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Eleven Bats cover art

Eleven Bats

By: Anthony Moffitt
Narrated by: Ric Herbert
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Publisher's Summary

Anthony 'Harry' Moffitt spent more than 20 years in the SAS. His decades of service and his multiple tours in East Timor, Iraq and Afghanistan made him one of the regiment's most experienced and recognised figures.

Alongside the SAS, Harry's other lifetime love is cricket. An improvised game of cricket was often the circuit-breaker Harry and his team needed after the tension of operations. He began a tradition of organising matches wherever he was sent, whether it was in the mountains of East Timor with a fugitive rebel leader, or on the dusty streets of Baghdad, or in exposed Forward Operating Bases in the hills of Afghanistan. Soldiers, locals and even visiting politicians played in these spontaneous yet often bridge-building games.

As part of the tradition, Harry also started to take a cricket bat with him on operational tours, 11 of them in total. They'd often go outside the wire with him and end up signed by those he met or fought alongside. These 11 bats form the basis for Harry's extraordinary memoir. 

It's a story about combat and what it takes to serve in one of the world's most elite formations. It's a story about the toll that war takes on soldiers and their loved ones. And it's a story about the healing power of cricket and how a game can break down borders in even the most desperate of circumstances.

©2020 Anthony Moffitt (P)2020 W F Howes

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A great Australian story

A humble retelling of the life of one of Australia's elite soldiers and cricket fanatics, however no prior knowledge or understanding of the game is required to enjoy this story.

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Outstanding!

A clever, humorous, passionate account of the time and life of a fair dinkum operator. Interspersed with a underlying philosophy of cricket, and overlain with a healthy helping of humanity. I was touched by the personal sacrifice made by these men and the hardships endured by their families. In Australia we barely even broke stride during this entire period. We were too self obsessed, consumed with the daily grind to even notice. Only veterans and their families bore the weight of the responsibility, and in particular the overworked special forces community. A ripping yarn. Good drills Harry. Cheers Jock.

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1 person found this helpful

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Absolutely stunning listen right to the finish

I really enjoyed this book, so much that when I finished I had to start it again. honestly funny truly sad and very humbling.. thank you Harry and the SAS team.

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The best modern war autobiography

Ive listened to many autobiographies based on the stories of soldiers during modern conflicts. This is probably my favourite. Maybe because I too am a cricket fanatic and that aspect of this was so wholesome. The narration was as good as the book in my opinion and the Richie Benaud impersonation in particular was 10/10. Thanks for your service 'Harry', bloody legend.

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Not a shot fired in Anger

If you love cricket and don't like listening to combat action stories, you will love this book!

He talks mainly about cricket and his deployments, nothing about combat, you will hear the preparation of a mission, then how he gets to target, then he will say the mission was either a success or a failure, nothing about how it went down.

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Different Take on War in the Middle East

A great alternate take on SAS life and the role can sport play in war. If you like different takes on life in Defence this is a must listen.

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A Wonderful and Raw Account of Life in the SAS

I really enjoyed this book. It is honest and raw as the Author recounts his time in the SAS. He frames his story with his love of cricket and how it helped him cope, build relationships and maintain his compassion and connection to the world beyond the military. It delved into not only the challenges faced on the battlefield, but also on home life and being a husband and father. The stories are entertaining and told beautifully. Highly recommend.

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Honest and insightful

Really enjoyed the author’s honesty and self reflection about his broader life experiences in this book. Well done, Harry.

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A great book

I have little interest in cricket but could not put this book down!
A great read!

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Brilliant story beautifully told.

Brilliant. In the light of the recent Ben Roberts Smith allegations, this Anthony Moffatt story gives a genuine perspective of the real human pressures the SAS were and are, put under by politicians of both sides of politics, and how Australian’s must show empathy for these men. There for the grace of God, go I-We ALL have Human Fragility. People forget this.

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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.