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Painting the Sand
- Narrated by: Oliver Hemsbrough
- Length: 9 hrs and 9 mins
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Painting the Sand
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Summary
This is a book about science, bombs and what happens to the human psyche when every day you go to work might be your last.
Kim Hughes is the most highly decorated bomb disposal operator serving in the British Army. He was awarded the George Cross in 2009 following a gruelling six-month tour of duty in Afghanistan, during which he defused 119 improvised explosive devices, survived numerous Taliban ambushes and endured a close encounter with the Secretary of State for Defence.
The backdrop to Painting the Sand is the Afghan War, the conflict where the cold courage of the bomb disposal operator rose to national prominence. No other field of warfare offers the chance of a single individual to come so close to his enemy and fight out a battle of wits where losing means death. This is one of the best memoirs that will come out of a 10-year struggle to defeat a hidden and enduring enemy.
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What listeners say about Painting the Sand
Average customer ratingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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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
- ryan
- 28-11-17
Excellent and compelling listen
I can't fault the content or the narrater, it was a fantastic book and it was a shame when it ended. It was easy to listen to and captivating with the real-life tales of war. Great book.
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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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- James N
- 03-12-18
Hopefully wins book of the year!
I'm ashamed to say that I nearly didn't buy this book even though it was in the sale as book of the day. I wasn't sure that it would be my cup of tea but It definitely was. The narration is absolutely perfect, his voice and tone makes you believe that it's the author reading it himself. He just pulls you in and you feel a wide range of emotions as he tells the story. This book from the beginning to the end is excellent, it is brilliantly written and the pace and detail is spot on. It is an extremely honest and interesting story and I think that it will in equal measures astonish and appall people at the realities of the war in Afghanistan. I really hope that the author gets enough recognition for his work. Do yourself a favour and use a credit to buy this book.
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1 person found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Susan Reed
- 30-05-21
Gripping from start to finish
Profound. I heard Kim Hughes in a Dermot O'Leary, People Just People podcast and just had to listen to his autobiography. Never once did I find myself drifting and I didn't want to stop listening when I needed to. This was an amazing Audible book, his descriptive writing is captivating, his honesty brutal and he totally immerses you in his world and I felt like I made the journey with him. I would certainly recommend it to anyone.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- charlotte wood
- 25-10-20
Brilliant!
Absolutely brilliant, informative, descriptive, captivating, emotional book. It’s a must read for anyone who enjoys this kind of book.
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Dave Francis
- 09-12-20
fascinating
A good insight into one of the support services of a BG on OPs
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- D. A. Carnell
- 28-01-21
Absolutely brilliant
I couldn't put it down it kept me enthtuled shame it's ended I think I'll try another on of Kim's books
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- RD
- 24-03-21
Incredible
Brilliant story and really well narrated. Keeps you interested all the way through and gives another fascinating insight into the military, Afghan and how people deal with awful set backs.
People like Kim Hughes are heroes and this story proves that.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
- Fletch
- 02-08-19
Great book
For anyone who enjoyed BlueStone 42 on BBC a few years ago, this is a must read. Obviously the true to life, more serious version, but a very good read all the same.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- MRS T M FERN
- 30-06-20
Gripping read
Thoroughly enjoyable and highly emotive. A gripping insight into the life of an EOD soldier.
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- Anonymous User
- 21-09-19
This book will blow your mind
Fantastic book, so well written and makes you feel you are there living the hell the troops go through. I truly feel for these lads, a soldiers war never ends but the support they need is a joke.
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