Private Peaceful [Audio CD]

Product Details

• Audio CD
• Publisher: Recorded Books
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1419356143
• ISBN-13: 978-1419356148
• Product Dimensions: 6.7 x 6.3 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (39 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,323,942 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 Still waiting to be pardoned, May 21, 2006

By 

Patrick Turner "exDevon" (Canada) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Private Peaceful (After Words) (Mass Market Paperback)

This short book is set in two contrasting locations the uglyness and agony of the First World War as well as the main character's home enviroment, the Devonshire countryside. The book tells the tale of two brothers growing up in a poor but suportive home environment, which gets progressivly worse after the death of their father. It shows how the local gentry could force those without resourses to do as they were instructed. This conflict between the gentry and the working classes is one of the main motive forces in the story. Michael Morpurgo shows how ultimatly the older brothers refusal to be broken in spirit led to his undoing. A very well written and enjoyable book, not just for young adults. Its a book that speaks up for those soldiers who were put to death by the the officer corp of the British Army.

A final thought on this topic; Back in 1997 Tony Blair seeking election as the next Prime Minister made an election promise to give posthumous pardons to these men. to date he still has not delivered on this promise.

OK so in the end Blair came through with the pardon when he was needing a boost the polls just before an election if memory serves.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A Good Look at World War One, July 28, 2007

By 

Tamela Mccann "taminator40" (Nashville, TN USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Private Peaceful (After Words) (Mass Market Paperback)

Private Peaceful has a very interesting premise: Set against the backdrop of World War One, we follow brothers Charlie and Tommo as they grow up and subsequently enlist in Britain's army to fight the Hun. Each chapter begins sometime during a very long night as Tommo remembers all the adventures and trials he and his family endured together. Morpurgo does an excellent job of building suspense as we learn slowly that Tommo is dreading the coming of morning, though the reason is unclear until late in the book. By then, we are so emotionally vested in this story that the realization of what's coming is devastating.

Private Peaceful (Peaceful is the family name) is a short book that packs a wallop of emotion. However, at times Morpurgo doesn't move the story along as quickly as I'd like, though of course war itself is like that. Tommo doesn't waver in his commitments, whether to his brothers, his soldiering, or his love for his brother's wife; it's this love for Molly that I found immature on his part. The brothers are realistic in their devotion to each other, and Morpurgo is skilled in bringing us to the climax that tests those bonds.

Overall I enjoyed this book, though I felt it might have done a little better with Tommo being less focused on his own feelings. The book would make a great addition to a history teacher's repetoire; it illustrates the devastation of trench warfare and the unrealistic notions of young men enlisting to fight an unknown enemy. Ultimately packing a powerful punch, this is indeed a book I find easy to recommend.

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I kno im a kid, but i can say something important, January 13, 2005

A Kid's Review

This review is from: Private Peaceful (Booklist Editor's Choice. Books for Youth (Awards)) (Hardcover)

this book, i thought was touching and wonderfully written... the characters were insightful, and deep, and the plot was full of action, emotion, and even a little romance. i could not put this book down because it was really exciting...i smiled and cried....