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Painting the Sand

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Painting the Sand

By: Kim Hughes
Narrated by: Oliver Hemsbrough
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About this listen

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.

©2017 Kim Hughes (P)2017 Audible, Ltd Scary Thought-Provoking Inspiring
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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!

A realistic and thoroughly interesting real life story.

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I served in the same places only months prior.
Kim Pulls no punches and details the utter mess that is Afghanistan. Every soldier who served outside of Bastion will certainly identify with almost all of this crazy place and time.
The tears, exasperation and even the last minute changes which make you want to explode. But you smile, swear, take the Mickey and move on.
This is outstanding on audible.

Accurate, detailed and moving

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This is good an excellent book, gripping from start to finish and an extremely humbling account from a remarkable soldier.
enjoy every minute!

Excellent book, a very humbling account!

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Fast paced and honestly told. Great narration - enjoyable in a grizzly way.
Certainly doesn’t glamourise war.
Recommended.

Gripping

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loved it, Down to the bone from boots on the ground. The brave few working to save many.

The truth.

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