I must admit, I'm feeling a bit ... obligated? To leave a higher rating than my personal experience with the book warranted. I'm feeling more of a 3*, which really is NOT anything negative toward the writing or the author or the book. I grabbed the Audible version included in AudiblePlus, not realizing it was an abridged version.  

I'm not sure if it was because the book was abridged that I didn't really get into it ... or that nonfiction in audio can be harder to concentrate on, if I was distracted. MY EXPERIENCE: I came away with a general knowledge of what happened, some scenes seared into my memory (the amputation), but feeling like I'm missing a lot, and not remembering more. 

I looked at my library(s) ... looks like Hoopla also has the abridged (6hrs) edition, while Libby has the unabridged (10+ hours).  Tim Pigott-Smith is the narrator of the abridged, Simon Prebble of the unabridged. Both heavy British accents, which matches the material. Both are good ... but I think this is one maybe I would have done better with reading on my own. I was able to snag the Kindle copy, and there's a very interesting introduction by Nathaniel Philbrick that adds a lot of essential information, as well as a preface by the author ... neither are included in the audiobook, and that missing material adds insight and important information. The Kindle/Text also includes some maps and list of names - good info to have. 

So I think this IS a great book, but my experience wasn't as good as it could have been. I think I'll put this on my list to re-read ... and to read it, and see if I can make a stronger connection and better book experience.