This is an account of military adventures in the Middle East and Italy during World War 2. Its author makes an unlikely hero: a Belgian-born Russian, educated at Cambridge, he had spent most of his working life in the Egyptian sugar-refining industry, but only found true fulfilment during the war. Feeling himself to be an outsider, he desperately wanted to be accepted by the British army when war broke out in 1939. He enthusiastically lists his talents: "A good deal of technical and administrative experience - a few ...
Read More
This is an account of military adventures in the Middle East and Italy during World War 2. Its author makes an unlikely hero: a Belgian-born Russian, educated at Cambridge, he had spent most of his working life in the Egyptian sugar-refining industry, but only found true fulfilment during the war. Feeling himself to be an outsider, he desperately wanted to be accepted by the British army when war broke out in 1939. He enthusiastically lists his talents: "A good deal of technical and administrative experience - a few languages - some knowledge of most European countries and of the Middle East - I could fly a light single-engined plane, sail a small boat, drive a truck in the desert". It was not, however, until 1942 that the British army found a way to exploit these talents to the full: they created the smallest independent unit in the British army of just 23 men and put the author in charge. Provisional titles such as "No 1 Demolition Squadron", "Desert Raiders", and "Jebel Rats" were all rejected in favour of "Popski's Private Army", employing the nickname by which the author was always known to his comrades. Their role in the Middle East combined reconnaissance, intelligence work, and sabotage: "I would, I decided", writes Popski, "employ my unit in spreading alarm and despondency, a much-derided policy". A policy which they continued on crossing into Italy in 1943, where they operated behind enemy lines.
Read Less
Add this copy of Popski's Private Army to cart. $8.60, fair condition, Sold by ThriftBooks-Dallas rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Dallas, TX, UNITED STATES, published by The Reprint Society.
Add this copy of Popski's Private Army to cart. $15.75, very good condition, Sold by Ground Zero Books, Ltd. rated 5.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Silver Spring, MD, UNITED STATES, published 1980 by Nelson Doubleday, Inc.
Add this copy of Popski's Private Army to cart. $15.75, good condition, Sold by Ground Zero Books, Ltd. rated 5.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Silver Spring, MD, UNITED STATES, published 1980 by Nelson Doubleday, Inc.
Add this copy of Popski's Private Army to cart. $18.91, good condition, Sold by Yare Books rated 5.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Great Yarmouth, NORFOLK, UNITED KINGDOM, published 1953 by The Reprint Society.
Add this copy of Popskis Private Army (W&N Military) to cart. $19.34, very good condition, Sold by Greener Books rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from London, UNITED KINGDOM, published 2018 by W&N.
Choose your shipping method in Checkout. Costs may vary based on destination.
Seller's Description:
Very good. **SHIPPED FROM UK** We believe you will be completely satisfied with our quick and reliable service. All orders are dispatched as swiftly as possible! Buy with confidence! Greener Books.
Add this copy of Popski's Private Army to cart. $19.95, good condition, Sold by Wonder Book - Member ABAA/ILAB rated 5.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Frederick, MD, UNITED STATES.
Choose your shipping method in Checkout. Costs may vary based on destination.
Seller's Description:
Good. Good condition. No Dust Jacket (World War 2, Personal Narratives) A copy that has been read but remains intact. May contain markings such as bookplates, stamps, limited notes and highlighting, or a few light stains.
Add this copy of Popski's Private Army to cart. $21.48, fair condition, Sold by Wonder Book - Member ABAA/ILAB rated 5.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Frederick, MD, UNITED STATES, published 1975 by Academy Chicago Publishers.
Choose your shipping method in Checkout. Costs may vary based on destination.
Seller's Description:
Acceptable. Acceptable condition. A readable, intact copy that may have noticeable tears and wear to the spine. All pages of text are present, but they may include extensive notes and highlighting or be heavily stained. Includes reading copy only books. Bundled media such as CDs, DVDs, floppy disks or access codes may not be included.
Add this copy of Popski's Private Army to cart. $21.54, good condition, Sold by dromanabooks rated 5.0 out of 5 stars, ships from newstead, VIC, AUSTRALIA, published 1953 by Reprint Society.
Choose your shipping method in Checkout. Costs may vary based on destination.
Seller's Description:
Very Good-in Good dust jacket; Owner's name inside ffep. Yellowed paper. Jacket is worn at spine edges and cornertips. Map of North Africa on endpapers. Index. Author describes his experiences in a British Special Forces Unit he set up in 1942. Historic b/w photos of members and a jeep, set in Northern Africa, Libya and Italy. 500gms weight; 12mo 7"-7½" tall; 434 pages.
Add this copy of Popski's Private Army to cart. $22.69, very good condition, Sold by Jon A Sewell rated 3.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Rugby, UNITED KINGDOM (+44), UNITED KINGDOM, published 1975 by Mayflower.
Choose your shipping method in Checkout. Costs may vary based on destination.
Seller's Description:
Very good. paperback. Glued binding. 559 p. Audience: General/trade. UK paperback reprint, 1975 Mayflower. The book is in very good condition. Pages slightly tanned.
Add this copy of Popski's Private Army to cart. $23.68, good condition, Sold by Wonder Book - Member ABAA/ILAB rated 5.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Frederick, MD, UNITED STATES.
Choose your shipping method in Checkout. Costs may vary based on destination.
Seller's Description:
Good. Good condition. Good dust jacket. (World War 2, Biography) A copy that has been read but remains intact. May contain markings such as bookplates, stamps, limited notes and highlighting, or a few light stains. Bundled media such as CDs, DVDs, floppy disks or access codes may not be included.
