Battle of the Atlantic
Gauntlet to Victory
Failed to add items
Add to Cart failed.
Add to Wish List failed.
Remove from wish list failed.
Follow podcast failed
Unfollow podcast failed
Battle of the Atlantic
Buy Now for $32.62
No default payment method selected.
We are sorry. We are not allowed to sell this product with the selected payment method
-
Narrated by:
-
Michael Anthony
-
Written by:
-
Ted Barris
About this listen
The Battle of the Atlantic, Canada’s longest continuous military engagement of the Second World War, lasted 2,074 days, claiming the lives of more than 4,000 men and women in the Royal Canadian Navy, the Royal Canadian Air Force and the Canadian merchant navy
The years 2019 to 2025 mark the eightieth anniversary of the longest battle of the Second World War, the Battle of the Atlantic. It also proved to be the war’s most critical and dramatic battle of attrition. For five and a half years, German surface warships and submarines attempted to destroy Allied trans-Atlantic convoys, most of which were escorted by Royal Canadian destroyers and corvettes, as well as aircraft of the Royal Canadian Air Force. Throwing deadly U-boat “wolf packs” in the paths of the convoys, the German Kriegsmarine almost succeeded in cutting off this vital lifeline to a beleaguered Great Britain.
In 1939, the Royal Canadian Navy went to war with exactly thirteen warships and about 3,500 regular servicemen and reservists. During the desperate days and nights of the Battle of the Atlantic, the RCN grew to 400 fighting ships and over 100,000 men and women in uniform. By V-E Day in 1945, it had become the fourth largest navy in the world.
The story of Canada’s naval awakening from the dark, bloody winters of 1939–1942, to be “ready, aye, ready” to challenge the U-boats and drive them to defeat, is a Canadian wartime saga for the ages. While Canadians think of the Great War battle of Vimy Ridge as the country’s coming of age, it was the Battle of the Atlantic that proved Canada’s gauntlet to victory and a nation-building milestone.
Supplemental enhancement PDF accompanies the audiobook.
PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio.
©2022 Ted Barris (P)2022 HarperCollins PublishersYou may also enjoy...
-
Brothers in Arms
- One Legendary Tank Regiment’s Bloody War from D-Day to VE-Day
- Written by: James Holland
- Narrated by: Al Murray
- Length: 16 hrs and 17 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 24
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars 22
-
Story4.5 out of 5 stars 22
One of the last cavalry units to ride horses into battle, the Sherwood Rangers were transformed into a “mechanized cavalry” of tanks in 1942. After winning acclaim in the North African campaign, they spearheaded one of the D-Day landings in Normandy and became the first British troops to cross into Germany. Their courage, skill, and tenacity contributed mightily to the surrender of Germany in 1945.
Written by: James Holland
-
The Fight for History
- 75 Years of Forgetting, Remembering, and Remaking Canada's Second World War
- Written by: Tim Cook
- Narrated by: J. D. Nicholsen
- Length: 12 hrs and 26 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 36
-
Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 31
-
Story4.5 out of 5 stars 31
The Second World War shaped modern Canada. It led to the country's emergence as a middle power on the world stage; the rise of the welfare state; industrialization, urbanization, and population growth. After the war, Canada increasingly turned toward the United States in matters of trade, security, and popular culture, which then sparked a desire to strengthen Canadian nationalism from the threat of American hegemony. The Fight for History examines how Canadians framed and reframed the war experience over time.
-
5 out of 5 stars
-
This explains a lot
- By B Goff on 2020-11-18
Written by: Tim Cook
-
The Duel
- Diefenbaker, Pearson and the Making of Modern Canada
- Written by: John Ibbitson
- Narrated by: Robin Wilcock
- Length: 17 hrs and 43 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 12
-
Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 12
-
Story4.5 out of 5 stars 12
John Diefenbaker has been unfairly treated by history. Although he wrestled with personal demons, his governments launched major reforms in public health care, law reform and immigration. On his watch, First Nations on reserve obtained the right to vote and the federal government began to open up the North. He established Canada as a leader in the struggle against apartheid in South Africa, and took the first steps in making Canada a leader in the fight against nuclear proliferation. And Diefenbaker’s Bill of Rights laid the groundwork for the Charter of Rights and Freedoms.
-
1 out of 5 stars
-
Boring to the nth power
- By Schvenn on 2025-02-01
Written by: John Ibbitson
-
A Thousand Shall Fall
- The True Story of a Canadian Bomber Pilot in World War Two
- Written by: Murray Peden
- Narrated by: Anthony Haden Salerno
- Length: 19 hrs and 16 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars 22
-
Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 21
-
Story4.5 out of 5 stars 21
During World War II, Canada trained tens of thousands of airmen under the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan. Those selected for Bomber Command operations went on to rain devastation upon the Third Reich in the great air battles over Europe, but their losses were high. German fighters and anti-aircraft guns took a terrifying toll. The chances of surviving a tour of duty as a bomber crew were almost nil.
-
5 out of 5 stars
-
Excellently written and read
- By Amazon Customer on 2022-02-03
Written by: Murray Peden
-
Juno Beach
- Canada's D-Day Victory: June 6, 1944
- Written by: Mark Zuehlke
- Narrated by: Steve Kehela
- Length: 13 hrs and 46 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 95
-
Performance3.5 out of 5 stars 88
-
Story5 out of 5 stars 87
On June 6, 1944, the greatest armada in history stood off Normandy and the largest amphibious invasion ever began as 107,000 men aboard 6,000 ships pressed toward the coast. Among them were 14,500 Canadians, who were to land on a five-mile-long stretch of rocky ledges fronted by a dangerously exposed beach. Drawing on personal diaries as well as military records, Juno Beach: Canada's D-Day Victory, June 6, 1944 dramatically depicts Canada's pivotal contribution to the critical Allied battle of World War II.
-
3 out of 5 stars
-
A Disappointment
- By John McElwain on 2019-05-16
Written by: Mark Zuehlke
-
Patriot Games
- Written by: Tom Clancy
- Narrated by: Scott Brick
- Length: 22 hrs and 2 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 340
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars 299
-
Story4.5 out of 5 stars 295
It is fall. CIA analyst Jack Ryan, historian and former Marine, is vacationing in London with his wife and young daughter. Suddenly, right before his eyes, a terrorist group launches its deadly attack. Instinctively, he dives forward to break it up, and is shot. It is not until he wakes up in the hospital that he learns whose lives he has saved - the Duke and Duchess of Kent.
-
5 out of 5 stars
-
brilliant story, voice work meh
- By Jonathan on 2018-04-28
Written by: Tom Clancy
-
Brothers in Arms
- One Legendary Tank Regiment’s Bloody War from D-Day to VE-Day
- Written by: James Holland
- Narrated by: Al Murray
- Length: 16 hrs and 17 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 24
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars 22
-
Story4.5 out of 5 stars 22
One of the last cavalry units to ride horses into battle, the Sherwood Rangers were transformed into a “mechanized cavalry” of tanks in 1942. After winning acclaim in the North African campaign, they spearheaded one of the D-Day landings in Normandy and became the first British troops to cross into Germany. Their courage, skill, and tenacity contributed mightily to the surrender of Germany in 1945.
Written by: James Holland
-
The Fight for History
- 75 Years of Forgetting, Remembering, and Remaking Canada's Second World War
- Written by: Tim Cook
- Narrated by: J. D. Nicholsen
- Length: 12 hrs and 26 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 36
-
Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 31
-
Story4.5 out of 5 stars 31
The Second World War shaped modern Canada. It led to the country's emergence as a middle power on the world stage; the rise of the welfare state; industrialization, urbanization, and population growth. After the war, Canada increasingly turned toward the United States in matters of trade, security, and popular culture, which then sparked a desire to strengthen Canadian nationalism from the threat of American hegemony. The Fight for History examines how Canadians framed and reframed the war experience over time.
-
5 out of 5 stars
-
This explains a lot
- By B Goff on 2020-11-18
Written by: Tim Cook
-
The Duel
- Diefenbaker, Pearson and the Making of Modern Canada
- Written by: John Ibbitson
- Narrated by: Robin Wilcock
- Length: 17 hrs and 43 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 12
-
Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 12
-
Story4.5 out of 5 stars 12
John Diefenbaker has been unfairly treated by history. Although he wrestled with personal demons, his governments launched major reforms in public health care, law reform and immigration. On his watch, First Nations on reserve obtained the right to vote and the federal government began to open up the North. He established Canada as a leader in the struggle against apartheid in South Africa, and took the first steps in making Canada a leader in the fight against nuclear proliferation. And Diefenbaker’s Bill of Rights laid the groundwork for the Charter of Rights and Freedoms.
-
1 out of 5 stars
-
Boring to the nth power
- By Schvenn on 2025-02-01
Written by: John Ibbitson
-
A Thousand Shall Fall
- The True Story of a Canadian Bomber Pilot in World War Two
- Written by: Murray Peden
- Narrated by: Anthony Haden Salerno
- Length: 19 hrs and 16 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars 22
-
Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 21
-
Story4.5 out of 5 stars 21
During World War II, Canada trained tens of thousands of airmen under the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan. Those selected for Bomber Command operations went on to rain devastation upon the Third Reich in the great air battles over Europe, but their losses were high. German fighters and anti-aircraft guns took a terrifying toll. The chances of surviving a tour of duty as a bomber crew were almost nil.
-
5 out of 5 stars
-
Excellently written and read
- By Amazon Customer on 2022-02-03
Written by: Murray Peden
-
Juno Beach
- Canada's D-Day Victory: June 6, 1944
- Written by: Mark Zuehlke
- Narrated by: Steve Kehela
- Length: 13 hrs and 46 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 95
-
Performance3.5 out of 5 stars 88
-
Story5 out of 5 stars 87
On June 6, 1944, the greatest armada in history stood off Normandy and the largest amphibious invasion ever began as 107,000 men aboard 6,000 ships pressed toward the coast. Among them were 14,500 Canadians, who were to land on a five-mile-long stretch of rocky ledges fronted by a dangerously exposed beach. Drawing on personal diaries as well as military records, Juno Beach: Canada's D-Day Victory, June 6, 1944 dramatically depicts Canada's pivotal contribution to the critical Allied battle of World War II.
-
3 out of 5 stars
-
A Disappointment
- By John McElwain on 2019-05-16
Written by: Mark Zuehlke
-
Patriot Games
- Written by: Tom Clancy
- Narrated by: Scott Brick
- Length: 22 hrs and 2 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 340
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars 299
-
Story4.5 out of 5 stars 295
It is fall. CIA analyst Jack Ryan, historian and former Marine, is vacationing in London with his wife and young daughter. Suddenly, right before his eyes, a terrorist group launches its deadly attack. Instinctively, he dives forward to break it up, and is shot. It is not until he wakes up in the hospital that he learns whose lives he has saved - the Duke and Duchess of Kent.
-
5 out of 5 stars
-
brilliant story, voice work meh
- By Jonathan on 2018-04-28
Written by: Tom Clancy
What listeners say about Battle of the Atlantic
Average Customer RatingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
-
Overall4 out of 5 stars
-
Performance4 out of 5 stars
-
Story5 out of 5 stars
- Schvenn
- 2023-11-27
Psst...Michael. Not everyone is Irish.
Excellent book. The mixture of chronological history with individual stories on both sides of the war was very well done. I wasn't sure if I was going to enjoy this book, but I thoroughly did.
One drawback though, is that the narrator, while fantastic, does the worst voices, ever. He cannot keep the voices consistent. Hitler will sound like a Canadian one minute, a German in the very next sentence and by the end of the paragraph, every single person he "impersonates" sounds Irish. All of them. The narrator clearly thinks everyone who isn't him must be Irish.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars
-
Story5 out of 5 stars
- PDubya
- 2022-10-17
Amazing Canadians
My dad was in the navel 1939-45 and served on a Corvette - he never so woke of the war and I wanted to know more about his time in WWII. After listening to this amazing book I now know why. The trauma that he must have experienced is something that no one would ever want to revisit. As I listened I thought of him as an 18 year old kid from Saskatchewan serving on a ship in the middle of the Atlantic. He too was an amazing Canadian. This book should be reading for every Canadian so we understand what true sacrifice really was and is to this day. Kudos to Mr. Barrie for a fantastic take of the brave Canadians of the greatest generation.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars
-
Story5 out of 5 stars
- W P Rosenfeld
- 2022-12-12
Canadian story
The battle of the Atlantic story told from the Canadian perspective. Generally excellent but fails to present and explore the racist practices of the RCN in excluding black, Jewish, indigenous Canadians.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars
-
Performance4 out of 5 stars
-
Story5 out of 5 stars
- Amazon Customer
- 2023-05-06
Important WW2 History!
the role of merchant marine and Canadian corvette escorts in the battle of Atlantic is one of the lesser known yet more pivotal and terrible theaters of WW2. Knowing about this stuff should be required in Canadian high school history courses.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
1 person found this helpful
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars
-
Story5 out of 5 stars
- Ron
- 2023-01-17
Excellent history of a nearly forgotten WW2 battle
loved it,
the story telling was excellent
the accounts so personal
moving, riveting and deeply emotional
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall4 out of 5 stars
-
Performance2 out of 5 stars
-
Story5 out of 5 stars
- Dark Alley Dan
- 2023-02-25
Well researched, human stories, but the narrator..
Barris knows his stuff. His research is strong, and he always remembers the people in the story. This is appropriately detailed and bracing material. Regrettably, Michael Anthony delivers lines in a style somewhere between Troy Maclure, a TikTok robot, and a guy on a local 11 PM news broadcast. Tail numbers on RCAF aircraft aren't spelled out as "six thousand eight hundred ninety two" but rather "sixty eight ninety two". His attempt at Churchill is cringey, and his single run at Hitler was reminiscent of Spike Jones' more excessive tendencies.
Hell of a book on an important topic, crippled by inept narration.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!