-
The Battle of Midway (Pivotal Moments in American History)
- Narrated by: James Lurie
- Length: 14 hrs and 47 mins
Add to Cart failed.
Add to Wish List failed.
Remove from wishlist failed.
Adding to library failed
Follow podcast failed
Unfollow podcast failed
Buy for $29.95
No default payment method selected.
We are sorry. We are not allowed to sell this product with the selected payment method
Listeners also enjoyed...
-
The Story of World War II
- By: Donald L. Miller, Henry Steele Commager
- Narrated by: Michael Kramer
- Length: 24 hrs and 52 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Drawing on previously unpublished eyewitness accounts, prizewinning historian Donald L. Miller has written what critics are calling one of the most powerful accounts of warfare ever published. Here are the horror and heroism of World War II in the words of the men who fought it, the journalists who covered it, and the civilians who were caught in its fury. Miller gives us an up-close, deeply personal view of a war that was more savagely fought - and whose outcome was in greater doubt - than one might imagine. This is the war that Americans on the home front would have read about had they had access to previously censored testimony.
-
-
Best written, best narrator
- By geffrey on 05-02-13
By: Donald L. Miller, and others
-
Big Week
- The Biggest Air Battle of World War II
- By: James Holland
- Narrated by: Grover Gardner
- Length: 15 hrs and 20 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
During the third week of February 1944, the combined Allied air forces based in Britain and Italy launched their first round-the-clock bomber offensive against Germany. Their goal: to smash the main factories and production centers of the Luftwaffe while also drawing German planes into an aerial battle of attrition to neutralize the Luftwaffe as a fighting force prior to the cross-channel invasion, planned for a few months later. Officially called Operation ARGUMENT, this aerial offensive quickly became known as “Big Week,” and it was one of the turning-points of World War II.
-
-
War in the Air: Sets stage with gripping narrative
- By Nashville Cat on 11-17-18
By: James Holland
-
World War II at Sea
- A Global History
- By: Craig L. Symonds
- Narrated by: Eric Martin
- Length: 25 hrs and 52 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
World War II at Sea offers a global perspective, focusing on the major engagements and personalities and revealing both their scale and their interconnection: the U-boat attack on Scapa Flow and the Battle of the Atlantic; the "miracle" evacuation from Dunkirk and the pitched battles for control of Norway fjords; Mussolini's Regia Marina - at the start of the war the fourth-largest navy in the world - and the dominance of the Kidö Butai and Japanese naval power in the Pacific; Pearl Harbor then Midway; and much more.
-
-
Outstanding
- By Patrick on 02-14-19
By: Craig L. Symonds
-
Neptune
- The Allied Invasion of Europe and the D-Day Landings
- By: Craig L. Symonds
- Narrated by: Craig L. Symonds
- Length: 15 hrs and 18 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Seventy years ago, more than 6000 Allied ships carried more than a million soldiers across the English Channel to a 50-mile-wide strip of the Normandy coast in German-occupied France. It was the greatest sea-borne assault in human history. The code names given to the beaches where the ships landed the soldiers have become immortal: Gold, Juno, Sword, Utah, and especially Omaha, the scene of almost unimaginable human tragedy.
-
-
One of the best!!!
- By Thomas J. Cutler on 01-18-15
By: Craig L. Symonds
-
Enemy at the Gates
- The Battle for Stalingrad
- By: William Craig
- Narrated by: David Baker
- Length: 13 hrs and 26 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
On August 5, 1942, giant pillars of dust rose over the Russian steppe, marking the advance of the 6th Army, an elite German combat unit dispatched by Hitler to capture the industrial city of Stalingrad and press on to the oil fields of Azerbaijan. The Germans were supremely confident; in three years, they had not suffered a single defeat. The Luftwaffe had already bombed the city into ruins. German soldiers hoped to complete their mission and be home in time for Christmas.
-
-
great, but difficult to follow
- By Ed on 03-19-16
By: William Craig
-
Shattered Sword
- The Untold Story of the Battle of Midway
- By: Jonathan Parshall, Anthony Tully
- Narrated by: Tom Perkins
- Length: 24 hrs and 44 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Many consider the Battle of Midway to have turned the tide of the Pacific War. It is without question one of the most famous battles in history. Now, for the first time since Gordon W. Prange's best-selling Miracle at Midway, Jonathan Parshall and Anthony Tully offer a new interpretation of this great naval engagement. Shattered Sword makes extensive use of Japanese primary sources. It also corrects the many errors of Mitsuo Fuchida's Midway: The Battle That Doomed Japan It thus forces a major, potentially controversial reevaluation of the great battle.
-
-
Shattered Myths - These authors got it right?
- By Ol'BlueEyes on 05-13-19
By: Jonathan Parshall, and others
-
The Story of World War II
- By: Donald L. Miller, Henry Steele Commager
- Narrated by: Michael Kramer
- Length: 24 hrs and 52 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Drawing on previously unpublished eyewitness accounts, prizewinning historian Donald L. Miller has written what critics are calling one of the most powerful accounts of warfare ever published. Here are the horror and heroism of World War II in the words of the men who fought it, the journalists who covered it, and the civilians who were caught in its fury. Miller gives us an up-close, deeply personal view of a war that was more savagely fought - and whose outcome was in greater doubt - than one might imagine. This is the war that Americans on the home front would have read about had they had access to previously censored testimony.
-
-
Best written, best narrator
- By geffrey on 05-02-13
By: Donald L. Miller, and others
-
Big Week
- The Biggest Air Battle of World War II
- By: James Holland
- Narrated by: Grover Gardner
- Length: 15 hrs and 20 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
During the third week of February 1944, the combined Allied air forces based in Britain and Italy launched their first round-the-clock bomber offensive against Germany. Their goal: to smash the main factories and production centers of the Luftwaffe while also drawing German planes into an aerial battle of attrition to neutralize the Luftwaffe as a fighting force prior to the cross-channel invasion, planned for a few months later. Officially called Operation ARGUMENT, this aerial offensive quickly became known as “Big Week,” and it was one of the turning-points of World War II.
-
-
War in the Air: Sets stage with gripping narrative
- By Nashville Cat on 11-17-18
By: James Holland
-
World War II at Sea
- A Global History
- By: Craig L. Symonds
- Narrated by: Eric Martin
- Length: 25 hrs and 52 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
World War II at Sea offers a global perspective, focusing on the major engagements and personalities and revealing both their scale and their interconnection: the U-boat attack on Scapa Flow and the Battle of the Atlantic; the "miracle" evacuation from Dunkirk and the pitched battles for control of Norway fjords; Mussolini's Regia Marina - at the start of the war the fourth-largest navy in the world - and the dominance of the Kidö Butai and Japanese naval power in the Pacific; Pearl Harbor then Midway; and much more.
-
-
Outstanding
- By Patrick on 02-14-19
By: Craig L. Symonds
-
Neptune
- The Allied Invasion of Europe and the D-Day Landings
- By: Craig L. Symonds
- Narrated by: Craig L. Symonds
- Length: 15 hrs and 18 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Seventy years ago, more than 6000 Allied ships carried more than a million soldiers across the English Channel to a 50-mile-wide strip of the Normandy coast in German-occupied France. It was the greatest sea-borne assault in human history. The code names given to the beaches where the ships landed the soldiers have become immortal: Gold, Juno, Sword, Utah, and especially Omaha, the scene of almost unimaginable human tragedy.
-
-
One of the best!!!
- By Thomas J. Cutler on 01-18-15
By: Craig L. Symonds
-
Enemy at the Gates
- The Battle for Stalingrad
- By: William Craig
- Narrated by: David Baker
- Length: 13 hrs and 26 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
On August 5, 1942, giant pillars of dust rose over the Russian steppe, marking the advance of the 6th Army, an elite German combat unit dispatched by Hitler to capture the industrial city of Stalingrad and press on to the oil fields of Azerbaijan. The Germans were supremely confident; in three years, they had not suffered a single defeat. The Luftwaffe had already bombed the city into ruins. German soldiers hoped to complete their mission and be home in time for Christmas.
-
-
great, but difficult to follow
- By Ed on 03-19-16
By: William Craig
-
Shattered Sword
- The Untold Story of the Battle of Midway
- By: Jonathan Parshall, Anthony Tully
- Narrated by: Tom Perkins
- Length: 24 hrs and 44 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Many consider the Battle of Midway to have turned the tide of the Pacific War. It is without question one of the most famous battles in history. Now, for the first time since Gordon W. Prange's best-selling Miracle at Midway, Jonathan Parshall and Anthony Tully offer a new interpretation of this great naval engagement. Shattered Sword makes extensive use of Japanese primary sources. It also corrects the many errors of Mitsuo Fuchida's Midway: The Battle That Doomed Japan It thus forces a major, potentially controversial reevaluation of the great battle.
-
-
Shattered Myths - These authors got it right?
- By Ol'BlueEyes on 05-13-19
By: Jonathan Parshall, and others
-
The Last Battle
- By: Cornelius Ryan
- Narrated by: Simon Vance
- Length: 15 hrs and 45 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
The Battle for Berlin was the culminating struggle of World War II in the European theater. The last offensive against Hitler’s Third Reich, it devastated one of Europe’s historic capitals and marked the final defeat of Nazi Germany. It was also one of the war’s bloodiest and most pivotal battles, whose outcome would shape international politics for decades to come.
-
-
Masterful Work
- By Shaun on 08-03-12
By: Cornelius Ryan
-
The Longest Day
- June 6, 1944
- By: Cornelius Ryan
- Narrated by: Clive Chafer
- Length: 8 hrs and 46 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
> The Longest Day is Cornelius Ryan’s unsurpassed account of D-day, a book that endures as a masterpiece of military history. In this compelling tale of courage and heroism, glory and tragedy, Ryan painstakingly re-creates the fateful hours that preceded and followed the massive invasion of Normandy to retell the story of an epic battle that would turn the tide against world fascism.
-
-
Seen the movie? Read the book: it is worth it
- By pratalife on 07-22-12
By: Cornelius Ryan
-
Thunder Below!
- The USS Barb Revolutionizes Submarine Warfare in World War II
- By: Eugene B. Fluckey
- Narrated by: Corey Snow
- Length: 15 hrs and 27 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Under the leadership of her fearless skipper, Captain Gene Fluckey, the Barb sank the greatest tonnage of any American sub in World War II. At the same time, the Barb did far more than merely sink ships-she changed forever the way submarines stalk and kill their prey.
This is a gripping adventure chock-full of "you-are-there" moments. Fluckey has drawn on logs, reports, letters, interviews, and a recently discovered illegal diary kept by one of his torpedomen.
-
-
Action, Excitement, & History. A great read!
- By Boone on 09-28-13
-
With Malice Toward None
- A Biography of Abraham Lincoln
- By: Stephen B. Oates
- Narrated by: T. Ryder Smith
- Length: 21 hrs and 13 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
The definitive life of Abraham Lincoln, With Malice Toward None is historian Stephen B. Oates's acclaimed and enthralling portrait of America's greatest leader. In this award-winning biography, Lincoln steps forward out of the shadow of myth as a recognizable, fully drawn American whose remarkable life continues to inspire and inform us today.
-
-
the perfect voice for an inspiring story
- By Matthew Martell on 07-02-21
By: Stephen B. Oates
-
Nimitz at War
- Command Leadership from Pearl Harbor to Tokyo Bay
- By: Craig L. Symonds
- Narrated by: L.J. Ganser
- Length: 14 hrs and 26 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Only days after the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor, President Franklin D. Roosevelt tapped Chester W. Nimitz to assume command of the Pacific Fleet. Nimitz transformed the devastated and dispirited Pacific fleet into the most powerful and commanding naval force in history. Facing demands from Washington to mount an early offensive, he had first to revive the depressed morale of the thousands of sailors, soldiers, and Marines who served under him. And of course, he also confronted a formidable and implacable enemy in the Imperial Japanese Navy.
-
-
Excellent Story Solid Narration
- By arussellga on 06-14-22
By: Craig L. Symonds
-
The Swamp Fox
- How Francis Marion Saved the American Revolution
- By: John Oller
- Narrated by: Joe Barrett
- Length: 8 hrs and 47 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
In the darkest days of the American Revolution, Francis Marion and his band of militia freedom fighters kept hope alive for the patriot cause during the critical British southern campaign. Like the Robin Hood of legend, Marion and his men attacked from secret hideaways before melting back into the forest or swamp. Employing insurgent tactics that became commonplace in later centuries, Marion and his brigade inflicted losses on the enemy that were individually small but cumulatively a large drain on British resources and morale.
-
-
This was a fascinating story of a true patriot.
- By B. Neuls on 11-29-16
By: John Oller
-
The Battle of Britain
- Five Months That Changed History; May-October 1940
- By: James Holland
- Narrated by: Shaun Grindell
- Length: 26 hrs and 40 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
The Battle of Britain paints a stirring picture of an extraordinary summer when the fate of the world hung by a thread. Historian James Holland has now written the definitive account of those months based on extensive new research from around the world, including thousands of new interviews with people on both sides of the battle.
-
-
The battle up to The Battle of Britain
- By Chiefkent on 11-07-17
By: James Holland
-
In Harm's Way
- The Sinking of the U.S.S. Indianapolis and the Extraordinary Story of Its Survivors
- By: Doug Stanton
- Narrated by: Mark Boyett
- Length: 8 hrs and 12 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
On July 30, 1945, the USS Indianapolis was torpedoed in the South Pacific by a Japanese submarine. An estimated 300 men were killed upon impact; close to 900 sailors were cast into the Pacific Ocean, where they remained undetected by the navy for nearly four days and nights. Battered by a savage sea, they struggled to stay alive, fighting off sharks, hypothermia, and dementia. By the time rescue arrived, all but 317 men had died. The captain's subsequent court-martial left many questions unanswered
-
-
Amazing and true naval tale!!!
- By Mark on 07-16-17
By: Doug Stanton
-
Clash of the Carriers
- The True Story of the Marianas Turkey Shoot of World War II
- By: Barrett Tillman, Stephen Coonts
- Narrated by: Joe Barrett
- Length: 11 hrs and 15 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
The incredible true story of the most spectacular aircraft-carrier battle in history - World War II's Great Marianas Turkey Shoot. Here is the true account of those great and terrible days - by those who were there, in the thick of the Battle of the Philippine Sea. Drawing upon numerous interviews with American and Japanese veterans as well as official sources, Clash of the Carriers is an unforgettable testimonial to the bravery of those who fought and those who died in a battle that will never be forgotten.
-
-
OUTSTANDING BOOK!!
- By Bill on 10-30-18
By: Barrett Tillman, and others
-
The Admirals
- Nimitz, Halsey, Leahy, and King - The Five-Star Admirals Who Won the War at Sea
- By: Walter Borneman
- Narrated by: Brian Troxell
- Length: 17 hrs and 9 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Only four men in American history have been promoted to the five-star rank of Admiral of the Fleet: William Leahy, Ernest King, Chester Nimitz, and William Halsey. These four men were the best and the brightest the navy produced, and together they led the U.S. Navy to victory in World War II, establishing the United States as the world's greatest fleet. In The Admirals, award-winning historian Walter R. Borneman tells their story in full detail for the first time.
-
-
Fantastic Insight In To Another Side Of the War
- By K. Winters on 02-25-13
By: Walter Borneman
-
Masters of the Air
- America’s Bomber Boys Who Fought the Air War Against Nazi Germany
- By: Donald L. Miller
- Narrated by: Robertson Dean
- Length: 25 hrs and 15 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
This is the dramatic story of the American bomber boys in World War II who brought the war to Hitler’s doorstep. With the narrative power of fiction, this is a harrowing ride through the fire-filled skies over Berlin, Hanover, and Dresden. Fighting at twenty-five thousand feet in thin, freezing air no warriors had encountered before, bomber crews battled new kinds of assaults on body and mind. Air combat was deadly but intermittent: periods of inactivity and anxiety were followed by short bursts of fire and fear.
-
-
Facts and Emotions Masterfully Combined
- By Olaf on 01-05-12
By: Donald L. Miller
-
Target Tokyo
- Jimmy Doolittle and the Raid That Avenged Pearl Harbor
- By: James M. Scott
- Narrated by: L. J. Ganser
- Length: 20 hrs and 3 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
The dramatic account of one of America's most celebrated - and controversial - military campaigns: the Doolittle Raid. In December 1941, as American forces tallied the dead at Pearl Harbor, President Franklin Roosevelt gathered with his senior military counselors to plan an ambitious counterstrike against the heart of the Japanese Empire: Tokyo.
-
-
Vengence is Mine, Thus Sayeth Doolittle
- By Jonathan Love on 06-13-16
By: James M. Scott
Publisher's Summary
There are few moments in American history in which the course of events tipped so suddenly and so dramatically as at the Battle of Midway. At dawn of June 4, 1942, a rampaging Japanese navy ruled the Pacific. By sunset, their vaunted carrier force (the Kido Butai) had been sunk, and their grip on the Pacific had been loosened forever.
In this absolutely riveting account of a key moment in the history of World War II, one of America's leading naval historians, Craig L. Symonds, paints an unforgettable portrait of ingenuity, courage, and sacrifice. Symonds begins with the arrival of Admiral Chester A. Nimitz at Pearl Harbor after the devastating Japanese attack and describes the key events leading to the climactic battle, including both Coral Sea - the first battle in history against opposing carrier forces - and Jimmy Doolittle's daring raid of Tokyo. He focuses throughout on the people involved, offering telling portraits of Admirals Nimitz, Halsey, Spruance, and numerous other Americans, as well as the leading Japanese figures, including the poker-loving Admiral Yamamoto. Indeed, Symonds sheds much light on the aspects of Japanese culture - such as their single-minded devotion to combat, which led to poorly armored planes and inadequate fire-safety measures on their ships - that contributed to their defeat.
The author's account of the battle itself is masterful, weaving together the many disparate threads of attack - attacks which failed in the early going - that ultimately created a five-minute window in which three of the four Japanese carriers were mortally wounded, changing the course of the Pacific war in an eye-blink.
Symonds is the first historian to argue that the victory at Midway was not simply a matter of luck, pointing out that Nimitz had equal forces, superior intelligence, and the element of surprise. Nimitz had a strong hand, Symonds concludes, and he rightly expected to win.
More from the same
What listeners say about The Battle of Midway (Pivotal Moments in American History)
Average Customer RatingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Matthew
- 12-04-13
You may knock US down, but you can't knock US out
Would you listen to The Battle of Midway (Pivotal Moments in American History) again? Why?
Absolutely. I had already planned on doing that when I was still listening. There is simply too much information to fully absorb at one time. I've studied Midway in the past and each time I learn more about how close we were to the edge, but how those who fought there never felt defeated.
Who was your favorite character and why?
Not a character because this is non-fiction, but my most heroic person, individually, would be Lt. Commander John C. Waldron of VT-8. A real life leader and hero.
Which scene was your favorite?
None. This was a horrible, but necessary event in history.
Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?
Yes the story of all of the torpedo squadrons and their attacks, but in particular the attack by squadron eight (VT-8) from the U.S.S. Hornet; this piece of history get's me every time. Here were 15 aircraft each carrying three young men in the prime of life. They didn't want to be there and they didn't want to die. Despite that and knowing full well they were outgunned, without fighter air cover, without dive bomber help for a coordinated attack, and flying slow obsolete aircraft; they went in on their attack runs. They knew the odds were heavily against them, but they brought the planes down low, slow and straight and pressed forward their attack. Each in turn. And they were slaughtered. Only one man survived the attack and none of their torpedoes did any damage to the enemy ships. That is real honor and heroism; not that stuff the enemy was shoveling.
Any additional comments?
I actually liked the narrator. His voice, inflection and cadence were appropriate for the telling of this story.
23 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- David
- 10-14-13
A solid book to listen to...
The author writes the history in a very clear narrative style. The amount of background is sufficient, and introduced in the proper way. In the end he explains not only the Battle of Midway, but the thinking, strategies, limitations, and advantages that eventually led to the US victory at Midway and in the Pacific War.
Mr Lurie has a smooth speaking style. He is the kind of narrator that makes you forget that he didn't actually write the book - he is only reading it.
8 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Jeremy
- 11-22-12
A unique tale of tactical wars
Most history books talk about wars a lot, but they tend to focus on the strategic decisions, those big decisions that change the course of a war, like a major military offensive, the supply channels, the number of troops or equipment commandeered, etc.
This book is very different in that it is about the tactical detail of one military operation. For this reason it is also unique and I recommend to anyone who is interested about how war really work, on the field. For example, the general story about Midway is that the Japanese did not know that the aircraft carriers would be there and were taken by surprise. But what does it mean to be taken by surprise? Didn't they have their own carriers (and more of them) if the US carriers were actually on site? The tactical side explains that a single bomb will sink a carrier and that, silly enough, the Japanese had indicated their position as a result of a ship chasing a US submarine, that they had sent many of their attack planes on a raid instead of against the US carriers, that they couldn't even locate the latter, and that they had armed their bombs up on the carrier making them even more vulnerable.
These are just many things that emerge from the tactical analysis, but there is much more interesting tale about how specific individuals did affect the entire operation, another testimony to the importance of just one person for an entire war.
15 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Dan McGrew
- 05-09-13
Midway Revisited
What other book might you compare The Battle of Midway (Pivotal Moments in American History) to and why?
This is a good book that has some very interesting new information, that some of the other books on Midway don't have. There are also flaws in this book as well, such as the deployment of the F4F Wildcat in 1942, Wildcats were operational in Dec 1941, on Wake and Midway, the F2B Buffalos deployed to Midway late in May-June of 1942 were sold to the Dutch government for their use in their colonies but absorbed into the USMC after Java and other Dutch colonies fell to the Japanese.
Would you listen to another book narrated by James Lurie?
I would have to be very interested in the book to listen to him again, I almost returned the book but the story held my interest.
Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?
No but remembering the sacrifice of the Torpedo Squadrons and VMF 211 is a part of the battle that needs to be remembered
Any additional comments?
Despite its short comings this is a book worth reading or listening too.
6 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Jean
- 04-07-15
Excellent
I almost skipped over this book as over the years I have read so many books about the Battle of Midway; I thought to myself do I want to read another book on this subject. I am glad I did decide to read this book as I learned more about the battle from it.
Midway was a pivotal battle of WWII. Symond is a professor emeritus from the U. S. Naval Academy.
Many historians including Symonds have compared the Battle of Midway to that of Lord Nelson’s win at the Battle of Trafalgar. The comparison is apt as both battles had far-reaching effects on the course of the conflict during which they occurred.
The U.S. Navy was on a defensive position after Pearl Harbor. At the battle of Midway the Japanese lost four of the largest aircraft carriers with their crews and aircraft. The U.S. Navy gained a strategic initiative that it maintained for the rest of the War.
Symond insist that victory was the result of decisions and actions taken by certain individuals. He proceeds during the book to build his case. Symond recounts and explains the events of the battle both from the Japanese and American viewpoint.
Symond also covers the story of the Navy code breakers and how critical that was to the success of the battle as the Navy knew the Japanese intentions. At the end of the book Symonds reviews what happened to each of the key people after the War.
Symond provides a lucid, intensely researched account of the battle of Midway. If you are interested in WWII history this is book you must read. James Lurie narrated the book.
16 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Kevin der Kinderen
- 08-07-15
More Exciting than Fiction
This is an exciting story that rings true in its interpretation of history. The outcome is known but the story is not melodramatic. The realities faced by Japan's and America's navies both operational and political are well presented.
I got a real feeling I could grasp and understand why things happened as they did, what must have gone through pilot's minds as the reached beyond their fuel limits then missed with all bombs or torpedoes.
While Washington seemed to second guess some of Nimitz's decisions they seemed to smartly remain largely hands off. Actually, that part doesn't ring true but maybe it was a different time, different respect for chain of command.
Seems Japan had it much worse with the army throwing the country into war and mostly leaving the navy to fight it themselves. I almost get the feeling that to Japan's army, the sea war in the Pacific was a distraction that kept Japan's navy out of their way.
Based on previous stories (including the movie) I had a little more respect for Yamamoto and some of his officers. This book took some of that away. In fact, I'd say this book made most of the key players leading to the battle of Midway a lot more human in my mind. Less the glorious hero and more the flawed, brave, arrogant, and patriotic real hero.
I really enjoyed this one.
4 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Marc S. Statdfield
- 05-23-18
Read this book, not this review!
What makes this work phenomenal is that it gives the listener an astounding level of detail without the narrative ever getting bogged down. Listening to this book there were times I felt as if was riding on the wing of a dive bomber as it pushed over for it's attack. Will appeal as much to a student of military history as to someone just looking for an entertaining read.
3 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- AmazonCustomer
- 12-29-13
Spellbinding account.
This was a wonderful book that described the battle both in terms of the action and also with insight into the influence of culture. The author sites many names of those who were heroic but not officers which keeps us attuned to the people who fought this battle as well as the officers and decision makers. The performance was excellent, this book kept us on the edge of our seats even knowing the ending.
6 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Rebecca
- 07-16-20
Minute by minute action.
Great storytelling. The research brings the stories of all the men who's sacrifice was needed to bring this battle's story a new perspective.
1 person found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Tom
- 12-07-19
History is in the details
It's always interesting to me to hear about the details of an epic event in history. This story comes alive with all the background stories of the people involved in this battle - both Americans and Japanese. It makes me proud to be an American when I hear about the sacrifices our sailors and soldiers made when we were still reeling from the devastating attack on Peal Harbor, on this day, December 7, 1941.
The self-sacrifice of our armed services appears even more impressive because I get the feeling that it was their singular focus to protect and serve their comrades and country. My father (U.S. Navy) and grandfather (British Navy) both dedicated many years serving in the Navy. So on a very personal level, I'm very proud of them for their service. The more I learn about the details of a historical event, in this case Midway, the more grateful I feel to be fortunate enough to live in America.
I think if people were more aware of these details, the more we would be proud of our country and understand that, while we make mistakes, we have in many, many cases sought to fight for just causes in order to give people the right to determine how they want to be governed.
Being friendly with dictators and allowing countries to get away with murdering their citizens and ours is not the American way and is anathema to what our country should stand for. I forgot where I heard this, but someone told me once "if you don't stand for something you will follow for anything."
I think books like, "The Battle of Midway," remind me that thank God (or whoever) that our service members and their leaders stood for something back in WWII or else it would be a much nastier world than it is today.
Enjoy this Great read and keep looking for the details...that's the only way to get closer to the truth!
1 person found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- Cryptochimp
- 06-26-20
Terrific
An excellent account of the Battle of Midway. Craig Symonds uses a timeline narrative but avoids the trap of lapsing into a dry chronological account of events. The narrative is leavened with well-written descriptions of the personalities and idiosyncrasies of the men who featured in the battle. The courage of the aviators was particularly astonishing. These men flew their rickety planes across miles of shark-infested waters to bomb or torpedo enemy ships while under relentless assault from flak and fighter-planes.
One quibble I have about the book is the absence of maps for the audio version. Fortunately the image section of any internet search engine will provide you with any maps that you need. Midway is one of the most intensively studied battles of WW2 and lots of research resources are available online.
James Lurie's narration is excellent.
4 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- iLard
- 05-24-17
Outstanding quality
It sounds a bit 'Hollywood' but in fact this narrator's delivery is superb. The telling of this battle is thoughtfully broken down and is as sad as it is entertaining and enlightening. Honestly, this exceeded expectations and I thoroughly enjoyed every audible page. But by Jove it's kinda sad!
3 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- Shannon
- 07-17-15
acknowledgement of facts..?
Would you recommend this book to a friend? Why or why not?
yes because it has a lot of info
What did you like best about this story?
A lot of extra info surrounding the Battle.
What didn’t you like about James Lurie’s performance?
Nil.
Did The Battle of Midway (Pivotal Moments in American History) inspire you to do anything?
Yes.. It inspired me to write the following comments.
Any additional comments?
I bought this due to my interest in the navel battle of midway, however I didn't want or care for the life stories of the few high ranked officers involved. But what made me write this review was the frustration in Craig Symonds lack of knowledge on the other Allied forces involved int the pacific war, mainly the Australians who defended Port Morsby. He states that the protection of Port Morsby relied only the carriers of the US Navy..? hahaha Well in actual fact they did nothing!! It was the Australians who defended Port Morsby an most of the rest of the far south Pacific.
6 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- tillymax
- 10-01-21
A fine history of one of the greatest sea battles ever
Such an important battle in the Pacific which saw the beginning of the end of The Japanese dominance in this region. It took another 3 years before the wars end and from Midway on the Americans industrial power really came to the fore and the end result was never again in doubt. The bravery of the Service personnel on both sides was astonishing and luck played a significant part in the outcome of this battle. The author has given, to me anyway, a very balanced account with no triumphalism. Glad I was not involved, the self sacrifice of mostly young men was astonishing.
1 person found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- Karrie
- 10-31-13
A very accurate and exciting position of the facts
Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?
If WW11 in the Pacific is of interest to you, then this will hit the spot.
Who was your favorite character and why?
They all were, as without them working as a team together the complicated tactics deployed would of failed. Nimitz is the guy that stuck by the intelligence he was given and this proved the right thing to do.
What about James Lurie’s performance did you like?
Very punchy and convincing portrayal of the characters that made the Midway island so strategic to the success in the Pacific during WW11
If you made a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?
The USA's fight back to victory start's here.
Any additional comments?
Really entertaining, worth the purchase.
5 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- Simon E.
- 07-17-22
A First Class History
I really enjoyed this book, which gives a clear history of the build up to, and the events during and after, the Battle of Midway. Some nice thumbnail sketches of some of the principal characters and their subsequent careers are also included.
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- Kev57
- 06-09-22
Very Informative account of battle of Midway.
Very informative account of battle of Midway..maybe a little too much at times but never the less a good listen.
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- Casey
- 06-06-22
Fascinating
A very well told piece of WW11 history enjoyable reading with lots of facts and information
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- Kindle Customer
- 04-26-22
Engrossing.
Only really knew about Midway before from the film. This account delved far deeper into the main protagonists and was truly engaging. I really was cheering whenever a Japanese aircraft, ship or other ordnance was destroyed. Like countless combatants who fought on the allied side I was truly humbled by their devotion and application of duty to deliver the world from the sheer evil of the axis powers.
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- JONAH8208
- 11-23-21
Fascinating
Well written, very well researched, debunks a lot of mythology and gives a superb all round detailed view of one of the 4 most important battles of WW2 and probably the most decisive naval engagement in history
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- Shane P Tremble
- 01-14-22
One for the historians
Not the most entertaining account of the battle, but certainly very well researched and accurate. If you are into the technical detail of WWII navy aviation you'll love this one.
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- Anonymous User
- 09-12-21
Very much recommended!
This was such a comprehensive account of the Battle of Midway, and the events leading up to the battle. I believe it is a well- balanced, accurate, portrayal of both sides. You learn about all of the major players and events from both sides.
I did slightly struggle with how the author chose to discuss the battle. He chose to discuss the different attacks ship by ship instead of chronologically and I did struggle to comprehending when attacks where happening. This was easily remedied by looking T a timeline of the day.
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- Greg
- 08-28-21
Superb
The combination of a deep delve into the history with balance combined with the courage to draw conclusions and a great sense of the theatre of the events results on a great book.
The audio reading is outstanding.
One of the best of many history books I have bought.
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- Anonymous User
- 01-16-21
incredible
i have not been big on book. but listened to this over 20 times and counting.
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- Kindle Customer
- 01-02-21
Good Book
A great bood book with lots of detail and insights. One of the best. I liked particularly learning about the personalities of the people involved.
The only down side is that over half the book is on the lead up to the battle. I think a quarter or even one third would have been good but hhalf was more than needed.
But that's no big deal, it's one of the best WW2 books I've been through. Get This book!
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- Anonymous User
- 04-28-20
Outstanding
Utterly enthralling with superb narration. I try not to give 5 stars as it seems exaggerated but this book demands it. Real "guts and all" history with unbelievable heroism and utterly incompetent leadership by some. The Japanese were incredibly masterful and exceptionally highly skilled. The "Flight to Nowhere" account was unknown to me and simply astonishing.
The fog of war and pure luck is alive and well.
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- Anonymous User
- 04-14-20
Midway
Good book. I was trying to get in bombers seat and hit them big boats. Thankfully they got them . Good work
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- Scott M
- 09-12-17
Fantastic book
A gripping book that is superbly researched and wonderfully written. Excellent delivery by the narrator. I highly recommend this book.
-
Overall

- Mr. A. M. O'donnell
- 02-15-17
Interesting and informative.
Interesting and informative. A thoroughly enjoyable telling of the events of June 1942. The only problem I had was the low volume even with my Kindle turned up to max.