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  • An Ordinary Soldier

  • Afghanistan: A Ferocious Enemy. A Bloody Conflict. One Man's Impossible Mission
  • By: Doug Beattie, Philip Gomm
  • Narrated by: Drew Dillon
  • Length: 9 hrs and 39 mins
  • 4.6 out of 5 stars (88 ratings)
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An Ordinary Soldier cover art

An Ordinary Soldier

By: Doug Beattie, Philip Gomm
Narrated by: Drew Dillon
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Summary

An Ordinary Soldier offers an extraordinary insight into the mission in Afghanistan and, crucially, the relationship between British troops and the Afghans they serve alongside.

On 11th September 2006 - five years after the attacks on the Twin Towers - a modern day Rorke's Drift was played out in the town of Garmsir, known as the Taliban gateway to Helmand Province. 40-year-old Capt. Doug Beattie of the 1st Battalion Royal Irish Regiment was charged with the mission to help retake Garmsir from the Taliban. His commanders said it would take two days; it actually took two weeks of exhausting, bloody conflict. For his repeated bravery Doug Beattie was decorated with the Military Cross. This is Beattie's personal story of being what he modestly calls 'an ordinary soldier' - someone who balances being a loving father and husband with that of fighting in the world's most hostile place. It demands to be heard.

©2009 Doug Beattie (P)2020 W F Howes

What listeners say about An Ordinary Soldier

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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
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    2 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Enjoyable, despite the narration.

A great depiction of the events of Garmsir. I was a little disappointed by the narration, he spelt out all the acronyms every time i.e J.T.A.C hill, instead of JAYTAC hill. I would have felt more connected to the content had it been narrated by Doug.

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5 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

A fine book

Doug Beatie MC may have written this book to decompress, what he has created though is a modern military classic about the life of an extraordinary soldier.

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3 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

An ordinary soldier with extraordinary actions.

An interesting story of commitment, fortitude, adaptability and guts in the true style of the British army.

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2 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Great listen

This a great real life story from one of my countrymen! If anyone thought it was a walk in the park in Afghanistan this will dispel that idea! A blow by blow account of just one mission in the campaign from a first hand view! Thanks for your service Doug and a well earned MC!

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2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Outstanding

This is an incredible story of an "ordinary soldier". This really shows the true story of war.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Outstanding

Head and shoulders above the other more recent military memoirs I’ve ’read’. So well written and eloquent. The narrator could have learnt some of the military acronyms rather than spelling out abbreviations but that’s hardly a big deal. Thank you for a great book Doig..

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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars
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    2 out of 5 stars

The title pulled me in

Was ok but a bit same old stuff seems every ex soldier is writing a book these days at times I thought I was listening to a book of the alphabet with the amount of abbreviations used 🤣

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Great Story one of the best books l have listened

Fantastic book without doubt one of the best books written on war, never glorifying what had to be done written with modesty and honesty, some amusing bits where black humour helped but not hiding the true horror of armed conflict, as for the narrator like the book bloody excellent great style and relayed the events perfectly all in all a book that l could listen to time and time again as I said fantastic

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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Out standing

I have not consciously heard these stories before but I have it to be amongst the few books / audible books I could not put Down the bravery is incredible and automatic in doing his best for his men and colleagues. As for the Afghan Major I felt nothing but sadness. We need such brave men with exceptional leadership skills .

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

An honest and realistic soldiers account

Incredibly well written and narrated. This is a really open account of the highs and lows of intensive modern day combat.

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