Entertainment For Lively Minds
"They tried to make me go to Sangin, I said no, no, no". At war with the iPod generation in Afghanistan.
In the same week the British army sustained major casualties in Afghanistan I recorded a podcast with Patrick Hennessey (pictured on and off-duty above), author of "The Junior Officers' Reading Club: Killing Time And Fighting Wars", which is climbing a best-seller list near you right now. The book's about his time as a Guards officer serving in Iraq and Afghanistan. But it's not the usual military memoir. It's about young blokes who were born in the 80s, go to war with their iPods, unwind between actions with DVD sets of "Band Of Brothers", plaster their huts with posters of Girls Aloud and compare the experience of being under fire with the disorientation of a really noisy club. Hennessey's a bloke who joined up knowing that he was a lot more likely to see action than earlier generations and got out just before he got addicted to that action and is now training for the law. After we spoke he set off down the Strand on his pushbike. He looked like any bloke in his twenties with a trendy haircut in cargo pants. You wouldn't look at him and think "combat veteran".
You can subscribe to our podcast stream here or just stream this interview below.
These extra curricular podcasts are getting better and better.
I think this is the best one yet.
In common with many people, I struggle to articulate the often conflicting feelings that I have about the wars our country is currently engaged in. One tends to fixate on the politics and the ideologies in play, and consequently speak in broad terms. This point of view overlooks the perspectives of the individuals who are out there fighting, and who are better qualified than most to elaborate on what is working and what isn't. It's good to hear from people like Patrick who actually have been there.
I would have quite like to have heard his opinion of Generation Kill.
Generation Kill
That was my first thought too.
Proper journalism
Brilliant programme. Chapeaux Heppo
If you enjoyed Generation Kill...
...you might like The Hurt Locker. I did:
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0887912/
"Combat veteran"
Ongoing country-dogs interface scenario.
Great
podcast.
Top Stuff
He's right about Zoo, FHM, etc. While working on both titles, we would be deluged with letters from our boys in Iraq/Helmand. Makes you wonder how the old Tommies ever managed without such reading material while fighting Johnnie Foreigner in days of yore.
.
I know it's wrong...
But I've found myself wondering who that is in the poster behind him. I'm assuming it's someone well known, because it's so big but I don't think it's a Girls Aloud. Madonna? Britney?
I'll get me kevlar.
Lucy Pinder
Or maybe Keeley. One of that crew anyway.
My attempts...
... to confirm this via Google Images have resulted in disciplinary action, divorce, homelessness and sadly, alas, to suicide.
but doesn't he sound (and look)
just like Ben Fogle...You sure this isn't a puff piece for a new prog he's done with James Cracknell? GRUFF VOICE": you've seen them in Through Hell and High Water, and then On Thin Ice, now they return once more to struggle; Through Desert Sands"
Ben Fogle
is taller.
I thought he sounded like Hugh Grant.
That poster
Isn't it Kevin Rowland?
it is, isn't it?
http://buzzworthy.mtv.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/04/img_10.jpg
Terrific podcast
Hats off to Mr. Hepworth for asking some good questions and then sitting back to let the articulate and thoughtful Patrick Hennessey talk. A very entertaining and informative listen - well done.
Listened to this one this morning
you summed up my thoughts exactly, Mark.
Excellent podcast
I too have doubts about the wisdom of some of this country's military engagements. But you can't knock the bravery and professionalism of the people tasked with carrying them out. Great interview. So much better than the rushed sensationalist nonsense that's all too common on TV and radio.
sorry
I wandered in here by mistake
Music and the 'predator' mindset
There was a piece on the Today programme about a study of US soldiers and their music listening habits:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/today/hi/listen_again/newsid_8158000/8158772.stm
excellent podcast
that's all really
Excellent
Top podcast, it prompted me to read Hennessy's book and it's an outstanding read.Thanks for bringing it to my attention.
Hope you are able to offer future podcasts in a similar fashion.