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Nemesis

The Battle for Japan, 1944-45

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Nemesis

By: Max Hastings
Narrated by: Stewart Cameron
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About this listen

With an introduction read by Max Hastings. A companion volume to his best-selling Armageddon, Max Hastings' account of the battle for Japan is a masterful military history.

Featuring the most remarkable cast of commanders the world has ever seen, the dramatic battle for Japan of 1944-45 was acted out across the vast stage of Asia: Imphal and Kohima, Leyte Gulf and Iwo Jima, Okinawa, and the Soviet assault on Manchuria.

In this gripping narrative, Max Hastings weaves together the complex strands of an epic war, exploring the military tactics behind some of the most triumphant and most horrific scenes of the 20th century. The result is a masterpiece that balances the story of command decisions, rivalries, and follies with the experiences of soldiers, sailors, and airmen of all sides as only Max Hastings can.

©2007 Max Hastings (P)2014 Audible Studios Military World War Imperial Japan Naval Warfare Imperialism Soviet Union Submarine Russia China Sailing Air Force Franklin D Roosevelt
All stars
Most relevant  
It has some uncomfortable truths for Australia, Britain and the U.S. But it clearly show why the majority of the blame lies with Japan. He puts forward convincing arguments for all sides but dismisses flawed arguments clearly and precisely

Balanced view

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One of the best war books ever written, and the best book ever written on the subject of the American and Japanese war in the pacific. Beautifully researched and magically told, it’s a must have for anyone that loves the mid C20th

Magnificent

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Balanced and well researched story of the often overlooked end of the Pacific War, but which still lingers today with ongoing Russian occupation of the Kurile Islands, and Japan’s silence on wartime events.
Stewart Cameron has brought Hastings’ book brilliantly to life.
Excellent!!

A detailed story, very well told!

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Nemesis is vast in its ambition to encapsulate what can be readily regarded as a 'complete picture' of the pacific war. It's Hastings at his best. Tenacious analysis, arguments both robust and reflective. Stewart Cameron's delivery is clear and sustained, with an engaging ability to provide cultural expression to quotes and interviews.

An excellent overview of the pacific war.

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it's a long one; however, many stages of the conflict are covered in depth. rather than a day by day monologue.

We all know the big battles.. & who wins them, The various chapters cover all facets of the pacific war.
What lead up to them and then the consequences of defeat or victory.

it not always shown only that this side has won the battle.. in many other titles..

i give it 10/10

wow, it's well worth the Listen.

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Horrifying, and not easy listening but should be compulsory for anyone who thinks that militaristic regimes are a good idea. No wonder the Chinese do not forgive. And yes, the winners write the history but I felt that this was a well balanced analysis. The god Hirohito deserved to have been tried as a war criminal.

Japanese should listen to this

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Where does Nemesis rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

It's up there with the best WW2 audiobooks I've read. It covers events in the East from many angles and viewpoints and leaves one with a powerful impression of the madness and scale of the conflict.

Who was your favorite character and why?

The Kamakaze are very interesting indeed.

Have you listened to any of Stewart Cameron’s other performances? How does this one compare?

Not yet, but his performance is brilliant. I like how he can switch on believable accents, such as Australian, American and Russian.

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

The last days of the war were particularly disturbing. The Atom Bomb obviously is a culmination of events.

Any additional comments?

A masterpiece, deserves multiple listens.

Epic & stunning.

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Hastings at his best. However, limiting it to just two years doesn’t give a complete history of the origins of the Pacific War which would have been been helpful. However, I am now reading Hirohito‘a War by Francis Pike which hopefully will give a complete picture of the origins of Japanese imperialism.

Excellent, but..

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I’ve read a number of Max Hastings books and they are always good but need your full attention. This book is not only balanced but it’s hard not to be empathetic to some people you shouldn’t,
The reader is clear, concise and puts effort into his accents, although we may need a chat about his Australian one as a an Australian myself 😀

A brilliant historian in his prime

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Well written and narrated. Gives great illustrative examples without losing sight of the big picture. Good analysis and evaluation.

Note that the TOC headings don't match up with the chapters

Compelling history of the Pacific War

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