The Battle Within: A Soldiers Story

by Neil Spencer

"The author pulls no punches and gets right to the heart of the matter in this Highly recommend account" SOLDIER, official magazine of the British Army 4 Stars ****"Thought provoking and gripping, the battle within is an excellent read" Matt Johnson, author of best-seller Wicked Game"The war Beyond the battlefield, one man's inside account as it happened" Dr Clive Hathaway Travis. Deputy prime minister's mental health hero and author of looking for Prince Charles dog.Foreword by Lt General Jonathan Riley CB DSO.From his early days raised into a working class family, suffering from years of school bullying leaving him with low self-esteem and confidence issues to the day he joined the British Army and the challenging events that followed.Newly recruited into 1RWF and quickly adopted by the mortar platoon. Life couldn't be better. Within just 12 months he took part in many training exercises in both the UK and aboard. From parachute training, covering the national firestrikes to training as a patrol medic. Plus more. Neil was even planning an attempt on the extremely tough SAS selection course. It was all a young man's dream, but it was about to change.2004, Deployed to Iraq with the mortar platoon and part of a police training team, Neil was the patrol team medic. 21st April will be a day never to be forgotten.3 large suicide car bombs ripped through Basra leaving over 70 dead including many children and scores badly injured. Just a few miles away in Az Zabour. Camp Chindit that was housing members of B Coy came under attack from a further 2 bombs.11 more were killed and many badly wounded including Neil who was only 20ft from the blast.Picked up and slammed into a ditch by the blast and left with shrapnel wounds. For many this would be traumatic enough, but for Neil this barely scratched the surface, as this was just the beginning of a series of events that would test the mental resilience of even the toughest to the limit, possibly beyond.This is the inspiring true story of a mind that cannot be broke.

144 pages, Paperback

Published June 27, 2016

Reviews

[Mark · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great Read

An honest account of what he (Neil) went through, no frills attached.
A gripping read from the beginning to the end.
I'd recommend this to anyone interested in what our service personnel go through or to those just looking for a good read.

[Leah Lopez · Rating 5 out of 5]

Despite Neil's injuries, mental health issues, debts, and the loss of his ma and grandfather, he's never given up; using his discipline from the Armed forces and motivation, Neil has overcome all obstacles that have tried to stop his next move.

[Lois · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not what I'd normally read but it was given as a gift. Very compelling voice and story, totally honest throughout. The semi-professional editing somewhat hinders it but is understandable, but a lot of things were covered frustratingly briefly.

[Susan harris · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read in one day

Couldn't put it down,just wanted to know there was a happy ending,amazing what you have achieved, recommend this book to anyone

[Caroline · Rating 5 out of 5]

A raw and honest account of one man's journey into the military, his enforced exit after traumatic injury, his personal struggle to find stability, employment and secure family life and the endurance challenges he sets and undertakes to help himself and raise funds to help others.
Neil Spencer give a remarkably honest account of what happened to him while he was serving and how he had to find his own answers and solutions (to a large extent) after he left. He seems to be without the bitterness which might be expected from someone who, in his own words, became "lost in the system", but readers may well be angry on his behalf that many of our military are not receiving the help that they need from the country that they served (via the Government and MOD) but from charities, if they are lucky and find an appropriate one local to them.

[Michelle Ditton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Honest and hard hitting

This is a very honest account of one mans life and trials.
It is a hard read at times and I welled up at points, but it is an amazing account of Neils life and challenges, constant battles and the sheer hell that he and so many others face daily.
If you cannot understand hidden injuries give this a read and have your eyes opened

Highly recommended , thank you Neil for sharing your experiences for all to see and hopefully gain some understanding from.

[Karen smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Interesting autobiography

I liked this book as I felt I was going alongside the author step by step. I couldn't put it down.
By
Karen smith