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

Fantastic

Wonderful insights as to the various different personalities an ultimate defeat of the Third Reich. illustration of the various German mistakes which in hindsight makes sense to us now but at the time clearly speak to the genius behind the English cracking of the enigma machine and Superior strategy moves the Commonwealth and its army made before the American arrival into the second World war.

Should have been called "All about Hitler"

As usual; very little of the book is devoted to the Eastern side of WW2. It is a good book and is filled with discoveries of materials that are not in books published earlier. LOT of the authors opinion in this work (almost all that I happen to agree with ). All in all; worth the many hours to listen to!

A great look at the German preparations for D-DAY.

enjoyed it a great deal. A little known view of the war before D-Day.

A Must Read. Period.

What is arguably one of the most thoughtful and in-depth histories of World War II also happens to be one of the newest. This book will no doubt go down in history as one of the top number of historical recounts of the war, and will likely be included in bibliographies of great military institutions for the next hundred years. An absolute must read for anyone who has interest in the second world war, military strategy, or western and world history.

A great look at the best and worst of mankind.

Any additional comments?

Roberts and Rodska combine to bring to life many larger than life characters in an incredibly good re-telling of story of World War II. Roberts has done fantastic research and has a plethora of first hand accounts that really add weight to the times and events of this great and tragic event.

A History Buff's Dream

Would you consider the audio edition of The Storm of War to be better than the print version?

I have never read the print version but this book was full of facts, I think that books such as this are important for the younger generations to learn about how we all must cherished what others have earned for us.

What other book might you compare The Storm of War to and why?

This book is comparable to Band of Brothers and The Pacific, they are similar in style and tone, but this one lacks the closeness from the other two. Those of course are stories about bonds of brotherhood, where this book takes on a vast topic.

What does Christian Rodska bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

I think the audio narration makes the facts, stories, locations, and other facts easier to remember and understand. The narration keeps the book from becoming a textbook.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

WWII War in Europe

Any additional comments?

This book is amazing. It has details that need to be known about what our elders have done for us and what they fought for. The sections on the concentration camps had some information that I have never heard before, and cast a whole new light on a part of history I thought I knew.

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.