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    A Handful of Hard Men: The SAS and the Battle for Rhodesia
    A Handful of Hard Men: The SAS and the Battle for Rhodesia
    A Handful of Hard Men: The SAS and the Battle for Rhodesia
    Audiobook12 hours

    A Handful of Hard Men: The SAS and the Battle for Rhodesia

    Written by Hannes Wessels

    Narrated by Jack Chekijian

    4.5/5

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    About this audiobook

    It is difficult to find another soldier's story to equal Captain Darrell Watt's in terms of time spent on the field of battle and challenges faced. Even by the lofty standards of the SAS and Special Forces, one has to look far to find anyone who can match his record of resilience and valor in the face of such daunting odds and with resources so paltry.

    In the fight he showed himself to be a military maestro. A bush-lore genius, blessed with uncanny instincts and an unbridled determination to close with the enemy, he had no peers as a combat-tracker (and there was plenty of competition). But the Rhodesian theater was a fluid and volatile one in which he performed in almost every imaginable fighting role.

    After twelve years in the cauldron of war his cause slipped from beneath him, however, and Rhodesia gave way to Zimbabwe. When the guns went quiet Watt had won all his battles but lost the war. In this fascinating biography we learn that in his twilight years he is now concerned with saving wildlife on a continent where they are in continued danger, devoting himself to both the fauna and African people he cares so deeply about.
    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherTantor Media, Inc
    Release dateAug 8, 2017
    ISBN9781541480148

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    Reviews for A Handful of Hard Men

    4.5/5

    75 ratings9 reviews

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    Review must be at least 10 words

    • 5/5
      An excellent read! Very thorough and well written. I learned A lot and was thoroughly impressed with the characters. It breaks my heart to read how much betrayal there was from the Western powers. It makes me ashamed.
    • 1/5
      Zzzzzzz! Worst narration ever! Would make a good lullaby though.
    • 5/5
      Brilliant story-form book of incredible battles! Stories straight from the operators themselves.
      Highly recommend.
    • 5/5
      A forgotten war and country and the extreme efforts to protect that country with little to no support from outside world. Men doing things to highest to degree in a dangerous war in the heart of Africa. I knew nothing of Rhodesia and i found this book eye opening while at the same time very respectful to those men who fought for their country. Several other military books reference the Rhodesian Scouts. This book is the best example and place to learn about who they were and what they could do and did. Can’t say enough about this book one of the top military/ war/ history books there is.
    • 5/5
      I followed the plight of Rhodesia while I was in the Army, this book not only is a history of the Rhodesian SAS but also gives light to the geo political situation that sold out the whites in Rhodesia. A real
      Page turner.
    • 5/5
      Great book. Reader does a good job. Details of the Rhodesian independence I was completely unaware of.
    • 5/5
      This book is a Warrior's look at Rhodesia, the battle to save it from oblivion, the battle to save Africa from the murderous communists, the war to save settlers from the indigenous people, and at end of the day a tale of betrayal by the British Government, the US, and by the UN.
      In the end the entirety of Southern Africa lost when Rhodesia was dismantled and destroyed. It is a sad tale but it is very well told in this great book.
    • 3/5
      Exceptional collection of war stories as told by the soldiers themselves. The political backdrop is provided in a hugely biased manner. I don't think anyone can claim a moral highground there.
    • 2/5
      I usually love special forces books but this seemed rambling and disjointed, maybe would be interesting if reading a hardcopy but listening to the audio book was really messy. Don't recommend.