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Courage Under Fire

By: Daniel Keighran,Tony Park
Narrated by: David Tredinnick
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Publisher's Summary


On 24 August 2010, in battle in Afghanistan, Corporal Daniel Keighran risked his life in a hail of gunfire to save his fellow soldiers. His actions saw him awarded the Victoria Cross for Australia, making him the 99th Australian to receive our country's highest award for bravery.

Courage Under Fire tells of Daniel's unlikely journey to become one of Australia's most celebrated soldiers.

Growing up was tough for Daniel. When he was eleven, his father showed up in his life, for the first time, with a gunshot wound to the stomach. He relocated his son, daughter and their mother 400 kilometres away from their loving grandparents and a coastal home to a shack with a dirt floor in outback Queensland. From then on, Daniel fought to maintain a sense of order and purpose amid the chaos of family violence and criminal activity.

Inspired by his much-loved grandfather, a WWII veteran, Daniel joined the army. There he found the structure that was missing from his teen years. Although just 17, Daniel adapted quickly to the demands of life in the military, always willing to learn, always wanting to grow, always seeking to emulate the example of his grandfather.

Courage Under Fire is an outstanding military memoir, packed with tales of multiple tours, accounts of extraordinary camaraderie, and a reflection on the unseen cost of service. Most of all it is a testament to the idea that anything is possible if you know what you stand for.

LONGLISTED FOR THE COLIN RODERICK AWARD 2021

©2020 Daniel Keighran, Tony Park (P)2020 Macmillan Australia Audio

Critic Reviews

"A man selfless in the face of threat. Courageous in the face of terror. Generous in the face of suffering. And humble in the face of an honour bestowed." (Dame Quentin Bryce) 

"One of Australia's most reluctant heroes. A raw, honest, humorous and inspirational story of a modern soldier and the burden of heroism." (Mark Donaldson VC)

"From a tough upbringing in outback Queensland to selfless courage on the battlefield in Afghanistan to save his mates, this book tells the inspirational story of a soldier's soldier." (Air Chief Marshal Sir Angus Houston AK, AFC)        

What listeners say about Courage Under Fire

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excellent book about a life.

loved the book, I just wish the narrator got some of the terminology checked before the performance.

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3 people found this helpful

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Fantastic story that is told from the heart

Absolutely loved it. I couldn't wait to get back in the car and listen to more. I had chills at times and many laughs throughout. Wonderful read

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Great Aussie digger

Loved listening to Dans story.
There's a lot of detail in there that a lot of veterans can relate to.
But then there was the mispronunciation of a few things that bugged me a little.

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Fantastic book

Loved it from start to finish. Great story about someone who had very little in early life but made the most of it. Seems to be a very humble man who won the VC. Recommend to anyone interested in Australia's military.

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Brilliant

Great book
Enjoyed it very much
Well deserved of the medal
Awesome listen
Well done

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A most captivating story not only about courage and determination but also about friendship, love and loss.

There were so many facets to Dans story I found enjoyable; his friendship with his grandfather, his ability to cope with momentous change and challenges in his early teenage years when his father came back into his life, his humble attitude, his friendship with his colleagues and of course his courage, no only in Afghanistan but his overall courage he demonstrated in life as a whole. The most enjoyable part was the humour in which his story was told. Congratulations on earning your Victoria Cross and thank you for your Service

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Another great Australian ✌️👍

another great Australian book as it proves anyone no matter how humble the beginnings can become a great human .. thank you Dan for sharing some of your journey mate 👍 kind regards Paul 🍻

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  • Sam
  • 10-01-2023

Brilliant story

Great recounting of an extraordinary life. Can’t rate the story highly enough. The narration however is doing my head in. The narrator constantly mispronounces words like Styer and cupola. For goodness sake if your going to narrate a military biography get the names right.

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So glad I read it

This really opens your eyes to how awful war is for those who live in the country at war, and the soldiers that serve. And what a life Dan has lived, and what a gracious humble man, may God bless him and those he served with.

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Outstanding soldier.

A Magnificent read. Dan you did deserve to receive the Victoria Cross. As a former soldier I salute you.

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  • Anonymous User
  • 09-11-2020

must read

As a ex serving member and a mtf1 vet dan has not only given our story justice but given a great insite into the life of himself and how many men and women find there way to the army and laying down there all for this great country
ALPHA COY MTF1

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In the spirit of reconciliation, Audible acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea and community. We pay our respect to their elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today.