Normandy '44

D-Day and the Epic 77-Day Battle for France

By: James Holland

Narrated by: John Sackville

Length: 24 hrs and 20 mins

Publisher's summary

D-Day, June 6, 1944, and the 76 days of bitter fighting in Normandy that followed the Allied landing, have become the defining episode of World War II in the west - the object of books, films, television series, and documentaries. Yet as familiar as it is, as James Holland makes clear in his definitive history, many parts of the OVERLORD campaign, as it was known, are still shrouded in myth and assumed knowledge.

Drawing freshly on widespread archives and on the testimonies of eye-witnesses, Holland relates the extraordinary planning that made Allied victory in France possible; indeed, the story of how hundreds of thousands of men, and mountains of materiel, were transported across the English Channel, is as dramatic a human achievement as any battlefield exploit. The brutal landings on the five beaches and subsequent battles across the plains and through the lanes and hedgerows of Normandy - a campaign that, in terms of daily casualties, was worse than any in World War I - come vividly to life in conferences where the strategic decisions of Eisenhower, Rommel, Montgomery, and other commanders were made, and through the memories of paratrooper Lieutenant Dick Winters of Easy Company, British corporal and tanker Reg Spittles, Thunderbolt pilot Archie Maltbie, German ordnance officer Hans Heinze, French resistance leader Robert Leblanc, and many others.

For both sides, the challenges were enormous. The Allies confronted a disciplined German army stretched to its limit, which nonetheless caused tactics to be adjusted on the fly. Ultimately ingenuity, determination, and immense materiel strength - delivered with operational brilliance - made the difference. A stirring narrative by a pre-eminent historian, Normandy ‘44 offers important new perspective on one of history’s most dramatic military engagements and is an invaluable addition to the literature of war.

©2019 James Holland (P)2019 Random House Audiobooks

Great insight

Great inclusion of peoples stories. What I like best was his exploration into stats and details like how many cars per person before the war and all these other factors that made a difference in the war.

A fantastic listen!

I love how broad and yet how detailed this audio book is. I believe this is one of the most balanced and well told accounts of the Normandy story. For me personally it is the best! Well done James Holland. And as for the narration it was was easy to listen to and I will look for John Sackville again!!

Why the Allies won

An important course correction that dispels many of the false Wehraboo narratives that surround the campaign.

Normandy 44

A great book about the the period up until the. allies breakout with both. allied and German input. Suggest it to any WWII students.

Sedated narrator

It’s like he’s laying down next to me trying not to wake the kids. As this narrator is neither my wife nor a cool friend that reads to me in bed, this is off-putting.

Some problems

Narrator was good but often voice was so soft it was hard to hear. I’m not an expert on WW2, but have read a lot. I struggle with leaders who are to into power. The author was soft on Montgomery based on a wide variety of other things I have read. He seems to have been very bossy and full of himself like McArthur.

The Most Comprehensive and In Depth Analysis

James Holland has outdone himself with "Nomandy '44." This book is perhaps the most comprehensive overall analysis of the Overlord campaign that is on the market. Holland puts the reader on all sides of the campaign. The Allies, the Germans, and everyone caught in between. It never reads like a textbook, but like a sprawling narrative. This is the case with all of his works. But given the coverage Normandy has gotten over the years, and by the most unparalleled authors and experts, Holland's work stands out as a cut above. John Sackville's narration is superb and perfect for this epic narrative. BRAVO!!

Well written well recorded and highly interesting

Well written well recorded and highly interesting. Lots of interesting detail both tactical and personal and from both sides. . Highly recommended

A unique insight.

Although the story of D Day and the battles of Normandy have numerous books published this story adds the behind the scenes look to reveal the background but vitally import of the home front war supply effort and the nearly 50% of any division working behind the lined to support the Allied fighting men.
The battle of Goodwood is a perfect example.
I was only aware, before this book, of the 400 tanks 'lost' in one engagement.
Yet hearing is revealed that all but 150 or so (I forget the actual count) were returned to operational battle ready units within a week.
The Wegrmacht could inly dream of such logistics .

A worthwhile read.

AJ Grasso

Very comprehensive study of the allied invasion of Normandy as seen from the eyes of multiple surviving participants

You need a map to follow along. It is important to know what the peninsula, the town location and the river location looks like to see the battle in your mind’s eye.