Hidden Courage: My Life as a Female Australian Soldier

IHP0371

Donna Bourke

Regular price ~~$0.00~~ $28.95 Sale

A timely memoir of a female Australian soldier's thirty-four-year career from WRAAC School in the late 1970s, to numerous deployments including peacekeeping operations in East Timor to supporting the Global War on Terrorism in Afghanistan.

The changing role and ethos of the Australian Defence Force has created ever-expanding opportunities for female service women. This is one woman's personal account of her rise through the ranks from private soldier to corporal in the Royal Australian Corps of Signals, and later to warrant officer in the Australian Intelligence Corps.

It is also the story of the toll that dedicated service can have on soldiers both physically and mentally. Donna Bourke shares her experience of being unexpectedly diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder, and how she came to accept that her injuries, and her career in the Australian Defence Force, had significantly altered the direction of her life.

Donna confronts the ignominy of the military mind-set – ‘Harden up! Stop being weak! You're better than that! One foot in front of the other!’ – with an unwillingness to remain trapped in a quagmire of toxic emotions.

This inspiring story shows how Donna's courage, strength of mind, tenacity and sense of humour helped her embark on her new life as a civilian. She comes to realise she is more than just a soldier. She is a wife, mother, grandmother, friend, daughter and sister.

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Product details

Format: Paperback
Dimensions: US Trade (152mm x 228mm)
Pages: 243 pgs

Customer Reviews

Based on 25 reviews Write a review

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I felt this story in my soul!

Your book was the best thing I've ever read - and I've read a lot! I definitely connected and felt it in my soul. Thank you for sharing your incredible story!

Thank you for making your book such an easy read

I finished your book and I just cried, it’s so beautiful in every way, thank you for giving an insight into what it was like for you, the good, the bad and the ugly. It must’ve been a roller coaster of emotions for you to write it and an amazing feeling when you published it. I hope you’re proud of what you have achieved. This is the first book I have properly read with great interest and have been able to finish it, thank you for making it so easy and enjoyable to read.

Be proud - not just of your career, but also as a person

I received this book from a relative who thought I might like to read a story of an Australian woman who served her country.
My first thoughts as I began reading were how proud Donna's parents must be, both for her army career but more particularly as a person. Her book highlights many issues faced by women, not only in the defence forces but many workplaces. It was a delight to read and certainly I began to feel as though I knew her. She should be proud of her career and despite the effect of post traumatic stress disorder, I hope she is now living a very happy life.
Pat Johnson, Victoria

Would recommend it to anyone and everyone!

If you want to read a GREAT book, buy this one. Donna Bourke has written about her life in the Australian Army spanning over 3 decades, including multiple tours of Timor and Afghanistan as a Sig then Int. All from a females point of view.
The book is so easy to read - I'm already half way through it, can't put it down - loving it! Would recommend it to anyone and everyone. A great read.
John M
(retired - Australian military)

Very enlightening!

Recommended by my daughter who is in the Army - very enlightening.

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