Private Peaceful [Audiobook, Unabridged] [Audio Cassette]

Longer novels from Children's Laureate Michael Morpurgo are always a particular treat, and Private Peaceful is no exception. Tragic, surprising and engaging in equal measures, Morpurgo's novel charts both the childhood of young Thomas Peaceful in the early years of the 20th century, and his eventual underage enlistment in the British army to help fight the First World War.

It is, above all, a poignant story of war and about all of its many life-changing effects on those involved--also the brutality of the commanding regimes and the relentless squalor of trench warfare. It's not for the squeamish--Morpurgo tells it like it was and his honest insight is on every page for all to appreciate.

"Tommo" Peaceful is recalling his childhood from those terrible battlefields. He remembers his big brother Charlie taking him to his first day of school, the death of his father, his mum working hard to keep a roof over their heads and food on their table. He remembers his brother Joe, who some called simple, but who to Tommo was very special. He also recalls the only girl in his life, Molly, and how Charlie somehow took her away from him. But as the World turned to War, he had to grow up fast. Together Charlie and Tommo enlist and are sent to France, almost immediately, to what could only be described as pure hell on Earth. Bullets, bombs, death. Shells, noise, dirt. Disease, rats, stench. Charlie and Tommo fight for their lives and to stay together--facing certain death in the face every time they try to advance the British lines.

Morpurgo rattles through his narrative at some speed, gracefully capturing both the horror of war and the ecstasy of life. The ending is shocking and memorable. This is difficult, emotionally draining but highly recommended reading. (Recommended for ages 10 and over.) --John McLay --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

“The dialogue is natural and the pace unforcedas Tommy poignantly recalls scenes from his life …there are also some interesting activities by Cecily O’Neil” Secondary English

--This text refers to the Paperback edition.

His [Tommo's] journey from agricultural labourer to cannon fodder is movingly told!Michael Morpurgo is expert at getting through to his readers. He writes here about events that should never be forgotten nor forgiven, and does so most effectively. Independent !full of warmth as well as grief, conveying vividly how precious it is to be alive! Sunday Times The best novel he's written since The Butterfly Lion. Times Deserved to last as an insight into the First World War in the same way as, say, The Silver Sword or Goodnight Mr Tom. Telegraph A poignant, elegiac novel. Daily Mail --This text refers to the Paperback edition.

`Written from the heart.' --This text refers to the Paperback edition.

`A poignant, elegiac novel.' --This text refers to the Paperback edition.

A stunning adaptation of Micahel Morpurgo’s poignant and deeply moving novel of the First World War.

--This text refers to the Paperback edition.

Heroism or cowardice? A stunning story of the First World War from a master storyteller.

Told in the voice of a young soldier, the story follows 24 hours in his life at the front during WW1, and captures his memories as he looks back over his life. Full of stunningly researched detail and engrossing atmosphere, the book leads to a dramatic and moving conclusion.

Both a love story and a deeply moving account of the horrors of the First World War, this book will reach everyone from 9 to 90.

Michael Morpurgo is the author of over 60 books for children including The Butterfly Lion, winner of the Smarties Prize and the Writers’ Guild Award; and The Wreck of the Zanzibar which won the Whitbread Award. Michael and his wife Clare established Farms for City Children and were both awarded MBEs in recognition of their services to youth through this organisation. The live on a farm in Devon.