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Tornado

In the Eye of the Storm

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About this listen

 Former Tornado Navigator John Nichol tells the incredible story of the RAF Tornado force during the First Gulf War in 1991; the excitement and the danger, the fear and the losses. It is an extraordinary account of courage and fortitude.

‘We were doing about 620 miles-per-hour, 200 feet above the desert, in total darkness. Everything was running on rails as we approached the target. Then all hell broke loose. I remember the missile being fired at us; I broke left and shouted, “Chaff!”

‘All I could see was a flame, like a very large firework, coming towards me. Then there was a huge white flash. I remember an enormous wind and then I was knocked unconscious. My last thoughts were that I was going to die.’

In 1990, Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein ordered the invasion and occupation of neighbouring Kuwait, setting in motion a chain of events that had unimaginable political, military and personal repercussions, which still reverberate around the globe today.

This is the story of the aircrew at the heart of Operation Desert Storm, almost none of whom had any prior experience of armed combat. It is the story of the Tornado’s missions, of those who did not return - and of the families who watched and waited as one of the most complex conflicts in recent history unfolded live on television. It is a story of untold fear and suffering, and astounding courage in the face of hitherto unimaginable adversity.©2021 John Nichol (P)2021 Simon & Schuster UK Military Military & War War Middle East Gulf War Inspiring Thought-Provoking Natural Disaster Air Force
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I came very close to giving up on this book before it got going. The narration is truly awful, slow and with dramatic pauses that don't fit with a factual book. Thankfully I read some helpful reviews saying dial up the speed to 1.15 or 1.2, then it's actually a decent pace. Once past that, this is an excellent look into the gulf war Tornado operations, the lives of those serving and the wider UK Tornado force. With the speed up, it's a really excellent and well written book.

Well written and informative, poorly read

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Story overall is not bad but overly dramatic narration is annoying. Interesting and vivid description of torture suffered by pilots and distress of their families at home. I wish he focused more on the Tornado pilots traning and the machine itself.

Annoying narrator

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A Worthy Tribute to the Tornado and the brave crews who went to war in that magnificent aircraft. John Nichol takes you into the cockpit and tells this story as only one who was actually 'there' flying in the first Gulf War, could do. Andrew Wincott's narration conveys all the excitement and tragedy of Nichol's story superbly in what should become a classic story of modern day warfare.

A Worthy Tribute.

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I just finished it 12 words is not enough to say I loved every minute it, funny and sad, and so much in between, again the other casualties of was the families left behind, so good to mention the war widows, and how they have changed the stupid archaic rules for those that are left behind, I can't wait for the next book, well done Mr Nichol

Another classic read

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What a brilliant book, takes you to war in thoughts and minds of those who fought in the first Gulf war

Realism isn’t a strong enough word

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