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A Bridge Too Far cover art

A Bridge Too Far

By: Cornelius Ryan
Narrated by: Clive Chafer
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Summary

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), born in Dublin, Ireland, became one of the preeminent war correspondents of his time, flying fourteen bombing missions with the US Eighth and Ninth Air Forces. He is the author of numerous books, including several classics of military history, which have appeared throughout the world in nineteen languages. He was awarded the Legion of Honor by the French government in 1973.

©1974 Cornelius Ryan (P)2012 Blackstone Audio, Inc.
  • Unabridged Audiobook
  • Categories: History

Critic reviews

“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)
“Ryan masters a spare, strong style to deliver a battle that has much of the majesty and beauty of classic tragedy. ( Kirkus Reviews)

What listeners say about A Bridge Too Far

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

Amazing book ruined by awful narration

If you could sum up A Bridge Too Far in three words, what would they be?

Compelling, daring, insightful

What other book might you compare A Bridge Too Far to, and why?

Pegasus Bridge, D-Day

How did the narrator detract from the book?

The narration is simply terrible.

It does this incredible true story and the wonderful work of Ryan a massive disservice.

'Monotone' doesn't begin to explain it. Clive Chafer reads in a very unnatural, almost robotic way, with a constant rhythm that a metronome would be proud of.

I made it slightly more bearable by increasing the speed to 1.25x, but I couldn't finish it.

Boring, depressing, unengaging, dull narration.

I'd strongly advise against purchasing the audio book for this reason, but would highly recommend purchasing the actual book and reading it for yourself - an incredible story.

If you made a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

A Bridge Too Far?!

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9 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    1 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Great story but wow the narration is awful

Do the producers actually hold auditions for these guys or just pull any random actor in looking for a job? This is such a monotonous clunking performance it almost made this unlistenable.

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9 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars
  • EJ
  • 16-07-17

Appalling Narration

Any additional comments?

Why do Audible not vet their narrators before they put their books up for sale. The monotonous and boring narration completly spoilt the book for me. I wasted my money in purchasing this book.

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6 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    1 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Fantastic and harrowing story that make me feel grateful

The amazing history of ultimately a doomed mission. The bravery of these men is truly humbling.

Unfortunately the narration is appalling, although by the end you have got used to it. The flat monotone delivery is like machine narration. I would choose to read it next time.

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4 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars

Classic WW2

A good book on one the greatest episodes of WW2. Had to knock a star off for the monotonous narration which grated on me a bit. Every sentence read with the same intonation distracted from the writing.

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4 people found this helpful

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

A classic, ruined.

I was excited to buy this book, and even more so to listen to it.
It immediatly became apparent, I had got excited over nothing.
This timeless war classic was ruined by possibly the worst narrator I have ever heard.
Did he get the job through blackmail or nepatism?

Harry Von Turbo Threaders.

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3 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

Great Audio

Absolutely brill love listening to this about what all the boys went through and the people who didn't make it back my greatest respect to all who were there

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2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    2 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    2 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Monotonous

Narrators voice was too monotone in my opinion, for what could be an interesting book.

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1 person found this helpful

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

Fact filled

I enjoyed the narration and the authors dedication to portraying both sides of the story.

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

A tale of true Heroism

What did you like most about A Bridge Too Far?

Easy to follow, with a unique insight into a story that even now we find fascinating.

What was one of the most memorable moments of A Bridge Too Far?

1st Airborne’s plight in Arnhem - magnificent.

What does Clive Chafer bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you had only read the book?

easy to listen to and captures the moments perfectly

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

The soldiers that were left behind. The effective end of the 1st Airborne who so desperate to see action before the war ended had a terrible ordeal.

Any additional comments?

Proud to be British!!

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1 person found this helpful