• From the City, from the Plough

  • Imperial War Museum Wartime Classics
  • By: Alexander Baron
  • Narrated by: Matt Addis
  • Length: 7 hrs and 51 mins
  • 4.6 out of 5 stars (30 ratings)

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From the City, from the Plough  By  cover art

From the City, from the Plough

By: Alexander Baron
Narrated by: Matt Addis
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Publisher's summary

Spring 1944, the south coast of England. The Fifth Battalion, Wessex Regiment, wait patiently and nervously for the order to embark. There is boredom and fear, comedy and pathos as the men all drawn from different walks of life await the order to move.

With an economy of language that belies its emotional impact, From the City, from the Plough is a vivid and moving account of the fate of these men as they embark for the beaches of Normandy and advance into France, where the battalion suffers devastating casualties.

Based on Alexander Baron's own wartime experience, From the City, from the Plough was originally published to wide acclaim and reportedly sold over one million copies. This new edition of the 1948 classic includes a contextual introduction from IWM which sheds new light on the dramatic true events that so inspired its author.

©2019 Alexander Baron, The Imperial War Museums (P)2019 Headline Publishing Group Ltd

What listeners say about From the City, from the Plough

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A beautiful book on the realities of a soldier

stated as a novel but in fact a thinly vailed memoir of part of the authors war time experience. the 5th Wessex which is the fictional company of the book is actually based on the 5th wilchers. it's tells a beautiful and heart wrenching tales of soldiers there commanding officers and the struggle they all face. this is one the best war novels/memoirs I have ever read/listened to. it's willingness to showcase the reality of war not Hollywood lies that are portrayed in so many books and film. I can say without a doubt that any one interested in the second world war or any war should read this book to gain a greater understanding of the true struggle these fighting men must and have overcome in the past present and even future.

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Amazing Imperial War Museum Work

There's nothing like the books from the Imperial War Museum wartime classics. Though fiction, they create a visceral feel that takes the reader along with the men. "From the City, from the Plough" is one of the best. War, relationships, desertion, and the D-Day campaign are all covered in this most amazing story by Alexander Baron, who would know better than anyone the experiences of a British soldier. These books feel so current and fresh. What an enjoyable read. And Matt Addis does amazing narration.

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WWII's All Quiet on the Western Fron

A sobering and realistic portrayal of a fictional battalion, The 5th Wessex, from when they are first formed to well past D-Day. A wonderful performance bringing the individual characters to life and making their hardships that much more impactful. Well done. Highly recommend.

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Heartbreakingly entertaining to the very last...

Found the book by accident and decided to give it a shot. Was engaged from start to finish and despite its rather short length it was worth the full credit spent.

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Great story, great performance

I recommend this book for its portrayals of the experiences of soldiers from the perspective of a fictional British Battalion in WWII. The performance conveys authentic emotion but does not overshadow the words and differentiates characters in dialogue.

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