SAS Great Escapes by Damien Lewis

No food. No water. Out of ammo. Safety is south. But between there and here is 150 miles of barren desert – freezing at night, boiling in the day – populated solely by Ernst Rommel’s fearsome and deadly Afrika Corps.
What would you do? 
Give up? Or get on with it? 
For the seven SAS supermen in Damien Lewis’s explosive new audio exclusive, the answer was simple: Escape. Evade. Survive. From the mountains of Italy, to the deserts of Africa, these heroes epitomise the bravery, esprit de corps and daring do of Britain’s finest elite fighting force. 

Author Damien Lewis has written over a dozen books, topping best seller lists worldwide. His book Zero Six Bravo was a No.1 Best Seller, and another book, War Dog is being developed as a movie. 
Narration is performed by Leighton Pugh - a graduate of both Queens College Oxford and LAMDA, Pugh has a vast number of stage and radio credits alongside his significant experience as an audiobook narrator. 

Author Damien Lewis

More often than not, I listen to audio books to relax. I tend to go towards non-fiction and enjoy things that can accompany me on a quiet walk. So if, like me most of the time, you're looking for gently paced biographies, then maybe this isn't the audio book for you. 
However, if you want to be gripped by fascinating, thrilling and genuinely pulse racing stories of real-life escape, perseverence and survival, then this is a listen I cannot recommend enough. 
Seven stories of SAS servicemen in WWII - all true, all heart-poundingly exciting, and all of an equal quality - there are no stories that are worth skipping here. 
A lot of writing about military manouvres can be dry - focusing solely on the action but avoiding any elements of detail or worldl building. Author Damien Lewis doesn't skimp here - and this aspect combined with Leighton Pugh's stirring narration ensures that the listener is well and truly by the side of these brave men at every step of the action. 
Pugh has a slightly old fashioned sound to his voice, and it works fantastically well for these tales - reminding me of classic films like "Where Eagles Dare" and giving a real sense of authenticity to the WWII setting. 
Those who served in WWII are increasingly few among us now - and I think it is vitally important that writers are still bringing their stories to vivid life to ensure that our generations and those following us never forget the sacrifices these people made and the bravery they had in order to turn the tide of war. 
SAS Great Escapes is both a brilliant tribute and a stirring listen - just make sure to listen at a time when you're able to pause everything and continue listening, as none of these stories are at all easy to pause!
Many thanks to Midaspr and Audible for the copy of this fantastic audio book.