Tobruk

By: Peter FitzSimons

Narrated by: Humphrey Bower

In the early days of April 1941, the 14,000 Australian forces garrisoned in the Libyan town of Tobruk were told to expect reinforcements and supplies within eight weeks... Eight months later these heroic, gallant, determined 'Rats of Tobruk' were rescued by the British Navy having held the fort against the might of Rommel's never-before defeated Afrika Corps. Like Gallipoli and Kokoda, the siege of Tobruk is an iconic battle in Australia's military history. Under ceaseless attack from Rommel's men, the Australian defence held strong.

In Tobruk, Peter FitzSimons relates the personal histories and stories not only of the men who defended the garrison against the German onslaught but of the Desert Fox, Erwin Rommel, and the powers back in both Berlin and Britain.

©2006 Peter FitzSimons. (P)2007 Bolinda Publishing

Critic reviews

"A thorough, highly-readable distillation of the overlooked Battle of Tobruk." (The Age)

"Gripping stuff." (The Sydney Morning Herald)

"FitzSimons presents the human face of those involved in the long, drawn out defence of Tobruk. An interesting and informative read." (aussiereviews.com)

"Tobruk comes to life in true FitzSimons style, evoking feelings and emotions of that time as well as the facts." (Brisbane News)

"Humphrey Bower succeeds expertly. His Australian accent and his comfort with the informal dialogue capture the tone of the narrative, and his German is completely convincing. It is difficult to imagine a narrator more ideally suited to a text." (AudioFile Magazine)

A real rrvelation.

A real revelation. enjoyed every word. the narration was like sitting at the feet of a barf.

Written book vs Audible--Incredible Performance

Often I have discussions with my family and friends about what movies made better books, and vice versa. With audible, the question is "does a narrator do a book justice?" Well, with Tobruk, I have to be honest, I doubt I would ever stayed with this if I picked it up off a bookshelf. The author has an unusual story telling style that I doubt comes off well if simply read. He mixes tenses, writes from imagined view of participants, complete with a slang, and worse, he segues from well-described battle scenes to anecdotes that while they may or may not truly relate to his story, they definitely hinder momentum built up by the prior scene. He even quotes Shakespeare at odd moments(sometimes without attributing).

However, having said that, Humprhrey Bower transforms this book and somehow brings this fascinating story to life.
I am two thirds through the book and loving it. Bower does a great job of transporting you to the scene of the battle, to life in tanks and trenches, the hot sun beating down, the trepidation of the battle, the heart wrenching sorrow of an Australian wife whose husband is in the battle. Even the odd slang sprinkled throughout, which at times reminds you of characters in 1940's movies saying "Golly Gee" or "Goshdarnit" ,comes off well done.

The story itself is worthwhile, the heroism of the Australians stopping the German Blitzkrieg. Obviously the author is in love with his subject, so don't expect an objective view, although he does a good job covering the German viewpoint.
To be honest, this really comes across like a novel, not a history. What you might call a docudrama or dramatization.
Personally I think I would have loved Fitzsimmons book more if he had written a straight up novel, as this so much reminded me of Stephen Pressfield's Killing Rommel.

As for Bower, I am definitely interested in picking up another book he narrates. I listened to a sample of Kokoda by Fitzgibbons and while style is the same, it isn't Bower, and sounded very flat compared to this book.

By the way, the common complaint in other reviews before I purchased is about the slow start. I didn't find it as bad as all that. He first mentions desert warfare in Chapter 4 and really doesn't even mention Tobruk itself until the following chapter. Yes, this certainly could have been trimmed, but again, Bower kept me going. Stick with it as the battle scenes are very well done.

A good listen

This was a well written and read book. I enjoyed the background and personal stories that went into this telling of a battle often overlooked in history.

Very moving. We'll done lads.

I just couldn't help thinking that the British and Australian government politicians and especially Churchill were not worthy of the men who made the sacrifice.

Outstanding

At first, I struggled through the immense detail provided by the author but resolved to return to the read in remembrance of my father who was captured in Tobruk. This detail proved essential to an understanding of the complex situation at that time. FitzSimons has done the WW11 history of Tobruk proud. The way he has woven in the lives of the participants as real people is also admirable. I was left with tears in my eyes. Humphrey Bower's narration is beyond superb!!