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Without Warning: A Soldiers Extraordinary Journey
After losing both his legs in an accident in Afghanistan, Special Forces soldier Damien Thomlinson was determined not only to survive, but to meet life head on. This is an uplifting story of guts, drive and exceptional resilience.
Without warning, Private Damien Thomlinson's life changed forever. On a night patrol in Afghanistan in 2009, his vehicle drove over a Taliban explosive device. His right leg turned instantly to red mist and his left leg was severed below the knee. His arms and hands were shattered and his nose smashed. Blood poured into his lungs. He was as close to death as you can get. Damien's story could have been a tragedy, but because of his enormously optimistic spirit it is instead one of triumph and inspiration.
Once a commando, always a commando. Damien was determined not to be defined or limited by his injuries. With dogged focus and commitment, he set about reclaiming his life - on his own terms. His extraordinary drive and willpower saw him walking again on prosthetic legs just eight weeks from the time of his accident, ready to stand and welcome his unit home from Afghanistan. He set himself extraordinary challenges including walking the demanding 96km Kokoda Track in honour of a fallen comrade and becoming the public face of the Commando Welfare Trust. Damien is now an aspiring Paralympian, determined to represent Australia in snowboarding. His life has irrevocably changed, but he believes it has changed for the better.
Damien's positive attitude and larrikin, never-say-die spirit are an inspiration to all of us, and the story of his journey is humbling, heartbreaking and truly awe-inspiring.
Without warning, Private Damien Thomlinson's life changed forever. On a night patrol in Afghanistan in 2009, his vehicle drove over a Taliban explosive device. His right leg turned instantly to red mist and his left leg was severed below the knee. His arms and hands were shattered and his nose smashed. Blood poured into his lungs. He was as close to death as you can get. Damien's story could have been a tragedy, but because of his enormously optimistic spirit it is instead one of triumph and inspiration.
Once a commando, always a commando. Damien was determined not to be defined or limited by his injuries. With dogged focus and commitment, he set about reclaiming his life - on his own terms. His extraordinary drive and willpower saw him walking again on prosthetic legs just eight weeks from the time of his accident, ready to stand and welcome his unit home from Afghanistan. He set himself extraordinary challenges including walking the demanding 96km Kokoda Track in honour of a fallen comrade and becoming the public face of the Commando Welfare Trust. Damien is now an aspiring Paralympian, determined to represent Australia in snowboarding. His life has irrevocably changed, but he believes it has changed for the better.
Damien's positive attitude and larrikin, never-say-die spirit are an inspiration to all of us, and the story of his journey is humbling, heartbreaking and truly awe-inspiring.
- GenresNonfictionWar
263 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 1, 2013
6 people are currently reading
50 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
November 6, 2021
I would rate this book a solid 4 stars. In parts, the writing was perhaps a bit bland. Could have been that it was written from others perspectives without much interaction with Damien himself. However, at the end of the day I thank you for your service and pray you stay on a good path going forward.
August 12, 2021
I enjoyed this book. It is a true story of a soldier who was hit by a roadside bomb (IED) in Afghanistan. For me, it started out a bit slow but starting with the accident, that's when it started to pick up for me. He faced such adversity with his accident but he persevered and came out way stronger than many others would have.
November 10, 2013
This is the story of Damien Thomlinson, who spent his life as a young tear away and problem child, that is until he applied for and (after the gruelling selection course), was accepted as an Australian Commando as a member of the Australian Special Forces.
After an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) traumatically amputated both legs above the knee, he was soon fighting for his life lying in the fine dust of Afghanistan. Fast thinking comrades treated him and called for airborne extraction.
This is an incredible story about true courage, dogged determination and sheer bloody motivation. Damien lays his life bare in the public domain for all to see, not just the good, but the bad too. That in itself takes a big person. He discusses problems with narrow thinking doctors who don't seem to want to help, reltionaship breakdowns, his struggle with addiction, and how, faced with all of this, he still succeeds. Truly inspirational.
It is easy to see why Damien, today, is a motivational speaker. It is also no surprise that he will represent Australia in the 2014 Paralympic Winter Games as a double amputee snowboarder. That in itself gives some indication of the intestinal fortitude of the man.
Recommended!
After an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) traumatically amputated both legs above the knee, he was soon fighting for his life lying in the fine dust of Afghanistan. Fast thinking comrades treated him and called for airborne extraction.
This is an incredible story about true courage, dogged determination and sheer bloody motivation. Damien lays his life bare in the public domain for all to see, not just the good, but the bad too. That in itself takes a big person. He discusses problems with narrow thinking doctors who don't seem to want to help, reltionaship breakdowns, his struggle with addiction, and how, faced with all of this, he still succeeds. Truly inspirational.
It is easy to see why Damien, today, is a motivational speaker. It is also no surprise that he will represent Australia in the 2014 Paralympic Winter Games as a double amputee snowboarder. That in itself gives some indication of the intestinal fortitude of the man.
Recommended!
September 19, 2015
An interesting but not easy read about a Special Forces soldier and the demands of that life: physical, mental, and personal. No wonder soldiers have PTSD. I liked Damien's never-give-up attitude and the way the book looked at the ramifications of events on others.
After reading this book I wonder why anyone advocates for women being on the front line in combat. Such an irony given the campaign: STOP THE VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN.
After reading this book I wonder why anyone advocates for women being on the front line in combat. Such an irony given the campaign: STOP THE VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN.
March 7, 2016
great book, makes me proud to be an aussie! the key points that are awesome about this book are that it highlights the challenges that service people face post - service.
this is an extraordinary story written in a conversational and easily accessible tone!
this is an extraordinary story written in a conversational and easily accessible tone!
July 22, 2015
What an inspirational story - originally recently saw Damien Thomlinson interviewed on Tv in 'one on one' phew! Had to read his story!
October 28, 2015
very interesting book - shows people to not give up but keep trying harder
September 13, 2016
A good book, however at portions too self focused and a me, me, me theme. Wider vision in only part would have added a brilliant dimension to the book
November 3, 2014
Wow! An inspirational story! Finished the book in only a few days because I couldn't put it down.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews