Narrated by robot or world’s worst narrator?

Lots of comments on the terrible pronunciation of Canadian geographical places - but this guy butchers German words, French words, and even basic military terms (like cupola or gunwale). It’s so bad it’s literally a distraction from what is otherwise a terrific history.

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5 les gens ont trouvé cela utile

Narration was an embarrasment

Very well written and dramatic account of the Canadian contribution to D-Day however the narrator was an insult to Zuehlkes' research and writing. Names and simple terms constantly mispronounced and the audio should have been carefully reviewed before release.

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Important and oft Overlooked Canadian History

Nestled up north and dominated by American media, it is easy to not learn much about Canadian History, even the loudest and most important bits (of which Juno Beach is just one small piece!). World War II is in transitioning into the past, and by that I mean the true dead past, out of living memory for all-time. Efforts like these pay dividends for generations.

Zuehlke adopts a lovely historical style: official military records combined with the living accounts of soldiers, with aggregate soldier accounts generally overriding official record if there's a disagreement. Feel free to disagree with that style and prefer another, but I appreciate it. I like hearing from boots on the ground, even if the memories are old and a little flawed. We can trust they are probably vividly remembered, often traumatic memories.

I have to knock a little on the narrator, Steve Kehela. Although generally a good performer, he seemed to be pure anglophone, and could not come remotely close to pronouncing French words well. This is a bit of a persistent issue, seeing as D-Day occurs in Normandy, France and that quite a few Canadian soldiers are Quebecois/Francophone.

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Good, but ....

A fine history marred by inattentive production. The narrator was left to mispronounce several basic words, such as Regina and lufftwaffe. it became a distraction.

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5 les gens ont trouvé cela utile

Why Can’t Audible Find a Canadian to Narrate?

The story is great. I learned a lot about the Canadian’s work at Juno Beach.

But the narrator sucks. He can’t pronounce Regina, lieutenant, gunwale, coxswain, amount a significant number of other words. How about some quality control, Audible!?

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3 les gens ont trouvé cela utile

Great story of Canadians at war

Great story of Canada's participation in the Normandy invasion. Too often Canadians are a footnote on this historic day and this book does justice to the memory of the fighting prowess of our forces. The narrator was satisfactory but not well versed in Canadian names which detracted somewhat from the excellent writing. It is still well worth the purchase.

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Important Canadian history

For Remembrance Day this year I decided to read one of the many WWII books I still want to read. This day helped me open up to the more grisly details that were sure to come. While they did, this was also a very humanizing and sensitive account of Canadian soldiers in the D-Day battle at Juno Beach. I was amazed at the level of detail that had been documented, allowing Zuehlke to create such a work. The name, age and a personal detail about many of those who were lost, or lived on, was included. This included aboriginal and immigrant men who served. I have a new appreciation of the planning details, the reality on the ground and the bravery of our men. Highly recommended reading for all Canadians.
BTW, a Canadian narrator would have been better, as others have mentioned, but it did not ruin the book for me. I chose not to be distracted by it, and focused on the story.

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Redunant chapters

I found a few chapters repeated. Keeps you on your toes to what you already had absorbed. This is the most detailed account i have heard. The details of rhe chaplains and priests was moving. They had no guns only the Lord for protection,many men were saved by their loving intervention and last rites. The pravery of the men from the Navy to the landing craft to tsnk commanders driving their tanks into deep waters just to clear the landing craft. The heroism of men racing to stop the big guns in land from raising the beach head. My Dad was wounded 3 times in the war fist around Caen. I have the embedded shrapnel at home after his cremation. Dad went in on D plus 6. Dad also spoke Ontario french. When the French canadian ranks were somewhat reduced he was transferred to the Maison Neuve. He had been in the RCR,,'s. I am happy somone took the chance to write our history. But more needs to be written. Dad even went the museum in Ottawa to see what had been recountesd re his French unit. Very disappointing. Our past governments did not see fit to hold our dead, wounded and survivors of this great war in the esteem befitting their efforts to do their duty. Dad spoke highly of the command for Canada. General Mcnaughton was highly regarded. My son taped my dad talking about the war for a high school ptoject. My dad was captured although briefly and we did not find out until just before his death in 2015. So the 18 year ago from Penetang became a scarred man over night but real hero like the rest. I am not sure i could havedone the same.
I did like the reference to the Canadians taking the initiative despite loss of leadship. Thanks for the opportunity to respond.

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Pronunciations

Great book but wrong pronunciation of Regina as Regeena very off putting as a Canadian.

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No excuse for mispronoucing Canadian place names

Narrator should have learned to properly pronounce Canadian place names, such as "Regina" and "Mississauga". Frequent mispronunciation both break the spell and annoy. Was it not important enough to learn local, Canadian pronunciations. It's a book about Canadians for Canadians.

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