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  • Harry's Last Stand

  • How the World My Generation Built Is Falling Down, and What We Can Do to Save It
  • By: Harry Leslie Smith
  • Narrated by: Ric Jerrom
  • Length: 6 hrs and 22 mins
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars (211 ratings)
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Harry's Last Stand

By: Harry Leslie Smith
Narrated by: Ric Jerrom
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Summary

As one of the last remaining survivors of the Great Depression and the Second World War, I will not go gently into that good night. I want to tell you what the world looks like through my eyes, so you can help change it....

In November 2013, 91-year-old Yorkshireman, RAF veteran, and ex-carpet salesman Harry Leslie Smith’s Guardian article – "This year, I will wear a poppy for the last time" – was shared almost 60,000 times on Facebook and started a huge debate about the state of society.

Now he brings his unique perspective to bear on NHS cutbacks, benefits policy, political corruption, food poverty, the cost of education – and much more. From the deprivation of 1930s Barnsley and the terror of war to the creation of our welfare state, Harry has experienced how a great civilisation can rise from the rubble. But at the end of his life, he fears how easily it is being eroded.

Harry’s Last Stand is a lyrical, searing modern invective that shows what the past can teach us and how the future is ours for the taking.

©2014 Harry Leslie Smith (P)2015 Audible, Ltd

Critic reviews

"A kind of epic poem, one that moves in circular fashion from passionate denunciation to intense autobiographical reflection...should be required reading for every MP, peer, councillor, civil servant and commentator. The fury and sense of powerlessness that so many people feel at government policy beam out of every page." (Melissa Benn, Guardian)
"Smith's unwavering will to turn things around makes for inspirational reading." ( Big Issue North)
"Mr Smith's is a rousing, earthy writing that's part Tony Harrison, part Dennis Skinner." (NudgeMeNow.com)
"This hymn of wrath against the toxic nexus of money and power in austerity UK from a Bradford pauper's son, excommunicated from the Catholic church for marrying an 'enemy' woman in post-war Germany, is a compelling life-verdict." (Paul Routledge, The Tablet)

What listeners say about Harry's Last Stand

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Harry's last stand

This book should be required reading in schools and colleges. There soon will not be anyone left who remembers Great Britain before the welfare state and the NHS and can warn of the consequences if we allow it to be swept away. Heaven forbid their sacrifice and efforts should be destroyed for the dogma of austerity and privatisation.

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11 people found this helpful

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Brilliant

Would you listen to Harry's Last Stand again? Why?

I could listen to this a hundred times.

What did you like best about this story?

It was so personal and the intimate details of his life gave context to the opinions he was expressing. The emotional element made the information really stick. I'd love to know Harry.

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11 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Fantastic, insightful, inspiring!

I am so glad I discovered this book. Such a privilege to be able to benefit from Harry's wisdom and experience! For a unique perspective of society from one of the last remaining members of that bygone generation, this is a must read!

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6 people found this helpful

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A truly exceptional man I was lucky to meet

Harry is an inspiration I met him at a labour conference his book was like listening to him all over again
I am so glad I've listened

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3 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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A remarkable book

I throughly enjoyed this book. Such a remarkable insight into not only today's society but also that of previous generations. Harry tell us his story and gives us his opinions with honesty and integrity and never once is he derogatory. He has many lessons we can learn as a society, just hope that we listen and take notice.
Would highly recommend this book to anyone. I also intend to get a copy for my teenage daughter to read as well.

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2 people found this helpful

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    1 out of 5 stars
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disappointing

sorry but I found this book disappointing, story was boring & the narrator came across as monotone

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2 people found this helpful

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an amazing book

I can only concur what others already said, this is a great book. It has a good message, a great way of conveying it and to keep you interested and engaged through out it.

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1 person found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars

Memories

Very much a well written and remembered life
Extremely poignant, also so very sad as he tells
Us our society is slipping backwards and has not
Learnt the lessons of history, very much enjoyed
And should be read and studied by all. The narration
Was wonderful and very well read

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A compelling and rewarding read

An insight into the background to the need fir the welfare state and an analysis of its benefits and its state of jeopardy. Should be essential reading in all schools.

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essential listening

The truth from someone who knows. We owe it to our elders and our children to listen to this book.

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