Storming the Falklands

My War and After

By: Tony Banks

Narrated by: David Monteath

Length: 7 hrs and 56 mins

Publisher's Summary

Tony Banks and his comrades of the 2nd Battalion of the Parachute Regiment were highly trained, but nothing could prepare them for the intensity and ferocity of fighting to liberate the Falkland Islands.

Plunged into a war of night attacks and vicious close-quarters combat, Banks and his fellow soldiers' fierce bravery and determination saw them through the bloodiest conflict British troops had faced in decades. Seventeen men died at Goose Green, a hard-fought battle the paras came close to losing.

After the Falklands, Banks suffered years of debilitating combat stress, a battle only recently won when he met his former enemies and laid the demons to rest.

©2012 Tony Banks (P)2013 Hachette Digital

Critic Reviews

"[A] visceral, fast-paced, no-holds-barred autobiography . . . Strongly recommended" (Neil Faulkner, Military History Monthly)

"A vivid, thoughtful book" ( Herald magazine)

"A harrowing first-hand account" ( Daily Mirror)

Compelling memoir of the Falklands

Tony Banks goes into great detail describing his life as a sometimes troubled youth in Dundee, Scotland who makes the decision to join the elite 2 Para in the Royal Army. He goes into graphic description of the cold, wet conditions of fighting in the 1982 Falklands War, along with the terror of battle and the pain of losing mates during the war and some of the horrific sights he witnessed.

A good chunk of the book details his post Army life of battling the bottle, anger, and PTSD, all while becoming a very successful businessman. Over time, through the British TV series Secret Millionaire, he is confronted with facing the ghosts of his past, as well as a journey of redemption to go back to the Falklands and even to go to Argentina to meet Argentine veterans of the conflict.

It is a very, very compelling book.

Appreciation for a enthralling true account.

Every interesting account of the authors time during the Falklands War and I thought the emphasis on PTSD and Combat Stress was excellent. As a veteran of the Gulf and Afghanistan conflicts I have experienced these effects on many of my fellow veterans. I live near Aldershot and continue to be appalled by how many ex-servicemen are living homeless and lonely lives...

What sort of Para would let this narrator live ??

What would have made Storming the Falklands better?

Dreadful. Sure TB a brave and determined chap but his story is more like Dr Finlay's casebook that a warry biopic. Anecdotal and Sugary. He must have written "Laddie" more times than anything outside of Come Home Lassie.
The narrator is simply awful. He repeatedly pronounces the abbreviation for a general purpose machine gun as "gimpy". Anyone that has been anywhere near khaki knows it is pronounced with a "j" i.e. "jimpy". Not some S&M devotee from Pulp Fiction. Also pronounced Napalm with a short "a".
Awful. I am getting my money/credit back.

What could Tony Banks have done to make this a more enjoyable book for you?

Got a ghost writer

How did the narrator detract from the book?

Annoying folksy jock that has never been anywhere near the army

What character would you cut from Storming the Falklands?

the author

Any additional comments?

Sack the narrator

Outstanding

Where does Storming the Falklands rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

This audiobook is one of my favourite to date! Great to listen too on a long drive!

What was one of the most memorable moments of Storming the Falklands?

I enjoyed the various viewpoints from both sides of the conflict.

Which scene did you most enjoy?

The battle for Goose Green!

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes

Any additional comments?

Very interesting listening to the effects of post traumatic stress disorder!

Awesome

Brilliant story of both sides of the conflict.. honestly I was really moved by this emotive description of what was a brutal episode in English and Argentina history.

Poorly Written

Small amount of history on the actual war. More about an individuals upbringing and family. Bad use of English language lots of repetitive words. Overall poor

Title doesn't match the content

Would you try another book written by Tony Banks or narrated by David Monteath?

No

What could Tony Banks have done to make this a more enjoyable book for you?

Written more about the Falklands not his family and friends that weren't relevant.

Would you be willing to try another one of David Monteath’s performances?

Yes if the reviews were good.

Fantastic

I really enjoyed this book...fascinating on many levels. This chap has had quite a journey!

Powerful Soldiers Story

Book is must listen to anyone unsure of what wars can do both good and bad

An interesting story.

I enjoyed the book but felt there was too much bad language. Liked the narrator.

Incredible story

Anyone looking for the full story, with all the realities twists and turns should look no further. Brilliantly crafted, brilliantly read, a simply brilliant audio book. Wise words indeed.