This is a Short Story Book with A Difference: It has 113 true stories in it that show what it was like to live in a GIANT BUBBLE called the 2nd World War. Many of the stories describe the emotional and physical cost of a World War on the British people who were forced to endure almost 6 years of continuous fighting. Numerous individuals chose to suppress their emotions by adopting the famous British 'stiff upper lip' while struggling with their inner fears. It wasn't the best solution; it was the only solution under the circumstances. By doing so it provided them with the sufficient inner strength to keep going through the unknown, for that's what their lives were like during this period, completely unknown and living on the edge day by day. Death was frequently perched on their shoulders, taunting and mocking them. Especially those in the military who lived through the terrible nightmare that was the daily carnage in the front line, because they knew that tomorrow could easily be their last day on earth. It was an abnormal existence dealing with their own mortality, and many succumbed to what was known at the time as 'shell shock,' and by the end of the war it was too much of a burden for countless men and women and was a contributing factor in many suicides in a society where being outwardly strong was considered to be an important asset.

About the Author
Roger Payne served in Britain's elite Parachute Regiment from 1960 to 1969 He and his family then moved to Australia where he enlisted in the Australian Army as a physical training instructor training National Servicemen for Vietnam. He remained in the Army until 2003 by which time he was Chief Instructor of physical training to the Corps of Infantry. During this time he was awarded the highest's decoration a serviceman can get, the Chief of the Defence Force Commendation. A year later he was awarded one of the highest awards an Australian citizen can get, The Order of Australia. He is still the only serviceman to be awarded both.


Book Information
ISBN 9789388161909
Author Roger Payne OAM
Format Hardback
Page Count 488
Imprint VIJ Books (India) Pty Ltd
Publisher VIJ Books (India) Pty Ltd