. Being a 23 year veteran of the Air Force I can truly say I am proud of the accomplishments of the 39th and everyone else that was involved in the taking of the Koooda trail! Although the enemy, my heart goes out to the families and the soldiers of the Japanese imperial army who felt they needed to do what they did. Their upmost dedication to the cause is above no other!

Hey

Would you listen to Kokoda again? Why?

Cuz it was fair dinkum and even better

Which character – as performed by Lewis FitzGerald – was your favorite?

All

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes

Any additional comments?

Strong men we don't build these guys anymore. Makes me want to cry and be proud at the same time.

Heartbreaking, Fabulous, Humbling, Horrific

War, stupidity, honor, death, courage beyond comprehension, insanity, loyalty, arrogance, duty, sorrow and so much more. Told in away that puts it all within the grasp of your minds eye. Even while you know you'll never know. Honor these men by listening to their story. Be taken to their time and place by a narrator of exceptional talent and amazing skill. This story was a honor to find and listen to and to be able to Highly Recommend!

Compelling and essential

This is a must-read for all Australians to help understand the sacrifice made to protect the people of our great country.

Surprising and Emotional

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

Dedicated, abandoned, victorious

What was one of the most memorable moments of Kokoda?

All the moments describing individuals, their dreams, their pain.

What does Lewis FitzGerald bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

I might have put the book down in tears, but the Mr. FitzGerald's performance lured me further into the story.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

Little known story of bravery

Any additional comments?

This is not the sort of story I usually go for, but I was hooked by the second chapter. What a "Greatest Generation" these young Australians could have been.

So good I had to write my first review

What made the experience of listening to Kokoda the most enjoyable?

The narrator has by far the best voice and delivery of any audio book I have listened to: He was flawless. I did like the echo effect when he was quoting someone. First time I will be searching for audiobooks based on the narrator rather than the author or content.

Which scene was your favorite?

The detail in which he describes the struggle of doing the Kododa trail.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Over 16 hours? Come on.

Any additional comments?

I stumbled on this book during an audible promo and sure glad I did. I cant stop listening to it and makes me look forward to the drive to and from work.

I have read a lot of WWII history but mostly on the European theatre. I had not idea this took place. Plenty of history and facts but still reads like a novel. Hollywood needs to take a look at this but then again...

Kokoda heros and legends!

A great honor to the men who fought this epic battle, on both sides, and it shows how front line commanders can succeed in spite of how inept their area commanders can be.