Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #13114 in Books
• Published on: 2007-06-01
• Original language: English
• Binding: Paperback
• 296 pages

Customer Reviews

Sod that for a game of soldeirs
A well written and heart-felt account of the events leading up to and during the Falklands War by someone who was there.

Mark (Tom) takes you through his upbringing with no punches pulled which culminates with him joining the Junior Paras at aged 17. Not old enough to drink, vote, or watch an adult movie, Mark joins the world of men and provides a good insight into the hardships which are faced by any aspiring Para.

From September 1981, to April 1982 he develops as a paratrooper, becoming a "Crow" with 3 Para. With his friends: Ian Scrivens, Neil Gross and Jason Burt (all 17) he finds himself in one of the hardest battles since Korea - The Battle for Mount Longdon.

Mark takes you with him through the TAB across east island into the battle and paints a very grim and emotionally taxing account of what war really is alongside such well known members of 4 Platoon such as Sgt Ian Mackay VC. As they charge through withering fire on Mount Longdon, he loses one of his close friends soon after breaking cover, but by the end of the day he will have suffered further loss. As Major Chris Keeble of 2 Para describes his experiences, it is "gutter fighting".

It is unlikely that you will fail to be moved by this account

It's a thoroughly absorbing account and an opportunity to pay our respects to the young me that fought and died on those distant islands.

Highly recommended.

Sod that, real story-real life.
I feel i have to write in a retort to Jayetee's reveiw. The comments about the authour being rude and abusive, although being his/her personnel opinion should not stand.
I have recently laid the book down after what i can describe as one of the most moving accounts that i have ever digested.
Mark Eyles-Thomas served with the Parachute Regiment, calling all other members of the armed forces who did not earn the Maroon beret as HATS, is what is best described as banter, mickey taking and having a massive sense of self pride. What the Paras and other elite units do is not normal, these people are close, because of what they are asked to do; by people sat in their living rooms and cosy offices. Is the reviewer so naive as to think those HATS do not have their own colourful language to describe those who call them HATS?
I can give this informed statement, as i served as a Hat for nearly ten years, i am immensley proud of my military sevice, like Mark i joined the Army as a sixteen year old, and also lost a friend during operations in Bosnia.
People should not be put off from reading this book because of Marks description of non Paras, Mark tells it like it is, sometimes people tell you the truth can hurt, read the book and understand that this is about normal young men asked to do a very abnormal job, its consequences and what makes our British Army the best on the planet.
You will not be disapointed

I'll find my way home!!
A truly moving & courageous account of a young Para's experiences during the Falklands War including the battle for Mount Longdon. The style is candid & compelling. The book deals with some very difficult subject areas including close quarter fighting, combat aftermath & reconciliation.
A must to read. A small price to pay indeed is Remembrance. Our armed forces must never be taken for granted.