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The Accidental Soldier

The hilarious, must-listen account of serving in Iraq - as recommended by Marina Hyde on THE REST IS ENTERTAINMENT

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The Accidental Soldier

By: Owain Mulligan
Narrated by: Owain Mulligan
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About this listen

 A Times Best Audiobook of the Year 2025

Listeners are LOVING The Accidental Soldier:

'One of the funniest books you will ever read' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

'I've spent 15 years waiting for a book which entertainingly brings to life the humour, mundanity & absurdity of serving in Iraq . . . Thankfully this is that book and it is excellent' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

'Absolutely brilliant from start to finish . . . Just when you feel the situation is about to drop off a cliff (again!), Mulligan turns it around with a jab of wit as amusing yet as honest as the chance of surviving in a Snatch Land Rover in Basra.' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

The Accidental Soldier is a searingly honest and darkly funny account of what it was really like being in the British Army in Iraq (including all the bits they probably hoped you'd never find out). We share all the hardships, fears, and occasional lunacy of military life as Owain and his men try to navigate a war gone badly wrong. One thing's for sure; you'll never look at the phrase 'military precision' in quite the same way again...

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'This book is absolutely incredible. It made me laugh more than any book in so many years. I found the writing just so unbelievably brilliant and hilarious and affecting . . . I am crazy about it!' - Marina Hyde

'I loved it . . . relentlessly funny and really well written' - John Oliver

'Authentic and compulsive' - Richard E. Grant

'A fascinating insight into the often farcical chaos and catastrophe of war. Reads like a non-fiction Catch-22. Compelling, enlightening and bleakly funny. A jaw-dropping read.' - Matt Haig

'An instant classic - a deeply funny and mordant book about war.' - Richard Curtis

The Accidental Soldier is brilliant. It's hilarious. It's laugh-out-loud funny. A confident 11/10.' -The Wavell Room podcast

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100% of the author's royalty earnings (expected to be at least £20,000) from sales of the book in the UK & Commonwealth will be given to War Child (a registered charity, charity number 1071659) and its wholly owned subsidiary War Child Trading Limited (a registered company, company number 05100189).

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The Accidental Soldier published as an instant Sunday Times Top 10 bestseller in the w/c 2025-04-14.©2025 Owain Mulligan Afghan & Iraq Wars Military Military & War Funny Witty Middle East Heartfelt Inspiring Thought-Provoking War Solider

Critic reviews

This book is absolutely incredible. It made me laugh more than any book in so many years. I found the writing just so unbelievably brilliant and hilarious and affecting. I realised it was brilliant within three or four pages. I am crazy about it as you can see!
I loved it . . . relentlessly funny and really well written
Authentic and compulsive
A fascinating insight into the often farcical chaos and catastrophe of war. Reads like a non-fiction Catch-22. Compelling, enlightening and bleakly funny. A jaw-dropping read.
An instant classic - a deeply funny and mordant book about war.
In a time of global conflict, The Accidental Soldier catapults you into the heart of active duty. Terrifying, exhilarating, life-shattering and profoundly sobering, Mulligan takes you through the clumsy brutality and "raging bin-fire" of war, witnessing the quiet heroism of its foot soldiers. This book is a fitting and vital memorial to all those lost. I could not put it down. (Abi Morgan)
All stars
Most relevant
An amusing and thoughtful account of a young officers time in Iraq. His honesty is disarming and adds to the forcefulness of his recollections and his analysis of the merits of the conflict overall.

Unaffected telling of his time in Iraq

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Having served in th Army for 22 years climbing up the ranks to WO1, I can now see from the other side what life and situations young men under trained and put in positions they should never have been in. The equipment they had and under supported the soldiers were. As usual nothing changes men put into imposible roles with too few men and equipment.

A view from the other side

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a story that tickles the funny bone while simultaneously lodging a tiny, melancholic splinter in the heart.

painfully funny & poignant

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I am an avid reader of military books, from both US and UK soldiers in recent conflicts. This is quite different, but in a good way. Funny, poignant and exceptionally well written. A must read, or listen, if on Audible.

Very very good

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Absolutely loved this book. Open and honest and absolutely correct with the military and the people at the top.
Nice to see someone be as honest and open, even admitting their own mistakes.
A very enjoyable book.

What a brilliant read. So honest and correct about the British Military.

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