The Rising Tide

A Novel of World War II

By: Jeff Shaara

Narrated by: Paul Michael

A modern master of the historical novel, Jeff Shaara has painted brilliant depictions of the Revolutionary War, the Civil War, and World War I. Now, The Rising Tide begins a staggering work of fiction bound to be a new generation’s most poignant chronicle of World War II.

Through unforgettable battle scenes in the unforgiving deserts of North Africa, into the “soft underbelly” of Hitler’s Fortress Europa, and as battles rage along the coasts of the Mediterranean, The Rising Tide is a vivid gallery of characters both immortal and unknown. From tank driver to paratrooper to the men who gave the commands, Shaara’s stirring portrayals bring the heroic and the tragic to life in brilliant detail.

A new level of accomplishment from this already acclaimed author, The Rising Tide will leave listeners eager for the next volume of this superb saga of the war that saved and changed the world.©2006 Jeffrey M. Shaara; (P)2006 Books on Tape

Critic reviews

Praise for Jeff Shaara

The Rising Tide

“This is Jeff Shaara at his best, giving us another superb historically grounded novel of one of the most dramatic struggles of World War II.”
–George McGovern

“The wonderful first volume of a planned trilogy . . . Shaara evokes the agony of desert warfare and the utter chaos of an airborne assault. . . . [A] sprawling, masterful opening act.”
–Publishers Weekly (starred review)


To the Last Man

“A gripping account of World War I.”
–General Tommy R. Franks

“[To the Last Man is] the best novel about the Great War since Remarque’s All Quiet on the Western Front, which it greatly surpasses in depth, scope, and intensity.”
–John Mosier, author of The Myth of the Great War

Superb ww2 History

Narration: Excellent..comfortably paced, clear diction, appropriate inflection, absent the melodrama typical of less sophisticated readers.

Content: Excellent...clear, interesting explanations of movements, personalities of leaders, and informative description of relationships among them. Occasional humor is charming, as the description of Churchill bathing nude in the Mediterranean.

One of the very best war histories I have read or listened to, and I have read or listened intently to many, over a hundred at least.

Writing Style: This is an excellent example of simple writing that is not also simplistic. The sentences are brief and help to move the narrative along.

Highly recommended.

Excellent Historical Novel!

Another great Jeff Shaara novel, covering the events of WWII in North Africa and Sicily. Highly recommended! Grade: A

Gripping story of WWII seen through the lives of men from sergeants to generals.

Like being taken back in time and witnessing the events of the North African, Sicilian, and Italian campaigns through the eyes of men, on both sides, who experienced it. Powerful, engrossing, and compelling.

You Are There

In the Rising Tide, Jeff Shaara continues to chronicle the spectacle of American war. This time it’s WWII, from the front lines in North Africa through the invasion of Sicily to the buildup in England before Operation Overlord. He drops you right in the middle of the action, whether it’s through the eyes of a paratrooper, Sgt. Jesse Adams, or the future Supreme Allied Commander, Dwight D. Eisenhower, you are there. The superb actor/reader, Larry Pine, does a phenomenal job with the many varied voices and accents. He is able to transport the listener through time, adding immeasurably to the ultimately satisfying listening experience. I eagerly await the next volume from Shaara. 5 stars.

Loved it and Learned a Lot

Would you listen to The Rising Tide again? Why?

Yes, it gave such a great insight into the decisions faced by these very famous historical figures.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Rommel was by far the most interesting character. It is easy to assume that every German soldier was a Nazi but the reality is that there were many brave and brilliant German soldiers who were continually hamstrung by Fascist world views and ego's gone wild.

What does Paul Michael bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

I think his ability to create a number of accents adds to the listening experience. This is especially the case with some of the nuances of the American accents.

If you could rename The Rising Tide, what would you call it?

Rommel…What could have been.