The Longest Day: June 6, 1944
- Narrated by:
- Length: 8 hrs and 46 mins
- Unabridged Audiobook
- Release Date:03-02-12
- Publisher: Blackstone Audio, Inc.
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Publisher's Summary
The classic account of the Allied invasion of Normandy....
The Longest Day is Cornelius Ryan’s unsurpassed account of D-day, a book that endures as a masterpiece of military history. In this compelling tale of courage and heroism, glory and tragedy, Ryan painstakingly re-creates the fateful hours that preceded and followed the massive invasion of Normandy to retell the story of an epic battle that would turn the tide against world fascism and free Europe from the grip of Nazi Germany.
This book, first published in 1959, is a must for anyone who loves history, as well as for anyone who wants to better understand how free nations prevailed at a time when darkness enshrouded the earth.
©1959 Cornelius Ryan; 1987 by Kathryn Morgan Ryan, Victoria Ryan Baida, and Geoffrey J. M. Ryan (P)2012 Blackstone Audio, Inc.
What the Critics Say
“What I write about is not war but the courage of man.” (Cornelius Ryan)
“Fifty years from now, the history of D-day, I am sure, will lean heavily on this book.” (New York Times Book Review)
“A dramatic, moving masterpiece, a living memorial to the men who died, and as suspenseful as the most gripping mystery story.” (Chicago Sunday Tribune)
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What Members Say
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"Seen the movie? Read the book: it is worth it"
Any additional comments?Have you seen the movie? They make such a prominent statement in the opening credits that it is "based on the book by Cornelius Ryan" that I've always had a mind to read it.
After all, while the story is epic, the movie just "tries too hard" in parts. Isn't the breaching of Fortress Europe enough of a plot? No! Movie-goers also need a schmaltzy love story too. Surely the book can't be that contrived?
The good news is that it is not. It shares the "tell a story through a mosaic of slice-of-life vignettes" approach, yet does it with compelling integrity. It is gritty and unrelenting; sometimes poignant, but always authentic. The book's most rewarding and fascinating aspect is how it shows in rich detail the diverse impact of action and inaction, decision and indecision - and often just plain luck - in the final outcome of the day.7 of 7 people found this review helpful -
"Horrendous narration makes it impossible to listen"
What could have made this a 4 or 5-star listening experience for you?A different narration.
What didn’t you like about Clive Chafer’s performance?Every sentence dragged on with the exact same rhythm. How can you make such
interesting material so impossible to bear????
Any additional comments?This is one of the saddest disappointments I have ever experienced on Audible.
12 of 13 people found this review helpful -
"a different take"
This book gives a different take on the d day landings. Using interviews and letter etc it tells the story from the thoughts and feelings of those involved. A very good listen.
5 of 5 people found this review helpful -
"OMG....kill me now....."
Would you be willing to try another one of Clive Chafer’s performances?NEVER!!!
Any additional comments?I could not get past Chapter 2.... The narrator was sooooo monotone and drove me to rip my earphones out.....
10 of 12 people found this review helpful -
Bert Hopkins Dracut, MA United States 03-26-12 Member Since 2009
I am a retired electrical engineer with interests in computer science, computer history, military history, the brain and conciousness. I am always amazed at the connectedness of things, ideas and concepts.
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"A long awaited story now being told"
Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?All Americans need to understand the sacrifices made by our servicemen on 6 June 1944 as they stormed the beaches of Normandy. I have waited for many years to finally obtain an audio version of this book. A must for all students of History.
What was one of the most memorable moments of The Longest Day?Cornelius Ryan weaving the story of Private Arthur B.
What does Clive Chafer bring to the story that you wouldn???t experience if you just read the book?His very distinct accent added to the narration.
Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?Came very close to tears when listening to what happened to our guys at Sainte Mere Eglise.
2 of 2 people found this review helpful -
"Still a Classic"
There have been many books written about D Day, but this still remains a touchstone standard history. Well written and presenting a complete picture from both sides.
1 of 1 people found this review helpful -
"Excellent book, unpleasant narration voice"
This is an exceptional written work. Unfortunately I found the narrator's voice to be so unpleasant that I was unable to listen to the entire book.
1 of 1 people found this review helpful -
"Great Story, Poor Story Narrator."
Where does The Longest Day rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?Better than average
What was one of the most memorable moments of The Longest Day?The air drop over France
What three words best describe Clive Chafer’s voice?Monotone, not very exciting
If you were to make a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?There already is a movie.
2 of 3 people found this review helpful -
Amazon Customer Waxhaw, NC, United States 04-09-12 Member Since 2016
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"Great Story, Poor Story Narrator."
Where does The Longest Day rank among all the audiobooks you???ve listened to so far?Better than average
What was one of the most memorable moments of The Longest Day?The air drop over France
What three words best describe Clive Chafer???s voice?Monotone, not very exciting
If you were to make a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?There already is a movie.
2 of 3 people found this review helpful -
Sher from Provo Utah 03-08-16 Member Since 2015Tired teacher. That is, REtired teacher.
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"Easy to Understand"
I have read many books about WWII in an effort to understand what it was all about. Some have been great, some not so great, and some very hard to understand. This book by Cornelius Ryan is well written and very easy to follow. I would recommend it to anyone who would like a better understanding of D-Day. It is really hard to read about many of the things that went on, and it made me appreciate the freedom I have, and that I personally have never had to go to war.
3 of 5 people found this review helpful
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JOHN PEARCEWhitley Bay, United Kingdom4/13/13
"Readable, scholarly, humane"
In the two generations that have passed since the end of the Second World War historians have acquired the distance and balance from those terrible events necessary to writing good history. Given the early date of "The Longest Day" it is an enormous credit to Cornelius Ryan that he has avoided both partisanship and triumphalism in his account.
His research has obviously been meticulous, but this never causes his prose to labour and he humanises the battle on both sides without trivialising it. Most of all this is an accurate historical account that lives up to the size of the subject - perhaps the most important single day in the twentieth century.
This is not scholarly history in the academic sense, but as a single volume treatment of a momentous battle The Longest Day is as good a book as it could possibly be. And it is an impressive compliment to Ryan's prose that it translates so well to the audiobook format in a reading that does the book full justice.1 of 1 people found this review helpful -
Philip BuckleWITNEY, Oxon, GB4/28/16
"One of history's most decisive events"
One of history's most decisive events. Well written and finely and sympathetically narrated. Almost too short
0 of 0 people found this review helpful -
Paul12/21/15
"finished too soon"
Great book, narrator a bit flat, but you get used to it. Was hoping it wouldn't end. Gripping stuff!
0 of 0 people found this review helpful -
PAUL10/20/15
"Great author but......"
Would you listen to The Longest Day again? Why?No. Great story but terrible narration.
How could the performance have been better?Narration is robotic and after a ten minute listen will drive you crazy with irritation.
Any additional comments?Great author. I listened to another title called 'The Last Battle' about the fall of Berlin and it was sensational. This title is of an interest to me but sadly I've stopped listening after one hour because of the terrible narration. Don't waste your money.
0 of 0 people found this review helpful -
tansyHouesville, France9/11/14
"You have to give it 5 stars..but"
Where does The Longest Day rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?Pleased I've got it
What other book might you compare The Longest Day to, and why?Band of Brothers
Would you be willing to try another one of Clive Chafer’s performances?no
Did you have an emotional reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?Kept me listening
Any additional comments?We live in the heart of the D Day Landings, 4 miles from Carentan & Ste Mere Eglise...I've seen the movie loads of times, I know the history, individual battles and stories...it's always been a book I've meant to read...so audible releasing it is perfect as I listen to books as I iron the linens for our 4 vacation rentals here...oh boy do I wish you had got someone to read this with less of a Mr Bean sounding voice.
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
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