The Gurkhas: The Inside Story of the World's Most Feared Soldiers [Paperback]

John Parker (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 1, 2000

This book goes beyond the normal boundaries of military history. Travelling extensively in Nepal, John Parker has met many Gurkhas to investigate the background to their traditional service to Britain and the threat that this is now under. He recounts famous battles during which these fighters collected a huge number of VCs, earning worldwide admiration.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

John Parker is a former Fleet Street editor who has written many investigative books.

Product Details

• Paperback: 367 pages
• Publisher: Headline Book Publishing (June 1, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0747262438
• ISBN-13: 978-0747262435
• Product Dimensions: 6.8 x 4.4 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.5 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,732,206 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent bbok to read for all Gurkha lovers!!!, February 23, 2001

By 

chandra (Singapore, singapore Singapore) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Gurkhas: The Inside Story of the World's Most Feared Soldiers (Paperback)

Hi, One book you just want to read and keep on doing so.Kept reading it till i had to miss my meals until i finished it.It's a book that demonstrates the quality of these men, Gurkhas, their work and their deeds, it goes on to tell us about how these tough mean men are thoroughbred gentleman ,helping unfortunate ones in Hong Kong , Kosovo and so on.It is a book that at times made me cry that there are men out there who honour loyalty more than money in these selfish and greedy times of ours.God Bless them, and those who gave their lives for someone's else freedom.....

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Entertaining account of very brave men, December 5, 2000

By 

Nico Taudarian (England) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Gurkhas: The Inside Story of the World's Most Feared Soldiers (Paperback)

Is there anyone with an interest in militaria who has not heard of the Gurkhas ? Then let this book introduce you to the bravest men in any regiment of the British Army, with the most Victoria Crosses (highest British battle honour) to their name.

Packed with reminisences from the warriors themselves along with the author's competent overview and asides this is a fine testament to the men, their skill and their courage. Starting with the history of the first encounters between the Brits and the Gurkhas when they were on opposing sides in India, it continues with accounts of their Afghan frontier duties, exploits in two world wars and deployment in modern wars and in trouble zones such as Kosovo and Timor.

One of my favourite parts is the description of when a wounded Gurkha from a beseiged fort staggered to the British lines for medical treatment. The British treated him thinking this was a surrender whereupon he returned to the fort to take up his post and continue the fight leaving the Brits bemused and astounded by his bravado.

The Brits should consider themselves very lucky to have these brave and cheerful fighters on thier payroll and as the reviewer below points out, should better their pay right away. The Gurkhas may be the richest in Nepal but they don't have pay parity with Brit frontline troops as yet. And boy have they earned it.

14 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Quite a lot missing, April 5, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: The Gurkhas: The Inside Story of the World's Most Feared Soldiers (Paperback)

Though this is a well written book and brings out the strength,courage and determination of the Gorkhas,it has hardly a mention of their real exploits during service with the Indian army.Their battles during the Indo-pak wars,China and Kargil have been completely ignored.The British may have employed them once but they are and always were an integral part of the Indian army and this fact is not at all focussed upon.

If the Author had actually attempted to get information about their service in the Indian army,the book would have been thrice as large,twice as interesting and quite heart-stopping.It is really sad that the most obvious expectation from the book has completely been ignored.