We Are Soldiers: Our Heroes. Their Stories. Real Life on the Frontline.

by Danny Danziger

A fascinating, frank, and revealing exploration of life on the frontline, as told to an acclaimed journalist and oral historian by today's soldiers  What is it like to drive a Challenger tank over desert terrain for six days in a row, or to hover an Apache AH1 attack helicopter a hundred meters above enemy ground? How quickly can a Sapper clear a field of unexploded devices, build a bridge, or blow one up? What is it like to fix bayonets, and engage in hand to hand combat; or train a 5.56 mm SA80 sniper sight on an enemy soldier, and pull the trigger? How do you find out the things a soldier must learn on his way to war? Ask him. In this extraordinary book, Danny Danziger interviews the people who make up the British Army, providing a unique insight into the reality of is asked of the armed forces. Groundbreaking and utterly compelling, this collection of first-hand accounts takes the reader to the heart of the 21st century soldier's experience.

320 pages, Hardcover

First published February 9, 2010

Reviews

[Terri · Rating 3 out of 5]

Could have been so much better. I nearly gave it two stars.
This book is a compilation of true accounts from the lips of military personnel of all levels and professions, from soldier, to Bugler, to Postie, to Special Forces.
Some of the stories work, some do not. Mostly though, the accounts are too short. They have none of the 'authors' hand in them. They are in the hand of the soldiers (which was good), but the majority of the accounts are lacking in any real detail and are like a story paraphrased.

There were some good accounts that were longer and more detailed and they saved this book from two stars, but there were also interesting accounts that were far too short, and uninteresting stories that were far too long (eg Army Band and all the songs they do and events they play can only be remotely interesting to me).

I am not sure what the author Danny Danziger did to get his name in big letters on the bookcover. I think maybe his name should have been less prominent and the soldiers should have gotten a shout out.
Perhaps a better book for a Brit reader? I am not sure.

[Riley Griffin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read with lots if short personal stories

[Khairul Shafee · Rating 4 out of 5]

I personally wish there is a book like this from the Malaysian Army. I am sure those guys who defended our country from our enemies have a lot to say about their experiences and thoughts. It is rare that we hear to such stories. This book gives you an idea of what these people are going through when they are in hostile territory.

[Fran · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really interesting insight into what life on the frontline is really like - from the perspective of all sorts of different forces roles.