BULLETS, BOMBS AND CUPS OF TEA. FURTHER VOICES OF THE BRITISH ARMY IN NORTHERN IRELAND 1969-98

Wharton, K. BULLETS, BOMBS AND CUPS OF TEA. FURTHER VOICES OF THE BRITISH ARMY IN NORTHERN IRELAND 1969-98

This is Ken Wharton's second oral history of the Northern Ireland troubles told again from the perspective of the ordinary British soldier. This book looks deeper into the conflict, utilising stories from new contributors providing revealing and long-forgotten stories of the troubles from the back streets of the Ardoyne to the bandit country of South Armagh. Ken Wharton - himself a former soldier - is now known and trusted by those who served and they are keen for their part in Britain's forgotten war to now be made public. For the first time, he tells the stories of the 'unseen victims' - the loved ones who sat and dreaded a knock at the door from the Army telling them that their loved one had been killed on the streets of Northern Ireland. There are more first hand accounts from the Rifleman, the Private, the Guardsman, the Driver, the Sapper, the Fusilier on the street as they recall the violence, the insults and the shock of seeing a comrade dying in the street in front of them. There is an explosive interview with a soldier who killed an IRA gunman who was fresh from the murder of two Royal Artillerymen. Building on the huge success of Ken's first book, this second volume will provide plenty of new material for the reader to reconsider afresh the role of Britain's soldiers in Northern Ireland.

In-stock and available! Helion & Company Ltd May 2009 ISBN 978-1-906033-34-7 Hardback 230mm x 145mm 544 pages c 150 b/w photos, maps
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Customer Reviews

*****
Absolutely brilliant Ken, well done again.
Reviewed by Mark "Ovey" Overson from Reading UK

This book is a brilliant read both funny and heart rendering at the same time. It really is quite surprising how quickly the old memories return after reading through this book, and also the manner, the clarity (and in some cases ferocity) in which they return. Well done Ken, once again you have done us all proud.

January 2010
****-
Like it Was!!!!
Reviewed by Kevin 'D' from Canada

I got involved with the writer on this second book. I was stationed at the mill in North Howard St with him and remember him well. Lovely chap with a Yorkshire accent but he writes the facts about NI;damn good read. Hope there's another book in him. Cheers, geezer.

September 2009
*****
Heartbreaking
Reviewed by Al Morris from Essex

Yorkie you were a brave little geezer in my time and proud to have served with you. Your book broke my heart but you told what was what. Good on you, you northern monkey; proud to know yer.

September 2009
*****
Andy Thomas
Reviewed by Andy Thomas from Essex

Ken has done a great job on the second book. He speaks for all of us who served there, brings back good and bad memories. In all whats happening nowadays, we are forgotten men. The one's who served in ulster!

August 2009
*****
wasi that young
Reviewed by dave bradwell from st cyrus,north east scotland

after the first book,i thought that would be it. but this one is excellent.already got people asking for twos up.
looking at my phoytoes in the book. i was so young.

August 2009
*****
Breathtaking
Reviewed by Helen (N. Wales) from Llandudno

After the first book which I got for my NI vet Dad, I thought nothing could be better. I was wrong; it brought the back the tears and heartbreak when my Dad was in Belfast; it made me cry. Well done to the author

July 2009
*****
BULLETS BOMBS AND CUPS OF TEA
Reviewed by mick copp from Portsmouth

KEN,well done mate you have done it again.Looking back now,i dont think any of us realised just how dangerous it was, butlike all squaddies we just got on with it.Its good to remember the many boys we left behind. Mick COPP.

June 2009
*****
B, B and cups of tea
Reviewed by Mick Pickford from Essex

Read it, now reading it again..making sure everyone at my place knows too..Our voice is getting louder and louder.....
And I would also like to say thanks to all the other voices in this book .A truly moving experience
Proud to call Ken a mate. And thanks to him, people like us can be heard, loud and clear.

June 2009
*****
'Once more into the breach'...
Reviewed by Peter Oakley from North Wales

Once again Ken Wharton has so expertly captured the very essence of Op Banner, his superb follow on from his book 'The Long Long War'.
Ranging from intense action to the dignity of the families left to endure the sorrow of the loss of their loved ones it encompasses, in every respect, a war. This excellent and well paced narrative is also a first class reference work for all who are interested in military and modern history.

June 2009
*****
Tim Francis
Reviewed by tim francis from Wales

I was privileged to contribute to this book,it is truly awesome and should be read by everybody especially politicians who continue to callously waste the lives of young men and women.
Well done mate.

June 2009
*****
Tell it as it is
Reviewed by Mark C from Belfast

Thanks again Ken for telling what it was really like for the ordinary soldier in Northern Ireland.

It gives the British public which is interested in Afghanistan at this time(and rightly so)an insight to this war, and it was,and to the cost to the British Army (approx 1300)

I contributed to this book and cant wait for number 3, keep up the good work, telling a story which has been forgotten by many, mainly the British Government.

June 2009
*****
awesome
Reviewed by kevin brummie wright from oxford

ken this dropped on the mat yesterday and been up all night. brilliant work you northern monkey. thanks for letting us be heard.

June 2009
*****
I can't put it down.....
Reviewed by Gerry Butcher from London

I would like to recommend Ken's new book to everyone, whether they had an involvement in the troubles or not. I received my book 10 hours ago and have not put it down. Again it gives the hidden insight.
I would like to thank Ken for adding my piece into his latest book. He has treated it with the greatest of compassion and the words that followed from the author were received with thanks.
This series of books should be on everyone's to read list.

June 2009
***--
bullets bombs and cups of tea
Reviewed by Brian Roberts from Tameside

After reading the first book by Ken. I look forward to the next with some minor inclusion of my own experences over the water,both book 2 and 3 are on order to ensure that I have them to show the civies that think we had parties every night.

June 2009
*****
Can't Wait
Reviewed by Kelvin Brown from Leicester

I hope the ordinary public who were very sceptical about the troops in N.I.
read what Ken has written and realise what we went through.

April 2009
*****
long long war
Reviewed by neil tad taylor from middlesbrough

i could not put the first one down this next one is eagerly awaited and can,t wait to get a copy
keep em coming ken there is still lots to tell and its all from the lads and lasses who were on the streets keep the memories alive lest we forget

April 2009
*****
MR
Reviewed by B. Roberts from Cheshire

Thanks for bringing every one thoughts and views of the way it was ,look forward to the next,plus I have contributed to the third book due out later this year.

March 2009
*****
Bombs, Bullets and Cups of Tea
Reviewed by MJ (Benny) Hill from Luton

Really moved by the first book, so I felt I had to contribute to the second. The second one should be even better, because word has got round, and people trust Yorky to tell it as WE saw it, completely unsanitsed and uncensored

February 2009
*****
Looking forward to this one!
Reviewed by Dave Maltby.B.E.M. from Warrington UK

Having read Ken's first book - twice over, I can't wait to the next one which I have pre-ordered. If the first one is anything to go by,and having made a few contributions to the second I am sure it will be another great read!

January 2009
*****
long wait
Reviewed by kevin (brummie) wright from abingdon

thanks ken for telling how it was. its been a long cold winter waiting for this second book. cannot wait to get my hands on it.

January 2009
*****
Great 1st book
Reviewed by Bri from Thornaby on Tees

My daughter asked me what it was like in N.I. I passed her Kens first book which was fantastic reading, looking forward to the next one.

January 2009
*****
Tim
Reviewed by Tim from Dorset

When the generations look back to the history of the Troubles in Northern Ireland they will pick up Kens books in library's and have a true account of what the British Army Regiments had to perservere. Well done Ken

January 2009
*****
Second Success
Reviewed by Darren Ware from Accrington, Lancashire

Ken tells me that this book will be better than his first.... the first was an excellent collection of stories and this has got to be a collection of equally as good stories of squaddies tough times... well done and I look forward to the read

January 2009
*****
Mrs
Reviewed by Mo from Greater Manchester

If this book is anywhere near as good as Ken's first book then I cjust annot wait to read it.

January 2009
*****
He's Done it Again
Reviewed by Mickey Lee from London

Well done, Yorkie and thanks for using my stuff. You've done it again; another superb book that doesn't pull any punches. You keep telling our stories. NI was s**t ! Lest we forget

January 2009
*****
Mick
Reviewed by Mick Pickford from London

Waiting for dispatch! Missed out on contributing to the first, but manage to get some in for the second. Ken, you are a legend for being able to to let the people know what it was really like. Despite what you have heard on the BBC! Good work Ken.

January 2009
*****
bullets bombs and cups of tea
Reviewed by Bill "spanner' Jones from Brisbane, Australia

As a contributor, I am looking forward to this book coming down under, I have a copy of a Long Long War and was a bit scared to read it, I know some of the people and events in the book first hand so persevered, glad i did.

January 2009
*****
bullets,bombs and cups of tea
Reviewed by B.Gallacher from Edinburgh

Having purchased the first book I will be definatley buying a copy of this one, I have no doubt it will be up to the same very high standard. The portrayal and personal accounts of individual soldiers on the ground are testimony to this long and bloody conflict. Having served on the streets with the R.A.F. Regiment during the early 70s I can vouch for the experiences good and bad shared by all. Well done Ken.

January 2009
*****
Ken's second book
Reviewed by Terry Friend from Letchworth

Ken's first book was awe inspiring to say the very least. I expect this one will be to the same, very high standards, as its predecesor. These stories definitely needed telling! And bless you Ken, for being the man to do it, and to bring them all out from the shadows, where they have been lurking for years!

January 2009
*****
A long time coming
Reviewed by jim from Scotland

Having read the first book I was inspired to submit something for this book and I hope others have done the same. I sometimes think of N.Ireland as our forgotton war so these stories are invaluable and may prompt a third book

January 2009
*****
A good read.....
Reviewed by Dave L from Leicester

If this book is anywhere near as good as the first: A Long Long War it will be a fantastic read. having read a small section sent to me by the author I know that it will be a fantastic read.

January 2009
*****
Superb Read
Reviewed by John Swaine from West Yorkshire

After reading Kens first book The Long Long War Im 100% sure this one will be as good if not better !!!! Did 2 Belfast Tours in 74 and 76 and these guys tell you what you have never heard before ** The truth and nothing but the truth ** Gripping Reading ** Well done again Ken **

January 2009
*****
Another Good One
Reviewed by Ken Cheshire from UK

Another good one from Ken 'Yorkie' Wharton. Plenty of Green Jackets in there which I like to see. Tells the forgotten stories

January 2009