Bloody Heroes
£3.44
The most explosive untrue war story of the 21st century - This book isn t quite sure whether it wants to be a novel or a true story. As a novel it s not bad but it is true only in the sense that it is based around true events with most of the narrative invented by the author. How, for example, could he know what the Taliban/Al Qaeda were saying to each other? The battle scene in the fort is good - apart from the idea that an SBS operator would even try headshots to shoot three enemy while they were scaling a ladder!? And the scene where SBS and Northern Alliance soldiers ran into a minefield which, somehow, the NA soldiers didn t know about although they were stationed at the fort is laughable. [The prisoners could never have had the time or opportunity to have laid a minefield]. There is a bizarre episode where CIA Bob impresses Mat and the other SBS with his knowledge of Richard the Lionheart and Saladin - except the author thinks Richard never got further than Syria and Saladin had something to do with the Moorish conquest of Spain. This is sloppy research at its worst. The use of the word mate in every other sentence the SBS spoke was irritating in the extreme and totally artificial. As was the idea that Royal Marines SBS ranks would address the senior US officer at base camp as mate . He also writes, The enemy fighters had somehow worked out how to fire their RPGs at a forty-five-degree angle, so that the grenades acted something like mortar rounds. Again, an example of lazy composition: how could he not guess that they might have somehow worked this out when fighting hundreds of thousands of Russians for year after year?The inaccuracy and sloppiness in the book is also reflected in the photographs which are, presumably, used to add authenticity to the story. One picture of SBS/SAS roping onto the target ship MV Nisha shows them on a day with blue skies and white clouds. The second picture of the same event is shown on a day, heavily overcast with grey clouds. Also the Naka Valley observation post is shown as being set amongst conifers, which at 12,000ft would have been above the upper limit for trees.The Epilogue gives a sound, objective analysis of the background to the incident - it is a pity he did not bother to employ the same discipline when writing the book. As a war story it s not a bad read - but as a true story it falls way short of a reasonable standard.Another reviewer mentioned that SBS should stand for Special Boat Squadron - but the author did get this right. The name was changed to Special Boat Service at the same time non-Royal Marines were allowed to join for the first time - and when the motto was changed from Not By Strength, By Guile to By Strength and By Guile
Bloody incredible - It would be very easy to oversimplify the efforts that this author has captured on behalf of the boys that are out there doing the stuff that we mortals dream we d be good enough or brave enough to do. This book did many things for me, it excited, thrilled exhilarated, made me proud angry, ashamed and sobered me up when I was drunk on the thrill of war. The storyteller clearly has a talent for telling someone elses tale so very well, but above all I was humbled.I have been interested in special forces and warfare for years and have to say hat his was one of the best of the special activity stuff I have read. Not least because to get an insight into the SBS is quite difficult. Highly recommended and well received by all those I pass it to. But more than all of that a great story of the heroes that the UK produces. Sad that events went down as described but needless to say our boys showed phenomenal skill and courage in the face of a bloody incredible enemy.
S.B.S. - Damien Lewis is a great author, But please get facts correct!! I served for nine years in the Royal Marines Commandos, at that time the S.B.S. was part of the Corps of Royal Marines not the army! In his book Bloody Heroes Damien makes no mention this. He does however correctly state the S.B.S. base is at Poole in Dorset. ( this also the base of the R.M. landing craft squadrons ) S.B.S. stands for Special Boat Squadron not Special Boat Service.in his book on page 4 Damien refers to a basic grade S.B.S. rank as Trooper!not correct! The basic R.M. rank is MARINE either 1st or 2nd class. For further information please the book The SBS Special Boat Squadron by Philip Warner. ( my copy displays the Royal Marines crest on the front cover)
SBS - Ace Quad Bike Drivers Us! - An amazing and utterly compelling read.Not just a book about the seige at Qala-i-junghi Fortress, Afghanistan but also deals with an Operation to storm a cargo ship mid ocean, on its way to London, post 11.09.01 and also setting up of an arduous OP overlooking the Naka Valley in Afghanistan.All three Operations are linked by the central S.B.S Operatives who are involved in each.Whatever your take on the issues with Afghanistan and the politics involved, you cannot help but be full of admiration for these men that do the hard things that are required of them with such skill, determination and loyalty to each other.Check out the footage on youtube (search: SBS Afghanistan)! British Special Forces Do not mess about.
Outstanding Bloody Heroes - This is an absolute must, fast paced, intriguing, end to end action.An Inspirational story about a tight-knit SBS team who act on a terrorist threat in the UK, which ultimately leads them to the harsh plains of Afghanistan where they come face to face with 500 battle hardened Al Qaeda and Taliban fighters at the Qala-I-Janghi (fort of war).It shows complete determination and professionalism that these human warriors possess.This is such a great read, I read cover to cover in just a day and a half.Don t just read this review go and order a copy now and see for yourself, you will not be disappointed.