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A Life of Choice: Part Two Kindle Edition
(Please note, A Life of Choice: The Trilogy Edition is the same story, reduced to three paperback books for those who for whatever reason, do not use digital reading devices).
A four-month tour in troubled Northern Ireland can teach people a lot about themselves.
Jim Faulkner returns to Dortmund but falls back into his old ways. He leaves the unit under a cloud, volunteering to return to Northern Ireland.
A variety of opportunities open up socially and at work.
Will Jim settle in his new role, or will alcohol become a major part of his life again?
Is Jim shaping up as a soldier and tradesman—and a man?
- LanguageEnglish
- Publication dateMay 10, 2016
- File size974 KB
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Product details
- ASIN : B01FIK4D90
- Publisher : Tom Benson; 30221st edition (May 10, 2016)
- Publication date : May 10, 2016
- Language : English
- File size : 974 KB
- Simultaneous device usage : Unlimited
- Text-to-Speech : Enabled
- Screen Reader : Supported
- Enhanced typesetting : Enabled
- X-Ray : Not Enabled
- Word Wise : Enabled
- Print length : 407 pages
- Customer Reviews:
About the author
In 1969 at the age of 17, Tom left his native Glasgow to join the British Army. Tom’s military career spanned from 1969 to 1992. He followed this with a career in Retail Management, in which he was employed from 1992 to 2012.
Tom has been writing since 2007.
He has published novels, anthologies of short stories, a five-part novel, a variety of erotica books, and a series of genre-based poetry.
Tom is presently working on more novels.
www.tombensonauthor.com
www.tombensoncreative.com
www.tombensonerotica.wordpress.com
Customer reviews
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Learn more how customers reviews work on AmazonTop reviews from the United States
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- Reviewed in the United States on May 1, 2019This is a fine continuation from pt1 of this series. Unlike the shy and reserved Jim Faulkner of before, our young recruit is now much more typical of your average young squaddie - a likeable and promising soldier but also a hard drinking, smoking, self-assured, and after a few trips to sample the local off-camp nightlife, a more 'worldly' young man. We also see much more of Jim Faulkner's struggle to balance the demands of a military career with those of his personal life and relationships.
After having a established a reputation for being fond of a drink (or ten) there is a poignant and moving episode early on where an older comrade, Mick, pulls Jim aside and uses himself as an example of the dangers of falling into the heavy drinking culture of army life, subtly warning him of the danger of missed opportunities and promotion, and not ending up the same way. Another touching and perhaps prophetic moment is Jim Falkner's encounter with an older woman whilst on leave, promising to mention and remember her in his memoirs should he ever decide to write them.
In pt1 the author took the time to explain most of the military terminology, and so, much of that used here needs no further explaining. There is, of course, a lot more used in this second part (now that Jim is 'doing the job for real' even if he is still learning), which the author doesn't explain, but given this series is about a man's life and experiences in both his military and personal life rather than just a 'who's who' and 'what's what' of the army, it really doesn't detract from the enjoyment and flow of events.
Although another fine instalment, this chapter of Jim Faulkner's life doesn't (for me) quite live up to that of the first part (more a 4.8 or 9 than an easy 5*). This is no reflection of the writing or content, but possibly more to do with my own experience; much of the book here includes a lot of what I would call the nitty gritty of army life and Jim's first overseas posting, much of it quite specific to his own regiment/trade, and I found myself skimming over some parts of it - for a civilian reader (or indeed a fellow signalman), I imagine this aspect would have held greater interest, so ironically, this may be an instance of a non-military reader enjoying this part of the series more than their ex-military conterparts (scaleys excepted of course lol). In stark contrast to this, Jim Faulkner sees for the first time some of the sharp-end of military service on the streets of Belfast, where pretty much everyone who toured there did more than their share of front-line soldiering and patrols - whatever your trade or regiment, everyone doubled as infantrymen too.
Overall, another first-class effort blending fact and fiction, bringing Jim's story to life, and again, countless memories for some and providing a moving and realistic account of military life for others. It's good to read a genuinely authentic 'fictional' military memoir, one that many a reader will see echoes of themselves in rather than some ridiculously unbelievable story better suited to tv sensationalism. By the end of this second part, we see the clear struggle between Jim's determination to be the best soldier he possibly can, and his overfondness of alcohol and the more unsavoury aspects of army life, and we leave him at a point not knowing which side of the struggle will determine his future career ... looking forward to pt3!
- Reviewed in the United States on May 24, 2016Paths and Progression is the second part in Tom Benson's A Life of Choice series. It follows Jim Faulkner in his military career and gives the reader a real taste of what life in the army was like back in the seventies. While the job, the base and army culture is meticulously described throughout, this is a story of a young man's experiences as he journeys into manhood. Those who have been in the armed forces will no doubt enjoy all the military references but it's not a necessity for the reader to be ex army. It is fiction but it's written in the style of a memoir and deals with the characters emotions as well as the job. It follows what I would expect to be real army life rather than the sensationalised heroism I've read in other army books. It felt very authentic.
For me, the most engaging parts were when Jim let his guard down and shared his feelings about the various relationships he found himself in. It highlights the difficulties of maintaining a relationship with someone back home while faced with so much temptation. The story also tackles Jim's struggles with alcohol, being drawn into a drinking culture beyond his control. Jim's experiences off the base were entertaining and helped to show the softer side of the character.
- Reviewed in the United States on June 13, 2016He's gone and got me hooked on the life of Jim Faulkner in this second volume of a Life of Choice. Once more the reader is immersed into the world of the army, seen through the eyes of one man and those around him. In this volume, our main character leaves the UK for the first time, for a posting in Germany and experiences further adjustments to military life and several personal challenges. Suffice it to say that his demons come out but I won’t spoil this excellent story with any detail. If you haven’t read volume one yet, get started on that. If you have, then don’t hesitate to read this next volume. You won’t be disappointed.
Top reviews from other countries
- Jan RReviewed in the United Kingdom on May 24, 2016
5.0 out of 5 stars An authentic glimpse of military life
Paths and Progression is the second part in Tom Benson's A Life of Choice series. It follows Jim Faulkner in his military career and gives the reader a real taste of what life in the army was like back in the seventies. While the job, the base and army culture is meticulously described throughout, this is a story of a young man's experiences as he journeys into manhood. Those who have been in the armed forces will no doubt enjoy all the military references but it's not a necessity for the reader to be ex army. It is fiction but it's written in the style of a memoir and deals with the characters emotions as well as the job. It follows what I would expect to be real army life rather than the sensationalised heroism I've read in other army books. It felt very authentic.
For me, the most engaging parts were when Jim let his guard down and shared his feelings about the various relationships he found himself in. It highlights the difficulties of maintaining a relationship with someone back home while faced with so much temptation. The story also tackles Jim's struggles with alcohol, being drawn into a drinking culture beyond his control. Jim's experiences off the base were entertaining and helped to show the softer side of the character.
- Books R BestReviewed in the United Kingdom on March 4, 2017
4.0 out of 5 stars DIFFERENT TO BOOK ONE
I found this book very different to book one, but I expect it was because Jim has now grown older, and is a more complex character. It reconfirmed my beliefs that man is indeed a very strange creature and vastly different to the female of the species. I felt the book was a bit long, six hours reading time, and there were passages of minute detail which I tended to skip through quickly. Covering a spell of active duty in Northern Ireland and the rest of the time in Dortmund in Germany, it follows the day to day activities of a British soldier in the Royal Corps of Signals in the early seventies and is primarily a coming of age story. Do all young men come of age this way? I’d love to know, as they sound pretty wild, with mainly women and drink on their minds most of the time, together with indecision and an uncertain attitude to the world. An interesting read but I enjoyed the first book more.
- RuddersReviewsReviewed in the United Kingdom on June 9, 2018
5.0 out of 5 stars Another first-class effort blending fact and fiction, bringing to life Jim's continuing story ... Looking forward to pt3!
This is a fine continuation from pt1 of this series. Unlike the shy and reserved Jim Faulkner of before, our young recruit is now much more typical of your average young squaddie - a likeable and promising soldier but also a hard drinking, smoking, self-assured, and after a few trips to sample the local off-camp nightlife, a more 'worldly' young man. We also see much more of Jim Faulkner's struggle to balance the demands of a military career with those of his personal life and relationships.
After having a established a reputation for being fond of a drink (or ten) there is a poignant and moving episode early on where an older comrade, Mick, pulls Jim aside and uses himself as an example of the dangers of falling into the heavy drinking culture of army life, subtly warning him of the danger of missed opportunities and promotion, and not ending up the same way. Another touching and perhaps prophetic moment is Jim Falkner's encounter with an older woman whilst on leave, promising to mention and remember her in his memoirs should he ever decide to write them.
In pt1 the author took the time to explain most of the military terminology, and so, much of that used here needs no further explaining. There is, of course, a lot more used in this second part (now that Jim is 'doing the job for real' even if he is still learning), which the author doesn't explain, but given this series is about a man's life and experiences in both his military and personal life rather than just a 'who's who' and 'what's what' of the army, it really doesn't detract from the enjoyment and flow of events.
Although another fine instalment, this chapter of Jim Faulkner's life doesn't (for me) quite live up to that of the first part (more a 4.8 or 9 than an easy 5*). This is no reflection of the writing or content, but possibly more to do with my own experience; much of the book here includes a lot of what I would call the nitty gritty of army life and Jim's first overseas posting, much of it quite specific to his own regiment/trade, and I found myself skimming over some parts of it - for a civilian reader (or indeed a fellow signalman), I imagine this aspect would have held greater interest, so ironically, this may be an instance of a non-military reader enjoying this part of the series more than their ex-military conterparts (scaleys excepted of course lol). In stark contrast to this, Jim Faulkner sees for the first time some of the sharp-end of military service on the streets of Belfast, where pretty much everyone who toured there did more than their share of front-line soldiering and patrols - whatever your trade or regiment, everyone doubled as infantrymen too.
Overall, another first-class effort blending fact and fiction, bringing Jim's story to life, and again, countless memories for some and providing a moving and realistic account of military life for others. It's good to read a genuinely authentic 'fictional' military memoir, one that many a reader will see echoes of themselves in rather than some ridiculously unbelievable story better suited to tv sensationalism. By the end of this second part, we see the clear struggle between Jim's determination to be the best soldier he possibly can, and his overfondness of alcohol and the more unsavoury aspects of army life, and we leave him at a point not knowing which side of the struggle will determine his future career ... looking forward to pt3!
- PavlosReviewed in the United Kingdom on May 29, 2016
5.0 out of 5 stars I think I just read about myself!!!!
In this, the second part of the A Life of Choice series, Jim is now a seasoned soldier. His behaviour both on and off duty are cause for some serious laughs, mingled with emotions not normally experienced when reading about soldiers, fact or fiction. Tom has obviously 'been there, done that' and his accuracy is exemplary. I found myself reading a chapter and then putting the book down to think about what I had read. Jim's story is so resonant of many soldiers, especially of that era. He has been to places that I have and I'm not just talking geographically. I do not only sympathise with this lad, but I empathise. Tom Benson writes with an aplomb, his sensitive treatment of issues told in the book is admirable. Thank you Tom, for writing a book of such calibre but also for allowing me to read, in part, about myself. I may now know where I went wrong!!I I look forward to Part 3. Whether you are ex military or not, this book deserves a read. 5 Stars mate.
- Steve hartleyReviewed in the United Kingdom on January 13, 2019
4.0 out of 5 stars Got the t-shirt
Very enjoyable and brought back many memories of years gone by. Looking forward to next book and more memories to be stirred up.