A Handful of Hard Men

The SAS and the Battle for Rhodesia

De: Hannes Wessels

Narrado por: Jack Chekijian

It is difficult to find another soldier's story to equal Captain Darrell Watt's in terms of time spent on the field of battle and challenges faced. Even by the lofty standards of the SAS and Special Forces, one has to look far to find anyone who can match his record of resilience and valor in the face of such daunting odds and with resources so paltry.

In the fight, he showed himself to be a military maestro. A bush-lore genius, blessed with uncanny instincts and an unbridled determination to close with the enemy, he had no peers as a combat-tracker (and there was plenty of competition). But the Rhodesian theater was a fluid and volatile one in which he performed in almost every imaginable fighting role.

After 12 years in the cauldron of war, his cause slipped from beneath him, and Rhodesia gave way to Zimbabwe. When the guns went quiet, Watt had won all his battles but lost the war. In this fascinating biography, we learn that in his twilight years, he is now concerned with saving wildlife on a continent where they are in continued danger and devoting himself to both the fauna and African people he cares so deeply about.

©2015 Hannes Wessels (P)2017 Tantor

Fantastic Story- Title says it all... Hard Men

What a story! The book is not for the lighthearted. Tells the story from the perspective of the Rhodesian SAS, which some may find objectionable philosophically, and in deed. However, it also reveals the other side of the events-- the complicity of neighbors, the role of South Africa, Cuba, the Soviet Union and the UK/US/UN. Like the sinking of the Titanic we know the ending, but with a continuing vengeful twist not envisioned by the world players.

As the book progressed I grew accustomed to the narrator's slow reading and lack of inflection.

Incredible story

Very incredible story of the tenacity of the Rhosedians, and the heartbreaking learning of how the “freedom and democracy” loving western world not only betrayed Rhodesia, but aided the communists to destroy that country.

Rhodesians never die!

Truly Great!

I saw before reading/listening, the complaints about the narrator and how slow he was. I simply changed the play speed to 1.1 and solved the issue. I enjoyed this book so much. The stories of these men of men going toe to toe like they did, stories from different members of the SAS, and how the (now) almost forgotten history of Rhodesia unfolded through the eyes of a Handful of Hard Men, was indeed a truly great read! As a US Army veteran, units like the Special Forces and SAS have always intrigued me and pushed me to complete any and every task or mission I was given. Tip of the hat to these legends: D. Watt, M. West, A. Sleepers, A.J. Balaam, the RLI, and of course the Rhodesian SAS

Detailed, Unbelievable Combat

Simple, detailed and immersive on the ground combat told about an against the odds battle. Terrible politics and a war that was impossible to win without dramatically different international, strategic, political and ethical realities, nevertheless, the bravery and skill of the Rhodesian military is amazing to learn about.

Wow!! Heart wrenching story of Rhodesia

The story here is absolutely heart breaking, and breathtaking. So sad that the world turned their back on Rhodesia when she needed her the most.
Story is a bit hard to follow with all the names and locations and narrator is a little monotonous at times but overall it is superb!