The Liberator

One World War II Soldier's 500-Day Odyssey from the Beaches of Sicily to the Gates of Dachau

By: Alex Kershaw

Narrated by: Fred Sanders

Length: 11 hrs and 2 mins

Publisher's summary

The true story of the bloodiest and most dramatic march to victory of the Second World War: the battlefield odyssey of a maverick U.S. Army officer and his infantry unit as they fought for over five hundred days to liberate Europe - from the invasion of Italy to the gates of Dachau.

From July 10, 1943, the date of the Allied landing in Sicily, to May 8, 1945, when victory in Europe was declared - the entire time it took to liberate Europe - no regiment saw more action, and no single platoon, company, or battalion endured worse, than the ones commanded by Felix Sparks, who had entered the war as a greenhorn second lieutenant of the 157th "Eager for Duty" Infantry Regiment of the 45th "Thunderbird" Division. Sparks and his fellow Thunderbirds fought longest and hardest to defeat Hitler, often against his most fanatical troops, when the odds on the battlefield were even and the fortunes of the Allies hung in the balance - and when the difference between defeat and victory was a matter of character, not tactics or armor.

Drawing on extensive interviews with Sparks and dozens of his men, as well as over five years of research in Europe and in archives across the US, historian Alex Kershaw masterfully recounts one of the most inspiring and heroic journeys in military history. Over the course of four amphibious invasions, Sparks rose from captain to colonel as he battled from the beaches of Sicily through the mountains of Italy and France, ultimately enduring bitter and desperate winter combat against the diehard SS on the Fatherland's borders. Though he lost all of his company to save the Allied beach-head at Anzio and an entire battalion in the dark forests of the Vosges, Sparks miraculously survived the long bloody march across Europe and was selected to lead a final charge to Bavaria to hunt down Adolf Hitler.

In the dying days of the Third Reich, Sparks and his men crossed the last great barrier in the West, the Rhine, only to experience some of the most intense street fighting and close combat suffered by Americans in WWII. When they finally arrived at the gates of Dachau, Hitler's first and most notorious concentration camp, the Thunderbirds confronted scenes that robbed the mind of reason. With victory within grasp, Sparks confronted the ultimate test of his humanity: after all he had faced, could he resist the urge to wreak vengeance on the men who had caused untold suffering and misery?

Written with the narrative drive and vivid immediacy of Kershaw's previous best-selling books about American infantrymen in WWII, The Liberator is a story for the ages, an intensely human and dramatic account of one of history's greatest warriors and his unheralded role in America's finest achievement - the defeat of Nazi Germany.

©2012 Alex Kershaw (P)2012 Random House Audio

Critic reviews

"[Kershaw] is a captivating narrator, hammering home the chaos and carnage of war, sparing no sensory detail to paint a cohesive picture. [His] portrayal of his subject (based on interviews with Sparks, who died in 2007, and other survivors) makes for a riveting, almost epic tale of a larger-than-life, underappreciated figure." ( Publishers Weekly)

"This engrossing wartime narrative offers a fresh look at the European campaign and an intimate sense of the war’s toll on individual participants." ( Kirkus Reviews)

"A searing, brilliantly told story of the heroism and horror of war, Alex Kershaw's The Liberator is a book that's impossible to put down. A must read for anyone who loved Band of Brothers." (Lynne Olson, author of Citizens of London)

Beautiful

This book takes you on an amazing adventure through multiple theaters of the war. As well as an emotional journey through Felix Sparks’ life. Great book.

Great story about Mr Sparks

Great story about Felix Sparks, however the narrators attempts to match accents were just annoying.

Powerful true story - Exceptional Leadership

Must read, especially about World War II. Most powerful book I have ever read in my 74 years. Extraordinary leadership of an officer who truly cared about his men in war and later in civilian life. My father was D-Day veteran and career Army. I am retired Naval officer, so this story is particularly moving and meaningful. Thank God we had such men of Greatest Generation to fight and win this war for freedom. I have visited many WW-I and II American grave sites in France and Belgium, so better understand the ultimate sacrifice of our American combat fighters. I salute them all. I shall never forget. This book The Liberator deepens my understanding, appreciation and admiration. Please read this tribute. You shall be truly and deeply moved.

A Hero hiding in plain sight!!!

Felix Sparks is as big a hero as they come! I am surprised that from all the military history I have studied, it was until now I heard of this amazing man that is head and shoulders above the rest!

Captivating

Unbelievable and well written account of the infantry suffering during the second world war in Europe

1157th FSC

outstanding true story about soldiers of the 1157th from Colorado. my unit has history with them

The Liberator

Felix Sparks gives us an example of what patriotism & devotion to one’s men means. His fight for gun safety is needed now more than ever. We’ll written and we’ll narrated.

Remarkable Man

Remarkable man with a remarkable history. Wish we had more like him alive today, because if we did, our republic and democracy would be more secure.

Great true story, but terrible European accents

This is a great story that is unmissable. However, prepare yourself for German and French accents that don’t ring true and sometimes are used interchangeably.

Great person and well told story

Sometimes the story gets too real but it’s all real. Brave and honorable leader l wish I could have me him and heard his story