• Life's Too Short to Cry

  • The Compelling Story of a Battle of Britain Ace
  • By: Tim Vigors
  • Narrated by: Roger Davis
  • Length: 9 hrs and 15 mins
  • 4.7 out of 5 stars (29 ratings)

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Life's Too Short to Cry  By  cover art

Life's Too Short to Cry

By: Tim Vigors
Narrated by: Roger Davis
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Publisher's summary

A newly discovered “exhilarating and moving memoir” of an RAF fighter pilot in World War II (Daily Mail).

It is not often that a long-hidden gem of a manuscript is published, bringing a moment in WWII history to vivid life for today’s audiences. Geoffrey Wellum’s First Light was one example. The memoir of Timothy Vigors is another.

Born in Hatfield but raised in Ireland and educated at Eton and Cranwell, Vigors found himself in France in 1940 flying Fairey Battle bombers. After the Fall he joined the fighters of 222 Squadron, with whom he saw frantic and distinguished service over Dunkirk and persevered through the dangerous days of the Battle of Britain, when he became an ace.

Vigors transferred to the Far East in January 1941 as a flight commander with 243, then to 453 Squadron RAAF, and on December 10 of that year he led a flight of Buffaloes to cover the sinking Prince of Wales and Repulse. Dramatically shot down, burnt, and attacked on his parachute, he was evacuated to Java, and from there, to India. As he describes these experiences in his handwritten account, the author provides a fascinating and valuable record, a newly discovered personal narrative of air combat destined to be seen as a classic.

©2008 Tim and Diana Vigors (P)2018 Grub Street Ltd

What listeners say about Life's Too Short to Cry

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Excellent

If you like "First Light" by Geoffrey Wellum you will love this book. Narration is well done as well.

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  • 01-28-23

Absolute wrong narrator for book on Vietnam

**Before purchasing this book, listen to a sample of the narration.**
The tone set by the narrator is more suited for a WWII propaganda flic with jolly sailors swabbing the deck, talking about how they miss their Mama’s peach cobbler and Betty Sue, the prettiest gal in Jackson County. Absolutely not suited for a story of gritty pilots in Vietnam sweeping into an LZ to pickup what’s left of 18 year old draftees scared out of their minds, trying to field dress a would so what’s left of their best friends intestines remains inside their body.

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The Best of the best

This is one amazing memoir. From the Battle of Britain to battling the Japanese in the air, Tim Vigors’s story is as harrowing as it gets. How these men flew every day and lived through the deaths of close friends and fellow RAF pilots truly inspires. Their grit and determination saved the West. It makes one extremely sad to see what’s happening today in light of their sacrifices. But we honor these bravest of men. Roger Davis is one of the very best narrators of all time. He never strikes the wrong tone. Sheer perfection, This is not to be missed!!

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Very good story teller

The story telling is fantastic. Conversations and observations bring you right into the scene.

The story itself is very interesting and brought a different perspective to the war in Asia and in Britain.


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