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The Far Shore

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The Far Shore

By: Edward Ellsberg
Narrated by: John McLain
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About this listen

The story of the greatest invasion in history, as told by a master military engineer.

Thousands of men desperately struggling through the surf, blood spilling into the sea and mud, bullets whizzing by their ears - this is the Far Shore of Omaha Beach on June 6, 1944. Here, we see D-Day through the eyes of an experienced engineer, brought out of a brief retirement to help make this invasion and eventual Allied victory possible: Rear Admiral Edward Ellsberg.

The final book in Ellsberg's World War II trilogy, The Far Shore takes the listener right up to the front lines. In Under the Red Sea Sun and No Banners, No Bugles, Rear Admiral Ellsberg cleaned up impressive wrecks in the Red Sea and North Africa. He answers the call to action despite his advancing age and failing heart, to once again do the impossible. Ellsberg is tasked with floating the artificial harbors that are key to Operation Overlord.

Ellsberg, a celebrated writer in addition to his gifts as a naval engineer, pulls no punches in this firsthand account of the preparations and bravery necessary to win on D-day.

©1960 Edward Ellsberg and Lucy Buck Ellsberg (P)2014 Audible Inc. 20th Century Military Modern War Submarine

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The first ten chapters are a verbose, often repetitive history of Ellsberg and his achievements as a salvage commander in N. African Campaign. To be generous, he constantly expresses his patriotism, usually at the expense of the English as he calls all British, although Scott’s are mentioned as “scotch men” . Then he explains in further repetitive verbose detail, how he had to save the Overlord Mulberries from stuffy English incompetence.
The actual American Omaha landing and losses details are interesting and well read, although there are regrettable no comparison or details of other beach landings. I’m just glad it in the Audible plus Catalogue and I didn’t buy it.

How Edward Ellsberg saved Overlord from disaster in British hands.!! =)

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Edward Ellsberg wrote another gem with this book.

His narrative weaves an exceptionally interesting on the invasion of France and offers a worthy counterpoint to the doom-laden work of Max Hastings.

It is particularly interesting to hear about the Mulberry harbours and the lovely little nuances about why they had no anchors.

Ellsberg’s account of D-Day itself pulls no punches and sits as a frightening overview of the chaos and horror of all-out war.

John Mclain’s narrative is really appropriate for this story. Punchy, but not too fast and with just the right gravitas. Credit to him, too, for making the best attempt I’ve heard on pronouncing French town names!

Very interesting perspective on Overlord

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A record of the deployment and subsequent use of one of the greatest and most innovative engineering achievements ever. The fact that it was written by one so closely involved lends it immediacy. It's hard to praise this account of ingenuity, courage and bloody-minded determination to prevail more highly. The reading is also superb.

A superb and inspirational book, beautifully read

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This is an exciting and educational book which enjoyed despite the constantly machine gun like attack of the reader. It is definitely worth listening to for the content if you can ignore the voice, which I found annoying. It is a testament perhaps to the gripping nature of the writing.

Great story, over the top reader

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A truly brilliant book brilliantly told and narrated!! A must listen. It’s a shame it’s my last Ellsberg book.

Brilliant book!

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Those as impressed with Admiral Ellsberg's books may find this one a little odd. It starts well enough and then moves on to a description of infantry battles during D-Day. The fact that it is US centric isn't unreasonable but this material is covered well elsewhere. It does have value for historians of history though as comparing this book to others on the topic we can see how views have changed.

Oddly out of step with Ellsberg's other books

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This is a very interesting book. It covers aspects of D-day that are rarely discussed these days. I’m not sure the honours for winning the Battle of Normandy in WW2 are entirely due to the Americans. Shame little mention is made of other countries who fought alongside them. Very readable but bear in mind history has changed our impression of that time since the book was written

Excellent story reflecting 1960s views

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Terrible narration. Unbearable. Worst Audible book ever. No redeeming features at all. Thankfully it was free.

Awful

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The story content was good for as far as I could get. The narration grated on English ears. Sorry Americans

Awful narration

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