Stinker's Nine Lives

From Dunkirk to D-Day and Beyond

Foreword: Many accounts of World War 2 portray the political and strategic decisions that shaped the course of history from the perspective of politicians and commanders. There are very few accounts that answer the question that most of us want answered; 'what was it really like for those fighting on the ground in the front line?' In this graphic and detailed account Sapper Clive Kemp, with the help of Chris Stone of the BBC, describes the uncertainty, loneliness, camaraderie, chaos, tragedy, loyalty and humour of war. Clive Kemp signed up at South Hill in 1940, aged just 19, and was discharged at the end of hostilities aged 25. In the intervening years he experienced Dunkirk, the Blitz, the Normandy Landings, Pegasus Bridge, the freedom of Anderlecht and Brussels and the final push across the Elbe. To have survived one of these operations would be remarkable, but to have lived through them all is quite extraordinary. This dramatic story is told in straightforward, matter of fact language which makes it all the more compelling. Clive Kemp's impressive array of medals, which includes the Legion d'Honneur, bears witness to his progress across Europe in the forward elements of the advancing Allied army. In doing so he contributed directly to the freedom of his Island home. This is a story of a young Jersey man's service and sacrifice during a traumatic period and I commend it to all who try to understand the reality of war in the 20th century. General Sir John McColl

STILTED HORRIBLE NARRATION

This book could have been so much better, it’s really a shame because the subject has an incredible story & very interesting life. It’s incredible the man survived the various incidents in WWII..

The AI narration is absolutely atrocious. Combined with the short simple sentences it is difficult to listen. The story abounds with very short simple sentences along the lines of , “ Spot is a dog. See Spot run.’

The author is not a master storyteller. Applaud his efforts to write down this Jersey veteran’s story, without his efforts we would have lost yet another veteran’s story.

There is so much material here that a master storyteller could have weaved into a masterpiece. When reading WWII memoirs I learn a great deal about various battles, timelines, politics, geography, and so much more that is weaved into the story. Not in this book with its short simple sentences. I’m grateful the author told his story, and I mean no disrespect, however I know it could have been so much better which the subject deserves.