Barefoot Soldier: A Story of Extreme Valour

by Johnson Beharry, Nick Cook

Born in 1979 in Grenada as one of eight children, Johnson Beharry lived in a two-bedroom hut, survived on meager meals of beans and rice, and walked barefoot to school. In 1999 he scraped together the airfare for England and joined the Princess of Wales's Royal Regiment. He served six months in Kosovo, three months in Northern Ireland, and then went to Iraq. In May of 2004, Beharry helped assist a foot patrol caught in a series of ambushes. His vehicle was hit by multiple rocket propelled grenades but he drove through the ambush and extracted his wounded colleagues from the vehicle, all the while exposed to further enemy fire. He was cited on this occasion for "valor of the highest order." While back on duty in June 2004, a rocket propelled grenade hit Beharry's vehicle, incapacitating his commander and injuring several of the crew. Despite his very serious head injuries, Beharry took control of his vehicle and drove it out of the ambush area before losing consciousness. He required brain surgery for his head injuries, and he was still recovering when he was awarded the VC in March 2005.

Genres: Nonfiction, Biography, War, Military Fiction, History, Autobiography, Military History

448 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2006

About the author

Grenadan-born soldier from Princess of Wales's Royal Regiment awarded the Victoria Cross for actions in Iraq, 2004.

Reviews

[Stephen Paul · Rating 5 out of 5]

A true tale of valour, not only in the heat of battle, but in facing the everyday hardships of life. Motivating and moving, this is worth a read if you are looking for something inspirational.

[Ron Wroblewski · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Before Iraq, we were a bunch of guys from a hundred different walks of life, doing a job. The day we got to Amarah, all that changed. We looked out for one another. We became family." The author's quote after receiving the Victoria Cross (Britain's highest award) for his lifesaving actions in Iraq. "We became family" - I felt that in the Marines and have always longed to feel it again. At times I have. I want to do so more.

Only reason for 4 and not 5 stars is that the first half of the book is all about his growing up, which I believe was too long. The second half was his military experience. The end is moving. Interesting how someone who was barely noticed while growing up becomes a celebrity because of a few heroic moments. Maybe we should learn to value people earlier in life.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Johnson...
A biography of Beharry for those of you who won't read the book.

[Velvetink · Rating 4 out of 5]

Yeah! I liked Johnson Beharry (Bee) very much. An unassuming likeable & simple guy who truly deserved his VC. Read it. Educational in that before this I had not known much about Grennada, in the Caribbean. A very accessible war biography.

[Tobias · Rating 3 out of 5]

An interesting book, and a good insight into the mind of a serving VC winner. It spends a lot of time looking at his early life, whilst paying due attention to the act for which he was (rightly) awarded the UK's highest gallantry award. However, his youth means that there's not actually that much to tell. I was left feeling slightly underwhelmed by the whole thing; no disrespect to Beharry for his incredible courage, just a bit... meh... about the book.

[Martin Patience · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an inspiring man, his story from beginning to current time - though I am sure there will be many more chapters to add in later years for this man, who I am sure will not stop trying.

[Laurence Hibberd · Rating 3 out of 5]

An interesting and quite readable book, but lacking a feel for the personality of the subject.

[Tony Styles · Rating 5 out of 5]

A role model for us all…

Johnson Beharry VC has what all VC winners have - that inner strength, courage beyond praise, and above all that ability to transcend adversity and the desire to fight for those who cannot fight for themselves. Great read, almost unputdownable 5 stars.

[Paul · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an extraordinary book i would recommend anyone to read. I couldnt put it down. This heroic young man showed how he protected and showed bravery to his troop in fierce battle and conflict in Iraq.

[Ruby Bowring · Rating 5 out of 5]

I would never usually read a book like this but from the very first page I was hooked. This is a fascinating story of a brave but humble young man and I can highly recommend it.

[Bronwyn Rykiert · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was good story about the life of Johnson Beharry. He came across as a really nice guy who did a very brave thing, even though he says anyone would have done the same.

[Jackie Arnold · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bloody amazing

[Lucia Ronanova · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful story of bravery. I enjoyed reading the book immensely.

[William · Rating 1 out of 5]

It's not very often I don't finish a book but I couldn't get into this one.

[Christabel · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.75

glad to have read it

[Clare S-B · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. It is so well and engagingly written I kept forgetting it was a true story. The I would realize that no one could write characters that were this real, and they were such complex peopel because they really were real.

The reason I haven't given it 5 stars is some of the people in it swore in about every sentence they spoke. (not the main character though. And there is also drinking and smoking and drugs in there but they are portrayed in a bad light, even though Johnson Beharry does partake in them when his life slips out of control, but he overcomes his problems both times. The amazingness of this book well outweighs those things I have mentioned.

Johnson Beharry Was such a worker, he loved to work and thought so much of other people. He had a truly caring heart. And he got amazing places in his life. It is also very informative and full of interesting history and facts about the little island of Grennada, and gives us a real glimpse into the wars he fought in. It is also rather amusing at times. Some people could find the parts about his child hood boring but I only found them interesting and through them we see his character growing.

[chucklesthescot · Rating 2 out of 5]

The story of the amazing bravery of a soldier under the most challenging circumstances imaginable.Seriously wounded in an ambush,this man though barely conscious managed to drive his vehicle away from the ambush,saving the rest of the squad from snipers.It was only then that his horrific injuries were seen.The true story of a man who won the Victoria Cross and is a true hero.
The parts of the book where he describes being part of the war on terror are gripping,exciting and downright scary.You finally understand what these so-called 'routine' patrols are really like for the soldiers and it increased my admiration for what they do.The only let down for me was the amount of time that the book spent on his years growing up in Grenada,which dragged a bit for me.

2.5 out of 5
The combat bits were great to read

[Angus Mcfarlane · Rating 3 out of 5]

I find serious military books hard to get into - the unexplained jargon and acronyms prevent me from getting the right pictures of what's going on, and the start of this was no exception. The early years of JB's life in Grenada was therefore a crucial part of the story for me, so that by the time the military details began in part 2, I was sufficiently engaged to enjoy the story. Nice to get an update on the real thing in contrast to the fictional accounts.

[Janp · Rating 4 out of 5]

I bought this book a few years ago, and truth be told, I never bothered reading it. Until I looked it up on GR and read some good reviews which convinced me. It starts kind of slow with his life on Grenada but evolves nicely into the adventurous life he leads in the army. It's funny, down to earth and reads away quite easily. When I finished it, it absolutely felt as if my expectations were met- It's a really nice book and I absolutely recommend reading it.

[Tracy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This books inspirational. Everybody should read at least one book like this in their lifetime. Beharry's writing of his younger days is moving account of his early year and and the relationships that he hold dear.It gives a real essence of who he is. Johnson Beharry's story of courage is one that leave me filled with admiration for a brave man.

[Bronwyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a great book. On reflection, I think 3 things got Johnson through: values that he kept in the back of his mind, people that supported him, and the understanding that choices lead to consequences.

[Sneh · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am taking pride in the fact he is Bi-hari!

[Catherine · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm normally not a fan of biographies/autobiographies but this isn't bad. It's a good read

[Bronwyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

An excellent biography of an honourable young man

[Laura Louise · Rating 4 out of 5]

This guy is one of many true heros and the first living recipient of the VC in over 30 years. A very moving account.

[Winifred · Rating 3 out of 5]

brilliant story of a young grendian boy in the british army.

[Emma Coleman · Rating 1 out of 5]

Maybe I gave up too early - I just couldn't get into it x