Author:Chris Parry
Down South by Chris Parry - one man's astonishing diary of war in the Falklands
'A gripping account of heroism - and chaos - in the South Atlantic' Mail on Sunday
'Compelling, gripping. A vividly written, thought-provoking and engaging account' The Times
In 1982 Lieutenant Chris Parry sailed aboard destroyer HMS Antrim to liberate the Argentine-occupied Falkland Islands. Parry and his crew, in their Wessex helicopter, were soon launched into action rescuing an SAS party stuck on a glacier in gales that had already downed two others. Soon after they single-handedly pursued and fatally wounded a submarine before taking part in terrifying but crucial drop landings under heavy fire. Down South is a hands on, day-by-day account of war fought in the most appalling conditions by men whose grit and fighting spirit overcame all obstacles.
This important and extraordinary book of recent history will be enjoyed by readers of Antony Beevor and Max Hastings.
'Gripping. A graphic description of just how they pulled off a real-life Mission Impossible' Daily Express
'Excellent. A fascinating war diary' Daily Telegraph
'Vivid and insightful. Parry excels in revealing the day-to-day challenges of fighting a campaign in hostile surroundings' Financial Times
'A truly gripping historical account' Niall Ferguson
'A priceless contribution to military history. Riveting' Literary Review
Chris Parry joined the Royal Navy after university and then became an Observer in the Fleet Air Arm in 1979. After the Falklands War he had a successful career in the navy, and on promotion to Rear Admiral in 2005 he became the Ministry of Defence's Director of Developments, Concepts and Doctrines. He was appointed a CBE in 2004. Now retired from the armed services, he heads a company which specializes in geo-strategic forecasting.
No Easy Day amounts to a cinematic account of the raid to kill Bin Laden: you feel as if you're sitting in the Black Hawk as it swoops in.
—— New York TimesA blistering first-hand account
—— The SunWonderfully nostalgic and magical
—— Easy LivingA charming and affecting memoir
—— Sunday Express, Books of the YearAn extraordinary tale
—— Sarah Crompton , Daily TelegraphFrom the Blitz to Sadler's Wells, this is a charming portrait of passion and dedication, set against the difficulties of war
—— Woman & HomeA captivating story beautifully told ... and what an inspiration for anyone who dreams of a life on the stage
—— Cat DeeleyDance historians will be as charmed by this sidelight on dance as ambitious girls will be inspired by Lynne's description of the dancer's life as an amalgam of "the Impossible and the Spiritual all wrapped up with a ribbon of passion
—— Iain Finlayson , The TimesSincere and unpretentious... She paints [...] a picture of austerity Britain in which ballet was a supremely glamorous career path.
—— Rupert Christiansen , Literary ReviewA charming and moving portrait of a wartime childhood and an extraordinary account of what it takes to make it on stage ... I couldn't put it down
—— Elaine PaigeAn intriguing and moving account of a young girl's balletic ambitions during wartime. Wonderfully readable, spirited and honest
—— Derek JacobiI loved this book ... her energy, enthusiasm and passion are present in every line, and her commitment to the theatre and her determination to excel make for a fascinating and thoroughly absorbing read.
—— Dame Monica Mason , Director of the Royal BalletThis is a remarkable book which I read overnight. It's gripping, touching, eye-opening and pitch perfect about a period of time almost lost from view. Gillian Lynne's tenacity's palpable from the outset. Definitely one to savour and treasure.
—— Gloria HunnifordIn A Dancer in Wartime, Gillian Lynne canters through her amazing experiences like the thoroughbred she is
—— Sir Ian McKellenA warm, affectionate portrait of the ballet world, and of success tinged with sadness
—— Sally Morris , Daily MailThrilling
—— LadyUtterly fascinating, and grippingly well-written. With extraordinary skill Wade Davis manages to weave together such disparate strands as Queen Victoria's Indian Raj, the 'Great Game' of intrigue against Russia, the horrors of the Somme, and Britain's obsession to conquer the world's highest peak
—— Alistair HorneDavis’ descriptions of the trenches – the bodies, the smell, the madness – are some of the best I’ve ever read
—— William Leith , ScotsmanSheds new light on history that we thought we knew... meticulously detailed and very readable
—— David Willetts , New StatesmanThe miracle is that there isn’t a dull page. As it moves towards its deadly climax, the story hangs together as tightly as a thriller. Into the Silence is as monumental as the mountain that soars above it; small wonder that it won the 2012 Samuel Johnson prize for non-fiction … Once you start wandering the snowy passes with Mallory and the lads, you won’t want to come down again. There can be no better way, surely, to spend a week in winter
—— Arminta Wallace , Irish TimesHe sees the climbers as haunted dreamers, harrowed by their desperate experiences in the First World War, living amid romantic dreams of Imperial grandeur and the elemental, sublime grandeur of the mountain
—— Steve Barfield , LadyThis is the awesomely researched story of Mallory, Irvine and the early Everest expeditions. It puts their efforts and motivations into the context of Empire and the first world war in a way I don’t think previous books have ever managed
—— Chris Rushby , Norfolk MagazineA vivid depiction of a monumental story…Wade Davis’ passion for the book shines through and I can only hope that his next book doesn’t take as long to write as I will certainly be reading it
—— Glynis Allen , Living North