Kokoda (by Peter FitzSimons)

By: Peter FitzSimons

Narrated by: Lewis FitzGerald

Length: 16 hrs and 47 mins

Publisher's summary

For Australians, Kokoda is the iconic battle of World War II, yet few people know just what happened and just what our troops achieved. Now, best-selling author Peter FitzSimons tells the Kokoda story in a gripping, moving story for all Australians.

Conditions on the track were hellish - rain was constant, the terrain close to inhospitable, food and ammunition supplies were practically non-existent, and the men constantly battled malaria and dysentery, as well as the Japanese. Kokoda was a defining battle for Australia - a small force of young, ill-equipped Australians engaged a highly experienced and hitherto unstoppable Japanese force on a narrow, precarious jungle track - and defeated them.

©2005 Peter FitzSimons (P)2013 Audiobook recording produced by Evan Croker.

Great bit of historical narration

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

yes. It goes into the story behind the war in a part of the world not often talked about...Australia.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Kokoda?

The incredible down to earth courage of the Australian citizen soldier in the face incompetent leaders and geographical nightmares. It was disheartening to see such incredible efforts ignored by political and military leaders

Any additional comments?

This is just another work bringing to light the farce that Douglas McArthur was. I grew up thinking he was a war hero...well, time will eventually bring out the truth and it has

Simply awesome!!!

Would you consider the audio edition of Kokoda to be better than the print version?

The narrator (Lewis FitzGerald ) is superb in this audible book.
I can't imagine a printed version would have the impact. Not even close!

What was one of the most memorable moments of Kokoda?

Brave, courageous and ''never give up'' Aussies.

What does Lewis FitzGerald bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Lewis FitzGerald made the experience for me.. Well done Lewis...

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

It was such an up and down ride, but that's war!

Any additional comments?

This book has really made me proud to be an Aussie...

A Courageous Story

this has to be one of the most courageous stories of the entire War! the Aussies of the 39th battalion deserve so much praise for the courageous fight at the Kakoda tract in New Guinea. in this story you learn about the personal courage of the members of the 39th battalion as well as the decisions made by commanding generals and officers. you learn about the negligence of Douglas MacArthur towards the Australians in New Guinea and you are alongside the members of the 39 Battalion as they fight desperately and brutal can jungle conditions against the Japanese forces.
Narrator Lewis FitzGerald does an astounding job reading us this incredible story! the team of this audiobook did a phenomenal job using music, echo, and intensity in the reading of this book. Listen this book!! it is the best book on audio I've ever listened to and it is one of the most important stories of the entire War that too often gets overlooked!!! 10 Stars out of 10!!

A compelling story

In World War II the Japanese landed in New Guinea in preparation for the invasion of Australia. The 39th Battalion along with its later reinforcement troops of the 2/14th and 2/16th battalions saved Australia from Invasion. Australia had send troops to help Britain in Egypt and Europe; they recalled these troops to protect Australia from Invasion, in the meantime they had to rely on the 39th Battalion.

The 39th Battalion went to New Guinea and fought the battles of Kokoda between July and November 1942. They were outnumbered five to one, as they held back the Japanese on the Kokoda track. The Kokoda Track is the only land route from Buna (air field) in the north, across the Owen Stanley Ranges to Port Moresby in the South. The 39th fought in spite of being weakened by dysentery, poor supplies, and little food and depleted ammunition.
Beyond the graphic descriptions of battle, FitzSimons choose to weave personal experience of a few figures into his account of the struggle. Stan Bisset, his brother Butch and Joe Dawson are some of those he wrote about. He also writes about Damien Parer, Australia’s greatest war photographer and ABC Radio War Correspondent Chester Wilmot.

FitzSimons states that the battle of Isurava on August 26, 1942 was a defining battle that proved the value of the Australian soldier. FitzSimons gives a moving account of the battle and the extraordinary feats of Sergeant Bruce Kingsbury who was posthumously awarded the Victoria Cross.

FitzSimons journalist background is revealed in the way he wrote the book as compared to a historian. The author did a prodigious amount of research for this book. In his preparation to write the book FitzSimons walked the Kokoda track. He said, “It was the hardest physical ordeal of my life.”

There are plenty of stories of horrific battles and terrible conditions and privations for soldiers of both sides to have endured. General Douglas McArthur is portrayed in a poor light by FitzGerald; he included the upper brass of the Australian Army for their poor performance. FitzSimons points out that Kokoda (WWII) was the Gallipoli (WWI) for a new generation.

If you are interested in World War II Pacific Theatre history, this is an important book about the battle for Australia. Louis FitzGerald narrated the book.

A great true story of suffering and war

What made the experience of listening to Kokoda the most enjoyable?

Kokoda is legend in Australia, and no doubt many places in the world with legends and stories abound. Peter Fitzsimons does a wonderful job in his telling.

What other book might you compare Kokoda to and why?

Consider this comparable to his Tobruk

A very moving and graphic account.

This book gives a very moving and graphic account of the first time the Japanese Imperial Army was defeated on land during World War 2. It describes how a battalion of Australian Army Reserve soldiers slowed the advance of the Japanese across New Guinea long enough to allow the arrival of battle seasoned Australian Army Regular soldiers from the Middle East. Eventually, the Australians pushed the Japanese back and defeated them.

Outstanding!

An amazing story. Strong performance. Any history enthusiast would enjoy this. And I'm not even Australian.

Loved every word!

As someone whose Uncle was in the 39th battalion in Kokoda, this was an amazing insight.

Unbelievable heroism!

This tale of gallantry and heroism will touch your heart. The story should be required listening (or reading) by any person who cares about true devotion.

Indomitable spirit

I had never heard of Kokoda before listening to this book. That is a shame. I am not likely to forget the name now. This is one of the more amazing chapters in the annals of war.

It is very much a story of the indomitable spirit of common soldiers called upon to perform impossible tasks with inferior equipment, little or no training, some of the worst terrain in the entire world and stupid, pig-headed leadership at the highest level. FitzSimons does a fine job of keeping us engaged with the narrative even as the action of the men on the ground is reduced to an interminable, repetitious slog between indefensible positions which are held in the face of overwhelming odds and casualties only to be given up as the serial holding actions continue. He does this by giving us detailed and moving accounts of individuals and etching in our minds indelible images of moments of extraordinary heroism and gallantry. Nor does he fail to include Japanese participants among these glimpses of war's exquisite anguish. In addition we are regularly taken to the rear to witness the unpardonable, ego-driven pig-headedness of MacArthur and the Australian high command which failed the troops in almost every way.

This is an account made all the more gripping because it played such a pivotal role in turning the tide of the Japanese expansion in the South, holding the door shut while the U.S. put Marines in place on Guadalcanal where they would dig in to face their own ghastly ordeal. Without Kokoda, there would have never been a victory at Guadal and the war would doubtless have lasted significantly longer. The poorly trained, unprepared, mostly unsupported men of the Australian home defense forces at Kokoda deserve to be remembered with reverence, and this book tells their story brilliantly. I highly recommend it.