The Best Yet

I actually heard about this book during a radio book review and I sought it out. Honestly, I'm an audible vetran and this book is the Usain Bolt of audio book world, it's sheer gold.

It's such a straight forward, well narrated story of heroism and guts that it is quite simply, astounding. It's written in an almost modest, apologetic way. To all those people of that time involved in the French Resistance, I salute you. To a man and women you should all tell you tale.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

6 people found this helpful

Compelling! I could not wait to hear more.

An old man, an English gardener who tended the war graves, sitting on his balcony on a Greek Island is absorbed in the past.... His son keeps nagging him to write it down.

Thus begins a compelling true story, of growing up as a teenager in the French resistance. As the son of an English "Tommy" from the First World War, who married a French woman and settled down in France, Stephen is 16 when the Second World War breaks out. He watches as the soldiers march out to the war, and is proud to see the British Expeditionary Force among them.

All too soon however, the army is in retreat, and fighting draws near, sweeping over their village as the German army advances. For Stephen, and his friend from school, this is a golden opportunity to gather up a wealth of discarded guns, ammunition, bombs and smoke grenades (some of which they let off), and stash them as treasures. However, when the Germans arrive, things take a turn for the worst, and they realise their stash could get them and their families into serious trouble.

I found I could not put this story down. Something about the courage, daring shown, and danger that they lived under constantly, with Stephens father always in hiding (because he was British), their illicit radio tuned to the BBC, and the daring, often criminal acts of defiance Stephen took part in. It is a story of resistance under occupation, of loyalty, heroism, criminality, betrayal, cowardice, obligation and most of all, of ordinary and extraordinary people under pressure.

A clever device, the narrative is read initially and at the end by an old man, who might well be Stephen Grady himself, but as you go back in time in the narrative, a younger voice takes over. It is excellently and believably delivered by both in an English accent.

If you like true stories, of people in extreme situations, I really recommend this audiobook.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

3 people found this helpful

An incredible memoir

I loved this book and was utterly gripped. It was beautifully read with a wonderful transition at beginning and end from an elderly voice to the main narrator, which in itself was moving. This is a true story about a young Anglo-French boy growing up during the Second World War and his desperate need to make some impact against the occupation. His adventures begin in a low key fashion but cause him to be arrested; later he is recruited for the Resistance itself. It has the feel of a novel because it seems almost impossible to be true; and yet, of course, it is. It's one of the best books I have heard for a long time, and puts the sentimental novels set in occupied France to shame!

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

3 people found this helpful

A must listen too

Couldn’t turn this audible book off once I’d started it. What an incrediable story of a brave young man in wartime. I could listen to his story again and again.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

Riveting personal story

Fascinating insight to one man’s experiences & struggles during the 2nd world war. How he overcame adversity against severe opposition from the occupying German forces by staying one step ahead over a number of years.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

Awe inspiring

I first came across Stephen Grady from 'The Children who fought Hitler'. This audio book tells his and his family's story. It is well worth sticking with it to the end. I found the 'Allo, allo' accents for some of the characters a bit grating but I was totally gripped. Forget about the accents and stick with it, you won't regret it.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

Incredible

One of my favourite books I have read/listened to. Incredibly well written and read, it is just an amazing story, would really recommend to anyone with any interest in the Second World War.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

Fantastic retelling of a deeply upsetting time.

This is a wonderful book that tells of the horrendous things the French people lived through in the second world war. Told with utter respect toward the Resistance members. Bravest of the brave.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

A must read for anyone interested in the two world

Having read about Dunkirk due to both interest and family connections, I felt that I needed to read something about the resistance and from a French perspective. This book very much Anglo French perspective due to the authors French mother and English father, it very much gives the realities of war and highlights both horrors and the true nobility of some special people who stand above the rest of us.
This isn't a glorification, it is very heart rending and will make you both cry and smile. It gives you an idea why some just stand up for injustice why some don't and how undeserving glory hunters pervert the reality of history in a base manner.

I have read some fantastic accounts of history and this one is probably the best, certainly the most thought provoking and unbiased.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

Excellent

In an ideal world this audio book is best listened to while in France. You may find some things, as described by Stephen Grady, have have changed and some not. Either way an absorbing and thought provoking experience. Very enjoyable. Narration is pretty good.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!