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Gurkha

Better to Die than Live a Coward: My Life in the Gurkhas

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Gurkha

By: Captain Kailash Limbu
Narrated by: Homer Todiwala
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About this listen

In the summer of 2006, Colour-Sargeant Kailash Limbu's platoon was sent to relieve and occupy a police compound in the town of Now Zad in Helmand. He was told to prepare for a 48-hour operation.

In the end he and his men were under siege for 31 days - one of the longest such sieges in the whole of the Afghan campaign. Kailash Limbu recalls the terrifying and exciting details of those 31 days - in which they killed an estimated 100 Taliban fighters - and intersperses them with the story of his own life as a villager from the Himalayas. He grew up in a place without roads or electricity and didn't see a car until he was 15.

Kailash's descriptions of Gurkha training and rituals - including how to use the lethal Kukri knife - are eye-opening and fascinating. They combine with the story of his time in Helmand to create a unique account of one man's life as a Gurkha.

©2016 Kailash Limbu (P)2016 Hachette Audio UK Afghan & Iraq Wars Military Military & War Politicians Politics & Activism Inspiring War Thought-Provoking Siege

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Critic reviews

"I was completely bowled over by Kailash's book and read it with a beating heart and dry mouth. I felt as though I was at his side, hearing the shells and bullets, enjoying the jokes and listening in the scary dead of night. The skill with which he has included his childhood and training is immense, always discovered with ease in the narrative: it actually felt as though I was watching, was IN a film with him. It brought me nearer than I have ever been not only to the mind of the universal soldier but to a hill boy of Nepal and a hugely impressive Gurkha. I raced through it and couldn't put it down: it reads like a thriller. If you want to know anything about the Gurkhas, read this book, and be prepared for a thrilling and dangerous trip." (Joanna Lumley)
All stars
Most relevant  
A fantastic insight into one soldiers life as a top soldier from predilection all the way through to active frontline service.
Well read too

GREAT insight

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Excellent Audiobook , typically understated but a riveting listen all the same. This authentically describes not only one Gurkhas experience of serving in Afghanistan but also gives onsite to the background of a lot of Ghurkhas

Simply Brilliant

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Just an excellent book that is superbly well observed and written. It perfectly conveys the authors life and experiences and is written with lots of heart and soul. A Gurkha living up to the very best standards of the regiment.

Get it now

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it's a book that initially I wasn't sure about but left me wanting more about this seemingly child fearless like warrior race

interesting insight stay with it

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I have read many books on the Gurkhas and this was a refreshing change to read it in a serving Gurkhas words. This is a book I will read again. I would be pleased if Kailash was to write a follow on volume.

Ayo Gurkhali

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This autobiography of a Gurka soldier has given me a great insight into their life and culture, I've heard a lot about them from friends who have served along side the Gurka's and this book cemented those ideas, I think the English regiment snobbery was handled with care but without shying away from the subject,
The book is well written and flows smoothly and the voice actor was second to none handling different accents and sound effects superbly, I wish there were more audiobooks on the Gurka's

Brilliant, Loved it!

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Great book well written, brought back some memories of serving in Nowzad. great effort

Great book from a true warrior

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Overall I enjoyed this book, the story is compelling and I would recommend it. However for me the narrator didn't need to put on (sometimes) annoying voices for different characters.

A worthwhile listen

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If you could sum up Gurkha in three words, what would they be?

Well read biopic

What was one of the most memorable moments of Gurkha?

Gaz! Great group of men.

Which scene did you most enjoy?

All of them

If you made a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

Same as the book - Better to Die than Live a Coward: My Life in the Gurkhas

Any additional comments?

None

Good recollection

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It is a great story, but a little bit offended by the narrator's accent. Can he not use a standard English/British accent?

A great story

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