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Covenant with Death

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Covenant with Death

By: John Harris
Narrated by: Mike Rogers
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About this listen

They joined for their country. They fought for each other.

When war breaks out in 1914, Mark Fenner and his Sheffield friends immediately flock to Kitchener's call. Amid waving flags and boozy celebration, the three men - Fen; his best friend, Locky; and self-assured Frank, rival for the woman Fen loves - enlist as volunteers to take on the Germans and win glory.

Through ramshackle training in sodden England and a stint in arid Egypt, rebellious but brave Fen proves himself to be a natural leader, only undermined by ongoing friction with Frank. Headed by terse, tough Sergeant Major Bold, this group of young men form steel-strong bonds, and yearn to face the great adventure of the Western Front.

Then, on one summer's day in 1916, Fen and his band of brothers are sent to the Somme, and this very ordinary hero discovers what it means to fight for your life.

Stirringly told from the down-to-earth view of everyday soldiers, Covenant with Death is acclaimed as one of the greatest novels about war ever written.

©1961 John Harris (P)2014 Hachette Audio Classics Fiction Genre Fiction Historical Fiction War & Military War Heartfelt Inspiring Tear-jerking Thought-Provoking Military

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All stars
Most relevant  
Eye opening, fantastic telling of events leadong upto the beginning of the somme of a bunch of friends from Sheffield willing to join the army to save their country.

A must listen.

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The first memoir I have read from ww1 and it. Makes you want to weep. 778 men reduced to 78 men and not one officer in 10 minutes. Well worth a listen.

Moving

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As a current serving Soldier and a Yorkshire man I could easily relate to all the characters in the book! Wonderfully written and researched the characters resemble something similar to my “oppos” I work with some likeable, some annoying (but you have to put up with) and of course the Sgt Maj, who everyone despises but deep down respects and loves.
The narrator brings the story to life, beautiful regional accents are used and he immerses you into the story.
There are parts where you will laugh out loud and parts which wrench at your gut and make you stop to soak in the realities of war.
A must read for anyone who is serving, have loved ones who serve and a marvellous insight to the comradeship and horrors of war!
5 stars - a must read

Fantastic Book

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This has always been my favourite novel about WW1. I first read it 30 or 40 years ago and since then many more times. The description of events makes me feel as though I was one of the ordinary people being described. However, I know in reality I would never have been a match for their courage. The lives of the members of this fictional battalion are sensitively described.
I wondered how I’d feel about listening to it on Audible. Would it be as good as reading the book? For me it exceeded my expectations. The narrator was perfect. I thoroughly recommend this book.

A brilliant book

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Right from the beginning the characters become like acquaintances. While the outcome is inevitable the story in compelling throughout and I commend the narrator who really made this book for me. I've just finished it and quite honestly still fell quite shocked and moved. Will certainly listen again and again. This is a book that was recommended by the late, great, Christopher Hitchens, as a must read. I wholeheartedly agree.

Gripping, immersing, impactful.

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Every general and politician should be tied down and forced to listen to Chapter 18 on loop.

devastating

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I read this book 40 years ago, and hearing it just now it has lost none of its genius and impact. It still makes you weep.

As good as ever

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A truly moving story by a survivor of the Somme
Special for me as my father spent his 16th birthday there having lied about his age

Truly moving account

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Both well written and read, this book will never go out of date. In this centennial year it is a timely reminder of what we owe to the characters in this remarkable book. Definitely worth a read.

If you liked Birdsong, this is for you

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Covenant with Death is, in my opinion, one of the all-time classic War stories, up there with All Quiet on the Western Front in bringing the First World War down to a personal level. I have read John Harris' novel two or three times and this recording by Mike Rogers does it full justice.

Colleagues from a newspaper in a Yorkshire city (not named but clearly Sheffield) are imbued with patriotism at the outbreak of war. As they train, face the inevitability of fighting and then arrive, eventually, on the Western Front, the scales gradually clear from their eyes as they realise that the only way this war will be over by Christmas is for them personally, by bullet, shell or bayonet.

It is a story of comradeship, naivety, duty and, above all, courage. Two years in the making, ten minutes on the destroying. That was the history of the Pals Battalions on the first day on the Somme, encapsulated in this book. Mike Rogers' laconic delivery suits the character of the protagonist, Mark Fenner, to a tee.

It is an epic sorry with an emotionally charged finale. Listen and remember.

Classic War story

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