The Guns at Last Light

The War in Western Europe, 1944-1945

By: Rick Atkinson

Narrated by: L. J. Ganser

Length: 32 hrs and 18 mins

Publisher's summary

The eagerly awaited final volume in Pulitzer Prize-winner Rick Atkinson's New York Times best-selling Liberation Trilogy.

It is the 20th century's unrivaled epic: At a staggering price, the United States and its allies liberated Europe and vanquished Hitler. In the first two volumes of his best-selling Liberation Trilogy, Rick Atkinson recounted the history of how the American-led coalition fought its way from North Africa and Italy to the threshold of victory. Now he tells the most dramatic story of all - the titanic battle in Western Europe.

D-Day marked the commencement of the war's final campaign, and Atkinson's astonishingly fresh account of that enormous gamble sets the pace for the masterly narrative that follows. The brutal fight in Normandy, the liberation of Paris, the disaster that was Market Garden, the horrific Battle of the Bulge, and finally the thrust to the heart of the Third Reich - all these historic moments come utterly alive. Atkinson tells the tale from the perspective of participants at all levels, from presidents and prime ministers to ambitious generals, from war-weary lieutenants to terrified teenage riflemen. When Germany at last surrenders, we understand anew both the devastating cost of this global conflagration and the awe-inspiring effort that led to Germany's surrender.

With the stirring final volume of this monumental trilogy, Rick Atkinson's remarkable accomplishment is manifest. He has produced the definitive chronicle of the war that restored freedom to the West. His lively, occasionally lyric prose brings the vast theater of battle, from the beaches of Normandy deep into Germany, brilliantly alive. It is hard to imagine a better history of the western front's final phase.

©2013 Rich Atkinson (P)2013 Simon & Schuster

Critic reviews

"Superb… The book is distinguished by its astonishing range of coverage… [Atkinson’s] lively, occasionally lyric prose brings the vast theater of battle, from the beaches of Normandy deep into Germany, brilliantly alive. It is hard to imagine a better history of the western front’s final phase." ( Publishers Weekly, starred review)

"[An] extraordinary accomplishment. This is a beautifully written, moving account of one of the most bittersweet chapters in modern history… The details build a stunning and precise account of major movements—from Normandy to Paris, from the South of France to Grenoble—and close-up portraits of famous figures that make them living, breathing beings." ( Smithsonian Magazine)

"Superb… The book is distinguished by its astonishing range of coverage… [Atkinson’s] lively, occasionally lyric prose brings the vast theater of battle, from the beaches of Normandy deep into Germany, brilliantly alive. It is hard to imagine a better history of the western front’s final phase." ( Publishers Weekly, starred review)

Outstanding

My dad flew as a nose gunner in a B24 from Italy on 50 bombing missions. He made his great personal effort for the country he loved and cherished.
Rick Atkinson connects the small dots of individual contributions into the mighty force of freedom that defeated the fascists. His three volume history on the Allied war in Europe is a masterpiece.

Worth a listen, as a good overview

While any book about as great a timeframe as the last 12 months in Western Europe during the Second World War is going to be by its very nature more of an overview, Atkinson does a very good job of making that overview informative and does not gloss over the horrible nature of the conflict, the atrocities committed by the axis, nor the misconduct and misbehavior that occurred on the allied side as the war in Europe came to its bloody close. It’s a subject touched over by historians again and again, and while much of the information isn’t new, it is told in a way that is digestible and engaging.

Very engaging..

Narrator is first rate, except for some difficulty in pronouncing French and German place names... Pace of the book is always fast and engaging, details from historical archives add colour and reality to the terrible war experiences recounted.

Poor reader

Reader mispronounced so many simple words I lost count. This was very distracting. Story was good.

Finished with great sorrow. Will we see this again

Great writing ,wonderful research and effective story. However it's Re mag en not Rem a gen!

Great

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

Comprehensive, moves fairly well, avoids some pitfalls. Allies are hard to satisfy.

What other book might you compare The Guns at Last Light to and why?

Other two books of series. Complete the history of Army in ETO.

What does L. J. Ganser bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

He delivered it all.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Could not imagine it.

Any additional comments?

Good for daily wals

Amazing story

A long but detailed account of the European Struggle to shake lose Nazi control but also insight into the Multinational leadership struggle that constantly hindered combined military operations.

America

This was an amazing read unbelievable stories of how scary war was at the time.

Perfect

Perfect way to finish the awesome trilogy. a masterpiece. I can't wait for the new series on the Revolution.

history made enjoyable

well received end of the trilogy all 3 were knowledgeable well written and preformed nicely