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.

A great narrative of a rare campaign

A well researched narrative of a months long campaign across some of the world's hardest terrain! Fighting a war thru that was a test of human wills against two radically different civilizations.... both in a brutal jungle, sworn to destroy the other.

Excellent story and performance, poor production

This is truly a classic of military history, and Lewis Fitzgerald does an excellent job as narrator. The three stars for performance are because of the production. The delay/echo affect whenever the narrator is reading a quotation is so distracting and obnoxious, I almost stopped listening during the first chapter. The cheesy canned music that ends every chapter is also awful and completely unnecessary. Good narrators (and Fitzgerald certainly is one) don’t need cheap post effects to enliven their work, and if anything, are harmed by it.

another exceptional book from Fitzsimons

Kokoda is a truly remarkable history of the events in New Guinea during World War II.
Fitzsimons, as is his way, relates the personal stories of many involved, He so masterfully tells of their sacrifices and courage; the tremendous bonds forged during a battle where they faced brutal elements, a fierce and extraordinarily courageous enemy,
and where their very humanity was challenged.
These were incredibly brave men, both the diggers and the porters; many of whom sacrificed everything for those they fought with, and for the integrity of their nation.
Fitzsimons does them justice.

What We Americans Don't Know about the War in the

Would you listen to Kokoda again? Why?

Yes it is a good story/history of the trials and heroic deeds of the 2nd AIF.

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

Yes but there is no way to do it in one sitting, but the book will keep you interested

Any additional comments?

History of a campaign that is all but forgotten, thanks for retelling the history of the AIF in the Pacfic.

Another top book by this author

An engrossing read which will keep you entertained to the end. Write some more like this please Peter.

Brilliant and Controversial

Kokoda held my attention, nourished my intellect and was impossible to walk away from.
Its agenda shone through but it never overwhelmed the narrative.

The life of the Australian soldier (and militiaman) in tropical PNG was depicted with such truth and vitality, no one would question their valour or their worth. That Australia's wartime Commander in Chief (Blamey) publicly chose to do so, shamed him in the eyes of many, then and perhaps forever.

Fantastic Narration

The story is really quite good - very well written, and I found it interesting to get an Australian perspective on WWII, especially as regards the working relationship with the US - but the best part of this audiobook is the narration. I've listened to more than a hundred audiobooks now, and Lewis Fitzgerald is hands-down the best narrator I've heard.

New perspective

This book gives an Australian perspective with regards to the war in Papua New Guinea and the unbelievable courage by the Australians under unbelievable hardships. The Australian soldiers being needlessly sacrificed by the ignorance and ineptitude of generals MacArthur and Blamey was unforgivable. Very well researched and narrated.

An Everyman's Narrative of a Tremendous Campaign

With a voice perfectly paired to the prose & spirit of this book, Kokoda masterfully weaves together the facts, headlines, general movements & first person accounts of the conflict between Australia & Japan for the fate of Papua New Guinea in one of the ruggedest, muddiest, & most dangerous campaigns of WWII. Captivating story.

Bolinda Audio books are not just for Australia. They are great for Americans too.

"Komodo" was a well written military history about a part of WWII most Americans are unaware of. Those men deserve more recognition and respect than we gave them.