The Last Battle

By: Cornelius Ryan

Narrated by: Simon Vance

Length: 15 hrs and 45 mins

Publisher's summary

The classic account of the final offensive against Hitler’s Third Reich.

The Battle for Berlin was the culminating struggle of World War II in the European theater. The last offensive against Hitler’s Third Reich, it devastated one of Europe’s historic capitals and marked the final defeat of Nazi Germany. It was also one of the war’s bloodiest and most pivotal battles, whose outcome would shape international politics for decades to come.

The Last Battle is Cornelius Ryan’s compelling account of this final battle, a story of brutal extremes, of stunning military triumph alongside the stark conditions that the civilians of Berlin experienced in the face of the Allied assault. As always, Ryan delves beneath the military and political forces that were dictating events to explore the more immediate imperatives of survival, where, as the author describes it, “to eat had become more important than to love, to burrow more dignified than to fight, to endure more militarily correct than to win.”

The Last Battle is the story of ordinary people, both soldiers and civilians, caught up in the despair, frustration, and terror of defeat. It is history at its best, a masterful illumination of the effects of war on the lives of individuals, and one of the enduring works on World War II.

©1966 Cornelius Ryan; 1994 by Victoria Ryan Bida and Geoffrey J. M. Ryan (P)2012 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Critic reviews

“A rare accomplishment…Will be of interest to generations to come.” (James A. Michener, Pulitzer Prize–winning author)

Masterful Work

Somehow, "The Last Battle" is probably Cornelius Ryan's lesser known work on WWII, after his very famous books "The Longest Day" and "A Bridge Too Far" (yes, both prominent WWII films are based on his material).

If you've seen "The Longest Day" film, you have some idea what this book's narrative is going to be like. It covers the events from as many perspectives as possible...from high-ranking commanders to infantrymen to civilians...many of whom were interviewed by Ryan himself in the 1960's. In fact, many of the most poigiant moments of "The Last Battle" are told from the perspective of German civilians, who attempt to go about their daily lives as the Third Reich collapses in flames all around them.

Essentially, "The Last Battle" covers the invasion of Germany proper, on both the Western and Eastern Fronts, and the titular Battle of Berlin.

But, the heft of this work is in the individual stories. German commanders describe to Ryan how Hitler reacted to his own lunacy coming full circle in the last days of the war. Soviet generals compete to see which Russian army will seize the city first. American pilots reveal how the last aerial dogfight in WWII involved US scout flyers shooting down a opposing German observation plane with Colt .45 1911 pistols. In Berlin, Zoo keepers desperately try to save the animals they were charged with caring for. Nuns struggle to prepare their maternity ward for the worst once Soviet rear-eschelon troops, drunk and prone to rape, arrive to exact revenge for atrocities commited aganist the USSR.

This book is a powerful, moving, and highly informative work.

Educational

The Last Battle was one of the first audiobooks I have read and set the bar VERY high for any future listening. Simon Vance does a brilliant job narrating a part of history that is seldom touched upon and fully conveys the increasingly desperate situation of Nazi Germany during WW2 from the perspective of multiple countries.

What a complex web, spun and woven to decimation..

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

The author takes the complexities and inhumanity of German nationalist society at the time, as well as the inhumanity of its' supporters during the war, and weaves together these facts from first hand accounts. These are then interwoven with other examples of humanity and courage, driving toward what we all know is the inevitable conclusion, the Fall of Berlin. The surprises along the way provided a great depth of learning for me that make this one of the most remarkable historical accounts of WWII that I have ever read.

A wonderful horrific history

It's hard to imagine the research that Ryan had to do to put together such a gripping and detailed account of the final months and days of the Nazi regime. It moves quickly telling stories from all kinds of different perspectives - civilian life, the various military forces involved, and the politics of the different nations involved. And by far, it's a story about lots of good people dealing with the horror of war and unimaginable evil.

Absolutely Excellent

History Books fall into two categories...Those written by Professors that are adding to their published books to get tenure and those that aren't boring. This is the latter. Cornelius Ryan knows how to write and how to write well. He keeps the pace moving well and it was hard to stop listening to this book. He is at his finest talking about the Nazis in their bunkers with their insane plans to "Have Steiner Counter Attack". "Followed by the question "Who is Steiner?" buy one of the highest ranking German Generals. That level of idiocy is what defined the Reich and Ryan brings it to life well. He interviewed these people himself after the war so this is not second rate source material. My favorite parts of the book was concerning General Helmuth Weidling. He was a crusty old non Nazi General who was famous for his defenses. He originated the "paper bag defense" and was brilliant by all accounts and disdainful of Hitler.
Very well written book and primary source material for any serious student of World War 2

excellent info

really gives fantastic insight into the fall of the third Reich. the Nazis were horrible people.

Great book loved it

Wonderful story mixed with ww2 facts. Really painted a good picture of what the people go through when war comes to you city.

Really Interesting

I have studied WWII for 50+ years, and thought I had heard it all, but took a chance on this. I was not disappointed! It tells its story from the perspective of various people involved in the final battles.
I rated it 5 stars, because I looked forward to driving to work, just so I could listen.

Good look at the battle of Berlin

some views you won't hear about in a documentary film and can only be obtained by reading of books or documents. I'm glad that the allies left Berlin to the Soviets. would of cost hinders of thousands of ally lives to take. Maybe not so good for the German people but that's how it goes sometimes.

engrossing

I'll go back to this one again; well worth the time for those who want to know more about WWII. It's well organized and is great for getting the overall picture of this battle and for insight into the smaller dramas within the battle.