Military Audiobooks | History

They Called Us 'Lucky': The Life and Afterlife of the Iraq War's Hardest Hit Unit

From the Arizona Congressman, a 21st-century Band of Brothers chronicling the eternal bonds forged between the Marines of Lima Company, the hardest-hit unit of the Iraq War At first, they were “Lucky Lima.” Infantryman Ruben Gallego and his brothers in Lima Company—3rd Battalion, 25th Marines, young men drawn from blue-collar towns, immigrant households, Navajo reservations—returned unscathed on patrol after patrol through the increasingly violent al Anbar region of Iraq, looking for weapons caches and insurgents trying to destabilize the nascent Iraqi government. After two months in Iraq, Lima didn't have a casualty, not a single Purple Heart, no injury worse than a blister. Lucky Lima. Then, in May 2005, Lima’s fortunes flipped. Unknown to Ruben and his fellow grunts, al Anbar had recently become a haven for al Qaeda in Mesopotamia. The bin Laden-sponsored group had recruited radicals from all over the world for jihad against the Americans. On one fateful day, they were lured into a death house; the ambush cost the lives of two men, including a platoon sergeant. Two days later, Ruben’s best friend, Jonathon Grant, died in an IED attack, along with several others. Events worsened from there. A disastrous operation in Haditha in August claimed the lives of thirteen Marines when an IED destroyed their amphibious vehicle. It was the worst single-day loss for the Marines since the 1983 Beirut bombings. By the time 3/25 went home in November, it had lost more men than any other single unit in the war. Forty-six Marines and two Navy Corpsmen serving with the battalion in Iraq were killed in action during their roughly nine-month activation. They Called Us “Lucky” details Ruben Gallego’s journey and includes harrowing accounts of some of the war’s most costly battles. It details the struggles and the successes of Ruben—now a member of Congress—and the rest of Lima Company following Iraq, examining the complicated matter of PTSD. And it serves as a tribute to Ruben’s fallen comrades, who made the ultimate sacrifice for their country.

Jim DeFelice, Ruben Gallego (Author), Ruben Gallego, Stephen Graybill (Narrator)

Audiobook

The Nuremberg Interviews: An American Psychiatrist's Conversations with the Defendants and Witnesses

The Nuremberg Interviews reveals the chilling innermost thoughts of the former Nazi officials under indictment at the famous postwar trial. The architects of one of history’s greatest atrocities speak out about their lives, their careers in the Nazi Party, and their views on the Holocaust. Their reflections are recorded in a set of interviews conducted by a U.S. Army psychiatrist. Dr. Leon Goldensohn was entrusted with monitoring the mental health of the two dozen German leaders charged with carrying out genocide, as well as that of many of the defense and prosecution witnesses. These recorded conversations have gone largely unexamined for more than fifty years. Now, Robert Gellately–one of the premier historians of Nazi Germany–has transcribed, edited, and annotated the interviews, and makes them available to the public for the first time in this volume. Here are interviews with the highest-ranking Nazi officials in the Nuremberg jails, including Hans Frank, Hermann Goering, Ernst Kaltenbrunner, and Joachim von Ribbentrop. Here, too, are interviews with the lesser-known officials who were, nonetheless, essential to the workings of the Third Reich. Goldensohn was a particularly astute interviewer, his training as a psychiatrist leading him to probe the motives, the rationales, and the skewing of morality that allowed these men to enact an unfathomable evil. Candid and often shockingly truthful, these interviews are deeply disturbing in their illumination of an ideology gone mad. Each interview is annotated with biographical information that places the man and his actions in their historical context. These interviews are a profoundly important addition to our understanding of the Nazi mind and mission.

Leon Goldensohn (Author), Joshua Kane, Noah Michael Levine (Narrator)

Audiobook

1945: The Dawn Came Up Like Thunder

In 1945 Tom Pocock travelled widely and saw the final collapse of the German armies; the horror of concentration camps and destroyed cities; retribution reaching war criminals; and the unpredictable strangers from the east, the Red Army. In Berlin, he climbed through the ruins of Hitler's Chancellery. In Vienna, he roistered with the Russians only to be arrested by them on a trip to Budapest. By the end of the year, he had paid his first visit to the El Dorado of that now distant world, New York, the glittering, happy, prosperous, democratic center of hopes and affections of the Western World. Here indeed is the very form and pressure of the time: the awful stench of death and wholesale destruction; the casual murders and cruelties where over large tracts of territory law and order had collapsed; worst of all, the concentration camps still peopled by the ghosts of human beings, starved, tortured, terrified, and degraded. Tom Pocock's friends had served and died in the war from which he himself had been invalided, but when Hitler was defeated, he shared their feelings of exultation and relief. He was in London for VE Day and his account of it is not easily forgotten.

Tom Pocock (Author), Jonathan Cowley (Narrator)

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Volunteers: Growing Up in the Forever War

A BOYHOOD WHERE THE MILITARY IS THE ONLY WAY OF LIFE In this passionate and provocative memoir, Jerad Alexander takes readers deep into the 'kingdom'—the insular realm of military families growing up on bases around the world—and vividly evokes a childhood infused with all things war. As a young boy on an Air Force base in Utah, he lies in bed listening to the fighter jets take off outside his window, and captures the sense of duty and also the loss his family felt when his stepfather deploys to Iraq. As a teen on a base in Japan, he wears the uniform and plays glorified war games and falls deep down the rabbit hole of Vietnam war literature. And always, always, there are the guns—toy and real—the movies, the books, all invoking a distinctly American sort of heroism and patriotism that Alexander fantasizes someday making his own. The minute he is old enough, he enlists, like his parents and stepfather and grandparents before him, and he, too, lands in Iraq as an eager Marine, desperate to see some action. Soon, though, he comes to realize he is fighting a lost cause, a skirmish in the ongoing war on terror that is really about a fruitless display of American might. Everything Alexander has based his life on, has obsessed over, he realizes, is a mirage. With Volunteers, Jerad Alexander joins the canon of great war writers, helping readers understand the self-replicating violence and mythologies of American patriotism, offering a view of a war most of us only know about through accounts of elite officers or Navy Seals, not that of the lower enlisted men and women.

Jerad Alexander, Jerad W. Alexander (Author), Jerad Alexander, Jerad W. Alexander (Narrator)

Audiobook

Starlight Ranch and Other Stories of Army Life on the Frontier

'Starlight Ranch and Other Stories of Army Life on the Frontier' collects five of Captain Charles King's frontline stories, and offers a glimpse of American army life in the mid- to late 19th century. It follows his campaigns in the American-Indian wars in a number of battles. It offers valuable insights into life in the military at this time as well as stunning first-hand accounts of combat in these theatres. It is a fascinating insight into the formative years of the American army as well as the formative years of American society as a whole. If you enjoyed 'The Last of the Mohicans' this stunning first-hand account is perfect for you. This collection contains: 'Starlight Ranch,' 'Well Won, or From the Plains to the Point', 'From the point to the Plains', 'The Worst Man in the Troop,' and 'Van'. - Charles King (1844-1933) was a graduate of the prestigious West Point academy, grandson of a signatory of the American Constitution as well as a decorated war veteran with over seventy years of service. Much of his work covers the Indian wars of the 1870s, the American wars in the Philippines as well as the First World War. Apart from his non-fiction he wrote dozens of novels and short stories earning him the name the 'American Kipling'. His most famous works include 'Marion's Faith,' 'The Colonel's Daughter,' 'Campaigning with Crook,' 'Fort Frayne,' 'Under Fire' and 'Daughter of the Sioux.'

Charles King (Author), David Wales (Narrator)

Audiobook

We March at Midnight: A War Memoir

What would the war do without me? We March at Midnight is award-winning author Ray McPadden's chronicle of his experience as a highly decorated Ranger Officer leading some of the most dangerous missions during the height of the Iraq and Afghan wars. In 2005, Ray joined the army in search of what he calls "the moment"-a chance to prove to himself and his brothers in arms that he is a true leader. His job is to establish the first outpost in the Korengal, Afghanistan's deadliest valley, and his decisions and mistakes will have a permanent impact on the men he commands. During the fifteen-month tour, his unit receives numerous decorations for valor while suffering nearly 50 percent casualties, ultimately accomplishing their mission in a land considered unwinnable. Prowess with a rifle platoon soon earns Ray a position in the world's premiere raiding force, the 75th Ranger Regiment, an accomplishment earned by less than 1 percent of the officers in the US Army, and during the most combat-heavy period of the twenty-first century. Ray spearheads the first joint-strike force of Army Rangers and Navy SEALs, in a shadow war against the agents of a foreign government, where lightning raids by helicopter, armored vehicle, and foot are his nightly routine. In 2009, when Ray returns to the same corner of Afghanistan where his military career began, he suddenly finds himself tasked with leading Rangers against a target he knows all too well: the home of friends from his first tour. As he leads one last raid, Ray is at war with himself. Conquering this unexpected enemy proves the greatest challenge of all. We March at Midnight is a blood-spattered tour de force of growing up, leadership, the nature of war, and its aftermath.

Ray Mcpadden (Author), Will Damron (Narrator)

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Spymaster: The Man Who Saved MI6

The dramatic story of a man who stood at the center of British intelligence operations, the ultimate spymaster of World War Two: Thomas Kendrick Thomas Kendrick (1881-1972) was central to the British Secret Service from its beginnings through to the Second World War. Under the guise of 'British Passport Officer,' he ran spy networks across Europe, facilitated the escape of Austrian Jews, and later went on to set up the 'M Room,' a listening operation which elicited information of the same significance and scope as Bletchley Park. Yet the work of Kendrick, and its full significance, remains largely unknown. Helen Fry draws on extensive original research to tell the story of this remarkable British intelligence officer. Kendrick's life sheds light on the development of MI6 itself-he was one of the few men to serve Britain across three wars, two of which while working for the British Secret Service. Fry explores the private and public sides of Kendrick, revealing him to be the epitome of the 'English gent'-easily able to charm those around him and scrupulously secretive.

Helen Fry (Author), Shaun Grindell (Narrator)

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Meade at Gettysburg: A Study in Command

Although he took command of the Army of the Potomac only three days before the first shots were fired at Gettysburg, Union general George G. Meade guided his forces to victory in the Civil War's most pivotal battle. Commentators often dismiss Meade when discussing the great leaders of the Civil War. But in this long-anticipated book, Kent Masterson Brown draws on an expansive archive to reappraise Meade's leadership during the Battle of Gettysburg. Using Meade's published and unpublished papers along with a variety of other sources, Brown highlights how Meade's rapid advance of the army to Gettysburg on July 1, his tactical control and coordination of the army in the desperate fighting on July 2, and his determination to hold his positions on July 3 insured victory. Brown argues that supply deficiencies, brought about by the army's unexpected need to advance to Gettysburg, were crippling. In spite of that, Meade pursued Lee's retreating army rapidly, and his decision not to blindly attack Lee's formidable defenses near Williamsport on July 13 was entirely correct in spite of subsequent harsh criticism. Combining compelling narrative with incisive analysis, this finely rendered work deepens our understanding of the Army of the Potomac as well as the machinations of the Gettysburg Campaign, restoring Meade to his rightful place in the Gettysburg narrative.

Kent Masterson Brown (Author), Shawn Compton (Narrator)

Audiobook

Typhoon

Brought to you by Penguin. The thrilling account of the Typhoon FGR4s in the war against ISIS, from the RAF Wing Commander who led them into combat. The Eurofighter Typhoon FGR4 is the most advanced multi-role combat aircraft in the world. Capable of flying at nearly twice the speed of sound and powering to a height of over ten miles in less time than it takes to boil a kettle, a single Typhoon can also deliver a heavy bombload with such lethal precision that a whole squadron of Lancasters could not have guaranteed the same result. Taking command of the RAF's premier Typhoon squadron represented the pinnacle of Mike Sutton's career as fighter pilot. Until the day he was told he would be leading 1 (Fighter) Squadron into battle against a bloody and brutal enemy hellbent on establishing a permanent stronghold across Syria and Iraq and spreading terror across the free world. Their mission was to help stop them in their tracks. In proving the Typhoon in combat, they would be flying in some of the world's most treacherous skies, where ground fire, anti-aircraft artillery and the latest surface-to-air missiles posed a constant danger. The threat of getting shot down behind enemy lines was a fact of life. Typhoon is the first inside account of the RAF's long war against ISIS; a campaign in which any mistake could have devastating consequences. The loss of innocent lives resulting from their fight against the enemy was simply not an option. 1 Squadron fought with distinction over the trenches of the First World War, in the Battle of Britain and during the Falklands War. Over an intense, extraordinarily demanding deployment against a brutal enemy, this gripping and dramatic story of modern conflict sees them in action once again. 'An adrenaline-fuelled, gripping account that puts you right in the cockpit of one of the RAF's most modern combat aircraft. Typhoon is a rare insight into the high-pressure, high-stakes world of an RAF fighter squadron at war.' JOHN NICHOL © Mike Sutton 2021 (P) Penguin Audio 2021

Mike Sutton (Author), Simon Bubb (Narrator)

Audiobook

From F-4 Phantom to A-10 Warthog: Memoirs of a Cold War Fighter Pilot

Fighter pilots! Images of Baron Manfred von Richthofen and Eddie Rickenbacker in the Great War, Johnnie Johnson, Robert Stanford Tuck and Richard Bong in the Second World War, or Robin Olds in Vietnam, all spring to mind. Volumes have been written about them, past and present. Understandably, most of these revolve around the skill, cunning and bravery that characterizes this distinctive band of brothers, but there are other dimensions to those who take to the skies to do battle that have not been given the emphasis they deserve - until now. You do not have to be an aviation aficionado to enjoy Colonel Steve Ladd's fascinating personal tale, woven around his 28-year career as a fighter pilot. This extremely engaging account follows a young man from basic pilot training to senior command through the narratives that define a unique ethos. From the United States to Southeast Asia; Europe to the Middle East; linking the amusing and tongue-in-cheek to the deadly serious and poignant, this is the lifelong journey of a fighter pilot. The anecdotes provided are absorbing, providing an insight into life as an Air Force pilot, but, in this book, as Colonel Ladd stresses, the focus is not on fireworks or stirring tales of derring-do. Instead, this is an articulate and absorbing account of what life is really like among a rare breed of arrogant, cocky, boisterous and fun-loving young men who readily transform into steely professionals at the controls of a fighter aircraft. From F-4 Phantom to A-10 Warthog is a terrific read: the legacy of a fighter pilot.

Steven K Ladd (Author), Jeff Bolton (Narrator)

Audiobook

Island Infernos: The US Army's Pacific War Odyssey, 1944

In Fire and Fortitude-winner of the Gilder Lehrman Prize for Military History-John C. McManus presented a riveting account of the US Army's fledgling fight in the Pacific following Pearl Harbor. Now, in Island Infernos, he explores the Army's dogged pursuit of Japanese forces, island by island, throughout 1944, a year that would bring America ever closer to victory or defeat. "A feat of prodigious scholarship."-The Wall Street Journal • "Wonderful."-St. Louis Post-Dispatch • "Outstanding."-Publishers Weekly • "Rich and absorbing."-Richard Overy, author of Blood and Ruins • "A considerable achievement, and one that, importantly, adds much to our understanding of the Pacific War."-James Holland, author of Normandy '44 After some two years at war, the Army in the Pacific held ground across nearly a third of the globe, from Alaska's Aleutians to Burma and New Guinea. The challenges ahead were enormous: supplying a vast number of troops over thousands of miles of ocean; surviving in jungles ripe with dysentery, malaria, and other tropical diseases; fighting an enemy prone to ever-more desperate and dangerous assaults. Yet the Army had proven they could fight. Now, they had to prove they could win a war. Brilliantly researched and written, Island Infernos moves seamlessly from the highest generals to the lowest foot soldiers and in between, capturing the true essence of this horrible conflict. A sprawling yet page-turning narrative, the story spans the battles for Saipan and Guam, the appalling carnage of Peleliu, General MacArthur's dramatic return to the Philippines, and the grinding jungle combat to capture the island of Leyte. This masterful history is the second volume of John C. McManus's trilogy on the US Army in the Pacific War, proving McManus to be one of our finest historians of World War II.

John C. McManus (Author), Walter Dixon (Narrator)

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On The Ground: The true story of young soldiers' lives forever changed by 'friendly fire' in Iraq.

Audrey Gillan revisits her time on the ground with the British Army in Iraq, and the infamous friendly fire incident that killed Matty Hull 'A remarkable listen: detailed, unflinching and revealing about the ripple effects of a wholly avoidable tragedy'Financial Times Award-winning journalist Audrey Gillan was embedded with British troops during the invasion of Iraq in 2003. She was on the ground with the Household Cavalry's D Squadron when American pilots, firing at what they believed to be the enemy, injured four of its soldiers and killed one: 25-year-old Lance Corporal of Horse Matty Hull. Realising their mistake moments later, one pilot is heard muttering to the other 'we're in jail, dude'. But although a 2007 inquest condemned Matty's killing as unlawful and criminal, they were never prosecuted or punished for their actions, nor have they ever offered any apology. Now, years later, Audrey Gillan has joined forces with producer Dan Maudsley to investigate the notorious incident and its aftershocks, and tell the story of D Squadron's war in her own voice and through the eyes of the men she lived alongside. From interviews with soldiers, fellow reporters, military doctors and relatives, to in-depth analysis of the US pilots' cockpit recordings, this compelling series, shortlisted for Radio/Podcast of the Year by the Foreign Press Association, sheds new and startling light on British soldiers' experiences during the Iraq invasion and the terrifying, tragic 'blue-on-blue' attack that changed their lives forever. NB: Contains strong language and descriptions of war that some listeners may find upsetting. If you have been affected by any of the issues raised, details of organisations offering information and support can be found on the BBC Action Line website. Production credits Written and recorded by Dan Maudsley and Audrey Gillan Edited by Dan Maudsley Sound design by Rory Auskerry Executive producer: Shelley Jofre Title music: 'Ma Wefet' by UTN1 Image: D8. Studio First broadcast on BBC Radio 5live, 13 May-10 August 2020 Copyright © 2021 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd. (P) 2021 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd

Audrey Gillan, Dan Maudsley (Author), Audrey Gillan, Dan Maudsley (Narrator)

Audiobook

Military Audiobooks in History