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Blue Lights and Long Nights

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Blue Lights and Long Nights

By: Les Pringle
Narrated by: Gordon Griffin
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This book has been re-issued as Dial 999! ISBN 9780552165310.

Card-playing corpses, unfaithful husbands and 'flying' ladies - life as an ambulance driver in the 1970s was certainly varied ...

At the age of twenty-three, Les Pringle decided to escape from office life, broaden his horizons and become an ambulance driver. Little did he realize how broad those horizons would turn out to be.

Filled with warmth and humour, Blue Lights and Long Nights takes us back to a time when lonely old ladies could call 999 and have a cup of tea waiting when the drivers turned up for a chat; when learning to drive the ambulance meant going out for one test drive and managing not to hit a pedestrian; and every day brought a glimpse into other people's lives.

Gripping, poignant and darkly funny, Blue Lights and Long Nights is an affectionate, warm-hearted look at a world gone by.

 Historical Literature & Fiction Military & War Politicians Politics & Activism Satire Funny
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Critic reviews

A great read. I loved every page (Jack Sheffield)
It's the most wonderfully written book... I do recommend Blue Lights and Long Nights, I really do (Libby Purves, Midweek, Radio 4)
His fascinating insight will make you laugh [and] cry...
Les' writing is so good that, even though I know the material inside out, I was still drawn to read more - he's a very engaging a writer... I cannot recommend it enough (Tom Reynolds, author of Blood, Sweat and Tea)
All stars
Most relevant
Although I have only 29 years service, and was therefore not in the job at this time. The whole book brought back memories of days gone by.

Amazingly well written accounts and thoroughly enjoyable.

29 years Service

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Loved this book, great stories of a career in the ambulance service. Some funny, some sad and sometimes bizarre incidents recounted with humour and compassion. Recommended

Entertaining and interesting stories

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A good listen and a gentle approach to what could be a gruesome subject. We are spared many of the gory details, thankfully! I have no more medical knowledge than the average person and because the author didn't use too many technical terms, I was able to appreciate the stories. This is one of my collection of audio books that I will listen to again. I liked it enough to buy the second book, which continues the story.

Light-hearted , easy listening

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An amazing book which is well read and tells the home truths about the ambulance service in the 70's. Nothing I could say I dislike about it.

Amazing

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I liked the off beet humer in this book. I have been recommending it and will continue to do so. Some of the material is a bit graphic though so if that is not your thing maybe give this a miss.

Very revealing.

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