Product Description

Jilly Cooper has written a tribute to the role of animals in wartime. From the pigeons carrying vital messages to and from the beleaguered city during the Seige of Paris to dogs sniffing out mines for the British invasion force in World War II. A vivid record of man's inhumanity to animals, and an astonishing story of courage.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #99082 in Books
• Published on: 2000-04-06
• Original language: English
• Binding: Paperback
• 222 pages

From the Back Cover
Pigeons carrying vital messages to and from the beleaguered city during the Siege of Paris; horses and mules struggling through miles of fetid mud to bring ammunition to the front in the Great War; dogs sniffing out mines for the British invasion force in the Second World War - countless brave animals have played their part in the long, cruel history of war. Some have won medals for gallantry - like G.I. Joe, the American pigeon who saved 100 British lives in Italy, and Rob, the black and white mongrel who made over twenty parachute jumps with the SAS. Too many others have died abandoned, in agony and alone, after serving their country with distinction.

Jilly Cooper has here written a tribute to the role of animals in wartime. It is a tragic and horrifying story - yet it has its lighter moments too: a hilarious game of musical chairs played on camels during the Desert Campaign; and the budgie who remarked, when carried from a bombed-out East End tenement, 'This is my night out'.

Re-published to coincide with the launch of The Animals in War Memorial Fund, this is a vivid and unforgettable record of man's inhumanity to animals, but also an astonishing story of courage, intelligence, devotion and resilience.

About the Author
Jilly Cooper is a well-known journalist, writer and media superstar, and is the author of many number one bestselling novels, including Riders, Rivals, Polo, The Man Who Made Husbands Jealous, Appassionata, Score!, Pandora and Wicked.
Jilly and her husband live in Gloucestershire. She was appointed OBE for services to literature in the 2004 Queen's Birthday Honours List.

Customer Reviews

A real eye opener....
As an established great novelist I was uncertain how Jilly Cooper would tackle the emotional task of depicting how animals were and indeed are used in warfare both past and present. The result I can confirm is a wonderful mix of both accurate and calm portrayal of facts along with a deep compassion. As an animal lover I already knew a little of the utterly horrific conditions of war for both humans and animals, nothing could have prepared me for the sheer numbers of animals involved, the depravation and terror that both endured. The reader is humbled by the sumpreme effort and unrewarded sacrifice made by animals (and of course our fellow man....) during times of war and also during military 'testing'. This book should be read by everyone who professes a fondness for our fellow species. Bravo, Jilly, for bringing these little known facts to our attention and may we never forget the incalculable cost of the sacrifice.

A moving tribute
Jilly Cooper is so well known for her racy fiction that some may have been surprised to see her tackle such a serious subject. But her love for her own dogs and cats is often written about. In one instance she famously said of a good looking woman that she had the face of a lurcher. Only a dog lover could understand that this was a compliment!

Jilly tells the sad and heroic tale of these heroes who had no choice and how they rose to the occasion one and all.

Animals in war gave their lives to their human comrades and the cause. I defy you to read this and not wonder at their spirit and generosity.

This is a sad read but also a moving tribute. Read it and give a home to a rescued cat, dog or horse today!

A Book to Keep
What a fantastic little book this is. I buy so many books from Amazon and once I've read them I send them on, but I'm going to keep this book. It's a very moving read. Some of the stories are very shocking, particularly around the sheer volume of animals used and disposed of without a second thought. I also had no idea that pigeons could fly so fast! It's also full of funny stories that will have you laughing out loud.
Thoroughly enjoyable - highly recommended.