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The Last Fighting Tommy: The Life of Harry Patch, the Only Surviving Veteran of the Trenches
 
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The Last Fighting Tommy: The Life of Harry Patch, the Only Surviving Veteran of the Trenches (Paperback)

by Harry Patch (Author), Richard Van Emden (Author)
4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (53 customer reviews)
RRP: £7.99
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The Last Fighting Tommy: The Life of Harry Patch, the Only Surviving Veteran of the Trenches + Kitchener's Last Volunteer: The Life of Henry Allingham, the Oldest Surviving Veteran of the Great War + The Last Veteran: Harry Patch and the Legacy of War
Price For All Three: £17.53

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Product details

  • Paperback: 256 pages
  • Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing PLC (2 Jun 2008)
  • Language English
  • ISBN-10: 0747593361
  • ISBN-13: 978-0747593362
  • Product Dimensions: 19.4 x 13 x 2.2 cm
  • Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (53 customer reviews)
  • Amazon.co.uk Sales Rank: 116 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

    Popular in these categories:

    #1 in  Books > History > Military History > World War I
    #1 in  Books > Society, Politics & Philosophy > True Accounts
    #1 in  Books > Biography > War & Espionage > World War I

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Product Description

Review

'An extraordinary biography by the very last witness of a devastating four years in British history .. 'Patch is unique - living history on legs, articulate, with wonderfully vivid recall' ' Daily Mail 'Patch was not unique among millions of his comrades who endured that prolonged and supreme test of nerve and courage. But, uniquely, as the last survivor, he embodies them all' Sunday Express 'This articulate, modest and outspoken man not only remains one of the last living links with a traumatic event that has become part of the national consciousness, but is an unassailable witness of what the war was like for those who fought in it' Daily Telegraph 'A wonderful book' Andrew Motion, Poet Laureate


Product Description

Harry Patch, 110 years old, is the last British soldier alive to have fought in the trenches of the First World War. From his vivid memories of an Edwardian childhood, the horror of the Great War and fighting in the mud during the Battle of Passchendaele, working on the home front in the Second World War and fame in later life as a veteran, The Last Fighting Tommy is the story of an ordinary man's extraordinary life.
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What Do Customers Ultimately Buy After Viewing This Item?

The Last Fighting Tommy: The Life of Harry Patch, the Only Surviving Veteran of the Trenches
95% buy the item featured on this page:
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Customer Reviews

53 Reviews
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Average Customer Review
4.6 out of 5 stars (53 customer reviews)
 
 
 
 
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74 of 75 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars A truly remarkable biography., 22 Sep 2007
By G. Sam Pouch (Ireland.) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   
This review is from: The Last Fighting Tommy: The Life of Harry Patch, the Oldest Surviving Veteran of the Trenches: The Life of Harry Patch, the Only Surviving Veteran of the Trenches (Hardcover)
I have read most of Richard Van Emden's books on the great war but this is surely my favourite. If you are expecting a book solely about the horrors of trench warfare you will be disappointed, what you get instead is one mans perspective of life over the last century and it is truly a wonderful read. Harry Patch is by standards "an ordinary man" but he is remarkably honest in this book, even recalling what must be truly awful to have to remember. I read this book in two sittings and was very moved by the narrative. I suppose because of the fact that when Harry Patch is gone the last link to the trenches dies as well and then it is truly history. As a biography and a perspective on twentieth century history from a man at our own level this is a must read.
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58 of 59 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars Exactly what I wished - and then some..., 2 Oct 2007
By G. D. S. Roberts "talerddig" (Northampton, UK) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   
This review is from: The Last Fighting Tommy: The Life of Harry Patch, the Oldest Surviving Veteran of the Trenches: The Life of Harry Patch, the Only Surviving Veteran of the Trenches (Hardcover)
I had seen Harry interviewed on TV, as the world suddenly became aware that the old WW1 soldiers were fading away. He stood out from the rest as being sharp, witty and engaging. I felt I could listen to him all day.
As soon as I heard this book had been printed, I rushed to get a copy and can say I was not disappointed. In fact, it is more than I expected. You expect the focus to concentrate on the Great War. that's what Harry is famous for now, after all.
What we get instead is an enlightening snapshot of Harry's life. The same sharpness and witty style that I remember from the interview, with historical notes from Richard van Emden. Not only that, the anecdotes open up with such lovely detail the little everyday things of the various time periods, that people always take for granted. From early 1900s youth to 1920s and beyond.
My family lost 3 members at Paschendaele, my Taid (grandad) was also a machine gunner there. This helps me get closer to people I never knew. To understand more what their lives were like. It makes it more important I travel to honour their graves. For that alone, I can only thank Harry.

In a world where 'celebrity' nonentities and overpampered, overpaid so-called icons write their life stories after a single 'event' or having scored a goal for England at 17, this is a refreshing change. I read it feeling priveliged to have been shown a part of Harry Patch's life and leave it feeling nothing but warmth for the man.

The best literary purchase I have made for many years. Not bad for 109!
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97 of 100 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars A classic,, 29 Aug 2007
This review is from: The Last Fighting Tommy: The Life of Harry Patch, the Oldest Surviving Veteran of the Trenches: The Life of Harry Patch, the Only Surviving Veteran of the Trenches (Hardcover)
The Last Fighting Tommy is a wonderful book about a remarkable man, Harry Patch.
Harry Patch is the last remaining British soldier to survive the Western front. He is now 109 years old and 90 years ago he was sent with his best mates to fight in the mud and blood of Passchendale.
How Harry has made it to 109 is incredible, but when you read that he had an 2 inch lump of white hot shrapnel blasted into his guts, while his mates were blown up, we know are reading something very special. But this is much more than another book on WW1 trench life, this is Harry's story. There are no hero's or cowards, there is no patriotism and little bitterness. This is one mans story of how he did his duty and how awful it was.
The heartbreaking passages about his doomed Lewis gun crew, and how they found deep friendship and comradeship is beautifully told.
We also hear of his early days in rural somerset, his long and distinguished years as a master plumber/engineer, and his family life with its ups and some very big downs.
Richard Van Emden has worked with Harry over to produce a very moving and almost poetic account of the hell of 1917. It also feels right that the last word from those who took part in this war should go to the humble tommy,who in most cases were treated as nothing more than cannon fodder. This book deserves to become a classic and easily sits alongside the accounts of Graves and Sasson.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews

4.0 out of 5 stars Harry patch - Combe Downer
An enjoyable and evocative book of times past. The First Wold War chapters I found facinating but did not dwell on the gore. A ggod read about an iconic local man!
Published 6 days ago by Bathonion

5.0 out of 5 stars A book that should be on every bookshelf of every school.
Every child at school should read this remarkable and moving story of Harry Patch's life. What a remarkable, wise and compassionate man. The world will miss you Harry. Read more
Published 1 month ago by H. R. Donovan

5.0 out of 5 stars A must read!
A moving account of a man who was forced into a war he did not see as his own. Harry Patch speaks frankly of his own experiences of ww1 and his opinions of ww2. Read more
Published 1 month ago by Mrs. Lisa J. Lomas

5.0 out of 5 stars Good read
This is a really good read. It tells of times past and how happy and go lucky life used to be. Harry makes you laugh and cry in equal parts and the bit about the fruit had my... Read more
Published 1 month ago by darkangel

5.0 out of 5 stars The Last Fighting Tommy
An excellent story of the life of Harry Patch, including his experiences in the trenches and his feelings about the war and the loss of his friends. Read more
Published 2 months ago by Charles Dickens

5.0 out of 5 stars A wonderful book about a remarkable man.
Extraordinary. The so-called celebrities of today, over-paid footballers and models with inflated balloons on their chests, should be made to read this book. Read more
Published 2 months ago by Rose Wood

5.0 out of 5 stars A true hero
I cannot recommend this book enough. It is a book about a wonderful man and I consider myself extremely fortunate to have met Harry Patch. Read more
Published 2 months ago by Ge Stagg

5.0 out of 5 stars the last fighting tommy
Excellent book all should buy it to remember those who lost thair lives for freedom
Published 2 months ago by F. L. Blackman

5.0 out of 5 stars The last of em's gone now
A book about something from almost a 100 years ago. Something so different to today. A story of not just a mans life, but of a way of life. Beautifully told, simply related. Read more
Published 2 months ago by George W. Davidge

5.0 out of 5 stars the last fighting tommy
a heart rendering true story of real history we now no longer have a connexion to thank you for writing Harrys history
Published 2 months ago by Ms. Sarah E. Manciocchi

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