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Vladimir Peniakoff
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Popski's Private Army (W&N Military) Paperback – 1 Nov. 2018

by Vladimir Peniakoff (Author)
4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars 157 ratings
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In October 1942, with the sanction of the army, Vladimir Peniakoff (nicknamed Popski) formed his own elite fighting force. By befriending and enlisting desert Arabs, he was able to penetrate deep into German territory without being detected - over the next year, 'Popski's Private Army' carried out a series of raids behind the German lines that were truly spectacular.

A bestseller when it was first published in 1950, POPSKI'S PRIVATE ARMY is a classic account of the war in the desert, and later in Italy, as seen through the eyes of a maverick soldier, hailed as the Second World War's answer to T.E. Lawrence.

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  1. Print length
    464 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    W&N
  4. Publication date
    1 Nov. 2018
  5. Dimensions
    13.02 x 2.54 x 19.69 cm
  6. ISBN-10
    1474609694
  7. ISBN-13
    978-1474609692
  8. See all details
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Customer reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars
4.6 out of 5
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157 global ratings

Top reviews from United Kingdom

J. R. Richardson
5.0 out of 5 stars Another amazing variation on WW2 conflict
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 2 December 2022
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This is a fascinating book about an aspect of World War Two that is often alluded-to and about which it is hard to know what to believe. This an important book in that it forms a piece of a much wider picture, being the story of a particular type of soldier who operated behind enemy lines, lived by his wits and drifted back into 'civvy street' after the war, to live a not-quite-normal, often in anonymity and seldom entirely happy.
I do not think that Vladimir Peniakoff ('Popski') was inspired by 'Lawrence of Arabia' to do what he did; but, I do think that his story bears comparison with Lawrence's own experience fighting in the desert; and with his cultural contact with it's native population.
This is a remarkable book. It is told in the style of an adventure story, with the modicum of self-deprecation that enlivens an adventure story and holds the reader's interest beyond that which a merely factual account would-do.
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Gaarghoile
5.0 out of 5 stars This book needs to be reprinted again and again - it is a fabulous read about a fascinating series of true wartime adventures..
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 20 March 2015
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Fantastically well written by a very well educated and self motivated man. Popski had accumulated a lot of knowledge to give to the british army about travelling in the western desert he had been a factory business manager for an egyptian company and in his spare time he travelled across large stretches of the desert in his specially adapted vehicle. This made him a perfect choice for heading a long range desert group bent on collaborating with the various arab tribes behind the Italian and German lines and using their knowledge to sabotage the Axis infrastructure by raiding ships in harbour P.O.W. camps fuel dumps and also to gather information on troop movements useful to the british headquarters in Alexandria.

Popski continued specialising in working behind German lines in Italy where he rand his men roamed unchecked across vast areas of the Italian mountains doing whatever kind of sabotage was required. I worked with one of his men he himself was not mentioned in the book but he told me of his time in Venice when the war ended and his own description of his adventures with Popski was entirely convincing. This is an old book which needs re-printing it's a marvellous read and I am sure that you really would come to like Mr Vladimir Peniakoff as a man as well as a soldier ... what a guy!
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T. R. Wantling
5.0 out of 5 stars Fantastic Account in everyway.
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 11 August 2011
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`Popski's Private Army' by Vladimir Peniakoff Hardcover 1953 is the second incarnation of this book the first being in 1950 under the title `Private Army'; the only other difference being that in the earlier edition the maps are attached and unfold to a 14 inch facsimile and of a better quality.

Secondly I totally agree with the positive reviews upon this page and I have added my own positive review to the page that is entitled ` Private Army with a Portrait Illustratings and Maps

An excellent read, Insightful history and excellent valour and value.
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G.I.Forbes
5.0 out of 5 stars secret armys
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 27 February 2012
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This was one of the first books on WWII expploits that was published shortly afterc the war in 1950.
I first read the book 60+ years ago and it gave me an intense feeling of excitement and adventure.On rereading it it still does.
The book relates the story of Popski and his band of less than 20 men who formed the Private Army-similar to the Long Range Desert Group and the SAS for the purposes of reconisance,observation,guerilla activity and sabotage.
The Army was very sucessful in its activities in North Africa and particularly in Italy.
It is odd but men like Peniakoff make actions as described in this book happen.
The book could have done with more pictures and better maps.
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Neil2445
5.0 out of 5 stars Unconventional British WW2 at its best
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 9 March 2019
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Popskis way of assessing a unit was to check out the ablutions; if they were in a sh+t state, then the unit was too. The guy was a genius... led the best ambush I've ever heard of. Waited till German vehicles were in the killing zone then had a lad dash forward and place mines to cut off the retreat. Then smashed them. His guys were up there with LRDG and SAS.
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Mr. N.D. Baker
5.0 out of 5 stars A fascinating read
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 10 November 2020
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An interesting read on part of the war I never knew about.

The print of this edition could be better.
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David M
1.0 out of 5 stars Do I review the written book (5 stars), or the terrible 2018 reprint quality (0 stars)?
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 14 November 2018
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There are enough five star reviews on the book contents that this one star won't dent the overall rating too much. I agree that it's a great read (5 stars), but the quality of this 2018 reprint which I purchased is awful.

Having borrowed an older copy I wanted one to re-read, but should have purchased second-hand. On this recent reprint the paper quality is bad, the print quality is inconsistent and very poor, the one map I looked at is largely unintelligible. I paid the full cover price of £10.99, but in my opinion this copy isn't worth £2.99. It looks like they spent their whole print budget on the outer cover, with maybe 20p on the inside. If quality or legibility matters to you, then buy second-hand.

Perhaps these reprints should have a clear warning about quality. In the future I shall avoid any reprints from Orion Publishing or their imprints.
3 people found this helpful
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Mr Nigel A Adams
5.0 out of 5 stars Thank You
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 12 March 2013
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The book was exactly as described, well packaged and delivered promptly.
I first read this book in the 60's, it is one of the most thrilling true stories I have ever read and I can't wait to read it again!
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Top reviews from other countries

Brian B
5.0 out of 5 stars Thoroughly enjoyable
Reviewed in the United States on 21 March 2023
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From start to finish I never wanted to put it down. Non-stop action told with dry wit and humor. I consider myself well read on WW2 but many of these stories were a first for me. Such a testament to the non chalant bravery of these amazing men.
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Sandeep Chhotray
5.0 out of 5 stars Have been waiting for this book.
Reviewed in India on 21 July 2022
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Extraordinary story of an ordinary man. Absolutely delighted to read about Popski's life in the desert. What an adventurer..highly recommended.
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Amazon Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent read
Reviewed in Australia on 5 September 2023
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Very underrated unit. Up there with some of the best elite units fighting behind eny lines.. theybshould have received far more awards for their bravery and intelligence
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Mattman
5.0 out of 5 stars The REAL Rat Patrol
Reviewed in the United States on 4 October 2022
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I can not believe they have never successfully finished the attempts to turn this story into an epic motion picture. What a real life, wartime adventure of a relatively small unit operating behind German and Italian lines in North Africa and Italy during the Second World War. Vladimir Peniakoff (“Popski”) was quite the unexpected leader of this unit. Middle-aged, Belgian, born to Russian parents, running a sugar plantation in Egypt prior to the war, and spending free time exploring the desert in his modified Ford. Look for the other books by his team members Ben Owen and Bob “Yunnie” Park.
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Paul Ranges
4.0 out of 5 stars Popski revisited
Reviewed in the United States on 30 April 2018
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A lighthearted account of Popski's escapades during World War 2. It's written in a typically British understated fashion, so you may find it lacking in details. However, I'm just as surprised as he was that he survived the war. Apparently he was a warrior with no military experience, but he didn't realize his calling until age 45. All his training was on the job! Great story!!
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