The Recollections of Rifleman Bowlby cover art

The Recollections of Rifleman Bowlby

W&N Military

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The Recollections of Rifleman Bowlby

By: Alex Bowlby
Narrated by: Roger Davis
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About this listen

A classic of WWII, this is the vivid memoir of Private Bowlby, who came through the North Africa campaign only to have to battle in bitter fighting against a stubborn and skilled German defence in Italy. It is a truly authentic account of what it was like to fight your way through one of the most gruelling and dangerous campaigns of the Second World War, where so often the hunters became the hunted.

©2021 Alex Bowlby (P)2021 Orion Publishing Group Military Military & War World War II Veteran War

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Critic reviews

"One of the great Second World War memoirs...will be read as long as that war is remembered." (John Keegan)

"Extraordinary realism." (Sunday Times)

"A touch of the Somme and more than a hint of Wilfred Owen." (TLS)
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I loved this book, his story of being a young man thrust into an ordinary rifle platoon and faced with the truth that not all men were heroes and not all killed died heroic deaths.. He has a story to tell and it deserves telling.. A thoroughly enjoyable book, narrated flawlessly...
But why this title? In fact, why are most of the Memoir/autobiography/biography type books we find on audible obscure and not well known when there are huge lists of brilliant 5* titles that are considered classics of the WW2 memoirs.. Titles like Winged Dagger by Roy Farran, Prisoners of Hope by Mike Calvert, Men at Arnhem by Geoffrey Powell, Long Range Desert Group by W.B Kennedy Shaw, Return to Rangoon by Philip Stibbe, SAS with the Maquis, The Little Men by K.W Cooper, To be a Chindit by Phil Sharp, The Devils Own Luck by Denis Edwards and last but not least Fighting Mad also by Mike Calvert.. All books second to none and absolute classics of war by Britain's finest generation.. Come on Audible! let's get serious, get them done.

I recommend Roger Davis and his like as narrators 😉

Absolutely Outstanding but why these titles?...

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loved the stories and some good humour showing it's not all doom and gloom in war. fascinating insight into the Italian campaign. The narration i think a bit AI as the plodding melody of his voice got on my nerves at times.

excellent listen

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Warts and all story from a soldier’s view, it brings the horror and loss of life to the fore

A great read from the sharp end

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Brilliant book on the British battle for Italy and a top drawer narrator. Highly recommend

Excellent

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I loved how Alex fought his fear to see it through not everyone could summon that courage.He found a love of some men through his respect for them and that is human nature.I can't help wondering if I and I would like to think I would battle through as Alex did.

Not every man is a hero.

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Recommended by James Holland and Al Murray and it was just as captivating as they described it. Bowlby’s account is filled with the grim reality and real humour of the English soldier at war. Eloquently written and superbly read. It deserves to be made into a TV series. A British Band of Brothers.

Lives up to the hype

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When the book started I felt like i'd joined the story half way through but I stuck with it and i'm pleased I did . Unlike any war biography I have read . It's a warts and all account .Bravery and deserters... To be honest I think i might have deserted or have been found a gibbering wreck in the bottom of a slit trench given the awful things these men had to endure. As much as I enjoy war stories this book is a painful reminder of how terrible war is. Don't get me wrong there is alot of humour in this book and the comradeship that I think only soldiers that have been though war share. Roger Davis as usual does a brilliant job of narration. This book is a must for anyone interested in WW2 and first hand accounts

Gritty British WW2 Recollections

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I thought the story was super engaging, and narrated beautifully. The every day sorry of a single rifleman and there platoon, not trying to be hero's but trying to survive.
A must for anyone interested in military history and how effected the men in the ranks.

Down to earth story

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This account of war shows the humour that the British squaddie can find in even the worst situation. His story telling uses all 5 senses to describe the battlefield. A good read.

Told with humour

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Possibly the best account from a soldier who served in ww2. Very emotional and humbling

wonderful First Hand Account

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