The Crossroad

By: Mark Donaldson

Narrated by: David Tredinnick

Length: 13 hrs and 38 mins

Publisher's summary

On 2 September ,2008, in a valley in eastern Afghanistan, Trooper Mark Donaldson made a split-second decision that would change his life.

His display of extraordinary courage that day saw him awarded the Victoria Cross for Australia, making him the first Australian to receive our highest award for bravery in wartime since Keith Payne in 1969.Yet Mark's journey to those crucial moments in Afghanistan was almost as exceptional as the acts that led to his VC. He was a rebellious child and teenager, even before the death of his father - a Vietnam veteran - when Mark and his brother were in their mid-teens. A few years later, their mother disappeared, presumed murdered. Her body has never been found.

Mark's decisions could have easily led him down another path, to a life of self-destructiveness and petty crime. But he chose a different road: the army. It proved to be his salvation and he found himself a natural soldier, progressing unerringly to the SAS, the peak of the Australian military.

From his turbulent early years to the stark realities of combat in the mountains and valleys of Afghanistan, Mark's book is the frank and compelling story of a man who turned his life around by sheer determination and strength of mind.

©2013 Mark Donaldson (P)2014 Bolinda Publishing Pty Ltd

Good listen

Really enjoyed this. Puts some perspective on Afghanistan and the honour of a Victoria Cross.

A must read for all Australians.

ever Australian should read and know this story. should be a part of school history classes.

Outstanding. My book of the year

Where does The Crossroad rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

At the top. Loved the story, loved the presenter.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Mark was the focus of the book and I loved his honesty, integrity and grit.

What about David Tredinnick’s performance did you like?

Loved David's emotion in the story, you really felt like you were there in the desert with Mark.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

There were places when I learnt of people dying that I got truly choked up.

Any additional comments?

I read a lot of books an this is definitely my book of the year. A long but thrilling read. Totally got my monies worth.