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Warriors for the Working Day

Imperial War Museum Wartime Classics

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About this listen

May 1944, the Royal Armoured Corps prepares for the invasion of north-west Europe. Young and conscientious, Michael Brook is quickly promoted to tank commander. He must overcome not only his own fear, but the dissent and doubts of his ever-changing crew, as the war takes them over the Rhine and into Germany. The men encounter both jubilant civilians and stiff enemy resistance as the conflict exacts a heavy toll. 

Based on Peter Elstob's own wartime experience, Warriors for the Working Day brilliantly evokes the particular ferocity, heat and terror of tank warfare. This new edition of a 1960 classic features a contextual introduction from IWM which sheds new light on the true events that so inspired its author. 

©2020 The Trustees of the Imperial War Museums, The Estate of Peter Elstob (P)2020 Headline Publishing Group Ltd 20th Century Historical Fiction Military Fiction War Warrior

Critic reviews

"Few other novels of the war describe the grinding claustrophobia, violence and lethal danger of being in a tank crew with the stark vividness of Peter Elstob. It's possible to almost smell the fumes and sweat, while the intimate detail of operating such a beast and the camaraderie of the crew are utterly compelling. This is a forgotten classic that deserves to be read and read." (James Holland)
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The narrator was superb and the story was excellent. It told the story of WW2 from a very personal level. The tension of being in a tank must have been awful and it’s no wonder many veterans didn’t want to talk about.

Loved this story

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fantastically narrated and great descriptions of the life of a crew of British tankers facing down the German tanks and soldiers. Well worth listening

A great insight into the life of tankers in WW2.

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not really my thing fiction, I prefer non fiction. But ok for a story.

ok

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I've loved this book since I first read it back in the 70's and it's a joy to find it here. The performance is excellent and brings the characters to life. Obviously history has expanded on the events depicted but notwithstanding that the novel depicts events as the characters see them at the time.

However there is a big complaint with the ridiculous preface that's been stuck on by someone at the start of the narrative. Leaving aside some of the hopeless generalisations the IWM feel the need to make the preamble goes on to tell you what you're about to hear whilst telling the outcome of various events to individual characters. Utterly stupid. Skip the preface and listen to it once you've finished the excellent book.

Excellent but with a caution

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A good story, broadly telling the journey of the men who fought their way across Western Europe.
Really well narrated, bringing the real mix of characters from across the UK to life.

fantastic narration showing the best of audiobook

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