• click here to return to the homepage •
or 
Home > Categories > Books > Non-Fiction > Willie Apiata VC: The Reluctant Hero review
Lance Corporal Willie Apiata, a New Zealand Special Air Service trooper, trapped at the front of a major fire-fight with suspected Taliban insurgents on a dark and desolate Afghan hilltop. One of his mates was bleeding to death and the other was pinned down under intense enemy fire.
For Apiata there was no choice.
He fell back on the values instilled in him by his mother, the skills learnt during a tough pig-hunting life in the bush on the East Coast of New Zealand, and the knowledge won from years of training with the NZSAS.
With the lives and safety of his mates his only priority, Apiata performed an act of courage that has now become part of New Zealand history - an act that saw him become the first recipient of the Victoria Cross for New Zealand and just the 14th holder of the Commonwealth's highest honour for bravery since the end of the Second World War.
This is the story of Willie Apiata, VC, an ordinary kiwi bloke, a very reluctant hero, just doing his job.
The 8-week Training Programme - Level 1 Science
Digital Fortress
Build-A-Word
Haunters
Head, Shoulders, Knees, and Toes
I am Not a Worm!
Star Wars - Galactic Poster Book
E Hoki Flash
Artemis Fowl: The Eternity Code
Ella and Olivia #14: Spelling Superstar 
Gold Medal Me!
The Kiwi Hokey Tokey
No Home for a WetaProduct reviews...
Review by: cheekiedrakie (Bratt)
Dated: 16th of January, 2009
'I knew we had to move. With the wagon being on fire it could only protect us for so long. There were that many RPG rounds rocking it, hitting it one after the other - sooner or later one of us was going to take a round if we stayed there.'
When I first heard, that Willie Apiata, a Lance Corporal, New Zealand Special Air Service (1NZSAS), was being awarded the Victoria Cross for New Zealand, as I'm sure many New Zealanders did, I wanted to know why. When I read the Citation for his medal on the website of some news agencies, I thought to myself: "Well, this isn't about to blow over any time soon". Sixteen months later, this book found itself in my hands.
What goes on behind the fences surrounding the compound housing 1NZSAS are some of New Zealand's best kept secrets. The real on-goings only shown once previously, by a TV program that showed parts of the selection, and "cycle" process, for The Group. A process that Willie Apiata himself, had only completed THREE days before he was informed that he would be flying to Afghanistan.
Unlike many biographies of Military personnel, this doesn't dwell on the selection process, or go into graphic detail of the processes that Willie went through to get to where he is. This book, unlike the rest, focused on the building of the man that is.
It covered details of his first pig-hunt. Of his getting dropped off to his first "Adventure with the Weekend-Warriors" (Territorial Forces), by Black Power gang members. Of his various jobs, including driving long-haul truck routes, fishing, and being a door-to-door vacuum Salesman.
This book invites everybody to get to know "The Most Trusted New Zealander". I enjoyed reading this book. It's not all "Beers and Birds" like some soldiering books are. It's not all Gung-Ho. It's worth every penny, to get the interesting facts, to learn, to get the true picture, of the everyday, kiwi bloke. Who was just doing his job.
This is as accurate as books like this get, the information backed up with countless hours of research, and integrated with narration from Willie himself. A recommended read for anyone.
From his early life in small town Te Kaha, to his actions in the deserts of Afghanistan, this is his story in his words. This is the story of Willie Apiata, VC - an ordinary kiwi bloke, a very reluctant hero, just doing his job.
Random listing from 'Books'...
Book Three in the Sprit Shinto trilogy by Award Winning New Zealand author Dale Elvy.
"As the world trembles before the combined might of the Great Houses, ancient enmities are aroused and old enemies prepare to unleash the unthinkable, the ultimate weapon of darkness..."
All trademarks, images and copyrights on this site are owned by their respective companies.
KIWIreviews is an independent entity, part of the Knock Out News Group. This is a free public forum presenting user opinions on selected products, and as such the views expressed do not necessarily reflect the opinion of kiwireviews.nz and are protected under New Zealand law by the "Honest Opinion" clause of the Defamation Act of 1992. KIWIreviews accepts no liability for statements made on this site, on the premise that they have been submitted as the true and honest opinions of the individual posters. In most cases, prices and dates stated are approximate and should be considered as only guidelines.
"Internet is so big, so powerful and pointless that for some people it is a complete substitute for life."
Andrew Brown
