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Arnhem’s Last Para
Pre-order the captivating account of the Battle of Arnhem from one of the last survivors of our Greatest Generation - 101-year-old paratrooper veteran John Humphries
- GenresMilitary History
432 pages, Paperback
Published August 29, 2024
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31 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
February 2, 2026
A gripping telling of the wartime experiences of an exceptional man.
The audio book describes itself as a 'memoir' but it should be noted that this is really the recollections of Humphreys recalled over 70 years later and over a period of months, then written by author Stewart Tootal.
The writing style and some of the (modern) words used are clearly not the verbatim recollections of a 90+ year old WWII veteran.
Tootal inserts relevant experiences of other participants and gives good background information where necessary.
He waxes lyrical, particularly with descriptions of the battlefield and verges on the florid in some passages.
Nevertheless this is still an excellent read.
The last chapter has a moving account of Humphreys' life after the war and the many others mentioned in the book.
It describes the ways the people of Arnhem still commemorate Operation Market Garden with a pathos that I'm not ashamed to say brought tears to my eyes.
I was even more impressed with with Tootal's book - 'Tank Action: An Armoured Troop Commander's War 1944–45'
I would suggest looking at this book too.
The audio book describes itself as a 'memoir' but it should be noted that this is really the recollections of Humphreys recalled over 70 years later and over a period of months, then written by author Stewart Tootal.
The writing style and some of the (modern) words used are clearly not the verbatim recollections of a 90+ year old WWII veteran.
Tootal inserts relevant experiences of other participants and gives good background information where necessary.
He waxes lyrical, particularly with descriptions of the battlefield and verges on the florid in some passages.
Nevertheless this is still an excellent read.
The last chapter has a moving account of Humphreys' life after the war and the many others mentioned in the book.
It describes the ways the people of Arnhem still commemorate Operation Market Garden with a pathos that I'm not ashamed to say brought tears to my eyes.
I was even more impressed with with Tootal's book - 'Tank Action: An Armoured Troop Commander's War 1944–45'
I would suggest looking at this book too.
December 25, 2024
Incredible bravery fantastically narrated
This is one of those stories that leaves you feel humbled and awe inspired in equal measure. I also think it’s the best book Stuart has written; it had me gripped from start to end. A truly brilliant story.
This is one of those stories that leaves you feel humbled and awe inspired in equal measure. I also think it’s the best book Stuart has written; it had me gripped from start to end. A truly brilliant story.
February 22, 2026
A really good book, written by one of the men that fought at the bridge. But most of the book is covering his career leading up to that faithful September 17, 1944. And what a story mr. Humpreys has to tell!!
He fought in Africa and I found that part of the story really good. It was really interesting to read what waging war there entailed. Taken prisoner at Tobruk he was next transported to Italy where he managed to escape. He escaped south and so ended up in the Allied lines, since they had invaded Italy from the south. The whole escape story is really keeping you glued to the book. It was hard to put down. It also showed how divided and dangerous Italy was at that time.
When he finally ended up in the UK again he got confronted with a completely different country. The way this is written and the road to the airborne landings is really taking you there. And then he dropped near Arnhem and became part of Frost's forces near the bridge. The tension and stress really leaps of the pages. And again he is taken prisoner and again he succeeds in escaping!
Mr. Humpreys book is a must read since it shows you up close what war was like. He is, or rather was, an extraordinary man. Respect!
He fought in Africa and I found that part of the story really good. It was really interesting to read what waging war there entailed. Taken prisoner at Tobruk he was next transported to Italy where he managed to escape. He escaped south and so ended up in the Allied lines, since they had invaded Italy from the south. The whole escape story is really keeping you glued to the book. It was hard to put down. It also showed how divided and dangerous Italy was at that time.
When he finally ended up in the UK again he got confronted with a completely different country. The way this is written and the road to the airborne landings is really taking you there. And then he dropped near Arnhem and became part of Frost's forces near the bridge. The tension and stress really leaps of the pages. And again he is taken prisoner and again he succeeds in escaping!
Mr. Humpreys book is a must read since it shows you up close what war was like. He is, or rather was, an extraordinary man. Respect!
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews