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Losing the Battle, Winning the War

The story of the most injured soldier to have survived Afghanistan

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Losing the Battle, Winning the War

By: Ben Parkinson
Narrated by: Gareth Bennett-Ryan
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The story of Ben Parkinson, MBE, the most injured soldier to have survived Afghanistan.

What were you doing when you were 22? Where were you in the world? What did you want to do with your life?

Ben Parkinson was a six-foot-four-inch paratrooper. He was in Afghanistan fighting for his country. He wanted to always be a soldier, to be a father and to get home in one piece. But we don't always get what we want. So the question is: how do we react when that happens? Easy: you find something new to fight for.

Ben Parkinson, MBE, is an inspiration to everyone. He suffered 37 injuries when his Land Rover hit a mine in Helmand in 2006, including brain damage, breaking his back and losing both his legs. This book follows the story of what led him to that moment his life changed forever - and what happened next. Doctors didn't think Ben could survive the trauma - then they didn't think he would wake up, or talk again, or walk again. Time after time, Ben pushed the ceiling on what was possible, going on to carry the Olympic flame in 2012 and receiving an MBE for the enormous feats he has undertaken for charity.

What he has achieved in the face of adversity - for others as well as for himself - is nothing short of a miracle. Nerve-wracking, heart-warming and full of classic soldier's humour, Losing the Battle, Winning the War is a book you'll be thinking about long after the last word.

©2021 Ben Parkinson (P)2021 Hachette Audio UK
Afghan & Iraq Wars Military Military & War People with Disabilities Personal Development Personal Success Solider War Inspiring Heartfelt Feel-Good Thought-Provoking
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Critic reviews

"A great and inspiring book from Doncaster's bravest son. Read it in a day." (Jeremy Clarkson)

"Ben is the embodiment of positive thinking. What he has achieved, in large part through willpower, is nothing short of miraculous. An inspiration to us all." (Ant Middleton)

"Ben Parkinson is my hero. His story is one of immeasurable courage and character, a testament to the extraordinary resilience of the human spirit." (Dan Jarvis, MP, author of Long Way Home)

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I seen Ben on the news yesterday morning and has to listen to the book. he's an inspirational bloke who's life story has left a positive effect on me. I would recommend this to anyone. less than 36 hrs late the book is finished.

amazing

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Well you will laugh, cry an be angry. A gripping account of not just Ben but the wider family. The humour an some of it dark is funny an well placed. The points of anger I found myself feeling when listening to bastions of care an the ensuing failings. A truthfully honest insight to the highs an lows an epic bits in between. What a man. What a family. Done the unthinkable took the mod on an won. Epic book.

Roller coaster! Couldnt turn it off.

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As an amputee myself & also coming from Doncaster I’ve followed Ben’s recovery & successors since he was injured. This book filled in a lot that was unknown, disgusting how he was treated & written off by certain people & facilities. He’s a brave committed guy who we’re all proud of in Doncaster. His Mum Diane is a credit to all strong determined Mum’s fighting for her son & never taking No. Rudy in Chapter 30 is a legend I laughed so much at him & grateful for giving Ben his laughter back.

A must for everyone.

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Truly horrific listening to the lack of aftercare that Ben received. As ex forces could really relate to the banter

Brilliant book

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I couldn't put it down, this man is a hero of mine and to hear it from his words moved me to the core.

Absolutely Brilliant.

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