The Savage Storm
The Brutal Battle for Italy 1943
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The Savage Storm
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Narrated by:
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Al Murray
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By:
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James Holland
About this listen
Brought to you by Penguin.
This is World War 2 in microcosm told through the brutal story of the most pivotal campaign the Allies were to fight by one of the UK's most acclaimed and bestselling historians
From the bestselling author of Brothers in Arms comes the story of the most pivotal Allies campaign of World War II.
With the invasion of France the following year taking shape, and hot on the heels of victory in Sicily, the Allies crossed into Southern Italy in September 1943. They expected to drive the Axis forces north and be in Rome by Christmas. And although Italy surrendered, the German forces resisted fiercely and the swift hoped-for victory descended into one of the most brutal battles of the war.
Even though shipping and materiel were already being safeguarded for the D-Day landings, there were still huge expectations on the progress of the invading armies, but those shortages were to slow the advance with tragic consequences. As the weather closed in, the critical months leading up to Monte Cassino would inflict a heavy price for every bloody, hard fought mile the Allied troops covered.
Chronicling those dark, dramatic months in unflinching and insightful detail, The Savage Storm is unlike any campaign history yet written. James Holland has always recounted the Second World War at ground level, but this version telling brings the story vividly to life like never before. Weaving together a wealth of letters, diaries, and other incredible documents, Holland traces the battles as they were fought - across plains, over mountains, through shattered villages and cities, in intense heat and, towards the end, frigid cold and relentless rain - putting readers at the heart of the action to create an entirely fresh and revealing telling of this most pivotal phase of the war.
PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio.
©2023 Griffon Merlin Ltd (P)2023 Penguin AudioListeners also enjoyed...
Critic reviews
'Impeccably researched and superbly written' Observer
'Holland has something new to say.... Filled with insight and detail' Neil Oliver
'James Holland is the best of the new generation of WW2 historians' Sebastian Faulks
What listeners say about The Savage Storm
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Colin
- 20-11-23
Excellent history of start Italian campaign
Loved the details as I thought I knew everything about the campaign. Loved the reader fantastic
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1 person found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Nogbad the bad
- 07-12-23
Cracking
Absolutley brilliant
As ever Mr Holland delivers History and Mr Murray narrates so well totally absorbing
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story4 out of 5 stars
- Ross
- 15-01-24
The pain of war
My grandfather fought in Italy in 1943 and lost many friends. By a miracle he survived. This has been a great insight into what he and others faced. Only 4 stars as I feel somehow I felt a little lost from the midpoint onwards, not sure how the story could have been told any differently to change that, but from after the boats landed it just gets quite complicated. Incredible insights nonetheless.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- I find it really funny
- 22-02-24
A savage conflict
an amazing listen, perfectly captures the heartbreaking story of the Italian campaign and shares the horror of those in it,
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Welsh Borderman
- 13-06-24
Exceptional historianship.
This is an important book telling the story of an important and gruelling conflict which played a vital part in the defeat of Fascism and Nazism. Sadly this part of World War Two is less well remembered than D-Day and the Normandy campaign and yet it played an important part by saping German resources away from both the Eastern Front and eventually the defence of France.
The fighting and suffering in Italy in 1943 was some of the worst seen in both WW1 and WW2, I found the details heart rending at times as one of those British soldiers who fought, endured and survived in the mountains of Italy in 1943 was my father. My father never spoke about his time fighting in Italy, he never even showed me his medals and after reading this story I think I inow why, he wanted to forget. The one thing my dad did say was that he was with the first allied troops to enter Rome in June 1944, when he picked up a newspaper reporting the invasion of Normandy with the headine "Europe Invaded" has reaction was to mutter "where the f*** am I then"!
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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- D.
- 11-04-24
The pain of Italy
Horrendous account of a mostly ignored campaign of the Second World War. Excellent narration and vivid story telling.
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Performance4 out of 5 stars
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- RAZZAMAJAZZ
- 04-11-23
A chilling account of the Italy campaign
Immaculately researched and engrossing, this a shocking story of the unheralded battle for Italy
It contains a surprising wealth of eye witness accounts of the daily struggles and privations of the 'poor bloody infantry ' alongside explanations of the strategic decisions of the leaders of both sides.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Mr. Rg Masters
- 07-10-23
Excellent
Another superb and well researched book by James Holland. The accounts contained from all sides fighting make this a fascinating read and gives great insight into the Italian conflict.
Al Murray is a captivating narrator, this audiobook is must for any fans of the ‘We have ways ‘ podcast.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Simon Faure
- 25-11-23
Italy allied stalemate
Great book detailing the allied stalemate in Italy well written and read by Al Murray
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- tillymax
- 07-03-24
The Savage Storm- the title sums up the book
Another fine book from James Holland. The Italian campaign is much overlooked by historians and is often seen as a bit of a side show. The book shows what a tough theatre of war it was. In addition to an enemy who were ordered to stand and fight and not to withdraw, the terrain and weather favoured the defenders. Also D Day planning meant that men and materiel were diverted from Italy in advance thus affecting the position on the ground. The bravery of those who took part in the campaign, on both sides is clear. The tragedy for the Italian people is to have been caught up in the middle of a conflict they would not have wanted. Being in the wrong place at the wrong time cost thousands their lives, if they survived their homes probably did not.This book makes sombre but essential reading and the writer gives full credit to those who served.
Comment has been made about Al Murray’s narration. I am hard of hearing and the normal speed narration meant I found it a bit hard to catch some things, by reducing the reading speed from 1 to 0.8, on my device, it improved things immeasurably for me, without sounding in any way odd. Very clear narration
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