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  • Ortona

  • Canada's Epic World War II Battle
  • Written by: Mark Zuehlke
  • Narrated by: William Dufris
  • Length: 14 hrs and 37 mins
  • 4.7 out of 5 stars (106 ratings)

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Ortona

Written by: Mark Zuehlke
Narrated by: William Dufris
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Publisher's Summary

In one furious week of fighting in December 1943, the First Canadian Infantry Division took Ortona, Italy, from elite German paratroopers ordered to hold the medieval port at all costs. When the battle was over, the Canadians emerged victorious despite heavy losses. Over 2,500 Canadians died or were wounded there. Military historian Mark Zuehlke blends reminiscences of the Canadians, Germans, and Italians who were there together with a blow-by-blow account of the fighting to create a harrowing, ultimately hopeful rendering of one of World War II's defining moments.

©2004 Mark Zuehlke (P)2011 Audible, Inc.
  • Unabridged Audiobook
  • Categories: History
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What listeners say about Ortona

Average Customer Ratings
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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

I had no idea...

The author and narrator do a tremendous job of bringing us to the Italian campaign and Ortona. It is beyond incredible what these soliders had to do. The sacafice, courage and determination of the Canadian army is on full display. Author does a superb job of capturing the grit of the frontlines and the detached nature of the generals pulling the strings, sometimes very poorly. WW II was truly a different era. Well done, highly recommended.

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4 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Can’t get enough Canadian Military history

I like how he ties memories of veterans to unit reports. The whole Italian campaign is interests me as the wife’s father fought there and she has an uncle buried there.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Excellent study.

A detailed reconstruction of battle. The formations, the terrain, the men, the commanders. Highly recommended.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Informative, Interesting and Impeccably Canadian

This is a look at a hard fought battle through the use of regimental sources, field reports, and first hand accounts. The story is filled with the stories of individuals, platoons, companies and regiments presented in a format that is easily understood and absorbed.

*Warning: some comments are quite graphic but so to was the conflict.*

I recommend every Canadian read this book. As the author points out, far too many Canadians don't know of our own military history except for the blunders and those highlighted by the inclusion of other prominent nations.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

As always he tells great individual stories. These are the stories of our uncles, fathers etc. He’s a great Canadian historian

it needs to be talked about and spoken of more often and not let be forgotten by Canadians. As important in many ways as Vimy as it defines a area of battle and Canada involvement in Italy

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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May we NEVER forget the sacrifice of our Canadian war veterans.

Unbelievably poignant recounting of human tragedy / senseless loss - suffering and death. Well written and narrated ... focus is on the role Canadians had in fighting this terrible - but almost forgotten - battle in Italy. Lest we ever forget their sacrifice for our freedom.

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2 people found this helpful

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    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Little-known piece of Canadian history...

This was a great book. As with any military oriented book, the names, titles, acronyms, weapon references, etc., can all get a little tiresome. But the story, and details, of what both the soldiers and civilians went through is more than interesting enough to carry the listener though the muck. The narrator repeatedly mispronounces many things (Canadian towns, and a famous Canadian writer) Canadians won't be able to ignore but at least he's consistent and I was able to get over it. I'd recommend it to anyone interested in military or Canadian history.

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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great canadian war book

narrator did a excellent job of making you feel like you were part of the battle

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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Great Story of an Important Episode of the War

Great book with good detail, recommend having Google maps and an old campaign map to follow along with. Finally a detailed account of that terrible December when the Canadians of 1st Inf Div and 1st Arm Bde helped smash German resistance and move toward victory. 1st big fight in an Urban area in the mainland European campaign and what a fight it was.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

A really solid book that bogs down in occassion

Well narrated, however sometimes it bogs down in its own details. if you're a casual military history fan like myself you may find yourself sometimes struggling to keep track of all of the different units and commanders in play as well as the topography of the battle and the different objectives. I found the latter third of the book to be its strongest. this was where the fighting took place inside the city itself, and featured some of the best stories from the entire book.

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