Ken Lukowiak served with
2 Para in the Falklands in 1982. Just over 10 years later he wrote
this account of his experience of the war. A Soldiers Song is an
unforgettable contemporary classic, the real story behind the news reports
A Soldiers Song is one man's memories of the Falklands conflict, it conveys
an overwhelming sense of sadness, of a loss felt by people on both sides,
and those at home waiting for news all the return of their loved ones.
It makes you stop and reappraise conflict, the sheer human waste and the
fatality of the all.
Reviews
Lawrence rated this book
Excellent
It was turned into a superb play at the Edinburgh Festival a few years ago. Guy Masterson was superb and I believe he worked with
the author. I am not aware of it ever being re-staged but he is the link to the show from 1998 for anyone who is interested :-
http://www.theatretoursinternational.com/PastShows/PSDomestic/PSSS.htm Phil rated this book
Excellent
fantastic read, and i agree with someone who reviewed it before when they said it can make you happy and sad on the same page.
Above the institutionlised brutality of the Parachute Regiment evolved the cmaraderie that brought the soldiers together in a time of war.
It is a graphic tale of much that goes on and the author portrays his sometime distress at some of the events, like when he kills an Argentinian in a trench, and humor, where one paratrooper but a foot that had been blown off into another persons bergen, (rucksack).
It is a great read which has a different structure to most other books, as it starts off with him talking about life after the falklands and after the army, and then he talks about his time there.
It certainly is a must read...
James
McGrath rated this book
Excellent
Wow what a book, you feel
as if you are their with Ken you even get scared thats how good it is.
thank you 2 para
Dave
rated this book
Excellent
This book appears to be
a very honest and occasionally disturbing account of the Falklands War.
As an amateur historian, I believe an account of someone who witnessed
events at first hand (primary source) is invaluable to someone wishing
to understand the subject. Unlike some wartime reminiscences this includes
a description of Lukowiak's life prior to the war and how it affected him
after the event. This information can be more interesting and telling than
the description of the war itself. For example, accounts of Vietnam veterans
often include how people responded to them after the war and this provides
an interesting comparison. This book was very funny in places but the humour
often makes you wince and question why we find such gallows humour appealing.
It is a measure of the kind of man Lukowiak is that he can still joke about
his experiences and has not allowed them to get the better of him. Like
many personal accounts this contains graphic descriptions of deprivation
and suffering that are almost as bad as the actual fighting. Lukowiak's
writing style, and his sense of humour especially, made this a very readable
book but it also has some very serious points to make. I feel I learnt
from this book and enjoyed reading it. Highly recommended!
Jeff Smith rated this book
Excellent
Should be a compulsory read
for all.This book can make you both laugh and cry, sometimes on the same
page. It has indelibly stamped itself on my mind, and is as great a piece
of anti-war writing as I have read, for have no doubt, it is anti-war,
as should we all be.I have never read such a vivd portrayal of the horror
of taking a life, and the effects on the man who took it. As John Le Carre
is quoted to say on the cover of my copy 'Next time you hear your child
sing "Rule Britannia", read him this'. I( would also recommend Kens other
book "Marijuana time", as it is much lighter in tone, but a good portrayal
of everyday life in the Army for a Sqaddy landing in prime "Pot" country!
Jase rated this book
Excellent
I read this book while serving
in Bosnia, the sense of humour still runs through the British Army these
days, we still make the same mistakes and get caught out by the same gags.
Good stuff, better than your Bravo Two Zero nonsense
ex SAS soldier rated this
book
Excellent
I look forward to reading
"Mike Coburn's" now legal book SOLDIER 5 when it's finaly published. see
what really happened to Steve, Mal and the others.
Dan
Garcia rated this book
Excellent
I'm an Argentine citizen
who was 10 years old when he saw his countrymen go to fight for the Malvinas/Falklands.
Even though I was a young lad back then, I still have the images and feelings
of that time fresh in my mind. Ever since the war I've read almost every
book available on the subject, both in Spanish and English. I read Mr.
Lukowiak's book in 1995 and I have to say that it is one of the best books
I have ever read. Beyond bravery and cowardice, this book is an impressive
testimony of sincerity and humanity. At first it was difficult to read
what happened to our soldiers, "your enemy", but then you learn that everybody
who fights a war, regardless of nationality, is a victim, whether you win
or lose it. An excellent book. Crudely honest, the way of a soldier.
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