• Bill the Bastard

  • The Story of Australia's Greatest War Horse
  • By: Roland Perry
  • Narrated by: David Tredinnick
  • Length: 6 hrs and 54 mins
  • 4.6 out of 5 stars (81 ratings)

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Bill the Bastard  By  cover art

Bill the Bastard

By: Roland Perry
Narrated by: David Tredinnick
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Publisher's summary

Bill was massive. He had power, intelligence, and unmatched courage. In performance and character he stood above all the other 200,000 Australian horses sent to the Middle East in the Great War. But as war horses go he had one serious problem. No one could ride him but one man - Major Michael Shanahan. Some even thought Bill took a sneering pleasure in watching would-be riders hit the dust.

Bill the Bastard is the remarkable tale of a bond between a determined trooper and his stoic but cantankerous mount. They fought together. They depended on each other for their survival. And when the chips were down, Bill's heroic efforts and exceptional instincts in battle saved the lives of Shanahan and four of his men.

By September 1918, "Bill the Bastard" was known by the entire Light Horse force, who used his name not as an insult, but as a term of endearment. Bill had become a legend, a symbol of the courage and unbreakable will of the Anzac mounted force. There was no other horse like Bill the Bastard.

©2012 Roland Perry (P)2013 Bolinda Publishing Pty Ltd
  • Unabridged Audiobook
  • Categories: History

What listeners say about Bill the Bastard

Average customer ratings
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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Great story about a unique horse

I loved the interweaving of the characters & their stories, but especially Bill's story. what a horse!

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

War is never pretty but must be remembered

What a good story. Now I have to discover how much was true. The horses were the heroes. I enjoyed reading about the men and women and the horses.

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

Wonderful recount from WW1

The story of Bill just moved along wonderfully intertwined with famous and not so famous characters.
The reader was great and story even better.
Thoroughly enjoyable.

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

incredible story!!

Incredible story. loved every minute!! definitely a must read!! if you like horses and history, get this book

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

Historical view of the use of WW-I <br /> horse calvary

Worth your time...Excellent listen...Narrative is authentic and true to life...Great story telling that you will enjoy.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

bill

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

yes it is a good story well thought out

What did you like best about this story?

the horse and its behaviour

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

bill the bastard

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

bill the bastard from the bush

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Brilliant.

What made the experience of listening to Bill the Bastard the most enjoyable?

The story of this wonderful animal made great listening.

Who was your favorite character and why?

The Major

What about David Tredinnick’s performance did you like?

Diction was clear and made for easy listening

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

When the re-mounts were taken out and shot.

Any additional comments?

A brilliant story well-told. if they gave Victoria Crosses to animal, Bill would have won several.

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