The Somme Audiobook By Peter Hart cover art

The Somme

The Darkest Hour on the Western Front

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The Somme

By: Peter Hart
Narrated by: Mark Ashby
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The Somme: these words conjure the image of war rigidly fought by traditional means even when catastrophe clearly loomed. Relying on personal testimonies never before published, this study of those who survived the first day of battle (July 1, 1916) captures this epic conflagration from all angles. Follow the action as soldiers crawl across No Man’s Land in the face of German guns, struggle with the conditions in the trenches, and survey the scene from the air as the RFC tries to control the skies above the battlefield.

©2008 Peter Hart (P)2013 Audible, Inc. World War I Wars & Conflicts Military War World

Editorial reviews

With never-before-revealed firsthand accounts of World War I survivors, this is a comprehensive look at the Battle of Somme, one of the largest of the war, which took place on July 1, 1916. Listeners will be stunned by immediacy of Peter Hart's writing - it vividly evokes the battlefields, the trenches, and the fear of the soldiers fighting in the war. Especially striking are, of course, the personal testimonies of survivors. Mark Ashby's clear-as-a-bell narration adds a bit of calm to this gripping audiobook experience.
Personal Accounts • Comprehensive Research • Excellent Narration • Detailed History • Vivid Descriptions

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Tragic story of World War I battle in 1916 on the Western Front that provides a sobering look at the bravery, suffering, and challenges of the soldiers.

The Somme

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If there has ever been a hell on earth, the Somme must have been it. I don’t know how those men lead normal lives after going through that experience.

What an utter horror the Somme must have been

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There is no battle, or rather battles, that compare to the Somme. The death toll is unconscionable on both sides. Peter Hart brings the battle full circle, making the reader feel like a stunned bystander. And with this, taking it in is slightly more possible. Mark Ashby’s narration is spot on, not overly morose, but just right. The Somme is humanity at its worst, best, and somewhere in the middle.

Unfathomable horror

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Balanced and well presented, this narrative is greatly enhanced by the inclusion of the words and stories of the combatants- both British and German

Good history of an important battle

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this book does an excellent job of bringing the numbers to life. I would highly recommend it!

The human aspect of war

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