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Dial 999!
This is a re-issue of Blue Nights and Long Nights ISBN 9780552158527.
Card-playing corpses, unfaithful husbands and 'flying' ladies - life as an ambulance driver in the 1970s was certainly varied ...
At the age of twenty-three, Les Pringle decided to escape from office life, broaden his horizons and become an ambulance driver. Little did he realize how broad those horizons would turn out to be.
Filled with warmth and humour, Dial 999! takes us back to a time when lonely old ladies could call 999 and have a cup of tea waiting when the drivers turned up for a chat; when learning to drive the ambulance meant going out for one test drive and managing not to hit a pedestrian; and every day brought a glimpse into other people's lives.
Gripping, poignant and darkly funny, Dial 999!is an affectionate, warm-hearted look at a world gone by.
Card-playing corpses, unfaithful husbands and 'flying' ladies - life as an ambulance driver in the 1970s was certainly varied ...
At the age of twenty-three, Les Pringle decided to escape from office life, broaden his horizons and become an ambulance driver. Little did he realize how broad those horizons would turn out to be.
Filled with warmth and humour, Dial 999! takes us back to a time when lonely old ladies could call 999 and have a cup of tea waiting when the drivers turned up for a chat; when learning to drive the ambulance meant going out for one test drive and managing not to hit a pedestrian; and every day brought a glimpse into other people's lives.
Gripping, poignant and darkly funny, Dial 999!is an affectionate, warm-hearted look at a world gone by.
- GenresNonfictionMedical
400 pages, Paperback
First published August 4, 2011
2 people are currently reading
23 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
August 19, 2025
Loved this book. It gives different stories from a newbie paramedic from the 1970’s. Some are hilarious some are sad and some are unbelievable compared to the service nowadays. I am looking forward to starting another book from this author tomorrow.
August 30, 2019
Brilliant read from start to finish , the human race continues to shock , sadden and humour anyone in this job! Loved it!
February 22, 2016
A young man in nineteen seventies Britain wants a new challenge, so joins the emergency services to drive an ambulance. It is a great change, offering a glimpse into people's lives at a time of personal crisis. The crises are different and there is always room for humour, however dark.
I really liked this book. I used to be a huge nostalgia hound and was always drawn to that particular era. There is much in this book to indicate that the 'good old days' are gone, but also how little some things change. There is always time for compassion and this feel-good book is full of it.
I really liked this book. I used to be a huge nostalgia hound and was always drawn to that particular era. There is much in this book to indicate that the 'good old days' are gone, but also how little some things change. There is always time for compassion and this feel-good book is full of it.
December 28, 2020
This book was an account of a young man who joined the ambulance service in the 1970's. The author tells his own story of the things he encountered and how he dealt with the situations both physically and mentally.
I enjoyed this book as it kept me engaged and seemed to flow nicely. The end of the book said that Les Pringle has written another book which I assume is also about his time in the ambulance serive and I would definitely consider reading it too.
I enjoyed this book as it kept me engaged and seemed to flow nicely. The end of the book said that Les Pringle has written another book which I assume is also about his time in the ambulance serive and I would definitely consider reading it too.
October 28, 2011
Loved this book, witty , funny and sad all rolled into one. So glad I made time to read it and even more pleased that I have the next one ready and waiting!
August 17, 2013
Found this authors style of writing very hard to get into unfortunately, sorry didnt finish it
March 17, 2013
Easy to read and I interesting to compare to the modern ambulance service.
Still a lot of the same clientele ie drunks, time wasters and the over dramatic.
Still a lot of the same clientele ie drunks, time wasters and the over dramatic.
August 1, 2014
really enjoyable read; interesting, witty and light-hearted
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October 14, 2011just about to start this one looks good
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews