sections:
Through Fire and Water is about men from the classrooms and factories of Britain who joined the Royal Navy to see the world, not go to war.
But it’s the story of how they did, anyway, when the Argentinians invaded the Falklands in April 1982 – and how, little more than a month later, 22 of them died when the Type 21 frigate HMS Ardent was sunk as she defended the counter-invasion.
In 22 minutes, one in four of her number were either killed or wounded. Then, for almost 20 years, the British public forgot her.
Through Fire and Water – Ardent’s prophetic motto – travels with them, and their families, from Christmas 1981 to her last day and beyond.
It describes how a feeling of invincibility was swallowed by the sickening fear of being singled out for destruction, the despair as you try to save your ship, then your mates, while bomb after bomb slams into the place you call home.
Some still struggle to purge feelings of guilt, failure and betrayal. Then there are the families of those who never made it back.
In a war so well-documented, Through Fire and Water is the first to explain why it all happened to the ship they call ‘The Forgotten Frigate’.
book reviews
- Graham Hurley, The News, Portsmouth.
Mark Higgitt takes us to the very heart of an experience unlike any other… Reality, not fiction. And highly recommended. - Nick Rennison, Sunday Times
The inherent drama of the frigate sailing towards its rendezvous with disaster gathers its own momentum and the stories of those who lived and, in some cases, died on HMS Ardent emerge, often movingly. - Warships International Fleet Review
It is an emotional, sometimes humorous story. Highly subjective, it is, quite simply, one of the best accounts of the Falklands War and of service in one of Her Majesty’s ships. - Charlotte Bradshaw, Daily Express
Mark Higgitt catalogues the final hours of the doomed frigate and records the chilling testimonies of those involved. - Roy Pierce-Jones, reader review, Amazon.co.uk
It would take a very cold fish sitting in the safe confines of their home who would not be engrossed and moved by this fine book. Highly recommended. - The Times
“…vivid and affectionate despite its thriller-like style.”
subscribe to agency's newsletter
Andrew Lownie writes a monthly newsletter, which includes details of the Agency's latest news as well as advice for authors. If you would like to receive this free newsletter, please enter your email address in the box below.