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A Handful of Hard Men

The SAS and the Battle for Rhodesia

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A Handful of Hard Men

By: Hannes Wessels
Narrated by: Jack Chekijian
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About this listen

It is difficult to find another soldier's story to equal Captain Darrell Watt's in terms of time spent on the field of battle and challenges faced. Even by the lofty standards of the SAS and Special Forces, one has to look far to find anyone who can match his record of resilience and valor in the face of such daunting odds and with resources so paltry.

In the fight, he showed himself to be a military maestro. A bush-lore genius, blessed with uncanny instincts and an unbridled determination to close with the enemy, he had no peers as a combat-tracker (and there was plenty of competition). But the Rhodesian theater was a fluid and volatile one in which he performed in almost every imaginable fighting role.

After 12 years in the cauldron of war, his cause slipped from beneath him, and Rhodesia gave way to Zimbabwe. When the guns went quiet, Watt had won all his battles but lost the war. In this fascinating biography, we learn that in his twilight years, he is now concerned with saving wildlife on a continent where they are in continued danger and devoting himself to both the fauna and African people he cares so deeply about.

©2015 Hannes Wessels (P)2017 Tantor Africa Armed Forces Military Military & War Special & Elite Forces World World War II War
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The pronounciation of many of the names and places was incorrect and aweful.
Otherwise the rest of the reading was really clear and great.

Pronounciation aweful.

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I wish they had gotten a Rhodesian /Zimbabwean to read this. Mispronunciation was distracting seeing as I know how it should have been. Having said that, if you don't know any better then the narrator was pretty good.

Amazing and sad story of my home.

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I really enjoyed this book the history the culture the military stories I truly excellent book for anyone interested military history and Rhodesia.

A must read for anyone interested in Rhodesia

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I never really knew what our SAS did during our war, it has certainly been an amazing experience to read of the missions and the hardship they faced. very brave men who went beyond the call of duty. They should have all been highly decorated, I stand and salute you all.

Tough bunch of men, learnt a lot about our war.

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I found the narrators voice a bit monotonous however the content of the book is a remarkable story.
An amazing story of remarkable soldiers.
These men are the salt of the earth.

A must read military book

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A frustratingly accurate recollection. Wouldn't recommend it for those on the diaspora - no doubt it will stir up some raw emotion. the narrator butchered the names of both people and places.

Sad but true

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Incredible story lives up to the title in every way would have benefited from a different narrator, A little research on pronunciation would have gone a long way.

Lives up to the Title

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A remarkable story of remarkable men in remarkable times. An insightful glimpse of the political change and upheaval to form Zimbabwe

Unbelievably Remarkable

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Excellent storytelling. Loved it from the moment I started. Highly recommended.

Only downside is that the poor American pronunciation of African landmarks, words and slang.

Enthralling book about the SAS in the Rhodesian war

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Well narrated but insensitive book filled with hate. Could have been written without portraying hate for the aggrieved.

Insensitive narrative on Rhodesian War

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