• The Damage Done

  • Twelve Years of Hell in a Bangkok Prison
  • By: Warren Fellows
  • Narrated by: David Tredinnick
  • Length: 6 hrs and 16 mins
  • 4.4 out of 5 stars (196 ratings)

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The Damage Done  By  cover art

The Damage Done

By: Warren Fellows
Narrated by: David Tredinnick
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Publisher's summary

In 1978, Warren Fellows was convicted of heroin trafficking between Thailand and Australia. He was sentenced to life imprisonment in the notorious Bang Kwang prison - better known as the Bangkok Hilton. It was the beginning of 12 years of hell in a place where sewer rats and cockroaches are the only nutritious food, where prison guards laugh as they deliver pulverising blows, and where the worst punishment is the khun deo - solitary confinement, Thai style.

The Damage Done is one man's story of an unthinkable nightmare. It is not Warren Fellows' plea for forgiveness nor his denial of guilt, but a story of endurance and survival and the abuse of human rights during the decade of a life wasted in leg irons. It is an essential listen: heartbreaking, fascinating, and impossible to pause.

©1997 Warren Fellows (P)2013 Bolinda Publishing Pty Ltd

What listeners say about The Damage Done

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Remarkable -- in every way! Every minute is great

This may be the best book i've listened to all year. It is truly remarkable in every way: the story is gripping, horrifying, and illuminating; the writing is tight, to the point, and creative; and the narrator is one of the, if not the, best i've ever heard -- his timing and intonation is perfect.

Ever wondered what it's like in a prison? How about the worst one in the world? This guy describes the unbelievably inhuman living conditions and torture that the Thai prison system put him through. And he explains how it was not only hell to live through, but how it has scarred him for life.

I listened to this book during my commute and i actually looked forward to it every day (how often can you say that?). I was actually happy when there was a traffic jam or slowdown because i got to listen to more of the book. I was really disappointed when it was over.

Listen to this book -- you will be captivated from start to finish.

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5 people found this helpful

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    4 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Foreign Prison Systems are Brutal

Would you consider the audio edition of The Damage Done to be better than the print version?

Did not read the print version

Any additional comments?

Great listen. Felt like I was in a prison cell suffering alongside the guy.

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3 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Takes You There

Would you listen to The Damage Done again? Why?

Yes, it would still be interesting for me after listening many times because there is so much to think about. It is much more than an story about a prison experience.

What did you like best about this story?

The descriptions allowed me to understand the experiences he endured and to know what he felt about the experiences.

Which character – as performed by David Tredinnick – was your favorite?

All of the character representations were done well - I was able to tell the people apart very easily.

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

Yes, when he was caught - I didn't breathe.

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3 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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A World Unknown to Most

I thought this book was quite interesting and gives the reader a glimpse into a dark world that most (hopefully) will never know. I have heard that some of the prisons across the world can be pretty harsh, but I had no idea exactly what that meant.

The book was written to give the author's history in how he ended up in prison, his time while in prison, and then getting out. The amount of details was not overwhelming and allowed for an easy to follow short story.

The narrator did a great job with the reading and seemed to pronounce all the Thai words correctly. He had an accent, however, it did not cause any problems with understanding him. I would definitely listen to another book narrated by him.

Overall, I thought this was a good book and would suggest it to others.

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3 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Thinking of importing drugs? Read this first!!!

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

In my top 5. Hard to comprehend this kind of punishment exists.

What was the most compelling aspect of this narrative?

Good voice for this type of book & many others too.

What about David Tredinnick’s performance did you like?

All of it.

What’s the most interesting tidbit you’ve picked up from this book?

That Rodger Rodgerson & Arthur "Neddie" Smith got a few mentions.

Any additional comments?

Should be a compulsory read in early high school.

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2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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Courageous

What did you love best about The Damage Done?

Warren's honesty and integrity shine through.

Who was your favorite character and why?

This is autobiographical in a sense but it is also about prison life.

Which scene was your favorite?

The synthesis in the epilogue gives perspective. I was reminded of the film HANNAH ARENDT and how evil happens whenever we forget our humanity one to another.

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

The violence of prison, the cruelty and filth were disturbing.

Any additional comments?

We take our freedoms in the west for granted.

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Captivating

What made the experience of listening to The Damage Done the most enjoyable?

A new world for me. Very interesting.

What did you like best about this story?

It is chocking and interesting to see how people have to survive in prisons in Thailand and how cruel people can be.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

YES.

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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Good book, good listen

Found it insightful, entertaining and interesting. Only issue was historical accuracy. He mentioned the nuclear bombs dropped during WWII. it was Truman not Roosevelt that was president. Roosevelt died April 12, 1945. The bombs were dropped in August 1945.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

One of my top 10 books

I love this book. So we’ll written, interesting, and just a really fascinating story. I’ve given it as many gifts.

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Awesome Read/Listen!!

I was hooked from the get go! A MUST read - It felt like you was with Warren throughout his time in prison.

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