Cassino '44

The Brutal Battle for Rome

By: James Holland

Narrated by: Al Murray

Acclaimed World War II historian James Holland vividly relates the dramatic last months of the Italian Campaign in a masterful volume that brings new awareness to this vital hinge point of the war.

As the new year of 1944 began in Italy, the Allied army’s momentum had ground to a halt just south of the vaunted German Gustav Line of defense, far short of their initial objective of liberating Rome by Christmas. The fighting up the Italian peninsula had been brutal—rugged terrain, fierce resistance, terrible weather. While Allied leaders in London prepared for the cross-Channel invasion of France later that spring, the war in the West hinged in Italy. As bestselling historian James Holland relates in his seminal concluding volume on the Italy Campaign, the next five months saw two of World War II’s most famous battles—the four ferocious assaults on Monte Cassino and the fraught landing northwest in the marshes at Anzio—culminating at last in the liberation of Rome on June 4, merely two days before D-Day.

Based on twenty years of research, Cassino ’44 offers perspectives and conclusions that differ from the standard narrative. Holland elevates the narrative of war, chronicling the dramatic events primarily through in-the-moment letters and diaries of those who were there. Counterpointing the memories of German soldiers like battalion commander Jurg Kellner with those of British captain John Strick and American corporal Audie Murphy, whose exploits in the field would lead to Hollywood fame, and of Italian citizens and politicians caught up in the maelstrom, Holland vividly recreates their day-to-day encounter with destiny over each bloodily contested mile.

General Mark Clark, overall Allied commander in Italy, has been criticized for being overly cautious and needlessly extending the campaign. Holland argues that, given the conditions and constant shortage of materiel held back for the D-Day invasion, Clark and other commanders led a remarkably successful campaign. Well more than 100,000 Allied casualties occurred in the five months leading to Rome, more than in any other campaign of the war. Cassino ’44 is the definitive account of a key turning point of World War II and brings our appreciation of the experience of war to a new level.

©2024 James Holland (P)2024 Simon & Schuster Audio

The Human Face of War

As always, Holland presents the assiduously-researched stories of ordinary soldiers superbly. He does this without losing sight or the larger military and political aspects of the campaign. One does tend to get lost among the Italian names of the various peaks and valleys that were fought for. This is a problem with all books on military history, of course, especially when speaking of various geographic features otherwise unfamiliar to the vast majority of readers. This is an inevitable failing of the format, though: it’s impossible to include maps in an ebook: they must be provided by the reader. That’s really a quibble, though. This book is another memorable effort by the man who is arguably the best author of military history writing today.

Like a 20 Hour Podcast, in a Good Way!

Like the preceding “The Savage Storm”, the book is snappy and well narrated by the inimitable Al Murray.
James Holland has a real knack for storytelling, as evidenced by their hit podcast “We have Ways.” This translates so seamlessly to the audio format that I am left wondering if there was light revision to the physical copy or if their deep experience in podcasting makes everything they produce ideal for audio.

My fear going into his book catalog was that the audio format would inhibit my ability to keep track of details and lack maps, the things War Nerds love. However, Holland deploys a number of tricks that alleviate much of this. The real War Nerds will want to keep a google earth map open and maybe a couple webpages to reference historical battle maps, but it is certainly not necessary.

I also find his heavy use of historical documents written at the time (like diaries and field reports, not looking back years later) gives the story an immediacy and propulsion that sets it apart from other history books.

In summary, do you like ww2 books? Want the details of how the allies assaulted Hill 593 without getting bogged down in an academic text? Learn through heart rending, but also uplifting personal accounts that keep the narrative engaging? Then this audiobook is for you.

Special shoutout to the story of the female partisan in Rome. Great stuff.

Excellent & very thorough & fair history

I love Holland’s books, love the podcast but I don’t love Al Murray as a reader. For example in this book he pronounces “Jabos” about 15 different ways

Casino 44 Rocks!

Great book, very well written. There are a lot of details, especially the last third of the book. It’s very inspiring to know that if you just stay focused and keep moving forward, you’ll eventually win the battle!

No “petulant hatred” found

James Holland does a nice job of explaining what it was like to take part in this particular battle using both after action reports and the personal feelings of civilians as well as soldiers from each side as they themselves recorded it. No bias or “petulant hatred” as one reviewer stated. I believe the author has shown a great balance of empathy for what happened to all people involved while also providing facts of the battle. Always read for yourself and decide.

Well written

This book is a great more detailed look at the race for Rome and how the Anzio and Monte Cassino battles interacted with each other and with the planning for Overlord. I found the book took a balanced view from all sides. Holland's research is good as always.

Read The Day of Battle by Rick Atkinson instead of this garbage

Far, FAR better books exist on this topic; Author seems to have a petulant hatred for Germans that clouds any sort of professional historical analysis.