Try free for 30 days

  • The Bitter Road to Freedom

  • A New History of the Liberation of Europe
  • By: William I. Hitchcock
  • Narrated by: Mel Foster
  • Length: 18 hrs and 5 mins
  • 1.0 out of 5 stars (1 rating)

A 30-day trial plus your first audiobook free.
1 credit/month after trial—to buy any title you like, yours to keep.
Listen all you want to a selection of thousands of Audible Originals, audiobooks and podcasts.
$16.45 a month after 30 day trial. Cancel anytime.
The Bitter Road to Freedom cover art

The Bitter Road to Freedom

By: William I. Hitchcock
Narrated by: Mel Foster
Free with 30-day trial

$16.45/month after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

Buy Now for $33.99

Buy Now for $33.99

Pay using voucher balance (if applicable) then card ending in
By confirming your purchase, you agree to Audible's Conditions Of Use and Privacy Notice and authorise Audible to charge your designated credit card or another available credit card on file.

Editorial reviews

In a story about the liberation of Europe during WWII, the author places a sad and shocking focus on the suffering of civilians caught among the warring armies. Instead of concentrating on the movement of troops or war strategy, Hitchcock investigates such subjects as hunger, rape, and postwar internment. At first, narrator Mel Foster sounds stilted and emotionless. However, in a short while, his voice moves to the background as the author's appealing knack for prose takes the limelight in a story filled with eloquent word pictures. Foster's French far exceeds his skill with German. His narration on the writings of Ernie Pyle, the most famous war correspondent, may be the best part of his performance.

Publisher's Summary

Americans are justly proud of the role the United States played in liberating Europe from Nazi tyranny. For many years, we have celebrated the courage of the Allied soldiers, sailors, and aircrews who defeated Hitler's regime and restored freedom to the continent. But in recounting the heroism of the "greatest generation," Americans often overlook the wartime experiences of European people themselves - the very people for whom the war was fought.

In this brilliant new book, historian William I. Hitchcock surveys the European continent from D-Day to the final battles of the war and the first few months of the peace. Based on exhaustive research in five nations and dozens of archives, Hitchcock's groundbreaking account shows that the liberation of Europe was both a military triumph and a human tragedy of epic proportions.

Hitchcock gives voice to those who were on the receiving end of liberation, moving them from the edge of the story to the center. From France to Poland to Germany, from concentration camp internees to refugees, farmers to shopkeepers, husbands and wives to children, the experience of liberation was often difficult and dangerous. Their gratitude was mixed with guilt or resentment. Their lives were difficult to reassemble.

This strikingly original, multinational history of liberation brings to light the interactions of soldiers and civilians, the experiences of noncombatants, and the trauma of displacement and loss amid unprecedented destruction. This book recounts a surprising story, often jarring and uncomfortable, and one that has never been told with such richness and depth.

Today, with American soldiers once again waging wars of liberation in faraway lands, this book serves as a timely and sharp reminder of the terrible human toll exacted by even the most righteous of wars.

©2008 William I. Hitchcock (P)2008 Tantor
  • Unabridged Audiobook
  • Categories: History

What listeners say about The Bitter Road to Freedom

Average Customer Ratings
Overall
  • 1 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    0
  • 4 Stars
    0
  • 3 Stars
    0
  • 2 Stars
    0
  • 1 Stars
    1
Performance
  • 1 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    0
  • 4 Stars
    0
  • 3 Stars
    0
  • 2 Stars
    0
  • 1 Stars
    1
Story
  • 1 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    0
  • 4 Stars
    0
  • 3 Stars
    0
  • 2 Stars
    0
  • 1 Stars
    1

Reviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.

Sort by:
Filter by:
  • Overall
    1 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    1 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    1 out of 5 stars

uninteresting book

I tried several chapters hoping to find something interesting but I gave up after the 4th chapter.
I was very disappointed that Audible did not allow me to return the book.
They simply mentioned "not eligible for return", yet they took my membership money.
This is reducing Audible attractiveness and my goodwill willingness to subscribe.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

In the spirit of reconciliation, Audible acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea and community. We pay our respect to their elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today.