Winner of Best Memoir at the Parliamentary Book Awards 2020

'Dan Jarvis's story is a belter. It's about love, loss, courage and determination told with his customary modesty which fails to disguise the amazing man behind the story' Alan Johnson

Dan Jarvis is an MP and a Mayor, but this is not a book about politics. This is a book about service and family - specifically his time serving in the elite Parachute Regiment, and the tragic death of his wife Caroline.

Dan used to be a soldier, and although soldiering provides the backdrop to some of the book, what it is really about is love, life and death - and all the stuff that goes in between. It is about making decisions when under extreme pressure, about keeping calm, keeping going and keeping a smile on your face - well, most of the time, anyway. Specifically, it is about the two biggest challenges Dan faced and the way he tried to cope with them - taking on the Taliban in Afghanistan, and losing his wife to cancer at a tragically young age.

For a long time Dan did not feel ready or able to talk about it, but ten years on, he now wants to tell the story. From the mortal danger and nerve-tangling fear of night-fighting in Helmand province to the aching heartache of bereavement, this is a unique and compelling memoir by a man of courage and character. Though it has been a hard book for Dan to write, it is a gripping and inspiring one to read.

About the Author
Dan Jarvis is Labour MP for Barnsley Central and Mayor of the Sheffield City Region. He was an officer in the Parachute Regiment between 1997-2011, rising to the rank of Major before leaving the army to become an MP

Reviews
Dan Jarvis's story is a belter. It's about love, loss, courage and determination told with his customary modesty which fails to disguise the amazing man behind the story -- Alan Johnson
This is an incredibly moving memoir -- Dan Snow
A terrific memoir; moving, heartfelt and genuinely engaging -- Joanne Harris
Imagine going off to war only to lose the one you love back home - a raw and gripping account of coping with war, risk, grief and being a single dad -- Christina Lamb


Awards
Short-listed for Parliamentary Book Awards: Best Biography, Memoir or Autobiography by a Parliamentarian 2021 (UK).



Book Information
ISBN 9781408710722
Author Dan Jarvis
Format Hardback
Page Count 320
Imprint Little, Brown
Publisher Little, Brown Book Group
Weight(grams) 593g
Dimensions(mm) 236mm * 160mm * 36mm