The Last Charge of the Australian Light Horse cover art

The Last Charge of the Australian Light Horse

From the Australian bush to the Battle of Beersheba - an Epic Story of Courage, Resilience and Derring-Do

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The Last Charge of the Australian Light Horse

By: Peter FitzSimons
Narrated by: Richard Bligh
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About this listen

On 31st October 1917, as the day's light faded, the Australian Light Horse charged against their enemy. Eight hundred men and horses galloped four miles across open country, towards the artillery, rifles and machine guns of the Turks occupying the seemingly unassailable town of Beersheba. What happened in the next hour changed the course of history.

This brave battle and the extraordinary adventures that led to it are brought vividly to life by Australia's greatest storyteller, Peter FitzSimons. It is an epic tale of farm boys, drovers, bank clerks, dentists, poets and scoundrels transported to fight a war half a world away, and is full of incredible characters: from Major Banjo Paterson to Lawrence of Arabia; the brilliant writer Trooper Ion Idriess and the humble General Harry Chauvel; the tearaway Test fast bowler 'Tibby' Cotter and the infamous warhorse, Bill the Bastard. All have their part to play in the enthralling, sprawling drama of the Australian Light Horse.

Theirs was a war fought in an ancient land with modern weapons; where the men of the Light Horse were trained in sight of the pyramids, drank in the brothels of Cairo and fought through lands known to them only as names from the Bible.

The Last Charge of the Australian Light Horse traces the hard path of the Light Horse from the bleakest of starts - being deprived of their horses and fighting at Gallipoli in the tragic Battle of the Nek - to triumph and glory in the desert. Revealing the feats of the Australians who built the legend, it is a brilliantly told tale of courage, resilience and derring-do from Australia's favourite storyteller.

©2023 Peter FitzSimons (P)2023 Hachette Australia Pty Ltd
Animals Military

What listeners say about The Last Charge of the Australian Light Horse

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Astonishing history of Australian spirit

A quite vivid story depicting a long way travelled by Australian mounted troopers to, through and from the Middle East fulfilling their duty to the British Empire. I got to know the huge piece of history of Europe and the Middle East in the beginning if 20th century and I like it.

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Iconic story

Ingenuity, persistence, and courage on horseback! This story gives a wonderful illustration of Australia’s Light Horse in WWI, with a considered and thoughtful prelude to the charge at Beersheba to set the scene and give some real insight into the soldiers themselves. I love Peter’s storytelling style and the narration was well suited.

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Fascinating Historical account of our fellow Aussie’s

What an amazing fascinating historical account of the ANZACs that most people would have no idea about! A must read for every Aussie and Kiwi

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The planning and execution of masterful mlitary strategy

The story - it was so well researched and often told in the voices of the people that were there.
The respect and at times the lack of it for others that they were fighting with, supporting them (including the medicos and their horses), their officers and their enemy.
The narrator - an excellent job.

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A great story of a great Australian event

Sometimes a bit dragged out but all in all kept me listening and enjoying it

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Magnificent story of our Light Horse.

I wanted to listen to this as soon as I saw it’s impending release. My grandfather was in the West Australian 10th Light Horse. He was there. He came home.
My ancestors served in WW1 & WW2.
I have never had a true account of that campaign. This book goes into such great detail and story telling. The characters, the terrain, the Walers, the men. Peter has done justice to their achievements and legacy. Great work mate. Hurrah!

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True Aussie hero’s.

Another great historical read. Our Aussies were truly a remarkable and gritty bunch of hero’s.
Lest we forget🇦🇺

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Engrossing

History is depicted in a way that transports the reader through time and space to be captured by the epic journeys of the individuals and collective whole.

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Brilliant book

Another great read from the Master story teller of our age, cant wait for your next one

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Makes the drive past the light horse exchange more meaningful !

Great story with great characters. Makes the drive past the light horse exchange on the m4 much more meaningful !

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In the spirit of reconciliation, Audible acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea and community. We pay our respect to their elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today.