Coward on the Beach, Vol. 1

A splendid and captivating novel. That is, once you overcome the initial confusion caused by so many historic events being piled up one after another (reminds a bit the way the One Thousand and One Nights stories are intertwined and gives hope that a good many sequels will soon follow the book). Having lived a long and eventful life myself, I can only sympathize with the storyteller's struggle to overcome his hearers's natural prejudice: so many adventures simply cannot happen to anyone! In any other novel, I most enjoy those that meet meet a few basic criteria: twists in the plot should be hard to predict, characters should be realistic and you should be able to learn something abt the "real life" as well. I'm glad to report that Coward on the Beach does indeed meet all three of these demands. As James delingpole has evidently done his research well, you can get a good glimpse into the world of Allied soldier's doings around D-Day. Explanations and references at the back of the book make it even more enjoyable. The only downside of having now read the book is, of course, that it is not easy to wait for the sequel to arrive. :)

Since his death earlier this year, I have mourned the passing of George MacDonald Fraser and the death of Harry Flashman, to both of whom I am indebted for many, many hours of enjoyment and much learning. I am glad now to become acquainted with Mr. James Delingpole and Dick Coward, who have begun exceptionally well and hold out the promise of a series as informative and entertaining as Sir Harry's adventures.

I just finished this after having bought it in the U.K. and recommend this heartily. The back says "A Welcome Corrective to Spielberg" and this is true. The incredible madness of D-Day is the backdrop for the story of Dickie Coward's experiences with the 47th Commandos. The characters are real, the narration is in the first person in the form of a recorded autobiography for his grandson, and the military details are excellent. Did I mention that it's very funny? Think of Harry Flashman (minus the enflamed libido; Coward is befuddled with women) or Sharpe (minus the tortured soul)in World War II. Coward, it seems, as served in Burma, been captured by the Japanese, in the Eastern Front with the Wehrmacht, in North Africa with Monty and the 8th Army. All of these mentioned in asides that suggest a series, along with Sergeant Price, a veteran of the trenches, as his batman and continued life-saving father figure. Price, of course, served with Coward's father in WWI. Readers enthusiastic for details of real commando raids, for a picture of what it was like on Gold Beach, and into the Normandy hedgerows, will be very satisfied. Readers who know little of the subject, and find non-fiction accounts a bit boring, will learn far more than they ever expected while being hugely entertained.