Product Description

Born in 1979 in Grenada as one of eight children, living in a two-bedroom hut, surviving on meagre meals of beans and rice and walking barefoot, three miles to school. At 13 Johnson Beharry quit school and worked as a decorator and labourer. In 1999 he scraped together the airfare for England and joined the Princess of Wales's Royal Regiment. He served six months in Kosovo, three months in Northern Ireland and then went to Iraq. On 1 May 2004, Beharry helped assist a foot patrol caught in a series of ambushes. His vehicle was hit by multiple rocket propelled grenades but he drove through the ambush and extracted his wounded colleagues from the vehicle, all the time exposed to further enemy fire. He was cited on this occasion for 'valour of the highest order'. While back on duty on 11 June 2004, a rocket propelled grenade hit Beharry's vehicle incapacitating his commander and injuring several of the crew. Despite his very serious head injuries, Beharry took control of his vehicle and drove it out of the ambush area before losing consciousness. He required brain surgery for his head injuries, and he was still recovering when he was awarded the VC in March 2005.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #174529 in Books
• Published on: 2006-10-05
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Hardcover
• 384 pages

Review
'Beharry has a rich inner life and is possessed of an unselfconsciously poetic turn of phrase. Relating a recurrent nightmare in which he's trapped inside a burning Warrior, he writes, "The dream sticks to me like the smell of smoke"' SUNDAY TELEGRAPH 'A heartbreaking, uplifting and inspirational read' SUNDAY EXPRESS 'Johnson Beharry earned his VC for "repeated extreme gallantry and unquestioned valour" in Iraq, but the full story of his journey there is still more inspiring' DAILY MAIL 'Gets my vote as book of the year. The word 'hero' is often bandied about by the media, but where Beharry is concerned, it's a fitting description' Andy McNab 'Gripping . . . Vividly atmospheric and briskly paced' SUNDAY TELEGRAPH 'Beharry's story is a fascinating and emotional one, told in a pragmatic style that invites sympathy because it never asks for it' SUNDAY BUSINESS POST 'This fascinating autobiography includes some superb battle descriptions, such as the horror of watching a young child launch a rocket-propelled grenade and seeing it get nearer and nearer' SUNDAY TIMES 'It undeniably conveys the authentic ring of modern conflict.' TLS 'This book is a compelling, well-written story that is not easy to put down... Beharry's extraordinary story is one of the most striking of modern times.' SOLDIER 'Frank, heartbreaking and laced with humour, BAREFOOT SOLDIER is an utterly compelling story of extraordinary courage that will inspire this and future generations.' PUBLISHING NEWS

SUNDAY TELEGRAPH
'Gripping . . . Vividly atmospheric and briskly paced'

SUNDAY EXPRESS
'A heartbreaking, uplifting and inspirational read'

Customer Reviews

Truly heroic
The word "hero" gets devalued by the media, but every so often a person rightfully deserves the label. Beharry's story is one of the most remarkable you'll ever read. I bought it expecting just another soldier's lightweight memoir, but couldn't put it down. It's moving and totally gripping. Maybe the most unexpected thing is how well this book is written. Easily gets my vote as book of the year so far.

An unexpected pleasure
Not having read any reviews of the book before I bought it, I picked it up as something that might give a personal insight into elements of the broader story told in "Dusty Warriors" of PWRR's time in Iraq in 2004. I found that I couldn't put it down, even though Johnson doesn't actually join the Army until half way through the book (apart from the first chapter in Iraq).
Many thanks to Johnson and those who helped to get his story published.

The bare foot Soldier
I saw the advert for this book on the tube and decided to pick it up in Waterstones (SORRY!) and was told off by the shop assistant as I read it for about 30 minutes without realising (honestly!).

An un-putdownable book that will truly inspire and humble you. From his early, disturbed upbringing in Grenada to life in the UK, followed up by his traumatic posting to an active theatre of war you will feel joy, dispair and sorrow in equal measures.

If I had to be critical, there is a good deal of military jargon, as you may expect. However, I don't feel that this really devalues the book, possibly giving it a more realistic feel? The pace is good and keeps you interested.

Not wishing to appear nasty, a gentleman of limited education - by his own admission - he must have had some fair degree of help in putting this book together. That said, his ability to recall conversations from years ago is extraordinary, especially given the unbelievable injuries he has suffered.

I would truly welcome a second book, detailing how he is now coping with life and the impact of having the immortal letters 'V.C.' after you name. I enjoyed Lance Armstrong's first book, however his second was arguably better. This was an excellent read and one that I am proud to own. Buy it, read it, marvel at the breathtaking bravery and genuine self effacing nature of the author. Well done, Son of the soil!