A Bridge Too Far Lib/E

The classic account of one of the most dramatic battles of World War II A Bridge Too Far is Cornelius Ryan's masterly chronicle of the Battle of Arnhem, which marshaled the greatest armada of troop-carrying aircraft ever assembled and cost the Allies nearly twice as many casualties as D-day. In this compelling work of history, Ryan narrates the Allied effort to end the war in Europe in 1944 by dropping the combined airborne forces of the American and British armies behind German lines to capture the crucial bridge across the Rhine at Arnhem. Focusing on a vast cast of characters--from Dutch civilians to British and American strategists to common soldiers and commanders--Ryan brings to life one of the most daring and ill-fated operations of the war. A Bridge Too Far superbly recreates the terror, suspense, heroism, and tragedy of this epic operation, which ended in bitter defeat for the Allies.

About the Author :
Cornelius Ryan (1920-1974) was born in Dublin, Ireland. He became one of the preeminent war correspondents of his time, flying fourteen bombing missions with the United States Eighth and Ninth Air Forces and covering the D-day landings and the advance of General Patton's Third Army across France and Germany. After the end of hostilities in Europe, he covered the Pacific War. In addition to his classic works The Longest Day, The Last Battle, and A Bridge Too Far, he is the author of numerous other books, which have appeared throughout the world in nineteen languages. Awarded the Legion of Honor by the French government in 1973, he was hailed at that time by Malcolm Muggeridge as "perhaps the most brilliant reporter now alive." Clive Chafer is a professional actor, director, producer, and theater instructor. Originally from England and educated at Leeds and Exeter universities, he has performed and directed at many theaters in the San Francisco area, where he makes his home, and elsewhere in the US. In 1993 he founded TheatreFIRST, Oakland's professional theater company, where he served as artistic director until 2008.

Review :
"Originally published in 1974, this classic work of military history details the Battle of Arnhem in the Netherlands, a major Allied attack meant to end WWII in 1944. It's a great book and deserves wide readership among the new generation. Narrator Clive Chafer has an elegant, silky smooth English accent that makes the book sound as if it's straight out of the 'World at War' series from the BBC. Chafer does a creditable job reading the military details, and his crystal-clear diction makes the work understandable." -- "AudioFile" "Ryan masters a spare, strong style to deliver a battle that has much of the majesty and beauty of classic tragedy." -- "Kirkus Reviews (starred review)" "I know of no other work of literature of World War II as moving, as awesome, and as accurate in its portrayal of human courage." -- "General James M. Gavin"