Our foremost military historian offers us a compelling and at times terrifying account of what it means to be a contemporary soldier. In this remarkable book, Richard Holmes draws on the testimonies of the 700 soldiers of the Princess of Wales Royal Regiment to capture in vivid detail the average soldier's day-to-day experience of war. Embroiled in a conflict often too dangerous for reporters to cover, these soldiers – most of them young, many without any previous experience of warfare – have kept ongoing records of the drudgery, anxiety and horror involved in fighting a violent and increasingly unpopular war against a ruthless and resourceful enemy. All have risked their lives, and many have died. Others have been recognised and awarded for their courage, resourcefulness and gallantry – Private Johnson Beharry recently became the first man to be awarded the Victoria Cross in twenty-three years. With these intimate and revealing glimpses of life in the modern army, Richard Holmes paints a sweeping portrait of a new generation of soldiers – grunts, gallants and heroes – and the sacrifices their decision to fight for their country entails.
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Our foremost military historian offers us a compelling and at times terrifying account of what it means to be a contemporary soldier.
‘Richard Holmes’s “Dusty Warriors” is an important study…the book is an invaluable insight into the workings of a modern infantry regiment and a diary of the remarkable events that the men of the 1st PWRR battle group experienced on tour…it also provides a compelling and fast-moving narrative of the courage, restraint and fortitude shown by British soldiers in impossible circumstances…the action is superbly described…gripping…an important milestone for future generations wanting to understand the British Army and the post invasion turbulence of Iraq…essential reading.’ Sunday Times ‘Vivid, gripping and, at times, highly emotional reading…If you have any interest in what life is like for the modern British soldier, “Dusty Warriors” is essential reading. Richard Holmes is a first-rate writer and with this exciting, affectionate account of his regiment at war he has set a standard for other military authors to aspire to.’ Daily Mail ‘You will not be able to put it down…thought-provoking and profoundly perceptive…it is a piece of contemporary military history written with the author's trademark fluency, pace and wit…This book will open eyes to the stirring realities of life at the tip of the bayonet…Any prime minister in waiting would fail in his duty if he were not to read this book.’ Spectator
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Includes PS Section • ‘Dusty Warriors’ is a distinctive and intimate account of what it means to be a soldier in the modern day, told in the voices of the soldiers themselves. • A unique portrait of a regiment at war – every member of the Princess of Wales Royal Regiment (The Tigers), from the commanding officer to the most junior private, has contributed a written account. • Richard Holmes is our foremost military historian. ‘Tommy’ has sold over 80,000 copies to date. • Vividly illustrated with photos taken by the soldiers themselves.
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Produktdetaljer

ISBN
9780007212859
Publisert
2007-02-05
Utgiver
Vendor
HarperPerennial
Vekt
280 gr
Høyde
198 mm
Bredde
129 mm
Dybde
27 mm
Aldersnivå
00, G, 01
Språk
Product language
Engelsk
Format
Product format
Heftet
Antall sider
316

Forfatter

Biographical note

Celebrated military historian and television presenter Richard Holmes is famous for his BBC series ‘Rebels and Redcoats: The American Revolutionary War’; ‘Wellington: The Iron Duke’; ‘Battlefields’; ‘War Walks’ and ‘The Western Front’. He is the author of many bestselling and widely acclaimed books including ‘Firing Line’, ‘The Western Front’, ‘Redcoat’, ‘Tommy’ and ‘Sahib’. He is general editor of the definitive ‘Oxford Companion to Military History’. He taught military history at Sandhurst for many years and is now Professor of Military and Security Studies at Cranfield University and the Royal Military College of Science. His biography of the Duke of Marlborough is published by HarperCollins in 2008. He lives near Winchester in Hampshire.