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Painting the Sand
- Narrated by: Oliver Hemsbrough
- Length: 9 hrs and 9 mins
- Unabridged Audiobook
- Categories: Biographies & Memoirs
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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.
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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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Performance
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- D. J. Craig
- 31-10-17
A truly great read!
An in depth recollection of life on the frontlines of IEDs in Afghanistan. An honest encounter of what really happened, what went on and what it was like. No bullshit, dampening of the situation or moderated views to achieve a life like feel of what it was like without actually being there. The story of the army told by someone who has become the army. Well worth a listen.
NB - not recommended if you will be unable to listen to descriptions of fatal scenes
34 people found this helpful
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- Tony Tone
- 13-02-18
Much respect !
Chillingly true life unglamorous account of fighting the terrorist war as a bomb disposal SNCO brings home the reality of being there and all the raw emotion that comes with that.
Im in awe of the sacrifices made by our troops that were made, and it’s also good to know that the authors views on whether it was actually all worth it, were not suppressed.
The audiobook puts you in the middle of it all.
25 people found this helpful
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- Melvyn Pini
- 08-02-18
A privilege
This book is an experience the like of which I cannot match. I am humbled by the honesty and integrity of Kim Hughes GC.
This country cannot hope to repay what we owe to Mr Hughes and his fellow soldiers wherever would we be without them.
20 people found this helpful
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- Chris
- 31-10-18
Great book, honest, gritty and gripping.
I highly recommend this book, I listen to a lot of books and find at times I will drift in and out of the story. not once did I do this with this book.
I was gripped from the first word.
Thank you for your service Kim.
8 people found this helpful
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- 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.
7 people found this helpful
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- Kirstine
- 04-12-18
Awe-inspiring courage
This is an amazing story of a young man who transformed himself from a barely literate and bullied schoolboy into a courageous leader of men in what must be one of the most dangerous jobs in the army: bomb-disposal. He is unflinchingly honest about his unhappy childhood, failed marriage, what he sees as his character faults and how the men in the field are let-down by governments who expect them to fight in intolerable conditions without the best equipment available. His detailed descriptions of his work in Afghanistan leave me humbled by what soldiers have to endure in a war zone. The fear of being blown up at any moment by hidden IUDs seems to me even worse that combat, but what do I know safe at home.
I'm glad that this amazing man survived to tell his story and tell the wider public what war really involves. I can't help feeling that it's wrong that so many brave young men have died in countries for which they feel no allegiance and where their sacrifice has made no difference.
The narrator is excellent.
6 people found this helpful
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- Robert Gibbs
- 06-12-17
A realistic and thoroughly interesting real life story.
Loved this book, it’s honesty and utter realism. Read it if you have the slightest interest.
Being EOD is a seriously punchy role needing nerves of steel and top level skills. Well in Staff!
6 people found this helpful
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- Amazon Customer
- 07-11-18
gripping and informative
loved this book. highly recommended for anyone. highs and lows of war explained. the mental demons and the mindset needed to survive
4 people found this helpful
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- J Z A
- 17-01-19
True story
An open and honest account of one mans journey from fat kid to George Medal winning Bomb disposal Afghan veteran. A heroic story.
My only criticism (and it is a small one) is that he puts the pedal to the metal and keeps it there. More variation in tempo would have enhanced; such as description of the mundane side of camp life. As it is, everything is wonderful or shit. More tone please.
But, an excellent first book.
3 people found this helpful
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- Spark
- 25-10-18
Gripes from start to end
A fantastic listen and good insight into army life. Thoroughly enjoyed listening to this and will listen again.
3 people found this helpful
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- Julie B.
- 29-03-20
Breathtaking and unfiltered
True look at the war in Afghanistan, soldiers’ life, and the job of a bomb disposal expert. Unfiltered, incredibly moving, humbling, incredibly impressive. Very well written and great narration. Thanks for sharing.
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- Bob Geddes
- 28-11-18
awesome read
I was Gripped from start to finish. written honestly and the writer ulled no punches