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Product Description
VICTORIA CROSS HEROES tells the stories of over 150 individuals whose bravery has earned them the Victoria Cross, Britain's most prestigious medal for courage in action.
The book is introduced by Michael Ashcroft, who owns over ten per cent of all VCs ever awarded. He explains the history of the medal and the story of his fascination with it. The main text of the book tells the stories of both those recipients whose medals are in his collection and those whose stories featured in the television series.
Each chapter covers a different conflict, from the Crimean War to Iraq.
The book is introduced by Michael Ashcroft, who owns over ten per cent of all VCs ever awarded. He explains the history of the medal and the story of his fascination with it. The main text of the book tells the stories of both those recipients whose medals are in his collection and those whose stories featured in the television series.
Each chapter covers a different conflict, from the Crimean War to Iraq.
About the Author
Lord Ashcroft is an international businessman and philanthropist and a Deputy Chairman of the Conservative party. He is also the founder and Chairman of Trustees of Crimestoppers – the UK crime fighting charity, www.crimestoppers-uk.org and Chancellor of Anglia Ruskin University.
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59 of 61 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
I have always enjoyed reading books in which the author writes about his or her passion. There is no doubt that Michael Ashcroft is writing from the heart in Victoria Cross Heroes, his new book on the VC.
It becomes apparent from the first few pages of the book that his interest in bravery goes back to when he was 12 years old. Now, half a century or so later, he has written a book detailing his fondness for the VC - as well as a concise but entertaining history of Britain's premier bravery award.
However, by far the best part about this book is the 140 or so remarkable stories based on the courage of the recipients whose VCs are in Lord Ashcroft's collection of medals. The awards in his collection are "topped up" by other tales of gallantry from a channel Five series which is being screened in conjunction with the book.
Some of the heroic stories will bring a tear to many an eye. I was particularly moved by the story of Second Lieutenant William Rhodes-Moorehouse, a WWI pilot and the first airmen to win the VC. He effectively went on a "suicide mission" knowing he had little or no chance of surviving his low-flying bombing raid to damage Germany's supply routes in the spring of 1915. After unbelievable bravery, he was badly wounded and died with a letter from his wife on his pillow. Before going on his ill-fated mission, he had even written a "first and last letter" to his baby son.
The most moving story relating to the tv series VC is that of Warrant Officer Andy Mynarski, a Canadian who died in WWII trying to drag his best friend from their blazing AVRO Lancaster in June 1944. When Mynarksi was forced back by flames and finally had to abandon his trapped friend, he looked towards him before jumping from the plane. He then saluted him saying "Good night, sir": this was Mynarski's traditional comment to his friend that he used to say before retiring for the night. In, fact, in a miraculous escape, Mynarksi's friend, Pat Brophy, survived the crash landing whereas the Canadian died from the severe burns he had received during his thwarted rescue mission. Brophy later wrote: `I'll always believe that a divine providence intervened to save me because of what I had seen. - so the world might know of a gallant man who laid down his life for a friend."
Sterling words - and there are many more liberally sprinkled around in this splendid book. Lord Ashcroft is to be commended for this immaculately researched and deeply touching work. If the tv series of Victoria Cross Heroes is even half as entertaining as the book, we are all in for another treat starting this weekend [November 19].
It becomes apparent from the first few pages of the book that his interest in bravery goes back to when he was 12 years old. Now, half a century or so later, he has written a book detailing his fondness for the VC - as well as a concise but entertaining history of Britain's premier bravery award.
However, by far the best part about this book is the 140 or so remarkable stories based on the courage of the recipients whose VCs are in Lord Ashcroft's collection of medals. The awards in his collection are "topped up" by other tales of gallantry from a channel Five series which is being screened in conjunction with the book.
Some of the heroic stories will bring a tear to many an eye. I was particularly moved by the story of Second Lieutenant William Rhodes-Moorehouse, a WWI pilot and the first airmen to win the VC. He effectively went on a "suicide mission" knowing he had little or no chance of surviving his low-flying bombing raid to damage Germany's supply routes in the spring of 1915. After unbelievable bravery, he was badly wounded and died with a letter from his wife on his pillow. Before going on his ill-fated mission, he had even written a "first and last letter" to his baby son.
The most moving story relating to the tv series VC is that of Warrant Officer Andy Mynarski, a Canadian who died in WWII trying to drag his best friend from their blazing AVRO Lancaster in June 1944. When Mynarksi was forced back by flames and finally had to abandon his trapped friend, he looked towards him before jumping from the plane. He then saluted him saying "Good night, sir": this was Mynarski's traditional comment to his friend that he used to say before retiring for the night. In, fact, in a miraculous escape, Mynarksi's friend, Pat Brophy, survived the crash landing whereas the Canadian died from the severe burns he had received during his thwarted rescue mission. Brophy later wrote: `I'll always believe that a divine providence intervened to save me because of what I had seen. - so the world might know of a gallant man who laid down his life for a friend."
Sterling words - and there are many more liberally sprinkled around in this splendid book. Lord Ashcroft is to be commended for this immaculately researched and deeply touching work. If the tv series of Victoria Cross Heroes is even half as entertaining as the book, we are all in for another treat starting this weekend [November 19].
7 of 8 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
A medal is a "reward", or better, is a "sign of gratitude" from a Nation to one of her's better son (or daughter). Victoria Cross in the top of the British awards, like USA's Medal of Honour or Italy's Medaglia d'Oro al Valor Militare (i.e. Gold Medal for Military Bravery). The book collects some old and new stories of bravery and sacrifice. Read them for don't forget Them.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Bought 2 as a Christmas gifts for my dad and father in law and both were pleased and said it was a really interesting read.
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