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War, Wine, and Valour
- Narrated by: Ronald Pickup
- Length: 2 hrs and 30 mins
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Publisher's Summary
War, Wine and Valour: Commemorating 75 years since VE day and the end of WWII.
History in the making, experienced and survived by a courageous yet sensitive young school boy who risked life and limb to defend the principles of democracy.
This intrepid autobiography was written by Douglas Baker after having agreed, at the invitation of the Imperial War Museum, to give a series of personal interviews to tell his story, as at that time he was one of the remaining survivors of World War II.
Not another run-of-the-mill rendering of war stories, this is the story of a 16-year-old youth who began his journey to manhood when he volunteered to fight on the war front in the desert of northern Africa, as well as in Italy, against the inhumanity of Hitler's fascism.
This is a virtual pause resister with its vivid description of all manner of war, including friendships forged for life, the loyalty of comradeship on the front lines of the Battle of El Alamein, the biting sandstorms, the betrayal of cowardice, and the challenges and inspiration of the walking wounded.
Ronald Pickup, a renowned British actor, delivers a brilliant, action-packed reading for this abridged audiobook. He captures an authentic portrayal of the passion and playfulness of youth, the psychological challenges of men at bay, the terror of war and the unexpected humor, as artfully described by Douglas in his own words.
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What listeners say about War, Wine, and Valour
Average Customer RatingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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- Pedja
- 11-25-15
Fascinating story !!!
What other book might you compare War, Wine, and Valour to and why?
This is a remarkable and quite interesting autobiography of one brave man who volunteered as a 16 year old boy to fight in the WW2, motivated to defend the very foundations of the free world. Every war is hell, but even in the most difficult conditions there is a place for humanity and valor. I especially loved the fact that the events were not just made up and I would recommend this memoir to all ages, and not just to those who are interested in WW2 material. One more thing worth mentioning is the narration of the british actor Ronald Pickup who makes listening to this audiobook an unforgetable experience.
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- conjunction
- 12-01-15
A Fresh View of the Desert War
Would you consider the audio edition of War, Wine, and Valour to be better than the print version?
In many ways, yes. I found listening to the relaxed tones of Mr Pickup, many details in the book sank in which in my excitement I had not really absorbed while reading.
I should say, however, that despite what audible says, this is not unabridged: the audiobook contains many of the best stories from the book, but much is left out, so you need to read the book as well!
What other book might you compare War, Wine, and Valour to, and why?
The one that springs to mind is "Quartered Safe Out Here", by George MacDonald Fraser, author of the Flashman books, who served in Burma. This also was written many years after the event.
What distinguishes Douglas Baker's book, however, is that not only did he possess an incredible memory, but he kept diaries throughout the war (which you were not supposed to do!) and the result is an incredibly graphic account of many manoevres and engagements.
Which character – as performed by Ronald Pickup – was your favourite?
There are several: the redoubtable Ali, Shorty the water carrier, Bully, and Marcia, the astrologer: as well, of course, as the author himself.
Did you have an emotional reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?
My favourite scene in the book is the author, I imagine with his head between his hands, struggling to keep his sanity amidst endless and heavy bombardment. His description of his efforts to hand on to his identity under the most incredible stress is instructive as well as very moving.
Any additional comments?
I have only given four stars for the performance. This is not because of any shortcoming in Mr Pickup's rendition, but solely because I was fortunate enough to know the author and when I read this book I have my own mental image of him saying the words.
Mr Pickup, quite rightly, doesn't try to be Douglas Baker, and reads his words with great sensitivity, and gives the story great respect and care.
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Rogue Heroes
- The History of the SAS, Britain's Secret Special Forces Unit That Sabotaged the Nazis and Changed the Nature of War
- By: Ben Macintyre
- Narrated by: Ben Macintyre
- Length: 13 hrs and 1 min
- Unabridged
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Britain's Special Air Service - or SAS - was the brainchild of David Stirling, a young, gadabout aristocrat whose aimlessness in early life belied a remarkable strategic mind. Where most of his colleagues looked at a battlefield map of World War II's African theater and saw a protracted struggle with Rommel's desert forces, Stirling saw an opportunity: Given a small number of elite, well-trained men, he could parachute behind enemy lines and sabotage their airplanes and war matériel.
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Those Who Dared, Won!
- By Matthew on 10-07-16
By: Ben Macintyre
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I Will Hold
- The Story of USMC Legend Clifton B. Cates from Belleau Wood to Victory in the Great War
- By: James Carl Nelson
- Narrated by: Sean Pratt
- Length: 9 hrs and 48 mins
- Unabridged
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The incredible true story of Clifton B. "Lucky" Cates, whose service in World War I and beyond made him a legend in the annals of the Marine Corps. Cates knew that he and his small band of marines were in a desperate spot. Before handing the note over to a runner, he added three words that would resound through Marine Corps history: I WILL HOLD.
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I Cannot Hold!
- By Matthew on 10-22-16
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Undefeated
- America's Heroic Fight for Bataan and Corregidor
- By: Bill Sloan
- Narrated by: Michael Prichard
- Length: 13 hrs and 38 mins
- Unabridged
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Abandoned by their government, the men and women of the American garrison struggled against impossible military odds, rampant disease, and slow starvation to delay inevitable surrender by the largest American military force ever. Rather than picturing these defenders as little more than helpless victims of an overwhelmingly powerful and sadistic enemy-as most previous books about the Philippines campaign have done- Undefeated credits American troops with the unexcelled heroism and indomitable spirit they displayed under the worst imaginable conditions.
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Mesmerizing
- By Amazon Customer on 03-30-17
By: Bill Sloan
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All the Way to Berlin
- A Paratrooper at War in Europe
- By: James Megellas
- Narrated by: Richard M. Davidson
- Length: 2 hrs and 34 mins
- Abridged
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In mid-1943 James Megellas, known as "Maggie" to his fellow paratroopers, joined the 82nd Airborne Division, his new "home" for the duration. His first taste of combat was in the rugged mountains outside Naples.
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Incredible book - narrator was terrible
- By joseph metz on 01-06-22
By: James Megellas
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Citizen Soldiers
- The U.S. Army from the Normandy Beaches to the Bulge to the Surrender of Germany
- By: Stephen E. Ambrose
- Narrated by: George Wilson
- Length: 21 hrs and 34 mins
- Unabridged
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A masterful biography of the U.S. Army in the European Theater of Operations during World War II, Citizen Soldiers provides a compelling account of the extraordinary stories of ordinary men in their fight for democracy. From the high command on down to the enlisted men, Stephen E. Ambrose draws on hundreds of interviews and oral histories from men on both sides who were there.
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Respect Our Vets But Not Ambrose
- By lmtwashington on 07-27-18
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The Longest Winter
- The Battle of the Bulge and the Epic Story of World War II's Most Decorated Platoon
- By: Alex Kershaw
- Narrated by: Grover Gardner
- Length: 9 hrs and 42 mins
- Unabridged
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December 1944: Deep in the Ardennes forest, a platoon of 18 men under the command of 20-year-old lieutenant Lyle Bouck huddle in their foxholes. Under attack and vastly outnumbered, they repulse three German assaults in a fierce day-long battle, killing more than 500 Germans. Only when Bouck's men run out of ammunition do they surrender. As POWs, Bouck's platoon experience an ordeal far worse than combat: trigger-happy German guards, Allied bombing raids, and a daily ration of thin soup. Somehow, the men of Bouck's platoon all miraculously survive.
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Great Story, Great Narration...Captivating
- By Amazon Customer on 07-19-19
By: Alex Kershaw
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Red Blood, Black Sand
- Fighting Alongside John Basilone from Boot Camp to Iwo Jima
- By: Chuck Tatum
- Narrated by: Norman Dietz
- Length: 12 hrs and 12 mins
- Unabridged
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When Chuck Tatum began Marine boot camp, he was just a smart-aleck teenager eager to serve his country. Little did he know that he would be training under a living legend of the Corps - Medal of Honor recipient John Basilone, who had almost single-handedly fought off a Japanese force of three thousand on Guadalcanal.
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not as good as helmet or old breed
- By C. Kenny on 01-21-17
By: Chuck Tatum
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Pegasus Bridge
- By: Stephen E. Ambrose
- Narrated by: Arthur Morey
- Length: 5 hrs and 58 mins
- Unabridged
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In the early morning hours of June 6, 1944, a small detachment of British airborne troops stormed the German defense forces and paved the way for the Allied invasion of Europe. Pegasus Bridge was the first engagement of D-day, the turning point of World War II. This gripping account of it by acclaimed author Stephen Ambrose brings to life a daring mission so crucial that, had it been unsuccessful, the entire Normandy invasion might have failed.
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Great story told in greater detal
- By Amazon Customer on 08-16-17
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The Ghost Mountain Boys
- Their Epic March and the Terrifying Battle for New Guinea
- By: James Campbell
- Narrated by: Stephen Hoye
- Length: 10 hrs and 46 mins
- Unabridged
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New Guinea became the site of one of the World War II's most savage campaigns. Despite their lack of jungle training, the 32nd Division's Ghost Mountain Boys were assigned the most grueling mission of the entire Pacific campaign: to march 130 miles over rugged mountains and to protect the right flank of the Australian army as they fought to push the Japanese back to the village of Buna.
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Hard Times
- By Roy on 04-15-09
By: James Campbell
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Monash's Masterpiece
- By: Peter FitzSimons
- Narrated by: Michael Carman
- Length: 15 hrs and 1 min
- Unabridged
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The Battle of Le Hamel on 4 July 1918 was an Allied triumph and strategically very important in the closing stages of WWI. A largely Australian force, commanded by the brilliant Sir John Monash, fought what has been described as the first modern battle - where infantry, tanks, artillery and planes operated together as a coordinated force. Monash planned every detail meticulously, with nothing left to chance. Peter FitzSimons brings this Allied triumph to life and tells this magnificent story as it should be told.
By: Peter FitzSimons
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A Foot Soldier for Patton
- The Story of a "Red Diamond" Infantryman with the US Third Army
- By: Michael C. Bilder, James Bilder
- Narrated by: Johnny Heller
- Length: 9 hrs and 32 mins
- Unabridged
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A rarely frank account of the US infantry experience in northern Europe, A Foot Soldier for Patton takes the listener from the beaches of Normandy through the giddy drive across France to the brutal battles on the Westwall, in the Ardennes, and finally to the conquest of Germany itself. Patton's army is best known for dashing armored attacks; its commander combining the firepower of tanks with their historic lineage as cavalry. But when the Germans stood firm, the greatest fighting was done by Patton's long undersung infantry.
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Wonderful book
- By Dr. Z on 09-16-21
By: Michael C. Bilder, and others
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The Deserters
- A Hidden History of World War II
- By: Charles Glass
- Narrated by: Barry Press
- Length: 13 hrs and 11 mins
- Unabridged
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A tale that redefines the ordinary soldier in the Second World War, The Deserters is a breathtaking work of historical reportage, weaving together the lives of forgotten servicemen even as it overturns the assumptions and prejudices of an era. The Deserters reveals that ordinary soldiers viewed "desertion" as a natural part of conflict, as unexpected and inexplicable as bravery. The Deserters moves beyond the false extremes of courage and cowardice to reveal the true experience of the Allied soldier.
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war is hell
- By Stevon on 10-08-13
By: Charles Glass