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Command
- How the Allies Learned to Win the Second World War
- Narrated by: Al Murray
- Length: 8 hrs and 20 mins
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Command
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Summary
A unique analysis of the greatest commanders who helped the allies win the Second World War, written by one of the UK's best loved comedians and commentators. He also loves history.
Al Murray's passion for military history and the Second World War in particular has always run parallel with his comedy and was brought to the fore with several acclaimed and award-winning television shows and the recent huge success of his podcast We Have Ways of Making You Talk which he hosts with fellow bestselling military author James Holland. In his first serious narrative book, Command showcases Al Murray's passion for this pivotal period in the twentieth century, as he writes an engaging, entertaining and sharp analysis of the key allied military leaders in the conflict.
Command highlights the performance and careers of some of the leading protagonists who commanded armies, as well as the lesser-known officers who led divisions, regiments and even battalions for the British, Commonwealth and United States of American armies. By showcasing each combat commander across every major theatre of operations the allies fought in, Murray tells the story of how the Western Allies rebounded from early shocking defeats (Dunkirk and Pearl Harbor) to then victories (El Alamein and D-Day) in its efforts to defeat the Axis forces of Nazi Germany and Japan, and what that tells us about the characters and the challenges that faced them. Command is the book for all fans of Second World War History who appreciate a true enthusiast of the genre with something new and compelling to say.
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Critic reviews
"Al Murray's new book proves, if anyone still feels the need to question it, that he is a major historian in his own right. Command is everything popular history should be: authoritative, full of deep wisdom and knowledge, genuinely fresh and original in approach and content and both compelling and entertainingly written. Skilfully blending the famous names with those lesser known, he examines each in a completely fresh light, focussing on differing aspects that collectively offer a satisfyingly comprehensive whole that takes the reader on a journey across a wide range of landscapes, theatres and battles. It is an utter joy to read from start to finish." (James Holland)
What listeners say about Command
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- igrae
- 01-12-22
Excellent
Great information great delivery and very interesting and poignant especially the last chapter as war nearing its conclusion when the Germans still fought on although the war already lost
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- Constable Elbow
- 23-04-23
A different view of WW2
I hugely enjoyed this book. It takes an unusual approach, analysing the progress of the Allied war effort through the careers of several individual officers. This highlights areas which are so often ignored in the history books. It is all interesting but I found the chapter on Percy Hobart especially revealing - his work was so central to the success of D-day and the final stages of the war yet he's not generally known about.
As you would expect with a book by Al Murray, it's entertaining and easy to listen to despite being on a serious subject which in other hands could have been quite dry. His reading is excellent, combining clarity and obvious enthusiasm for the history. Thank you!
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- Amanda
- 15-04-23
Excellent
Enjoyable. Different. Informative. Well worth your time. An easy read, a brilliant listen. Excellent
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- David Parker
- 19-03-24
Illuminating
I enjoyed Murray's presentation on subjects I study. Well worth the time spent listening to.
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- peebee
- 05-06-23
Excellent overviews of key www2 figures
A refreshing perspective on some of the key figures of the war, how they got to be in the right places at the right time (and how many of them might not have been there… events dear boy…)
Murray analyses cleverly how these key figures turned the sleeping allies of the inter war years around and transformed their armies into the winning forces they became.
Although a few times his narration veered off track through sheer enthusiasm his grasp of the subject overcame all, and the final chapter was the reminder of the cost and what the average human being was really fighting for.
Of course Murray is mostly known for comedy but this shows another intelligent and witty side which is well worth listening to
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- Mr M.
- 24-01-23
What’s not to like?
I am afflicted, as are so many, with a deep fascination into the Second World War. This book is a superb précis of the different challenges and styles of leadership in that conflict. If you know nothing of the war, this book will give you a good introduction. If you’re already knowledgable, then this book will most probably give you a different slant on some well known leaders and an introduction to some lesser known.
You could also do worse than listen to Murray and Holland’s excellent podcast on the theme, We Have Ways of Making You Talk.
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- Mark
- 23-04-23
Superb listen
Command is billed as the author's first book without jokes and while that is true, there is plenty of his trademark wit and humour throughout. Insightful, thought provoking read that does an excellent job of highlighting how the allied command changed during WW2. I hope this is not the last of Al Murray's 'serious' books.
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- Amazon Customer
- 17-01-24
Al is a Legend
a fantastic in depth look at the Allies during the war. I love Al as a Narrator and the book goes of on some fantastic and in depth tangent but then always links you back in to the subject. Fantastic book which I'd highly recommend.
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- mickey
- 24-12-22
Excellent
A very good listen, well researched, interesting, often funny and expertly read by the author whose voice is perfect for narration.
A must for any war history buff or fan of his ‘we have ways’ podcasts with James Holland.
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- Ciderman
- 29-10-22
The first of many?
Al Murray's first history book is an insightful and entertaining listen. I've now more respect for some characters that I didn't think much of and even less for 1 that I never liked anyway! Al has kept a balance between keeping it long enough to explore the issues and short enough not to become too dry. A good stepping stone for further reading on the likes of Bill Slim. Hurry up and get another book written Al!
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