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Gurkha
- Better to Die than Live a Coward: My Life in the Gurkhas
- Narrated by: Homer Todiwala
- Length: 9 hrs and 4 mins
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Gurkha
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Summary
In the summer of 2006, Colour-Sargeant Kailash Limbu's platoon was sent to relieve and occupy a police compound in the town of Now Zad in Helmand. He was told to prepare for a 48-hour operation.
In the end he and his men were under siege for 31 days - one of the longest such sieges in the whole of the Afghan campaign. Kailash Limbu recalls the terrifying and exciting details of those 31 days - in which they killed an estimated 100 Taliban fighters - and intersperses them with the story of his own life as a villager from the Himalayas. He grew up in a place without roads or electricity and didn't see a car until he was 15.
Kailash's descriptions of Gurkha training and rituals - including how to use the lethal Kukri knife - are eye-opening and fascinating. They combine with the story of his time in Helmand to create a unique account of one man's life as a Gurkha.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story4 out of 5 stars
- "poibug"
- 17-11-19
GREAT insight
A fantastic insight into one soldiers life as a top soldier from predilection all the way through to active frontline service.
Well read too
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Mac
- 26-01-19
Simply Brilliant
Excellent Audiobook , typically understated but a riveting listen all the same. This authentically describes not only one Gurkhas experience of serving in Afghanistan but also gives onsite to the background of a lot of Ghurkhas
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Sugar
- 29-10-16
Ayo Gurkhali
I have read many books on the Gurkhas and this was a refreshing change to read it in a serving Gurkhas words. This is a book I will read again. I would be pleased if Kailash was to write a follow on volume.
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10 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- mr r a boland
- 07-04-21
Brilliant, Loved it!
This autobiography of a Gurka soldier has given me a great insight into their life and culture, I've heard a lot about them from friends who have served along side the Gurka's and this book cemented those ideas, I think the English regiment snobbery was handled with care but without shying away from the subject,
The book is well written and flows smoothly and the voice actor was second to none handling different accents and sound effects superbly, I wish there were more audiobooks on the Gurka's
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Anonymous User
- 27-10-22
Great book from a true warrior
Great book well written, brought back some memories of serving in Nowzad. great effort
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Gareth Edwards
- 28-05-21
Get it now
Just an excellent book that is superbly well observed and written. It perfectly conveys the authors life and experiences and is written with lots of heart and soul. A Gurkha living up to the very best standards of the regiment.
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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- Rhonna boyce
- 07-02-20
interesting insight stay with it
it's a book that initially I wasn't sure about but left me wanting more about this seemingly child fearless like warrior race
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Performance4 out of 5 stars
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Story4 out of 5 stars
- Nigel
- 07-05-17
Good recollection
If you could sum up Gurkha in three words, what would they be?
Well read biopic
What was one of the most memorable moments of Gurkha?
Gaz! Great group of men.
Which scene did you most enjoy?
All of them
If you made a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?
Same as the book - Better to Die than Live a Coward: My Life in the Gurkhas
Any additional comments?
None
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1 person found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance4 out of 5 stars
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- Amazon Customer
- 14-02-22
A great story
It is a great story, but a little bit offended by the narrator's accent. Can he not use a standard English/British accent?
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Amazon Customer
- 04-07-22
Riveting read/listen
Thoroughly enjoyed this book which goes a long way towards explaining the Gurkha legend. Interesting examples of the Gurkha selection process and the pride the Gurkha soldiers take about being a part of the British armed forces. Very moving in places with exciting descriptions of being under fire, including a good slice of humour in places. Narration was excellent the reader easily handling switches of accent and maintaining a great pace. I'd recommend this book without hesitation.
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