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  • The Second World War

  • By: Antony Beevor
  • Narrated by: Sean Barrett
  • Length: 39 hrs and 18 mins
  • 4.7 out of 5 stars (1,644 ratings)

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The Second World War

By: Antony Beevor
Narrated by: Sean Barrett
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Publisher's summary

Over the past two decades, Antony Beevor has established himself as one of the world's premier historians of World War II. His multi-award winning books have included Stalingrad and The Fall of Berlin 1945. Now, in his newest and most ambitious book, he turns his focus to one of the bloodiest and most tragic events of the 20th century, The Second World War.

In this searing narrative, which takes us from Hitler's invasion of Poland on September 1st, 1939 to V-J day on August 14th, 1945, and the war's aftermath, Beevor describes the conflict and its global reach - one that included every major power. The result is a dramatic and breathtaking single-volume history that provides a remarkably intimate account of the war that, more than any other, still commands attention and an audience.

Thrillingly written and brilliantly researched, Beevor's grand and provocative account is destined to become the definitive work on this complex, tragic, and endlessly fascinating period in world history. It confirms once more that he is a military historian of the first rank.

©2012 Antony Beevor (P)2012 Hachette Audio

What listeners say about The Second World War

Average customer ratings
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Great History of WW2

Beevor gets to the heart of the matter of the Second World War in an exciting, interesting, and contemporary way. Reads like an intellectual novel, never loses your attention. Not a better way to learn the ins and outs of this horrific war.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Stands out amongst its kind

Very even emphasis between the axis experience or viewpoint and the allies. I got a lot of new info on how the axis acted, perceived, experienced events that I had not heard before.

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    5 out of 5 stars
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It is the writer’s duty to write and the reader’s duty to KNOW

An overwhelming richness of research and knowledge that should be passed on, no matter how inconvenient and unsettling the truth about humankind emerges...
Drink up, dreamers...

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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Comprehensive and Easy Listening

This book is as comprehensive as any I’ve ever read on the subject. The narrator was excellent and had great tone, rate of speech and annunciation.

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    5 out of 5 stars
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amazing

best world war two book ever. learned so much new things and I'm a history buff.

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wow

this is an amazingly even handed detailed account of World War II. I have never come across anything quite like it

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worth remembering

Helps us pampered westerners realize how much was sacrificed. Truly a very important book and most impressive when you think of the research that went into this. Highly recommended

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    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Very good one volume history

One volume histories of major historical events are tough. There's always a few subjects that you wish had been developed more. For me, I think the book was a little too light on the US Pacific theater and the development of the bomb. Beevor's true expertise is the war in Europe, especially the Russian front. Still, this is an excellent overview of WW II with a great narrator.

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Masterful

Not a word minced. Beevor keeps the whole specter of the war in mind without sacrificing readability.

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    4 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

About as extensive as it gets

Would you listen to The Second World War again? Why?

Yes, It really takes more than one listen just to get all of what is happening

Who was your favorite character and why?

It is non-fiction, not really applicable here

Any additional comments?

As the title indicates, this is a grand sweeping view of the entire war experience. Obviously some of the detail minutes are lost, but to get the overall view of WW II, this is one of the best books which I have encountered

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5 people found this helpful