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.

makes the Alamo look like a picnic, really!

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

Among histories of valor, courage, tenacity, and endurance in battle I cannot think of any greater or more terrible.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Kokoda?

One of the most outstanding things about this story was how completely ignorant, arrogant, and even criminal the top brass was in relation to the situation on the ground for these boys. These boys caught it from both sides, yet held up.

Have you listened to any of Lewis FitzGerald’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

Mr. Fitzgerald does a great job reading. He is not given to melodramatic tones as some macho war story readers are. His is a masculine voice that does not lack and needs no overstatement. The recording studio makes use of some dramatic effects which are a little over done.

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

Bugger all!

Any additional comments?

This is an amazing story of some of the greatest heroism of that generation who resisted the sinister, dreadful axis powers of WWII. These blokes embody the highest of warrior virtues. They simply would not quit and resisted death and surrender to the utmost. These guys were above and beyond heroic! Hats off to them.

They Don't Get Better Than This!!!!!

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

This Audiobook rates as number 1, because I am an Aussie and you can only be touched at the amazing story of what took place in the Owen Stanleys. The incredible suffering of both Australians and Japanese soldiers. The incredible courage of all men involved in this feat of arms. The stupidity of Generals, particularly American Generals, who showed themselves to be second rate. Whilst Australia's General Blamey was a shameless sycophant who cared little for his men, demonstrated by what took place. He will never walk in the shadows of the other giants who fought on the Track. Fitzsimmons has conveyed an incedible yarn of what took place in New Guinea with fantastic links to the characters that took part.

Who was your favorite character and why?

The men of Maroubra Force and Damien Parer, Osmar White and Chester Wilmont.

Which scene was your favorite?

The taking of Gona by the 39th Battalion under the command of Colonel Ralph Honner. Chocolate Soldiers Indeed!

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

I laughed, I cried, I was angry and in awe of the men and women of this era who did so much.

Any additional comments?

Lewis FitzGerald is an outstanding narrator and does an incredible job of bringing Peter Fitzsimmons ripping yarn to life. Don't miss this fantastic book and audiobook. I will look for more Lewis FitzGerald narrated books.

Must read for Australians

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

The individual characters and their back stories, made it all so real & put me in their shoes

What about Lewis FitzGerald’s performance did you like?

Has a great voice, changed tone and did slang and pronunciations great

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

The end of it, realising the toll it took not only with deathes, but mentally with the people that lived on

A Tribute to Fighting Australians

This rendition kept me awake all night, with tears of sorrow and chest pumping pride.

Despite the petty politics of the 'high ups' these few men were there to do a job. Stop the Japs. They did, but at a cost.

This book is about mate-ship and lost mates. It makes you proud to be Australian to learn more of the New Guinea campaign's details and the privations endured by our fathers and grandfathers in support of their families back home.

Thank God for Ranchers

Thanks to Peter FitzSimons for revealing the Auzzie story of Komodo! Awesome. The PNG saviours remind me that the story of God's Grace changes us into "angels,"

Great bit of historical narration

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

yes. It goes into the story behind the war in a part of the world not often talked about...Australia.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Kokoda?

The incredible down to earth courage of the Australian citizen soldier in the face incompetent leaders and geographical nightmares. It was disheartening to see such incredible efforts ignored by political and military leaders

Any additional comments?

This is just another work bringing to light the farce that Douglas McArthur was. I grew up thinking he was a war hero...well, time will eventually bring out the truth and it has

Simply awesome!!!

Would you consider the audio edition of Kokoda to be better than the print version?

The narrator (Lewis FitzGerald ) is superb in this audible book.
I can't imagine a printed version would have the impact. Not even close!

What was one of the most memorable moments of Kokoda?

Brave, courageous and ''never give up'' Aussies.

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

Lewis FitzGerald made the experience for me.. Well done Lewis...

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

It was such an up and down ride, but that's war!

Any additional comments?

This book has really made me proud to be an Aussie...

Great perspective

Would you listen to Kokoda again? Why?

Great story of an under-appreciated part of WWII

Any additional comments?

Not sure I liked the "echo"effect when the narrator was reading a direct quote. Unnecessary distraction

Kokoda with the background of the men in the field

I will listen to this more than twice Peter covers the story of Kokoda well, with a touch of humor .
A little to-much like a novel .But a GREAT book

Wow! What an amazing story.

This was a piece of the war in the Pacific that I knew little about. If you want to learn about some real Aussie heroes, I highly recommend this fine book.