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)

Informative and well written

This was a well written and well performed audiobook. The narrator did a nice job.

Unbelievable!

Intense battle for Berlin! The Americans were spared a lot by not entering the city.

do not miss this one

im not sure I would have bought this one if i knew howling ago it was written, and that would've been my loss. This is written with bits and snatches of many of the civilians,military leaders and t every day people woven in and out of the story. The pure evil, fear, hate, greed, are there to be seen. The love of a zoo keeper for his doomed animals, was so touching and disturbing. It is less about the triumph of good over evil--and more about the scale of suffering. The ability for so many to deny the reality of the situation is brought home. Highly recommend this book.

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.

Stands Near the Top of WW2 Books

Wow! This book was really interesting. What stood out of the book for me, was a certain humanizing of the German people that won't be covered in most WW2 books out there. I thought the author did a good job of telling the Battle of Berlin from different viewpoints and not the American, Russian, or the Nazis, but rather a combination of all the sides. There is no easy way to put to words something with such enormity as the last battle in the deadliest military conflict in history. Yet, Cornelius Ryan manages to do just that not with the use of staggering statistics, but with a series of stories that even my simple human mind can comprehend.

The narrator, Simon Vance, has become one of my favorites & his reading of this book makes you feel as is you're "watching" a documentary. Excellent.

Overall: Doesn't require vast knowledge of WW2 & the stories throughout will keep you listening. I highly recommend for those with even a mild interest on the subject, & of course the usual military history buffs as well.