Sample
  • Ghost Soldiers

  • The Epic Account of World War II's Greatest Rescue Mission
  • By: Hampton Sides
  • Narrated by: James Naughton
  • Length: 5 hrs and 57 mins
  • 4.6 out of 5 stars (1,414 ratings)

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Ghost Soldiers

By: Hampton Sides
Narrated by: James Naughton
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Publisher's summary

A tense, powerful, grand account of one of the most daring exploits of World War II.

On January 28, 1945, 121 hand-selected troops from the elite US Army 6th Ranger Battalion slipped behind enemy lines in the Philippines. Their mission: March thirty miles in an attempt to rescue 513 American and British POWs who had spent three years in a surreally hellish camp near the city of Cabanatuan. The prisoners included the last survivors of the Bataan Death March left in the camp, and their extraordinary will to live might soon count for nothing - elsewhere in the Philippines, the Japanese Army had already executed American prisoners as it retreated from the advancing US Army. As the Rangers stealthily moved through enemy-occupied territory, they learned that Cabanatuan had become a major transshipment point for the Japanese retreat, and instead of facing the few dozen prison guards, they could possibly confront as many as 8,000 battle-hardened enemy troops.

Hampton Sides' vivid minute-by-minute narration of the raid and his chronicle of the prisoners' wrenching experiences are masterful. But Ghost Soldiers is far more than a thrilling battle saga. Hampton Sides explores the mystery of human behavior under extreme duress - the resilience of the prisoners, who defied the Japanese authorities even as they endured starvation, tropical diseases, and unspeakable tortures; the violent cultural clashes with Japanese guards and soldiers steeped in the warrior ethic of Bushido; the remarkable heroism of the Rangers and Filipino guerrillas; the complex motivations of the US high command, some of whom could justly be charged with abandoning the men of Bataan in 1942; and the nearly suicidal bravado of several spies, including priests and a cabaret owner, who risked their lives to help the prisoners during their long ordeal.

At once a gripping depiction of men at war and a compelling story of redemption, Ghost Soldiers joins such landmark books as Flags of Our Fathers, The Greatest Generation, The Rape of Nanking, and D-Day in preserving the legacy of World War II for future generations.

©2001 Hampton Sides (P)2001 Random House, Inc., Bantam Doubleday Dell Audio Publishing, A Divison of Random House, Inc.

Critic reviews

"[It] took me on a queasy journey deep into the realm of pure evil - then rescued me in a blaze of heroics and righteous vengeance. There's grief, despair, and terror here, but there's also adventure, courage, and joy. (Erik Larson, author Isaac's Storm)

Featured Article: The 10 Best WWII Audiobooks for Every History Buff


World War II, although well-documented through various mediums, is the basis for a wide range of little-known stories from Europe and beyond that deserve to be heard. From firsthand accounts of soldiers on the front lines to stories of brave women behind the scenes, these are impactful stories of humans coming together in this time of global conflict. We’re sure you’ll find something captivating on our list of the best WWII audiobooks.

What listeners say about Ghost Soldiers

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Great piece of history

Very well top and painted a very surreal and important view not too many know about ww2.

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Must Read

Everyone should read this book. True account of some of American Finest. Testimony to GRIT, intestinal fortitude, and the will to survive.

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Great

Awesome book, great detail, and good narration.

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Amazing book

An amazing story of survival through the worst possible situation.
Also a fantastic story about a unbelievable rescue operation

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Amazing

Very powerful story. So many times I found myself holding back tears. Fantastic all around.

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Heroes live here

I know the story. I've seen the movie. Still reared up when the pows crossed the American lines and sailed under the Golden Gate Bridge. It's an abridgment but it's worth your time and a great story of real heroes.

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True patriots!

What grit and determination on both sides of the wire. An amazing victory and told so well.

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Riveting and remarkable 

Hampton Sides never disappoints! This was a story I was completely unfamiliar with. I listened in a state of utter disbelief – a truly riveting and remarkable account of the atrocities of war. Sides detailed description is masterful, as if I was there; I thank the good Lord I wasn't...

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Must read book

Tremendous, gripping,touching book on the fate if the defenders of Bataan in WWII to include the Death March and the operation to rescue them. Unlike the movie, The Great Raid, the book gives a more accurate account of the Filipino Guerillas' pivotal role in the success.

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Better than fiction.

I really enjoyed listening to this book.Well narrated, it is a great story. You really look forward to the next chapter.

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