Combat Veterans' Stories of World War II: Volume 2: Pacific, China, and Burma, August 1942 - September 1945

By: Norman Black

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

The stories of 15 combat veterans featured in this audiobook tell of the experiences of average Americans who fought US enemies on Pacific islands, in China, and in Burma during World War II. They relate much previously unavailable information about the military in which they served and the battles they fought. The possibility of death and permanent physical and mental injury was their common experience. This audiobook is a "must listen" for those who think they have learned all there is to know about World War II.

©2015 Norman Black (P)2015 Norman Black

This book should be required listening in schools

This is the second of Norman Black's books I've listened to - see my other review for more details.

Truly I can't say enough good things about these books. This is not a rip-roaring Hollywood story where chisel-jawed superstars chew quirky cigars and call people by random nicknames. This is a collection of first-hand accounts of the reality of warfare directly from the mouths of the people who fought in battles, who lost friends, who saw bravery and cruelty close-up and somehow managed to live to tell the tale.

These audiobooks are not recounted like a storybook - and they are better for it - Kevin Spalding narrates the books excellently to bring to life the stream of consciousness that the various combatants gave up while being interviewed for their accounts of their experiences.

Honestly, these accounts should be preserved as historical documents - the style is more like PBS or a well-researched BBC documentary and pretty soon all the people involved in these conflicts will be gone and we'll allow ourselves to gradually forget what they went through and how completely, utterly brutal the times they lived in were. It sounds like hyperbole to say they should be a part of the public archives but I assure you they really should be.

Listening to the matter-of-fact narratives from the guys (combatants in that era were almost exclusively male) who describe such wonderful normality of life prior to enlistment juxtaposed by such truly humbling descriptions of what they went through. Really, I thought I knew a fair bit about this time in world history but to hear these men speak of the real horror of war, of the people they lost, the almost throw-away lines line "and then a sniper shot him through the head not more than three feet away from me" is just an eye-opener.

Included in these accounts is that of the well-known journalist Norman Hatch who was famously photographed feeding a small cat water by the tracks of a tank. To hear his own words covering the background of not just this well-published photo but also how he got to be there in the first place along with his gritty experiences of so many things that he saw and could not unsee should be enough in itself for you to get this book...but if that's the only reason then you're going to be pleased to find that there is so much more to this comprehensive collection of reality and testaments from real people who went through hell and came out the other side.

I received this audiobook as a gift from Kevin Spalding after I mentioned how much I liked the other book in the series by Norman Black. Don't let that put you off - my praise for this audiobook is completely genuine. It's definitely worth your time. If I'd not liked the book there was no requirement for me to leave a review - but in fact I think an accurate review in this case is completely required, for the memories of these men, for the things they saw.

You Are There

Would you consider the audio edition of Combat Veterans' Stories of World War II: Volume 2: Pacific, China, and Burma, August 1942 - September 1945 to be better than the print version?

I have not had the opportunity to read the print version.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Richard M. Murchs, because I am also a veteran from the South east Asia area. I spent 10 months while serving in the Air Force in Thailand, Los and Cambodia, 1969. I also remember the movie "Merrill's Marauders" with Jeff Chandler..Listening to Richard's story brought great memories .

Have you listened to any of Capt. Kevin F. Spalding USNR-Ret’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

Yes, Captain Spalding has a way of speaking , that the listener almost feels as if he is right in the room with the actual person listening to the interview.

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

Real Men, Real heroes

Any additional comments?

I believe because the narrator is a veteran himself, he can relate and tell the story better than a non-veteran, that would not have anything in common with the character of the book. I enjoyed this book, as well as others that Captain Spalding has narrated and look forward to reading/hearing many more.

Interesting and very informative reading

This book is very interesting and informative. If you have an interest in history and/or WW2 I'm sure you will enjoy this read.

The interviews are told so authentic it's like you are hearing the stories out of the mouth of these former soldiers

You get a good insight in how it was to be in the battlefield back in the day

Really resonates

Great historical perspective. We should take more time to learn about what our military personnel have sacrificed for our country.

This audiobook was provided by the author, narrator, or publisher at no cost in exchange for an unbiased review courtesy of Audiobook Blast.

History played out before us!

What did you love best about Combat Veterans' Stories of World War II: Volume 2: Pacific, China, and Burma, August 1942 - September 1945?

These were true stories told by men who lived in an amazing time and had amazing stories to share.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Because there were so many different stories and different characters it is hard to call out one specific character.

Have you listened to any of Capt. Kevin F. Spalding USNR-Ret’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

This was my first Capt Spalding performance, Job well done!

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

No extreme reactions, although I did spend most of time "shaking my head" at the stories that each man told of his respective experiences.