The Last Battle

What an interesting perspective of this horrible war and the end of the Nazi war machine. Thanks to Dan for recommending it to his listeners!

Outstanding over all, the narrator is excellent, and able to shift voice for different speakers without being distracting or annoying. The book itself is an excellent account of the fall of Berlin, and the most vivid that I've come across - bringing to life what is often a footnote or lone paragraph in more generally WWII books. Highly detailed without being plodding, dense or at all inaccessible, overall a must read for history fans.

Somehow, "The Last Battle" is probably Cornelius Ryan's lesser known work on WWII, after his very famous books "The Longest Day" and "A Bridge Too Far" (yes, both prominent WWII films are based on his material).

If you've seen "The Longest Day" film, you have some idea what this book's narrative is going to be like. It covers the events from as many perspectives as possible...from high-ranking commanders to infantrymen to civilians...many of whom were interviewed by Ryan himself in the 1960's. In fact, many of the most poigiant moments of "The Last Battle" are told from the perspective of German civilians, who attempt to go about their daily lives as the Third Reich collapses in flames all around them.

Essentially, "The Last Battle" covers the invasion of Germany proper, on both the Western and Eastern Fronts, and the titular Battle of Berlin.

But, the heft of this work is in the individual stories. German commanders describe to Ryan how Hitler reacted to his own lunacy coming full circle in the last days of the war. Soviet generals compete to see which Russian army will seize the city first. American pilots reveal how the last aerial dogfight in WWII involved US scout flyers shooting down a opposing German observation plane with Colt .45 1911 pistols. In Berlin, Zoo keepers desperately try to save the animals they were charged with caring for. Nuns struggle to prepare their maternity ward for the worst once Soviet rear-eschelon troops, drunk and prone to rape, arrive to exact revenge for atrocities commited aganist the USSR.

This book is a powerful, moving, and highly informative work.

Be warned, the narration can be kind of dry in some parts; but stay focused, it is so worth it because this book is amazing. It really gives you a first hand account of what it was like to be in 1945 Berlin; It's rare to have such personal accounts of battle and I really would recommend it to anyone who has an interest in this type of history; especially those of you interested on the specific war between Nazi Germany and the Soviet Union.

Yes, because of the wealth of personal accounts from those who lived through the Last Battle

No single character, but rather the German People

Once again, The Germans themselves.

The last few pages as the battle begins to wind down.

If you like military history then I would recommend this book very strongly.

Ryan is a master of history, but the battle of Berlin is one that is ignored by many. The stories are real and bring the final battel to life. It is a great listen.

The human stories

Well spoken and clear

the Author clearly researched this book to the utmost degree. The attention to detail and the story as it grew of the main characters - left me with a profound sadness for both sides of the terrible final weeks of WWII.

By weaving the real history with lives of everyday Berliners of all walks of life made it a thoroughly compelling read.

I must admit that the performance of Simon Vance really added something special to the experience of listening.

Had I been able to listen to the entire book in one sitting, I definitely would have.

Excellent writing and coverage of all facets of the campaign.

Lots of interesting details and behind the scene stories

Highly recommended

Among the top 10.

Adolph Hitler. I enjoy his breakdown toward the end of the war and ultimate suicide. A taste of the suffering he put so many through.

Hitler's tirade upon meeting with his generals for one of the last times.

No. One can get a little bogged down in a couple of places with all the war details.

My biggest criticism is that the story line is fractured and will move between German citizens then American officers then German officers, etc. there is no apparent rhyme or reason as to how the story is to progress or an overall vision as to where it is going. The reason I kept listening was some of the amazing (usually horrifying) situations the German citizens and soldiers were facing. For example, the females getting their suicide plans together as the Russian army approaches.

I enjoyed the personal accounts of the Germans and the Russian officers.

Good narrator, enjoyed.

Can't see this as a story as is, too many people from different perspectives.