In the midst of a war that uncovered the deepest evils of mankind, two enemy pilots are faced with unfathomable decisions when their aircrafts meet over German territory. While German fighter pilot Franz Stigler could have easily destroyed the American aircraft flown by second lieutenant Charlie Brown, what happens next changed the course of their lives forever. A Higher Call uncovers an event kept top secret by major government officials for years, enthralling listeners with haunting tales told from multiple perspectives. Narrated by actor Robertson Deans—who is known for movies like Vanilla Sky and Star Trek Nemesis—this audiobook captivates listeners like an action movie, while highlighting the importance of honor in even the most harrowing of circumstances.

Legendary British actress Juliet Stevenson's melodic voice is perfect for unraveling the exciting story of Virginia Hall, a Special Operations Executive who was also the first Allied woman deployed behind enemy lines and who helped recruit for and establish the French Resistance. Hall worked nonstop, moving from one country to the next when her cover was blown, and she successfully evaded capture, leading her to be one of the most important secret operatives of WWII.

For four days in the summer of 1945, over 900 men were stranded in the middle of the South Pacific after the USS Indianapolis was sunk by an enemy missile. In Harm’s Way follows the story of three of the 317 survivors, detailing how they survived and their quest to discover the truth in the aftermath of this excruciating experience. Written by journalist Doug Stanton, this harrowing story highlights the importance of listening to survivors amid a massive cover-up. Mark Boyett’s performance elevates this heroic story further, drawing out the suspense and encapsulating the terror felt with every emotional turn of phrase. In Harm’s Way conveys the bravery of those willing to fight for justice after being forced to fight for their lives.

Take a firsthand look at the infantry tasked with some of the most dangerous assignments of WWII with Band of Brothers. Historian and renowned writer Stephen E. Ambrose profiled many presidents—including Eisenhower and Nixon—and here, he tells the true story of these men with astonishing and heart-rending detail. Inspiring an HBO series, multiple films, and various other media adaptations, this story has had a significant impact on how society views the events of World War II. Providing a fresh take on an honored story, this audiobook narrated by Tim Jerome allows the listener to step in line next to these humble men that continually risked their lives for the good of the world.

For anyone looking for a explanation of the origins of Nazi Germany, this audiobook offers a fascinating moment-by-moment analysis. This is widely considered the definitive book on the Third Reich, even now, 60 years after its initial publication. Using his expertise as a journalist—as well as 485 tons of documents from the German Foreign Office, along with diaries, phone transcriptions, and other written records—William L. Shirer describes Hitler's plans for Germany's future, his rise to power, and how he nearly succeeded in his horrific mission. The narrator of this classic is Grover Gardner, a massive talent who has narrated over 1,200 books, and was named among AudioFile's "Best Voices of the Century."

This historical account chronicles a dangerous journey of rescue, heroism, and valor to save prisoners of war in the Philippines in early 1945. Quickly turning more dangerous than they could have ever imagined, the paralyzing fear of the POWs and the soldiers trying to rescue them can be felt with every word. What elevates Ghost Soldiers to the level of stand-out audiobook is its narration by two-time Tony Award winner James Naughton, a performer known for breathing life into stories in a variety of mediums throughout his illustrious career. Through his emotional performance, you will join the soldiers on their dangerous mission and understand the perils felt by all in the depths of a dark and unforgiving forest.

History buffs will appreciate this unique perspective on the beginning of WWII, as Winston Churchill spins his tale of Britain's isolation before historic alliances were formed in the early 1940s. Christian Rodska’s narration walks the fine line between performance and impersonation, allowing the listener to feel that they are really listening to Churchill himself telling the story. The story follows his exasperation and perseverance as the UK began to fight the Axis Powers, leading up to and throughout the war as Japan attacked the United States and the Allied Powers began to take shape. Churchill displays his confidence as he relays the story of a united front, outlining the Allies’ ability to take on anything that came their way with a matter-of-fact perspective.

This raw story takes you deep inside the horrors of the Holocaust as Nazis prevented families from leaving the Warsaw ghetto and eventually transported them to concentration camps. After learning of their fate, a social worker named Irena Sendler took their lives into her own hands, defying orders by sneaking children out to safety. Sendler’s creativity and gumption helped save the lives of thousands of Jewish children, and her lesser-known story is one of inspiration in the face of true evil. Tilar J. Mazzeo, author of the New York Times bestseller The Widow Clicquot, reflects the crazed experience of Sendler through her writing. This listen is further enhanced by the performance of actress Amanda Carlin (known from hit shows like Friends and Law & Order), who adds a new depth to an already emotional and heartbreaking narrative.

The life of Louis Zamperini—a child delinquent turned athlete turned airman turned war survivor—is an epic tale of the American Dream. The young bombardier crashed in the Pacific Ocean, only to get on a raft and fight to survive for 47 days at sea. Unbroken offers a look into his life, from childhood until the moment he gets on that raft. Accompanying Laura Hillenbrand's compelling narrative, Edward Herrmann lends his voice to this spectacular story of resilience, immersing you in Zamperini's life from the very first sentence.

The trailblazing Tuskegee Airmen were the first African American United States military pilots in history, their name derived from the Alabama Air Force base where they were trained. While the brutal realities of Jim Crow continued to keep these brave men segregated in the military and beyond, the feats of the Tuskegee Airmen proved a valiant example of the need for greater equity, inclusion, and opportunity for Black Americans. In Soaring to Glory, Lt. Col. Harry Stewart Jr. recounts his time spent with the 333rd Fighter Group. An American hero, Stewart Jr. was the recipient of both Distinguished Flying Cross and the Congressional Gold Medal, recognized for his courage during WWII and in the years beyond. A tale of both his intrepid time in combat and the excruciating pains of injustice endured by the Tuskegee Airmen both during their service and in civilian life, his story (co-written with author Philip Handleman) is an essential glimpse into an often neglected perspective on World War II history.

This is one of the two classic books—along with Helmet for My Pillow—that was adapted into the 2010 HBO miniseries The Pacific. In this listen from Audible Studios, Joe Mazzello and Marc Vietor bring about a new listening experience for a story that has captivated the world. With the Old Breed is a firsthand account of E.B. Sledge’s survival in two of the most dangerous battles in the Pacific Ocean. History enthusiasts and veterans alike will appreciate this investigation of one man’s journey into hellish depths and what it took to escape. If you need another reason to tune in, beloved actor Tom Hanks uses his introduction to express gratitude for all who have come together to tell this important part of our nation's history.

Why would a small Tennessee town of 75,000 (that wasn't even on a map!) use more electricity during WWII than New York City with its population of over seven million people? Turns out, because this secret Appalachian village was the location of a confidential government project. It was work so top secret, in fact, that most of the women recruited for the work didn't even know what it was for—even after the war had ended. Cassandra Campbell, an inductee in Audible’s Narrator Hall of Fame, powerfully narrates this gripping chapter of American history written by Denise Kiernan, which shares the stories of the women who unknowingly helped build the atomic bomb.

In this Audible Original installment of The Great Courses series, historian Edward G. Lengel takes listeners along for the ride as he recounts the fast-paced, thrilling race to build the atomic bomb. In a digestible-yet-thorough 10-episode series, Generals and Geniuses: A History of the Manhattan Project provides a comprehensive portrait of the Manhattan Project. Not only does the series discuss the amazing minds behind the bomb—including J. Robert Oppenheimer—it also poses complicated ethical questions about the horrifying impact on the people of Hiroshima and Nagasaki and the future of nuclear weapons technology.

Nobel Prize winner Svetlana Alexievich shares a groundbreaking, boundary-shattering history in The Unwomanly Face of War, a vital record of women who served during World War II. Though their contributions are not always elevated, women were everywhere during that time: on the front lines, in occupied territories, as doctors, nurses, machine-gunners, and snipers. Alexievich brings these heroes to the forefront, while the narration from Julia Emelin and Yelena Shmulenson makes their stories wholly engaging.

This is a great, accessible overview of WWII as a whole. It's one of the best WWII books because it gives a thorough look at the war all across the globe, touching on many stories and events that were kept from the public at the time. Drawing on hundreds of previously unpublished eyewitness accounts, this engaging audiobook discusses the island fighting in the Pacific, the bomber war over Europe, the liberation of the death camps, the often-overlooked contributions of African Americans and other minorities to the war, and the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Michael Kramer is a veteran audiobook narrator, and his skills really shine here.

Historian and bestselling author Erik Larson has written some of the most fascinating nonfiction books of the last two decades. In his most recent, he tackles one of WWII's most-famous, larger-than-life figures: Winston Churchill. Just as Churchill started his new role as England's prime minister, Hitler invaded Holland and Belgium. It was Churchill who convinced US President Franklin Delano Roosevelt that United States intervention was absolutely necessary in the war, and Churchill also bolstered the courage of his country's population as the bombing campaigns raged on. In this excellent audiobook, Larson also uncovers Churchill at home, and he shares his soft side, which was seen only by his family. John Lee, no stranger to narrating nonfiction books about the Second World Ware, masterfully voices this listen, which also includes a recording of Winston Churchill's 1941 Christmas Eve speech.

Code Girls is a deft exploration of the work by thousands of women who broke secret codes in Washington, D.C., during the war. While the fighting was raging in Europe, these brave women left their homes all over the US to help do what they could for the war effort. A lot was won thanks in part to the diligence and dedication of these women, whose anonymous contributions mostly went unacknowledged until bestselling author Liz Mundy's book. It is warmly narrated by actress and voiceover artist Erin Bennett.

Dartmouth history professor and civil rights expert Matthew F. Delmont’s critically-acclaimed Half American details the history of WWII from the vital vantage point of Black citizens who fought for the US overseas despite the fact that their own civil rights remained in doubt back home. This vital history traces the stories of the over one-million Black men and women who served in WWII in a myriad of roles, ultimately securing Allied victory. Once they returned from battle, however, these veterans were met not with the hero’s welcome they deserved, but with violence, discrimination, and rampant racism. Delmont lays bare the instrumental contributions of some of the era’s most instrumental Black heroes, including Tuskegee Airmen leader Benjamin O. Davis Jr.., NAACP lawyer Thurgood Marshall, civil rights activist Ella Baker, and legendary poet and then-war correspondent Langston Hughes. This insightful and inspiring listen, narrated by William DeMeritt, is a must for any fan of nonfiction.

This audiobook is a gift for history fans and art enthusiasts alike. The Monuments Men offers a look at an unexpected casualty of war: the art. Most specifically, the stolen treasures that Hitler commanded his armies to seek, steal, or destroy. This story introduces the Monuments Men, a special group of American and British museum directors, art historians, curators, architects, and others who risked their lives and traveled all over Europe in order to retrieve the treasures taken by the Nazis. Jeremy Davidson's engaging narration makes this story a must for nonfiction obsessives and casual listeners alike.

This is a true spy story that's stranger than fiction: How a career criminal became one of WWII's most successful double agents, and the audacious plot that actually fooled the Nazis. Eddie Chapman was a two-bit thief, con man, and philanderer when he was captured by the Germans. Swearing to work as a spy for his freedom, he then approached British forces with what he learned and became a double agent, risking his life and redeeming himself. Esteemed narrator John Lee also had the privilege of working on this book.

Mitchell Zuckoff takes listeners on a wild WWII journey to a different part of the globe: the Greenland Ice Cap. It's about a US cargo plane that crashed in 1942, the B-17 that crashed during a daring search-and-rescue mission, and the mystery behind the missing plane from a second rescue attempt. The survivors spent a harrowing 148 days in the brutal Arctic until famed explorer Bernt Balchen finally reached the stranded airmen. Zuckoff narrates his own thrilling story of the accidents and the efforts to solve the mystery of the second missing plane and its crew.

At the time the “Little Boy” bomb destroyed Hiroshima, Dr. Michihiko Hachiya was the director of a hospital in the Japanese city. What he witnessed in the confusing and chaotic aftermath was nothing short of devastation, but he carefully recorded it all in his diary. This listen is a must for anyone seeking to understand the truth of the bomb’s impact. Narrated by Robertson Dean, the audiobook edition of Hiroshima Diary beautifully captures what Oppenheimer himself praised as “a simple and unpretentious account of compassion, sorrow, and great courage.''

Noted historian Ian W. Toll takes a look at the battles fought on sea, on land, and in the air in the Pacific during the long and difficult work of defeating Japan's island empire. In particular, Toll details how the country's strategic defeat in the Marianas helped turn the tide of the Second World War. This listen explains the myriad ways in which WWII was the "largest, bloodiest, most costly, most technically innovative and logistically complicated amphibious war in history." The expert narrator of the book, P.J. Ochlan, has narrated hundreds of audiobooks and has won an Audie Award and several AudioFile Earphones Awards for his acclaimed performances.

This is a deep dive into a subject that isn't often covered in nonfiction books about WWII: the everyday life of soldiers in the Red Army. Using original research and recently revealed information, Catherine Merridale details what it was like to be a part of the Soviet military, and how the men and women of this organization were able to defeat the Nazis despite horrific conditions. Even in victory, these Russian soldiers remained a mystery to the rest of the world—until now. The audiobook is masterfully narrated by award-winning British voice actor Derek Perkins

Jesse Boggs is an expert at narrative nonfiction, and he does a stellar job here with one of the best WWII audiobooks by one of the greatest war historians. Stephen Ambrose—author of dozens of books, including Band of Brothers—turns his laser focus on one of the most significant events in WWII history: D-Day. Using hundreds of interviews with US Army veterans and the brave Allied soldiers, he recreates what might be the most famous single day in any war in history.

Speaking of Stephen Ambrose, here's another of his excellent works. This thrilling audiobook is a look at Dwight D. Eisenhower in his role in WWII, years before he became the 34th President of the United States. Eisenhower was a skilled diplomat and military strategist, whose brilliance contributed to Allied successes in North Africa and in Europe, and earned him a place as a legendary military leader. The masterful narration is provided by the award-winning voice actor Richard Ferrone.

This fascinating audiobook covers an important event after the Second World War ended—the Nuremberg Trial. The trial was composed of a series of military tribunals held by Allied forces that led to the prosecution of prominent members in the leadership of Nazi Germany. Ann and John Tusa give a detailed explanation of the courtroom proceedings and the significance of their outcomes, the effects of which are still felt today. The audiobook is narrated by the late, great British-born American film, stage, and voice actor Ralph Cosham.

Craig L. Symonds explains how naval warfare was forced to step up its game during WWII, due to the enormous amount of the war that was fought at sea, since any country found lacking in that department would surely be defeated. World War II at Sea focuses on the major battles of the war and the famous personalities surrounding naval warfare, as well as the major losses suffered by all. Narrator Eric Martin, who has worked on New York Times bestselling titles, lends his pitch-perfect voice to this history.

The Battle of Midway is considered one of the most famous battles in history, and an important victory that turned the tide of the war. But it was not until recently that Japanese sources regarding WWII were available to study. Making use of these resources, authors Jonathan Parshall and Anthony Tully draw a comprehensive portrait of one of the most important days in military history. Veteran voice actor Tom Perkins has worked in audio for over four decades, and he again shines as the voice of Shattered Sword.

Manzanar, located in the California desert, was one of the 10 camps in which Japanese people were incarcerated in the United States during World War II. Jeanne Wakatsuki Houston was only seven years old when her family was forcibly removed from their home and fishing business in Long Beach and relocated to Manzanar. In this now-classic memoir—first published in 1978 when the author was 37—Wakatsuki recounts what it was like to be a child in the camps. She writes about her confusion and fear, and about the horror of displacement as she experienced it as a girl. She also shares stories of the people she knew in the camps, reflecting their resilience and dignity in the face of such horrifying and dehumanizing circumstances. Jennifer Ikeda captures all of the raw emotion Wakatsuki pours into her story, making it an immersive, often harrowing, listen.

Malcolm Gladwell, one of the bestselling authors of nonfiction in the 21st Century, turns his attention to historical events here, narrating it himself. He examines the key figures involved in the bombing of Tokyo, the different personalities that came together and eventually made hard decisions, and the way things could have gone differently if some of the players had made other choices.

My Lost Freedom is the true story of George Takei's childhood before, during, and after the events of the Second World War. The Star Trek star's life quickly changed in 1942 after the bombing of Pearl Harbor, when President Roosevelt declared anyone with Japanese ancestry an enemy. In this memoir, listeners will experience Takei's story firsthand, from his removal from his California home to the next three years spent in incarceration camps on US soil. Takei himself narrates his life's story with the heartfelt intimacy only he can provide. This audiobook is perfect for young listeners looking to learn more about the WWII era; Takei's story is expanded in the adult autobiography To the Stars.