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The Gallipoli Story

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The men were huddled in lifeboats. Some prayed that their legs would work. Some smiled to show they weren't scared. They peered into the darkness ahead and saw nothing. Then, the dark shape of a man standing on a hill. A shout from the shore. A single shot rang out and a bullet hissed overhead.

The Gallipoli campaign had begun

Anzac soldiers fought on Turkish soil nearly a century ago. So why do we still care about what happened there? Why do we celebrate a battle lost?

The Gallipoli Story takes young people on an unforgettable and tough journey deep into the heartland of war. Patrick Carlyon digs past the myths to explore the lives and choices of the men - soldiers, politicians and generals alike - who found themselves caught up in a battle fought far from home.

A powerful piece of storytelling that brings history to life - and shows us the human faces behind the grand story.

192 pages, Paperback

First published February 15, 2004

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Patrick Carlyon

2 books2 followers

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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
218 reviews
March 24, 2025
Better than the previous book “Gallipoli” read and reviewed here. The emphasis in this book is on the people and tragic impact of this misguided “adventure”.

Well worth reading.
Profile Image for gemsbooknook  Geramie Kate Barker.
903 reviews14 followers
November 22, 2024
‘The men were huddled in lifeboats. Some prayed that their legs would work. Some smiled to show they weren’t scared. They peered into the darkness ahead and saw nothing. Then, the dark shape of a man standing on a hill. A shout from the shore. A single shot rang out and a bullet hissed overhead.
The Gallipoli campaign had begun.
Anzac soldiers fought on Turkish soil nearly a century ago. So why do we still care about what happened there? Why do we celebrate a battle lost?
The Gallipoli Story takes young people on an unforgettable and tough journey deep into the heartland of war. Patrick Carlyon digs past the myths to explore the lives and choices of the men – soldiers, politicians, and generals alike – who found themselves caught up in a battle fought far from home.
A powerful piece of storytelling that brings history to life – and shows us the human faces behind the grand story.’
I thoroughly enjoyed this book.
As someone with an interest in Military History, I read this book as a pre-teen/teenager and remembered enjoying it, so I decided to re-read it as an adult and I am happy to say that it did not disappoint.
Reading this book as an adult was interesting as I now know a lot more about the Gallipoli Campaign and Australian Military history in general I found it much easier to move through this book quite quickly as I knew all of the places and events that I was reading about.
Patrick Carlyon has done a wonderful job of informing readers about this event with Historical accuracy without the book feeling weighed down by too many details. How he was able to teach readers while still allowing the emotion of the topic to feel present and important made for a really wonderful reading experience.
This book may have sparked my interest in Australian Military history or it is at least one of them, and after reading it again as an adult, I can easily see why. I am glad that I decided to re-read this book and it has inspired me to go back and re-read some more of the books I loved as a younger reader.
The Gallipoli Story by Patrick Carlyon is well worth the read.

Geramie Kate Barker
gemsbooknook.wordpress.com
Profile Image for Rhondda.
228 reviews11 followers
February 19, 2015
The story takes you into the thick of the war fought, nearly 100 years ago, on Turkish soil, by ANZAC soldiers. The book retells the stories of some of the individuals involved, and puts a human face to the Gallipoli legend that most of us know about.
We have explained the reasons for the outbreak of the war and the Gallipoli campaign is put into context. We learn about Joe Cumberland, a young train driver from NSW, who was one of the first to enlist from the Hunter valley and of his brother, Oliver. We hear about the actions of Charles Bean, a journalist, who landed at Gallipoli with the Australian troops on 25th April 1915. He later became famous as the official war historian and was partly responsible for the growth of the ANZAC legend. The actions of William Birdwood, Colonel William Malone are related to us as well as learning more about John Simpson than just his donkey.
The book explores the decisions and choices made by soldiers, officers and politicians. The author also tries to fill in any gaps in stories and attempts the difficult task of separating fact from the myths and legends that have grown around Gallipoli.
There are maps, b&w photographs and diagrams and appendix containing letters and a good bibliography and index.
Also includes 16 unnumbered pages of plates

Profile Image for Michelle.
11 reviews
April 3, 2015
Why were the Anzacs on a Turkish beach, instead of a French field? Why do we care do much about a lost battle? Patrick Carlyon seeks to answer the basic questions of Gallipoli, and he succeeds.

War buffs, this is not the book for you. It doesn't go into the depths of stories and battles.

Suitable for kids 10+ through to adults, for a basic introduction into the Anzac legend.

Ps - the evacuation was better planned and executed than any attack at Gallipoli. Weird, hey?
Profile Image for Oliver Hodson.
577 reviews4 followers
July 3, 2014
Scathing of Keith Murdoch, who received a higher level of scorn than a bungling general, but generally balanced and detailed without going overboard. I would be happy to use it with my classes in year 9 and it accessible history without being dumbed down.
Profile Image for Jeannie.
57 reviews38 followers
August 14, 2010
It was quite detailed in the way it was written and I liked his style of writing. It was easy to read without being a big history book.
1 review
June 2, 2011
Good year for year 7 boys
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Nathan R.
17 reviews
May 5, 2012
This book is about the history of Gallipoli though journals of soldiers and facts about the war and the fighters. If there was meant to be a story, I couldn't find one.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
13 reviews1 follower
July 22, 2012
The Gallipoli story is a good book but I didn't enjoy it much because I don't really like true story's but this would have to be one of the best I have read
Profile Image for Amy Hoson.
8 reviews
April 14, 2013
i think this is a good book and it is suitable for all ages 11+. it was a good book to curl up on the couch with.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews

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