Lots of detail poor narration

The introduction is far too long and boring. The narration lacking, I could hear the dog barking and doors closing in the back ground. If you get passed the boring bits, there is a lot of good stuff in here but you need to get through that first. For a book like this I don’t understand why the author did the narration on the cheap.

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Excellent

The poor audio is worth humouring for the incredible content, good to have author read it themselves.

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Iconoclastic

Cdr Ward is a remarkable figure and this (alongside “Her Majesties’ Top Gun) are remarkable books.

He is fundamentally a fighter pilot and this book gives you a glimpse into what it must be like to lead a fighter squadron into combat.

Cdr Ward is fighting three wars, 1st against the RAF, second his superiors and colleagues in HMS Hermes and finally the Argentinians. You get the sense it’s in that order. After a bit the continual score settling will either make you chuckle or start to grate. I personally loved it.

This books is a remarkable and useful historical source. It’s also brilliant to be in the writers voice. Sure there are technical issues but I don’t care.

If you are interested in aviation for me this is a must listen.

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Great Story - Poor Delivery and Production

This is probably the definitive account of Sea Harrier operations during the Falklands conflict, well written, engaging and informative - however, “Sharkey” Ward is certainly no narrator and the poor production values makes this a very difficult listen - Audible should be ashamed of themselves for allowing this to be released without some serious editing/re-recording…. on balance, disappointing

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Excellent piece of history, poorly narrated.

Having read the book some time ago I thought it would be good to hear this book in the author's own voice as generally this is how one really gets to know what authors were thinking or intending to convey when they wrote it. The generally exciting and gripping account of the air war (even if one ignore the various historic differences of opinion about it's 100% accuracy, and his obvious loathing of the RAF!), is sadly let down by generally poor narration.

Commander Ward does not come across as a natural speaker (or narrator), and at times it sounds like his own material catches him by surprise or that he is reading it for the first time. There are numerous mis-pronunciations, stumbles over the text, and generally odd intonations and phrasing. This, coupled with the repeated clicking of his mouse, background noises including dogs barking, birds chirping and other household background sounds suggests that this production would have benefited from the services of a good producer/director and some serious editing effort, if not being recorded in a proper studio!

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By far, the best book of its kind

This is one of those unique works where the author and its subject can not be separated, just like a fighter pilot strapping on his/her aircraft. Commander Ward has created the ultimate text book for the students, planners and practicioners of modern tactical aviation at sea and from the sea in the 20th and 21st centuries. His unique personality, experience, work and drive, demonstrate, again, that the right man in the right place can alter the course of history. Listening to him, in the audible version of the book adds a "supernatural" dimension to the reader's experience. Semper Fi, Sir.

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A gripping account let down by poor production

Commander Nigel Sharkey Ward pulls no punches and in this gripping saga of the sea Harrier over the Falklands in 1982, he tells it as it should’ve been told! He has written this book in the same way but he flew the Shah…. By the seat of his pants! Does not hold back when laying blame other mistakes made during the conflict no Jozy hesitate when it comes to pointing out the failings of the British military area at that time and since is it especially with Rick attack on the Royal Air Force opened my eyes to the battles not only fought in the South Atlantic also him Whitehall between the services!

However the downside to this is that the production value is not very good Commander Ward decrease in the book himself from his home in Granada, however there is lots of background noise from dogs barking to birds chirping and even the occasional industrial Noise and that of passing traffic! This at times left me frustrated I hope audible will consider getting Nigel into a studio to re-record it for getting a professional narrator

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Fairly good, but the recording is annoying!

Get used to hearing a mouse-click every 30 seconds, or a dog barking... obviously recorded in someone's study, so you've got to get used to the background noise! Otherwise enjoyable, will no doubt revisit in the future

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amazing story really let down by audio

sharkeys exploits and battles of the Falklands are truly awe inspiring and the level of detail in this book is very impressive. But the narration ruins it !!
There are dogs barking birds singing and at one point a constant squeal in the background makes it a very difficult listen. Battle through and you will be happy you did but sort it out this should not have made it to sale the quality of the sound is so poor

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entertaining

Might want to revise the bit about Prince Andrew being a gentleman in light of recent revelations

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