The Longest Day

June 6, 1944

By: Cornelius Ryan

Narrated by: Clive Chafer

The classic account of the Allied invasion of Normandy....

The Longest Day is Cornelius Ryan’s unsurpassed account of D-day, a book that endures as a masterpiece of military history. In this compelling tale of courage and heroism, glory and tragedy, Ryan painstakingly re-creates the fateful hours that preceded and followed the massive invasion of Normandy to retell the story of an epic battle that would turn the tide against world fascism and free Europe from the grip of Nazi Germany.

This book, first published in 1959, is a must for anyone who loves history, as well as for anyone who wants to better understand how free nations prevailed at a time when darkness enshrouded the earth.

©1959 Cornelius Ryan; 1987 by Kathryn Morgan Ryan, Victoria Ryan Baida, and Geoffrey J. M. Ryan (P)2012 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Critic reviews

“What I write about is not war but the courage of man.” (Cornelius Ryan)

“Fifty years from now, the history of D-day, I am sure, will lean heavily on this book.” ( New York Times Book Review)

“A dramatic, moving masterpiece, a living memorial to the men who died, and as suspenseful as the most gripping mystery story.” ( Chicago Sunday Tribune)

The classic version of the Normandy assault - 1944

Another great work from Cornelius Ryan. An excellent reading by Clive Chafer. The 1962 film borrowed much and changed around some of what really happened on that day of days. From the Leaders of the Axis and Allied powers down to the privates, NCOs, and company grade officers on both sides who struggled in this titanic battle to free Europe from the grip of Nazi terror or try to hold on to it. One of the saddest parts of the book comes near the end, the way the Nazis handled prisoners. Cornelius Ryan also wrote The Last Battle and A Bridge Too Far.

LibreVox?

Pretty stodgy narration, reminiscent of a LibriVox recording. Despite the magnificent story, the almost droning pace lack of inflection were not what I had expected.

Great Dday book

Great account of D-day. Narration was a bit dry. Loved hearing both side of the story. Need three more words

The Definitive Account of DDay

No fluff. Chilling facts. I thought I knew everything about DDay until I read this. A must for all folks interested in WW2.

A landmark in journalism that still grips you

Everyone of a certain age knows the star-packed movie. Fewer have read Ryan's book. But it's the book that's the magnificent achievement.
Ryan built up his history by telling it from dozens of viewpoints. And how did he do that? By advertising across Europe and the US, with little ads asking "Were you there?". He followed up with a three-page questionnaire. Eventually more than a thousand were filled in. Nothing like it had really been done before.
As just one example, Ryan was able to describe in fine and revealing detail Rommel's office in France, courtesy of his adjutant - who if I remember correctly filled out the questionnaire in great detail.
He backed that up with endless books on WWII - on one count, more than 7000. It's unlikely his research will ever be equalled.
And the stories he eventually chose from his huge pile are gripping - not just Allied, but German and French. There's not a dull one in there, and they have not aged at all. I was sad when they ended.
The narration is, as many people have said, flat. It grated a little at first. Yet in the end I'm not that dissatisfied with it; the just-the-facts style suits the story Ryan's telling, and the way he tells it. This is a wonderful listen.