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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 [Audiobook] (Audio CD)

by Harry Patch (Author), Richard Van Emden (Contributor), Alan Howard (Reader)
4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (52 customer reviews)
RRP: £14.67
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Product details

  • Audio CD: 3 pages
  • Publisher: Hachette Audio (5 Jun 2008)
  • Language English
  • ISBN-10: 1405504676
  • ISBN-13: 978-1405504676
  • Product Dimensions: 13.8 x 12.6 x 1.6 cm
  • Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (52 customer reviews)
  • Amazon.co.uk Sales Rank: 6,916 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

    Popular in these categories:

    #5 in  Books > Audio CDs > History
    #8 in  Books > Audio CDs > Biographies & Memoirs
    #9 in  Books > Biography > War & Espionage > World War I

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Product Description

Review

'How small it made me feel to witness the quiet dignity and magnanimity of this truly heroic, very ordinary but extraordinary man. He 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.' Neil Hamilton, Sunday Express An 'extraordinary autobiography...a moving, non-sentimental account by the very last witness of a devastating four years in Britain's history.' Val Hennessy, Daily Mail 'Patch's voice sounds clearly in these pages, bringing it fleetingly and touchingly back to life.' Peter Parker, Daily Telegraph


Product Description

Harry Patch, the last British soldier alive to have fought in the trenches of the First World War, is now 109 years old and one of very few people who can directly recall the horror of that conflict. After a rural childhood in Somerset, Harry left school in 1913 to become a plumber. Three years later he was fighting in the mud and trenches during the Battle of Passchendaele. He saw a great many of his comrades die, and in one dreadful moment the shell that wounded him killed his three closest friends. He vividly describes the terror and intensity of daily life in the trenches. The Second World War saw Harry in action on the home front as a fire-fighter during the bombing of Bath. Late in life Harry achieved fame, meeting the Queen and taking part in the BBC documentary THE LAST TOMMY, finally shaking hands with a German veteran of the artillery, and speaking out frankly to Prime Minister Tony Blair about the soldiers shot for cowardice in the First World War. This is the story of an ordinary man's extraordinary life.
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Customer Reviews

52 Reviews
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Average Customer Review
4.6 out of 5 stars (52 customer reviews)
 
 
 
 
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72 of 73 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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56 of 57 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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96 of 99 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

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 21 days 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 28 days 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 1 month 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 1 month 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 1 month 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 1 month 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

5.0 out of 5 stars The Last Fighting Tommy

Great book a privilage too have read it and have a better understanding off a great man
Published 2 months ago by SCOOBY

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