Military Audiobooks | History

Sky Warriors: British Airborne Forces in the Second World War

From acclaimed historian Saul David, a stunning and gripping new history of the British airborne experience across the Second World War. The legendary ‘Red Devils’ were among the finest combat troops of the Second World War. Created at Churchill’s instigation in June 1940, they began as a single parachute battalion of 500 men and grew into three 10,000-strong airborne divisions: the 1st, 6th and 44th Indian, each composed of parachutists and glider-borne troops. Wearing their distinctive maroon berets, steel helmets and Dennison smocks, they served with distinction in every major theatre of the conflict – including North Africa, Sicily, mainland Europe and the Far East – and played a starring role in some most iconic airborne operations in history: the Bruneval Raid of February 1942; the capture of the Primasole, Pegasus and Arnhem Bridges in July 1943, June 1944 and September 1944 respectively; and Operation Varsity, the biggest parachute drop in history, near Wesel in Germany in March 1945.

Saul David (Author), Adam James, TBD (Narrator)

Audiobook

Cracking the Nazi Code: The Untold Story of Agent A12 and the Solving of the Holocaust Code

The thrilling true story of Agent A12, the earliest enemy of the Nazis, and the first spy to crack Hitler's deadliest secret code: the framework of the Final Solution. In public life, Dr. Winthrop Bell was a Harvard philosophy professor and wealthy businessman. As an MI6 spy—known as secret agent A12—in Berlin in 1919, he evaded gunfire and shook off pursuers to break open the emerging Nazi conspiracy. His reports, the first warning of the Nazi plot for World War II, went directly to the man known as C, the mysterious founder of MI6, as well as to various prime ministers. But a powerful fascist politician quietly worked to suppress his alerts. Nevertheless, Dr. Bell's intelligence sabotaged the Nazis in ways only now revealed in Cracking the Nazi Code. As World War II approached, Bell became a spy once again. In 1939, he was the first to crack Hitler's deadliest secret code: Germany's plan for the Holocaust. At that time, the führer was a popular politician who said he wanted peace. Could anyone believe Bell's shocking warning? Fighting an epic intelligence war from Eastern Europe and Russia to France, Canada, and finally Washington, DC, Agent A12 was a real-life 007, waging a single-handed struggle against fascists bent on destroying the Western world. Without Bell's astounding courage, the Nazis just might have won the war.

Jason Bell (Author), Christopher Grove, TBD (Narrator)

Audiobook

Marshall's Great Captain: Lieutenant General Frank M. Andrews and Air Power in the World Wars

On May 3, 1943, dozens of planes could be seen flying in and out of Royal Air Force Bovingdon Airfield. Among the aircraft seen that day was a B-24D bomber named Hot Stuff, which carried the Commanding General of US Forces in Europe, Lieutenant General Frank M. Andrews-the officer charged with formulating a plan to invade Europe. Speculation was that General George C. Marshall had called Andrews back to Washington, DC, leading many to believe that Marshall had another promotion in store for Andrews. Tragically, Andrews would never arrive. While attempting to land in Iceland, the bomber crashed into a mountain, with no survivors other than the tail gunner; Andrews's personal papers were also destroyed. In Marshall's Great Captain, author Kathy Wilson details Andrews's extraordinary life and career. The first biography dedicated to the namesake of Joint Base Andrews, this book sheds a light on Andrews's crucial role in orchestrating US involvement in WWII, as well as the professional relationship between Andrews and Marshall. Wilson raises Andrews's legacy to its legitimate place within the annals of both air power and WWII history and posits that there is a high probability that Andrews was Marshall's first choice for the office of Supreme Allied Commander. Marshall recounted that Andrews was the only one he had a chance to prepare for such a command.

Kathy Wilson (Author), Kitty Hendrix (Narrator)

Audiobook

Mannerheim, Marshal of Finland: A Life in Geopolitics

Field marshal and statesman Gustaf Mannerheim (1867-1951) was the most acclaimed and the most hated Finn of the twentieth century. After three decades of loyal and distinguished service in the Russian Tsarist army, he returned to his homeland in 1917 to defend its new independence. This iconic figure led the Finnish forces as Commander-in-Chief during both World Wars, then ended his career as President of Finland. This new critical biography sets Mannerheim's entire life's work, and his often nerve-wracking decisions as a Finnish leader on the world stage, against the backdrop of his elite upbringing and lifestyle, his adventurous imperial career, his outspoken anti-communism, and his keen instincts for great power politics. Painful details emerge about Mannerheim's private life, and myths and rumors are scrutinized, as Henrik Meinander charts the complex legacy of this nationalist cosmopolitan who found himself fighting on the same side as Hitler. Meinander paints his portrait with strong contrasts and bright colors. This is the story of a multicultural Russian empire, a newborn nation-state treading warily between Europe's military titans, a front of the Second World War not easily reduced to moral binaries-and, above all, a shrewd political operator playing many a dangerous game.

Henrik Meinander (Author), Bruce Mann (Narrator)

Audiobook

Victor!: The Final Battle of Ulysses S. Grant

In some ways, everything in our world seems out of control, but turmoil has been a part of the evolution of our nation since its founding. America has endured extremely dark periods in its history-the Revolution, World War II, and perhaps the darkest of all, the Civil War. But in darkness, leaders emerge to shine a light of hope to guide people. During the American Civil War, Ulysses S. Grant emerged to guide the nation to victory, then to the beginnings of reconciliation. As Lieutenant General, he defeated the rebellion. As Chief of the Army, he provided a stabilizing presence during the Andrew Johnson impeachment. As Presidential candidate, he spoke for every American. But there is one story of Grant's heroism that is rarely told. Perhaps the most dramatic season in Grant's life came in his final two years. After leaving the White House he lost all his money. Then a few months later he received the devastating news that he was dying of throat cancer. Dr. Craig von Buseck uncovers the inspiring and intimate side of this historical legend while providing an in-depth look at the last two years of Grant's life. Victor! offers a unique narrative approach to hear the voice of a dying General Grant as he writes his memoirs and takes listeners back in time to key turning points in the War Between the States.

Dr. Craig Von Buseck (Author), Craig Von Buseck (Narrator)

Audiobook

J.E.B. Stuart: The Soldier and the Man

J. E. B. Stuart: The Soldier and the Man is the first thoroughly scrutinized study of the life and service of the Civil War's most famous cavalryman. James Ewell Brown Stuart led the Army of Northern Virginia's cavalry to the all-but-complete satisfaction of his superiors. Being human, Stuart occasionally underperformed. He underestimated his opponents, took unnecessary risks with his command, failed to properly discipline and motivate his troopers, and was prone to errors both strategic and tactical. Because of his outsized wartime reputation, most of Stuart's errors have passed virtually unnoticed or, when addressed, have been excused or explained away. Edward Longacre's study probes not only Stuart's military career but elements of his character that invite investigation. Even his fiercest partisans admitted that he was vain and inordinately sensitive to criticism, with a streak of immaturity-at times the hard-edged veteran, at other times a devotee of the pageantry of war. Motivated by appeals to vanity, he curried the patronage of powerful men and responded to the attentions of attractive women even though he was a married man. Personal flaws aside, Stuart was popular with his officers and men, beloved by his staff, and considered the beau ideal of Confederate soldiery. The distinction endures today. This book is an attempt to determine its validity.

Edward G. Longacre (Author), David Colacci (Narrator)

Audiobook

An American Story: Everyone’s Invited

The remarkable true story of a young immigrant from Venezuela who had a dream to change the world, a talent for entertaining, and a determined spirit to build a new life, taking as many as possible with him on the journey. An American Story is the stirring memoir by actor, producer, and activist Wilmer Valderrama, delving into his upbringing in Venezuela where he was raised by two hard working parents as they navigated their family through a rapidly changing country and the rise of Hugo Chavez. With the economy crashing around them and their livelihood disappearing, the family decides to flee the country. Suddenly, the young boy who had loved riding his horse and dreaming of being Zorro from his favorite black and white tv show had to grow up quickly, journeying as a teenager from a tiny little pueblo in Venezuela to the big city of Los Angeles. After being cast in a school theatre production, Valderrama immediately knew he had found his calling, and began thinking of ways to help support his struggling family. To do this, he would attempt the impossible: find work in Hollywood as an unproven Latino actor. Following countless auditions and frequent criticisms of his accent, he created the personality that would eventually land him the role as Fez on the hit series That 70s Show which catapulted him to stardom. Over the coming years, he would create the smash show, Yo Mamma, delight kids through Handy Manny, voice the lead character in Disney's Encanto, and so much more, culminating in his joining the cast of the hit show NCIS in 2016. It was through service to others and his first USO trip, however, where Valderrama found his expanded calling, entertaining and encouraging U.S. troops around the world. Suddenly, he wanted to do as much of this as he could, dedicating his time and efforts to giving back to the country he calls home. He was recently named USO Global Ambassador in support of the organization's 80th anniversary. He has traveled with the USO a multitude of times having participated in almost 50 tours domestically and internationally. Through his work, Valderrama hopes to demonstrate his love and gratitude for the country that changed his life. An American Story weaves Valderrama's personal stories with those of the remarkable people he's met along his philanthropic journey. This isn't just Valderrama's story, though. It's a view of America through an immigrant's eyes, in both its stunning unmatched wonders and all of its native challenges. It is the profound and gripping story of someone who found the way and is now inviting as many as possible to join him on the adventure.

Wilmer Valderrama (Author), Wilmer Valderrama (Narrator)

Audiobook

Making the Corps

The bestselling, compelling insider's account of the Marine Corps from the lives of the men of Platoon 3086-their training at Parris Island, their fierce camaraderie, and the unique code of honor that defines them. The United States Marine Corps, with its proud tradition of excellence in combat, its hallowed rituals, and its unbending code of honor, is part of the fabric of American myth. Making the Corps visits the front lines of boot camp in Parris Island, South Carolina. Here, old values are stripped away and new Marine Corps values are forged. Bestselling author Thomas E. Ricks follows these men from their hometowns, through boot camp, and into their first year as Marines. As three fierce drill instructors fight a battle for the hearts and minds of this unforgettable group of young men, a larger picture emerges, brilliantly painted, of the growing gulf that divides the military from the rest of America. Included in this edition is an all-new afterword from the author that examines the war in Iraq through the lens of the Marines from Platoon 3086, giving listeners an on-the-ground view of the conflict from those who know it best.

Thomas E. Ricks (Author), Andrew B. Wehrlen (Narrator)

Audiobook

Fearless: The Undaunted Courage and Ultimate Sacrifice of Navy SEAL Team SIX Operator Adam Brown

Go deep into SEAL Team SIX, straight to the heart of one of its most legendary operators. When Navy SEAL Adam Brown woke up on March 17, 2010, he didn't know he would die that night in the Hindu Kush Mountains of Afghanistan-but he was ready. In a letter to his children, not meant to be seen unless the worst happened, he wrote, "I'm not afraid of anything that might happen to me on this earth, because I know no matter what, nothing can take my spirit from me." Fearless is the story of a man of extremes, whose courage and determination were fueled by faith, family, and the love of a woman. It's about a man who waged a war against his own worst impulses, including drug addiction, and persevered to reach the top tier of the U.S. military. In a deeply personal and absorbing chronicle, Fearless reveals a glimpse inside the SEAL Team SIX brotherhood, and presents an indelible portrait of a highly trained warrior whose final act of bravery led to the ultimate sacrifice. Adam Brown was a devoted man who was an unlikely hero but a true warrior, described by all who knew him as…fearless. "As a rule, we don't endorse books or movies or anything regarding the command where I work-and Adam Brown worked-but as the author writes in Fearless, 'you have to know the rules, so you know when to bend or break them.' This is one of those times. Read this book. Period. It succeeds where all the others have failed." -SEAL Team SIX Operator

Eric Blehm (Author), Robert Petkoff (Narrator)

Audiobook

[German] - Brigade der Verdammten: Die Verbrechen der SS-Sondereinheit Dirlewanger

Die Weiten Polens und Russlands, die Städte und Dörfer dieser Gebiete waren 1939 gezeichnet von brennenden Häusern, Blut und Tränen. Diese Spuren hinterließ die als »Mordbrigade« bekannte Einheit des SS-Oberführers Dirlewanger. Himmler und sein »Hauptamt SS« schufen diese Truppe, die die Ehre des Frontsoldaten tausendfach mit Füßen trat. Klar und realistisch behandelt Franz Taut dieses Thema über die Mordbrigade des SS-Oberführers Dirlewanger. Er zeigt den Wahnsinn einer absoluten Diktatur, in der Menschenrechte und Menschenwürde zum Spielball der Macht wurden und für die das Leben des Menschen keinen Wert besaß.

Franz Taut (Author), Klaus G. Förg (Narrator)

Audiobook

[German] - Weg des Gewissens: Von der Grausamkeit eines SS-Sonderkommandos

Als Harald Rüster in Pleskow den Bahnhof verlässt, wird er Augenzeuge, wie das SS-Sonderkommando Ahrends jüdische Frauen und Kinder zusammentreibt, wobei der Hauptsturmführer Ahrends mutwillig von der Pistole Gebrauch macht und eine Frau und ihr Kind niederschießt. Sein Glaube an die Lehren des NS-Regimes gerät ins Wanken. Erst recht als Rüster die Zustände im Lager FX 72 kennenlernt, in dem polnische Frauen und Mädchen gefangen gehalten werden, die bei unzureichender Ernährung schwere körperliche Arbeit verrichten müssen und nur dann eine Erleichterung ihres Schicksals erfahren, wenn sie sich der hemmungslosen Gier des Feldwebels Voß ergeben. Eines der Mädchen, Olga, kann Harald vor diesem Los bewahren - aber kann er es auch vor dem SS-Sonderkommando Ahrends beschützen, dem die Frauen zur Liquidierung übergeben werden sollen, als die Front sich nähert? Harald steht jetzt in dem Zwiespalt, in dem so viele deutsche Soldaten des letzten Krieges standen: In dem Zwiespalt zwischen Befehl und Gewissen. Er geht den schwereren Weg, den des Gewissens.

Hanns Glöckle (Author), Klaus G. Förg (Narrator)

Audiobook

An American Dreamer: Life in a Divided Country

An immersive account of a man navigating the startling changes underway in contemporary America, from the Pulitzer Prize and MacArthur Award-winning author of The Good Soldiers and Thank You for Your Service "Finkel's account is poetic, profound, and irresistibly page-turning."-Geraldine Brooks, author of Horse Brent Cummings, an Iraq war veteran, has come home feeling he survived one war only to find himself in the midst of another one. The country he loves and defended for twenty-eight years seems to be unraveling in front of his eyes. Raised to believe in a vision of America that values fairness, honesty, and respect for others, Cummings is increasingly engulfed by the fear and anger sweeping through his beloved country as he tries to hold on to hope for America's future. David Finkel, known for his unique, in-depth reporting, spent fourteen years immersed in Brent Cummings's world to create this intimate, acutely observed, and beautifully written portrait of a man's life, thoughts, and feelings as America becomes ever more divided. Cummings was one of the unforgettable figures in Finkel's The Good Soldiers, a book about which The New York Times stated, "Finkel has made art out of a defining moment in history. You will be able to take this book down from the shelf years from now and say: This is what happened. This is what it felt like." In An American Dreamer, Finkel chronicles the everyday experiences of people, through moments of hope and despair, illuminating the struggles of many Americans today in a deeply fractured country at a time of crisis.

David Finkel (Author), Rob Shapiro, TBD (Narrator)

Audiobook

Military Audiobooks in History