The Ultimate Battle

Okinawa 1945: The Last Epic Struggle of World War II

By: Bill Sloan

Narrated by: Robertson Dean

Length: 14 hrs and 7 mins

Publisher's summary

Respected historian Bill Sloan tells the full story of the Battle of Okinawa as it has never been told before, through the eyes of the men in battle.

Using the same grunt's-eye-view narrative style of Sloan's acclaimed Brotherhood of Heroes, The Ultimate Battle is the full story of the largest land-sea-air battle ever waged by the United States, a battle whose staggering casualties and take-no-prisoners ferocity led Truman to drop the atomic bomb on Japan. From April through June 1945, more than 250,000 American and Japanese lives were lost, including those of nearly 150,000 civilians who either committed suicide or were caught in the crossfire. This book tells a gripping story of heroism, sacrifice, and death.

©2007 Bill Sloan (P)2007 Blackstone Audio Inc.

Last part of chapters cut off

Great book and history. However, audible needs to review the recordings. Some chapters are not complete and abruptly cut to the next chapter.
Hopefully, they can fix the issue.

Filled with Details

Excellent read...very detailed account of this extremely violent and bloody battle. I enjoyed it immensely.

A horrific view of Marine experiences in Okinawa

This was a gripping and horrific view of the average Marines experiences in Okinawa from start to finish. As the final battle of the pacific and WW2, it shakes you to the core to hear what these servicemen encountered from a fanatic and diehard enemy. The story follows many different battalions while sharing individual soldier testimonies. It can be very gut-cringingly graphic at times, but thats war.

The narrator was excellent and really made me feel like I was there with these guys. I highly recommend this book to anyone wanting to understand a glimpse of what the pacific theatre was like and how that final campaign came to an end.

Worth your time.

starts out a little slow, but then the stories suck you in. I really enjoyed learning about some of the men, and their battle experiences. Thankyou all for your sacrifices.

Great “on the ground” account

I would recommend other books for a better understanding of the strategic situation at the time; and some of the author’s assertions, stated as certainty, are still debated, such as the impact of Le May’s b-29s on the Okinawa campaign.

But having said that, excellent account from the men who actually fought this battle, on land, sea, and in the air. Highly recommended.

Fantastic book

Highly recommended, to anyone that wants to learn and understand what that battle in compassed.

Last battle of WW2

Narrators pace was excellent and the material is unparalleled in its description of the Battle of Okinawa. A must read and listen to any WW2 buff or historian

Takes you into the mud and death

The Ultimate battle is the story of the invasion of Okinawa, the last major battle of the second world war, also the costliest in terms of casualties. The author gives the overall story of both the American offensive strategy as well as the Japanese defense. Yet he still brings in the individual stories of the Marines, Sailors and Soldiers who did the actual fighting. Overlying the tales of heroism is the fear that this was only to be a prelude to an even deadlier battle to come - the invasion of the Japanese home islands. The battle for Okinawa was like no other battle in the war; "The Ultimate Battle" brings that home in a gripping and telling manner that deserves to be heard.

Excellent account of Last Battle of WWII

Superb combination of historical narrative and individual oral histories of many of the battle's surviving participants. The narrator is also very good and provides a very lively reading.

Haunting account of savagery

Wonderfully written and narrated, this book is a must listen for all. It encompasses all of the savagery of the Japanese military during WW2.