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  • Losing the Battle, Winning the War

  • The story of the most injured soldier to have survived Afghanistan
  • By: Ben Parkinson
  • Narrated by: Gareth Bennett-Ryan
  • Length: 9 hrs and 25 mins
  • 5.0 out of 5 stars (86 ratings)

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Losing the Battle, Winning the War

By: Ben Parkinson
Narrated by: Gareth Bennett-Ryan
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Summary

The story of Ben Parkinson, MBE, the most injured soldier to have survived Afghanistan.

What were you doing when you were 22? Where were you in the world? What did you want to do with your life?

Ben Parkinson was a six-foot-four-inch paratrooper. He was in Afghanistan fighting for his country. He wanted to always be a soldier, to be a father and to get home in one piece. But we don't always get what we want. So the question is: how do we react when that happens? Easy: you find something new to fight for.

Ben Parkinson, MBE, is an inspiration to everyone. He suffered 37 injuries when his Land Rover hit a mine in Helmand in 2006, including brain damage, breaking his back and losing both his legs. This book follows the story of what led him to that moment his life changed forever - and what happened next. Doctors didn't think Ben could survive the trauma - then they didn't think he would wake up, or talk again, or walk again. Time after time, Ben pushed the ceiling on what was possible, going on to carry the Olympic flame in 2012 and receiving an MBE for the enormous feats he has undertaken for charity.

What he has achieved in the face of adversity - for others as well as for himself - is nothing short of a miracle. Nerve-wracking, heart-warming and full of classic soldier's humour, Losing the Battle, Winning the War is a book you'll be thinking about long after the last word.

©2021 Ben Parkinson (P)2021 Hachette Audio UK
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Critic reviews

"A great and inspiring book from Doncaster's bravest son. Read it in a day." (Jeremy Clarkson)

"Ben is the embodiment of positive thinking. What he has achieved, in large part through willpower, is nothing short of miraculous. An inspiration to us all." (Ant Middleton)

"Ben Parkinson is my hero. His story is one of immeasurable courage and character, a testament to the extraordinary resilience of the human spirit." (Dan Jarvis, MP, author of Long Way Home)

What listeners say about Losing the Battle, Winning the War

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Great story

this was a great book would recommend to average who feel sorry for themselves

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A true inspiration, what an amazing story

Thanks for sharing your story, an incredible recovery and what an amazing mum, fighting with you all the way

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An inspiring book

I loved every minute of reading this book Ben is an inspiration to us all

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Unable to put it down.

I loved this book and couldn't put it down. I cried, I was angry, I sympathised even though our struggle was much smaller.
I met Ben a few years back and he was so friendly and I love his smile after reading this you wonder how he could have gone through so much and still have that smile but i think this book answers that question. Keep going Ben. Always a little further.

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Fantastic story and such an inspiration!

This book contains an astonishing story about a man whose character I cannot admire enough.

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loved it!

Inspirarational man. Have seen him on TV a few times and I wish presenters wouldn't treat him like he is stupid, he's 100 times the person who does that. Well played Parky, keep proving them all wrong

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Amazing, the power of a positive mindset

Amazing story of a persons battle to live. Something that couldn’t have been done without such a positive mindset.

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a must read or listen to book

Enthralling memoir. It inspired me how much Ben has overcome, had to go through. At times it made me angry, at times it made me laugh. Well worth buying and enjoying aither as an audiobook or any other media. Well done Ben

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Fascinating story

An excellent story of courage and determination. Well done Ben to overcome and win through.

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What a read

What a guy, just not his time to die, truly inspirational man, typical military humour

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