Victory at Villers-Bretonneux
Failed to add items
Add to basket failed.
Add to wishlist failed.
Remove from wishlist failed.
Adding to library failed
Follow podcast failed
Unfollow podcast failed
£0.00 for first 30 days
Victory at Villers-Bretonneux
Buy Now for £27.99
No valid payment method on file.
We are sorry. We are not allowed to sell this product with the selected payment method
-
Narrated by:
-
Robert Meldrum
-
By:
-
Peter FitzSimons
About this listen
On Anzac Day 1918, when the town of Villers-Bretonneux falls to the British defenders, it is the Australians who are called on to save the day, the town and the entire battle.
It's early 1918, and after four brutal years the fate of the Great War hangs in the balance. On the one hand, the fact that Vladimir Lenin and the Bolsheviks have seized power in Russia - immediately suing for peace with Germany - means that no fewer than one million of the Kaiser's soldiers can now be transferred from there to the Western Front. On the other, now that America has entered the war, it means that two million American soldiers are also on their way, to tip the scales of war in favor of the Allies.
The Germans, realising that their only hope is striking at the Allied lines first, do exactly that, and on the morning of 21 March 1918, the Kaiserschlacht, the Kaiser's battle, is launched - the biggest set-piece battle the world has ever seen.
©2016 Peter FitzSimons. Produced by arrangement with Penguin Random House Australia Pty Ltd (P)2016 Bolinda Publishing Pty LtdListeners also enjoyed...
What listeners say about Victory at Villers-Bretonneux
Average customer ratingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
-
Overall4 out of 5 stars
-
Performance1 out of 5 stars
-
Story4 out of 5 stars
- Robinson
- 18-06-17
Shouty, with music but a great story nonetheless
Where does Victory at Villers-Bretonneux rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?
An excellent historical narrative of the Australian contribution to the Western Front in World War 1.
What did you like best about this story?
The sheer volume of historical detail.
What didn’t you like about Robert Meldrum’s performance?
I couldn't stand the occasional shouting. There's really no need for it even if the author has added an exclamation mark outside of the quotes.
Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?
Yes.
Any additional comments?
The pre- and post chapter music is extremely irritating.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall4 out of 5 stars
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars
-
Story4 out of 5 stars
- Quincy
- 19-03-17
A very good historical account
What other book might you compare Victory at Villers-Bretonneux to, and why?
The book almost feels like a continuation of Paul Ham's excellent "Passchendaele: Requiem for Doomed Youth" as the story picks up more or less after the battle in 1917. Reading Ham's book before this one provides you more perspective about the state of the BEF in France in 1918.
Any additional comments?
The book was overall a very was well researched and written history of the Anzac participation helping to stop the German Spring Offensive in 1918.
At points the book felt a little nationalistic in its accounts of the Anzac's, in that they were by far the best troops on the Western Front, that their presence inspired locals to unpack their belongings and stay in their homes because they knew the Aussies would never break.
Overall a good account of the final German offensive of 1918
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
1 person found this helpful
-
Overall2 out of 5 stars
-
Performance2 out of 5 stars
-
Story2 out of 5 stars
- Kelvin
- 30-04-17
Good detail: Childlike parochialism
If this book wasn’t for you, who do you think might enjoy it more?
Much as I enjoyed some of the detailed research. the strengths of the book were more than undermined by the simplistic nationalism expressed by Fitzsimons who laced the narrative with his republican views at every opportunity. The result is a book well suited for those that believe that Australians are in some way endowed with innate super human characteristics.
What could Peter FitzSimons have done to make this a more enjoyable book for you?
The book would have benefitted greatly from a far more balanced perspective.
Would you be willing to try another one of Robert Meldrum’s performances?
This is not the best Meldrum performance, but it was ok. I certainly wouldn't say no to listening to other readings, but would not consider another Meldrum/FitzSimons team effort.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
2 people found this helpful