Combat Veterans' Stories of World War II: Volume 1

North Africa and Europe, November 1942-May 1945

By: Norman Black

Narrated by: Capt. Kevin F. Spalding USNR-Ret

Length: 10 hrs and 13 mins

Publisher's summary

The stories of 20 combat veterans in this book tell experiences of average Americans that fought enemies of the US in World War II. They relate much previously unavailable information about the military in which they served and the battles they fought, from North Africa to Europe, where the possibility of death and permanent physical and mental injury was their common experience. This book is a "must listen" for those that think they have learned all there is to know about World War II.

©2015 Norman Philip Black (P)2015 Norman Philip Black

I survived

The collections of stories was
Fantastic and the variety
Of military branches and geographically
Where all the soldiers were from?
Literally covered all over the U.S.
The narrator captured the excitement
And both the danger and humor
Of the veterans.
I am excited to start Volume 2.

Good stories, bad narration

Great stories but the narrator uses an annoying happy go lucky tone for every story inappropriately.

Love the stories

The stories were excellent! Being the child of a career military man, I have always appreciated and respected those brave men and women who have served this country. The narrator of this piece was easy to listen to and brought life to the stories. It was easy to visualize the scenes and identify with the emotions. This book is simply outstanding!

Great Listen

I really enjoyed listening to these brave soldiers stories, gives so many different perspectives to times and the struggles they all faced.

Should Be Required Reading High School History

This is a compilation of 20 combat veterans who served for the US during World War II. They are told from a position that only one who went through it can tell.

This should be required reading for junior high to high school age students.

Each account is a complete recounting; from just before the combat veteran was activated to where he and his family currently stand as of 2015.

Unfortunately, time marches on and we are soon going to lose all of our World War II veterans. I'm glad that Norman Black took the time to interview and write the stories down.

The narration by Capt. Kevin F. Spalding USNR-Ret was steady and strong. He made for allowances during the more vulnerable times but only as the veteran himself would have told it.

Thank you for reading my review, if you have found it helpful would you please select yes directly below this text.

War stories in the words of the men who fought

A good book which is definitely going to appeal to people who wish to hear first-hand accounts from Americans who actually fought in World War II.

This is not a novel. It's not a tale of imagined derring do - it's a collection of first-hand accounts drawn directly from interviews either with the actual subjects themselves or from diaries and notes donated by their families. Most of the stories detail events prior to enlistment, through training and deployment right up to the soldier's return home and often afterwards into later life.

The stories are mostly told as they were dictated by non-professional writers frequently in a flow of consciousness style. I think this actually leads to a better book as a result and definitely works a lot better as an audiobook - it's like the veterans are sitting with you telling you the things that they witnessed....

..and what they witnessed - such matter-of-fact descriptions of incarceration in The Bastille, for example, with the poor guy losing over half his bodyweight and reaching a near-death 65 pounds before being liberated. Tales of field hospitals with brave fighters suffering unimaginable hardships to fight one of the greatest threats to the free world of the twentieth century. Really, truly, these people and their families, indeed everyone, went through so much and these reminiscences paint a picture of the shadows as they begin to fade with time.

Great narration by Kevin Spalding read in a deliberately laconic style without any faux dramatic intonation which overall I think does the words great credit.

Note: Audiobook received in exchange for this unbiased and honest review.

True stories from real heroes

Would you recommend this book to a friend? Why or why not?

Yes I would recommend this to anyone with interest in military history. It's basically 20 short biographies of men who have served in the US armed forces in WW2. I learned so much interesting small details which aren't often mentioned in the bigger more wide ranging WW2 histories, this for me made the accounts very personal.

What other book might you compare Combat Veterans' Stories of World War II: Volume 1 to and why?

This is the first book of true military stories I have read like this in mini 'autobiography' fashion, unless of course you want to compare it to World War Z.

Which character – as performed by Capt. Kevin F. Spalding USNR-Ret – was your favorite?

Hard to choose an overall favourite, as many of the stories were touching and really brought home the incredible bravery of 'ordinary' people who in thuth at least in my eyes are extraordinary. I liked the story of Arnold 'Ray' Lambert, such an honest account of a humble guy. A veterinarian who became a medic in the army.

If this book were a movie would you go see it?

I would, if it was done right.

Any additional comments?

I really enjoyed this book and I must say I was moved by many accounts in it. Capt. Kevin Spalding was brilliant as narrator and his voicing of the various vets. was excellent.This is my honest unbiased review which I give in return for a review copy of the book.

If you are interested in first hand stories...

What did you love best about Combat Veterans' Stories of World War II: Volume 1?

you'll really love this book. Excellent selection of stories from the various theaters and services.

Which scene was your favorite?

I'm not as familiar with the campaigns in North Africa so those were of keen interest.

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

Too diverse a cast of characters/locations to be made into a film.

Any additional comments?

I was provided this audiobook at no charge by the author, publisher and/or narrator in exchange for an unbiased review via audioblast dot com.

Combat Veterans' Stories

Combat Veterans' Stories of World War II: Volume 1: North Africa and Europe, November 1942-May 1945:
by Norman Black

A very good recounting of WWII veterans time in service. I've heard a few accounts from family that served, but most didn't care to relive that time. This gave me a little more of an idea of what that time was like for them.



The narration was well done.: Capt. Kevin F. Spalding USNR-Ret has the perfect voice for this genre and makes war stories easier to listen to.



"I was voluntarily provided this review copy audiobook at no charge by the author, publisher and/or narrator."

good

Loved it !! this story. the narrator is so fantastic it's like your really there!! good overall