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Sicily '43
- The First Assault on Fortress Europe
- Narrated by: Al Murray
- Length: 19 hrs and 50 mins
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Sicily '43
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Summary
Brought to you by Penguin.
From the best-selling author of Normandy ‘44 comes a major new history of one of World War II’s most crucial campaigns.
Code-named Operation HUSKY, the Allied assault on Sicily on 10 July 1943 remains the largest amphibious invasion ever mounted in world history, landing more men in a single day than at any other time. That day, more than 160,000 British, American and Canadian troops were dropped from the sky or came ashore, more than on D-Day just under a year later. It was also preceded by an air campaign that marked a new direction and dominance of the skies by Allies.
The subsequent 38-day Battle for Sicily was one of the most dramatic of the entire Second World War, involving daring raids by special forces, deals with the Mafia, attacks across mosquito-infested plains and perilous assaults up almost sheer faces of rock and scree.
It was a brutal campaign - the violence was extreme, the heat unbearable, the stench of rotting corpses intense and all-pervasive, the problems of malaria, dysentery and other diseases a constant plague. And all while trying to fight a way across an island of limited infrastructure and unforgiving landscape and against a German foe who would not give up.
It also signalled the beginning of the end of the War in the West. From here on, Italy ceased to participate in the war, the noose began to close around the neck of Nazi Germany and the coalition between the United States and Britain came of age. Most crucially, it would be a critical learning exercise before Operation OVERLORD, the Allied invasion of Normandy, in June 1944.
Based on his own battlefield studies in Sicily and on much new research over the past 30 years, James Holland’s Sicily ’43 offers a vital new perspective on a major turning point in World War II. It is a timely, powerful and dramatic account by a master military historian and will fill a major gap in the narrative history of the Second World War.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Duncan Connell
- 02-12-20
Absolutely outstanding
A gripping history of the lead up to, the invasion and subsequent capture of Sicily during the war. Brilliantly portrayed from the accounts of those on both sides, from the infantry to the pilots, to the sailors and the civilians.
superbly read by Al Murray who puts great enthusiasm and energy in the book.
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- Kindle Customer
- 09-10-23
short review
both informative and comprehensive with stories from all sides.
Al Murray narrates wonderfully.
I recommend this to anyone interested in the Mediterranean campaign.
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- Marcher Lord
- 08-09-21
a possibly forgotten episode of world war two
a true story well read , the tension , struggles and epic bravery are self evident. I really enjoyed this audio book as my grandfather went from north Africa through Sicily and into Italy , he wouldn't speak about it at all but I know from my grandmother that he went through hell , thankfully he survived intact to lead a full and productive life like some of the characters mentioned in the book . I recommend this audio book , not just to those interested in the last war but of human achievement and failure .
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- mcfontaine
- 11-09-20
Another brilliant book from James Holland
I was looking forward to this book a lot. I hoped it would fill in all the blanks for me. Like so many people I partly dismissed Operation Husky as a jumping off point for the invasion of Italy and also a test ground for Overlord the next year. It was both those things but thanks to this book I now know it was oh so much more.
James has an astonishing ability to weave the story of campaigns like no other writer I have read. I love the clarity he gives me after reading him.
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- Robert Koning
- 31-01-21
A fascinating look into the battle for Sicily
One of the few books available on the subject and utterly fascinating. You get a brilliant perspective from all sides, all experiencing similar hardships. Holland does a great job putting you among the heat of the olive farms, and then snapping you to aerial combat.
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- Ladycroft
- 11-07-22
Another wonderful history story from James Holland
I really enjoyed this book, Al Murray is a brilliant narrator. Holland mixes actual human perspectives with the actual history to make a very enjoyable and well paced history story.
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- Mr Anthony D. Fletton
- 07-08-23
Great book, well read
Really enjoyed this book. Whilst I had read about the campaign in Italy I hadn’t looked at Sicily in any depth. Really enjoyed the narration by Al Murray, brings it to life.
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- jon webb
- 21-03-24
Outstanding
James Holland has done it again with another great offering, Al Murray has another great performance, Thank you.
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- Nogbad the bad
- 18-09-20
First rate
One of the best living British historians comes out with another fantastic narrative of Operation Husky very well read by Al Murray highly recommend this book Patton was as we say where I come from a bit of a tosser
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- adam
- 29-09-20
Sicily 43- Great book
Great book, really enthralling listen and researched well. able to understand both allied and axis sides.
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