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One Man And His Dog
Jan, a Czech refugee, was shot down over Germany. He found a motherless alsation pup, which he named Antis. Their adventures getting back to the French lines were the first of many they were to share.
452 pages, Hardcover
First published June 1, 1965
About the author
Anthony Richardson
38 books4 followersAnthony Thomas Stewart Currie Richardson (1899 – 4 February 1964) was an English writer of adventure fiction and non-fiction books.
He also published under the pseudonym Patrick Wynnton
He also published under the pseudonym Patrick Wynnton
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Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews
October 17, 2023
This was a great story of a Czech airman and Antis, the German Shepherd puppy he found after being shot down in enemy territory. Antis remained by his side throughout the war, flew 7 missions at his master’s feet and even met the Queen during a troop inspection. It made me want to get another GS puppy. Almost. 😉
November 20, 2008
One of the finest books about bravery in WW2. It tells of a polish pilot and his alsation dog, who fly for the RAF. The dog accompanies his mater on bombing raids and through all kinds of adventures.
It would be wrong to give too much away. It is a very worthwhile tale. Track it down
It would be wrong to give too much away. It is a very worthwhile tale. Track it down
September 11, 2023
The alsatian in the air corps
Jan escaped Czechoslovakia just before the Nazi invasion, through France on his way to England. While he was in France, he found and adopted an abandoned alsatian puppy. That dog remained with him throughout the war. You will have to read the book to learn of their exploits and of the times the dog saved his life.
Jan escaped Czechoslovakia just before the Nazi invasion, through France on his way to England. While he was in France, he found and adopted an abandoned alsatian puppy. That dog remained with him throughout the war. You will have to read the book to learn of their exploits and of the times the dog saved his life.
August 28, 2015
I love this true tale of a Czech airman and the Alsatian pup he rescued from a bombed farmhouse at the start of WW2. From almost the start he and six pals were making their way to Britain so the antics as they smuggled the pup on board trains and ships are amusing while having a serious side as we see the wholesale refugee crisis.
Jan and Antis settle in at an aerodrome but bombings, flying raids and officious staff keep them from having a guarantee of safety. On one occasion Antis helped to scent out people under the rubble of bombed houses for recovery, and on another occasion he was himself buried for days in a bomb crater. The brave dog had a great survival instinct but all he wanted was to be with Jan, something difficult to guarantee in wartime.
After the war ended Jan naturally went back to Czechoslovakia and married there, with his dog at home, but the rise of Soviet influence meant that he and his former RAF colleagues were on a list presumed to be spies and anti-Soviet. Jan was forced to flee across country to a border - something we do not hear about. He brought the dog who saved the lives of the group with herding instincts.
Antis, late in life, was granted the Dickin Medal, the first non-British animal to gain this award. There are great photos of him as a squadron mascot. The photos are all excellent and bring this period vividly to life. This author has also written biographies of a pilot, gathered RAF tales, and written the biography of a London river policeman.
Jan and Antis settle in at an aerodrome but bombings, flying raids and officious staff keep them from having a guarantee of safety. On one occasion Antis helped to scent out people under the rubble of bombed houses for recovery, and on another occasion he was himself buried for days in a bomb crater. The brave dog had a great survival instinct but all he wanted was to be with Jan, something difficult to guarantee in wartime.
After the war ended Jan naturally went back to Czechoslovakia and married there, with his dog at home, but the rise of Soviet influence meant that he and his former RAF colleagues were on a list presumed to be spies and anti-Soviet. Jan was forced to flee across country to a border - something we do not hear about. He brought the dog who saved the lives of the group with herding instincts.
Antis, late in life, was granted the Dickin Medal, the first non-British animal to gain this award. There are great photos of him as a squadron mascot. The photos are all excellent and bring this period vividly to life. This author has also written biographies of a pilot, gathered RAF tales, and written the biography of a London river policeman.
August 14, 2023
Faithfulness
This is an amazing account. That Jan found Antis as a puppy and continued to love, support, and train him and Antis, in turn, returned love, loyalty, and intelligence beyond belief. The bonds were unbreakable. Together they saved each other. It would be interesting to learn more of Jan's life in peace time. Was he able to reunite with his wife and son? How long did Jan remain in service? A touching read.
This is an amazing account. That Jan found Antis as a puppy and continued to love, support, and train him and Antis, in turn, returned love, loyalty, and intelligence beyond belief. The bonds were unbreakable. Together they saved each other. It would be interesting to learn more of Jan's life in peace time. Was he able to reunite with his wife and son? How long did Jan remain in service? A touching read.
October 17, 2023
Read in one day!
I started reading this book one evening in bed! Hard to put down!!! Had it read by the next evening.
The warm interaction between man and his dog captivated me. I couldn't put the book down. I have always been a dog lover. Have had many wonderful dogs in my life over 73- years!
Wish our pets could have lived our full lifetimes. They owned our hearts! After a lifetime of losses...I realized I couldn't bear losing another.
Patricia
I started reading this book one evening in bed! Hard to put down!!! Had it read by the next evening.
The warm interaction between man and his dog captivated me. I couldn't put the book down. I have always been a dog lover. Have had many wonderful dogs in my life over 73- years!
Wish our pets could have lived our full lifetimes. They owned our hearts! After a lifetime of losses...I realized I couldn't bear losing another.
Patricia
April 14, 2025
Great Dog Story
A true story of a dogs love of his master and a master love of his dog. Loyalty to each other. Many war events. Then post war events in communist Czechoslovakia and escape to freedom with the dog saving his master plus not once but three times! Highly recommend this book as a former K-9 handler in the USAF, I understand the dog's loyalty and the pain of one having to put one's dog down.
A true story of a dogs love of his master and a master love of his dog. Loyalty to each other. Many war events. Then post war events in communist Czechoslovakia and escape to freedom with the dog saving his master plus not once but three times! Highly recommend this book as a former K-9 handler in the USAF, I understand the dog's loyalty and the pain of one having to put one's dog down.
July 11, 2023
Wonderful read that mirrors some of my own experiences.
As a dog whisperer I relate easily to this book. It is an accurate portrayal of the bond between a man and his best friend. Dog lovers will relate completely. I very highly recommend this book. I read it in one sitting on rainy day. Could not put it down.
As a dog whisperer I relate easily to this book. It is an accurate portrayal of the bond between a man and his best friend. Dog lovers will relate completely. I very highly recommend this book. I read it in one sitting on rainy day. Could not put it down.
July 20, 2023
Absolute Best Book
I highly recommend this historical novel of a man and his dog! From beginning to end, I was totally enthralled and had trouble putting it down. The characters became so real. Animal lovers will fall in love with Antis, the dog. This is among the best and most captivating novels I've ever had the pleasure to read.
I highly recommend this historical novel of a man and his dog! From beginning to end, I was totally enthralled and had trouble putting it down. The characters became so real. Animal lovers will fall in love with Antis, the dog. This is among the best and most captivating novels I've ever had the pleasure to read.
August 6, 2023
an incredible story of a man and his dog during WW2
Almost beyond belief;a puppy rescued from no mans land in France, going on to survive a plane crash and a boat being bombed. Surviving the war, going home to Czechoslovakia and then having to flee through the iron curtain a few years later.
Almost beyond belief;a puppy rescued from no mans land in France, going on to survive a plane crash and a boat being bombed. Surviving the war, going home to Czechoslovakia and then having to flee through the iron curtain a few years later.
August 20, 2023
I had heard of the sad story of Czech pilot heroes returning home from fighting for the Allies only to have their government align with the Russians and imprison them or drive them from home again. I'm glad I got to see the new Czech Republic in 1999 and the early 2000s as it was expressing its true entreprenurial and creative self after emerging from Russian domination.
September 19, 2023
A profound and deeply moving story of love and devotion .
This WW-II story captures the intense bond between a fleeing Czech airman who bonds with a feeble Alsatian pup that becomes his constant companion through the horror of the conflict. The devotion of Antis is inspiring and, at times, heart-wrenching. A gripping tale of love between a dog and his human partner.
This WW-II story captures the intense bond between a fleeing Czech airman who bonds with a feeble Alsatian pup that becomes his constant companion through the horror of the conflict. The devotion of Antis is inspiring and, at times, heart-wrenching. A gripping tale of love between a dog and his human partner.
February 21, 2024
Wonderful man and dog
Amazing story devotion of man and his dog during world war two and the cold war. Both deserve our greatest appreciation for their service.
Amazing story devotion of man and his dog during world war two and the cold war. Both deserve our greatest appreciation for their service.
July 11, 2023
incomparable companion
These two heroes battled together. A story so improbable yet charming attesting to a devotion bond between man and dog.
These two heroes battled together. A story so improbable yet charming attesting to a devotion bond between man and dog.
July 18, 2023
Wonderful
Couldn’t put it down. A warm and exciting story with strong emotions of love and devotion beteende a man and his dog. Hej
Couldn’t put it down. A warm and exciting story with strong emotions of love and devotion beteende a man and his dog. Hej
July 20, 2023
Wow, what a story.
If you are a lover of WWII history and have a love of dogs this book is for you. Make sure you have some tissue handy when you get to the last chapter.
If you are a lover of WWII history and have a love of dogs this book is for you. Make sure you have some tissue handy when you get to the last chapter.
July 25, 2023
What a wonderful story!
Exhausting and uplifting! Jan went to great lengths to care for and be with his companion, Antis. What a wonderful story.
Exhausting and uplifting! Jan went to great lengths to care for and be with his companion, Antis. What a wonderful story.
August 6, 2023
heart warming
Beautiful story of the special bond between man and dog. Many wartime adventures and what they must go through to stay together
Beautiful story of the special bond between man and dog. Many wartime adventures and what they must go through to stay together
September 22, 2023
Great read
This is a great book. I read it in 2 days. Couldn’t put it down. I will certainly recommend it to all my friends.
This is a great book. I read it in 2 days. Couldn’t put it down. I will certainly recommend it to all my friends.
March 10, 2024
I am a sucker for good old dog stories and this was one of the best.I have gone thru a situation akin to this one and the pain never goes away.
March 14, 2024
I enjoyed reading the moving/amazing true story of the love and bond of man and dog during worst of times (WW2).
I would have liked to have known what happened to Jan's family.
I would have liked to have known what happened to Jan's family.
April 5, 2024
Fantastic story of a man and his dog.
Great story that highlights the extreme bond between a man and his dog. Follow their adventures through the course of World War II.
Great story that highlights the extreme bond between a man and his dog. Follow their adventures through the course of World War II.
April 26, 2024
We don’t deserve dogs. This was a great story, and I enjoyed it very much. Will makes me wish dogs lived forever though.
May 6, 2024
Pet lover alert
Ending brings tears. But immense respect for the canine and his master.
God bless canine heroes — they earn our thanks.
Ending brings tears. But immense respect for the canine and his master.
God bless canine heroes — they earn our thanks.
July 21, 2023
One Man and His Dog, by Anthony Richardson
This is a beautiful true story of a man’s love for his dog and the dog for his human companion. I hesitate to use the term master as the word implies dominance by force, whereas a dog gives his love and loyalty because he wants to.
It is also the story of undying friendship between Czech airmen who escaped from Czechoslovakia after Hitler’s armies invasion to join the French Air Force, and who, after the 1940 defeat of France, made their way to England to fight another day. They risked everything to make sure that Antis, the dog, came with them to safety. This despite a number of disasters that befell them on the way. Their plane was shot down. They were made prisoners on an Italian ship, only to be torpedoed by the British before being rescued and taken to Gibraltar. As the squadron mascot, Antis would raise the alarm long before the air raid sirens sounded and thus saved many lives.
It is written just as Jan Bozdech told the story to author Anthony Richardson.
Jan had fled Czechoslovakia when Hitler’s armies had invaded. After the war, he again had to escape his homeland when the communist regime wanted him dead. On the perilous trek to safety, his dog saved not only his life but that of two others.
Back again in England, now his home, Antis was presented with the Dickin Medal, the first foreign dog to receive that honor, for his “outstanding courage, devotion to duty and life-saving while serving with the Royal Air Force and French Air Force from 1940 to 1945.”
If you love dogs this is the book for you, and if you are unfamiliar about our canine friends, this book will raise your awareness of these truly amazing animals.
This is a beautiful true story of a man’s love for his dog and the dog for his human companion. I hesitate to use the term master as the word implies dominance by force, whereas a dog gives his love and loyalty because he wants to.
It is also the story of undying friendship between Czech airmen who escaped from Czechoslovakia after Hitler’s armies invasion to join the French Air Force, and who, after the 1940 defeat of France, made their way to England to fight another day. They risked everything to make sure that Antis, the dog, came with them to safety. This despite a number of disasters that befell them on the way. Their plane was shot down. They were made prisoners on an Italian ship, only to be torpedoed by the British before being rescued and taken to Gibraltar. As the squadron mascot, Antis would raise the alarm long before the air raid sirens sounded and thus saved many lives.
It is written just as Jan Bozdech told the story to author Anthony Richardson.
Jan had fled Czechoslovakia when Hitler’s armies had invaded. After the war, he again had to escape his homeland when the communist regime wanted him dead. On the perilous trek to safety, his dog saved not only his life but that of two others.
Back again in England, now his home, Antis was presented with the Dickin Medal, the first foreign dog to receive that honor, for his “outstanding courage, devotion to duty and life-saving while serving with the Royal Air Force and French Air Force from 1940 to 1945.”
If you love dogs this is the book for you, and if you are unfamiliar about our canine friends, this book will raise your awareness of these truly amazing animals.
May 4, 2023
One Man and His Dog by Anthony Richardson is a heartwarming and engaging memoir that explores the bond between man and dog. Published in 1954, the book tells the story of Richardson and his beloved Border Collie, Gyp, as they embark on a journey to become sheep farmers in the rugged Welsh countryside.
Richardson's writing style is simple yet eloquent, and he captures the beauty and challenges of rural life with ease. He describes the Welsh landscape in vivid detail, and the reader can almost feel the wind on their face and the grass under their feet. Richardson's love for his dog shines through every page, and he writes movingly about the bond they share.
The book is divided into several sections, each detailing a different aspect of life on a Welsh sheep farm. Richardson writes about the challenges of training Gyp to become a sheepdog, the joys of working with her, and the many adventures they have together. He also writes about the people they meet along the way, from the eccentric local farmers to the city-dwelling tourists who visit the countryside.
One of the most notable aspects of the book is the way Richardson writes about Gyp. She is not just a pet, but a partner and a friend, and the reader can't help but feel a deep affection for her. The bond between man and dog is a central theme of the book, and Richardson explores it with sensitivity and insight.
Overall, One Man and His Dog is a charming and uplifting memoir that celebrates the beauty of the Welsh countryside and the bond between man and dog. It is highly recommended for anyone who loves dogs or has an interest in rural life. Richardson's engaging writing style and his love for his dog make this book a joy to read.
Richardson's writing style is simple yet eloquent, and he captures the beauty and challenges of rural life with ease. He describes the Welsh landscape in vivid detail, and the reader can almost feel the wind on their face and the grass under their feet. Richardson's love for his dog shines through every page, and he writes movingly about the bond they share.
The book is divided into several sections, each detailing a different aspect of life on a Welsh sheep farm. Richardson writes about the challenges of training Gyp to become a sheepdog, the joys of working with her, and the many adventures they have together. He also writes about the people they meet along the way, from the eccentric local farmers to the city-dwelling tourists who visit the countryside.
One of the most notable aspects of the book is the way Richardson writes about Gyp. She is not just a pet, but a partner and a friend, and the reader can't help but feel a deep affection for her. The bond between man and dog is a central theme of the book, and Richardson explores it with sensitivity and insight.
Overall, One Man and His Dog is a charming and uplifting memoir that celebrates the beauty of the Welsh countryside and the bond between man and dog. It is highly recommended for anyone who loves dogs or has an interest in rural life. Richardson's engaging writing style and his love for his dog make this book a joy to read.
July 15, 2023
This story of the deep bond between the man Jan and his dog Antis in the years leading up to WW2, through it, and into Czechoslovakia under communist rule. The man was a pilot, teacher, war hero, government employee, and an escapee from certain death at the hands of the communist regime. The relationship between Jan and Antis was of mutual love and loyalty, and the story is filled with interesting and almost incredible vignettes of how they thrived in each other’s company and inspired and even saved people who were with them. In the end, it was very sad, but throughout there were many good times and satisfying actions on the part of man and dog. Recommended.
January 7, 2014
I echo Mandie's comments. Good to see something related to Czechs attached to the RAF in Bomber Command :-)
Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews