The Last Fighting Tommy
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Review
PRAISE FOR BRITAIN'S LAST TOMMIES 'A deeply moving tribute to the courage and suffering of all who took part, and to the fallen' The Times 'A remarkable new book' Mail on Sunday 'Van Emden places these men's words in the contexts of their lives and of the progress of the war. He pays them a fine tribute' Guardian
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
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
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
85 of 86 people found the following review helpful
Format: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!
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!
88 of 90 people found the following review helpful
Format: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.
107 of 110 people found the following review helpful
Format: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.
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
Old Values
This book isn't quite what I was expecting but that said, I thoroughly enjoyed it. There were parts that seemed to have been 'filled in' and although I understand this was... Read more
Published 14 days ago by Bookworm
Sobering
In a word "sobering". This is just simply a read that puts things in perspective. It is also a wonderful history lesson about the life and times of the first quarter of the 20th... Read more
Published 1 month ago by Mike F
PLEASE READ CAREFULLY
***PLEASE READ CAREFULLY BEFORE PURCHASING***If like me you thought/think this is a book about life in the trenches and front line of WWI then please think again. Read more
Published 4 months ago by Reader
Necessary reading
Having followed Harry Patch's exploits before he departed, this book was a necessary purchase, if only to view its biographical value. Read more
Published 4 months ago by Historyboy
Harry Patch
An engrossing account of World War 1 and its effect on an ordinary working man's life and family. Harry's meeting after the war with a German officer who fought at Passchendaele is... Read more
Published 9 months ago by Jayne Murphy
Well, I think its Great!
I purchased this book, after having found I have an interest in history, especially military. The book its self is well presented, and easy to read. Read more
Published 10 months ago by Master Butler
The incredible life of Harry Patch
This is an excellent book and a must-read for anyone interested in the wonderful man, Harry Patch. Most of us know about him because of his WW 1 experiences and then later his TV... Read more
Published 11 months ago by rcherry
First Class
I've seen loads of programs on tv about Harry - a wonderful old man. When I heard about the book I read quite a few reviews online. Read more
Published 14 months ago by Welshie
A remarkable man
I'd been wanting to read this book for ages, but never got around to it for one reason or another. Harry Patch was one of the more compelling veterans that were interviewed as part... Read more
Published 14 months ago by A. Taylor
Recommended
I was given this book as a Christmas present. I had seen Harry Patch on TV a few years earlier so I had some knowledge of his WWI experiences, and thought that the book would be a... Read more
Published 16 months ago by A Reader
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