The Storm of War

A New History of the Second World War

By: Andrew Roberts

Narrated by: Christian Rodska

Length: 28 hrs and 36 mins

Publisher's summary

The Second World War lasted for 2,174 days, cost $1.5 trillion, and claimed the lives of more than 50 million people. What were the factors that affected the war's outcome? Why did the Axis lose? And could they, with a different strategy, have won?

Andrew Roberts' acclaimed new history has been hailed as the finest single-volume account of this epic conflict. From the western front to North Africa, from the Baltic to the Far East, he tells the story of the war - the grand strategy and the individual experience, the cruelty and the heroism - as never before.

In researching this magnificently vivid history, Roberts walked many of the key battlefields and wartimes sites in Russia, France, Italy, Germany, and the Far East, and drew on a number of never-before-published documents, such as a letter from Hitler's director of military operations explaining the reasoning behind the Fuhrer's order to halt the Panzers outside Dunkirk - a delay that enabled British forces to evacuate. Roberts illuminates the principal actors on both sides and analyzes how they reached critical decisions. He also presents the tales of many little-known individuals whose experiences form a panoply of the extraordinary courage and self-sacrifice, as well as the terrible depravity and cruelty, of the Second World War.

Meticulously researched and masterfully written, The Storm of War gives a dramatic account of this momentous event and shows in remarkable detail why the war took the course it did.

©2011 Andrew Roberts (P)2011 Tantor

Great narrator, good book

Wonderful narration by Christian Rodska! His voice acting for quotations from the in/famous to soldiers and civilians brings already pretty exciting history to life. There is also emotion in reading that at times is moving, infuriating, and amused as called for. This is NOT a dry recitation of a history book!

I found the writing compelling although the occasional string of numbers required more attention than I could give it as a listener and have more cognitive impact if you can jot them down. The organization and segmentation of the book was easy to follow and made good sense to me. YMMV

I’m not a huge history buff but I don’t think there are any groundbreaking theories or conclusions here. It’s a solid primer on the events and people of the time, possibly paying greater attention to the European theater than to the Pacific. I found my curiosity raised in a few instances where I may look for a more detailed account than this book is meant to provide.

Overall, great listening of a very good book!

Comprehensive examination of WW2

The narration was superb with details given clearly. One of the best I've read ever.

Definitive Historical Account

After reading and watching countless other accounts of WW2, this is the most definitive and comprehensive and complete by 10X. Analyzing all major strategic decisions and hitlers maniacal blunders, ego and cruelty vs the sound leadership starting with Churchill and FDR in marshaling all resources, industrial, scientific and intellectual; not to understate the efforts, courage and sacrifice of the warriors on the front lines on land sea and air.

Wonderul, informative, great perspective.

I am a military history buff. This book was a wonderful insight into World War 2. I loved the perpective, covering a great dealof the war never told by the American side. The Eastern war in Europoe was a huge part that is glossed over in most American books about the war, isuppose becuase we had little involvement in it. I think the book is well written and we narrated. I intend to listen again when i have time becuase there is so much information. Thanks

for the avid historian or the newbie alike

it's a great book. lots of information but told in a way that you thoroughly enjoy hearing it. even if you know the battle plans and the theaters it's still very well read and narrated. it's a win.

The details and depth of analysis.

I dislike nothing. I liked the reader use of accents he used when he incertere quotes.

A Devastating global perspective

Even though this is generally an overview it is comprehensive. With the level of detail provided...some of it from more recently released information...the narrative can't help but pull the reader into the stunning madness, via a mind boggling mountain of facts and figures that simply left me devastated. The primary angle of the book is British and at times is too much so. The narrator is excellent. Generally following the flow of the war each area of the world, service type, battles, leadership and so much more is examined and tied together in a digestable form that I have not read/heard before. I want to recommend it, and do, but be prepared to be appalled and perhaps depressed to learn of the vortex of madness of WWII. All of us living in the wake of this global event should listen and hopefully learn about what can happen beyond a tipping point.

A different point of view

What I have read in assorted histories of the Second World War has almost always been from the American point of view. How refreshing to get a glimpse of the action from the other side of the Atlantic.
There is so much detail and so much information laid before the listener, I do not recommend Trying to listen to this straight through. Take a break every so often to let your ears and mind refresh themselves.

Well researched and excellent narration by Rodska

I already knew the broad strokes of WW2 history but this well researched book gave insights
into many personal stories that was very revealing about the motivations of the major players. Well worth reading for a deeper understanding of the war.

Wonderful narration well written book.

If you are interested in WW2 this book is worth listening to. A well written book and an excellent narration by Christian Rodska. Never felt bored, I learned a lot and thoroughly enjoyed every second of this book. Mr. Rodska has a gift for mimicking accents and I enjoyed his Winston Churchill voice.