Average customer rating:
- More Buildup Than Payoff
- she who dared a readers opinion
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SHE WHO DARED: Covert Operations in Northern Ireland with the SAS
Jackie George
Manufacturer: Pen and Sword
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OPERATORS: On the Streets with Britain's Most Secret Service (Pen & Sword Military Classics)
ASIN: 0850526868 |
Book Description
The personal account of a female British agent, including her controversial photographs of actual operations.
Customer Reviews:
More Buildup Than Payoff.......2000-08-09
The history of women who served in military special forces or intelligence operations is completely virgin territory. However, the promise of She Who Dared by "Jackie George" is ultimately unfulfilled.
The book, in a similar manner to ex-SAS trooper Andy McNab's Immediate Action, details George's upbringing, joining of the British Army, and recruitment into the British Security Forces operating in Northern Ireland. She mentions the difficulties involved in being a woman in a man's world, but readers should not expect sociological discussions of this!
Most of the book is detailed with her training. The publishers try to tie George's account into the mania for British SAS (Special Air Service) accounts. While SAS members trained her unit, she actually belonged to the 14th Intelligence and Security Company, a highly secret British Army unit performing surveillance on Irish Republican groups.
Readers hoping for detailed accounts of her operations "over the water" will be disappointed. The authors state that the book has been submitted to the Ministry of Defence for review, and that probably accounts for the shortness of these accounts.
A reader well versed in British special forces history or that of Northern Ireland may appreciate this book more. I would refer readers to McNab and the SAS writings of Barry Davies.
George has no love lost for the British Army officer corps and details many of their transgressions with the enlisted ranks. However, she does not really explain why her officers would act in such a manner, or how the British Army managed to operate effectively in spite of this. Her rants thus become a shortcoming.
I give the book three stars, mainly because of the dearth of similar accounts. However, in time, with other accounts, I might have to remove a star.
C. Husing ex-Dept. of the Air Force military historian
she who dared a readers opinion.......2000-04-10
an excellent book, information albeit sensitive was put across in a very professional manner,The author managed to maintain the readers interest from the start to the finish also ensure that the human emotions of what was and is a particulary sensitive occupation
Book Description
Michael Asher's investigation into the famous SAS operation, The Real Bravo Two Zero, became a bestseller, and his biography of Lawrence of Arabia was deemed "brilliant" by reviewers. Here, in a unique military memoir, he reveals his own background: how he joined the elite 2nd Battalion, the Parachute Regiment, and finally the SAS. Told he would fail the arduous training, he proved them all wrong. But after years of working with various branches of the military, and being stationed in Northern Ireland, Asher abandoned it all and departed for a new life in the Sudanese desert, where he has lived for years among the Bedouins.
Customer Reviews:
Gripping. As Near To Being There As It Gets........2003-12-02
This extremely well written book recounts the first hand experiences of Michael Asher throughout his time in the British Parachute Regiment, the Special Air Service and the Special Patrol Group in Northern Ireland. The book proceeds at a brisk pace throughout but is replete with enormous detail.
The brutally honest text grips the reader into a sense of "almost being there". Having completed a regular engagement in the British forces during the same period as that illustrated here, I can confirm the accuracy of many of the matters described, including some of the "less savoury" elements which may upset some readers.
The reader does not have to agree with the views expressed throughout this book, but needs to understand the realities on the ground which are so commendably portrayed and which form the basis of this work. Not least of these are the realism and humanity of the raw recruits undergoing such harsh physical & military training as well as the raw honesty of the writer.
The stress and pain endured throughout the many stages of specialist training are almost tangible and the reader can but grimace at times along with the author as he relates pivotal periods of his experience where the reality and atmosphere of occasional brutality & intimidation together with periods of humiliation are so vividly evoked.
The book is not one to be "enjoyed" as there is little here to lead the reader in that direction. This is a soldier writing about soldiers' experiences and some of the content might be considered "distasteful" to many readers who are not familiar with military life. Be warned.
The fear and frustration during patrols in Northern Ireland during the "Troubles" are among other realities really brought home to the reader, where every street corner, window, alleyway or shadow might hide a gunman. (The politics of the situation in Northern Ireland are largely avoided apart from reference to the occasional quote from those involved in a number of incidents.) Situations now being experienced by the military in numerous locations Worldwide.
All in all this is a thoroughly readable and informative study which reveals aspects of the British military and the "soldier on the ground" which might otherwise be largely overlooked. Highly recommended for anyone with an interest in military history and experience. Thank you.
Average customer rating:
- The SAS are Terrorists
- Sobering and thought-provoking
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The SAS in Ireland
Raymond Murray
Manufacturer: Mercier Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Unknown Binding
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ASIN: 0853429383 |
Book Description
New Revised And Updated Edition
This book traces the history of the British Army Special Air Service Regiment, the SAS, in Ireland over the past twenty years. It details their activities - intelligence gathering and surveillance, their links with British intelligence, notably MI5 and MI6, their connection with sectarian murders and many other deaths.
Customer Reviews:
The SAS are Terrorists.......2006-09-02
Ironically, Major David Sterling, who organized the SAS in WWII
argued against the use of the SAS in the North of Ireland. Fr. Murray defrocks in great detail the terrorist mentality of the SAS on both sides of the border in Ireland. The American media
only expresses Ireland through an Anglophilic prism. Fr. Murray reveals the SAS from the Irish viewpoint. Highly enlightening and better than The Stocker Affair.
Sobering and thought-provoking.......1998-03-08
"The SAS in Ireland" is a detailed examination of the activities of the SAS in Northern Ireland from the perspective of the author, who is Irish, a priest, and a long-time human rights activist. Specifically, Fr. Murray asserts that wide-spread human rights violations have occurred in Northern Ireland because of policies empowering the SAS to employ interrogation by torture and to shoot-to-kill-on-sight suspected members of the IRA. The book is not a diatribe; rather Fr. Murray strives to prove his assertion through an extensive examination of SAS involvement in specific incidents. As the activities of the SAS in Northern Ireland have been and are cloaked in secrecy, the author has had to infer the involvement and actions of SAS personnel from court testimony and from the statements of eyewitnesses and victims. While such an analysis applied to a few incidents might leave one unconvinced of the author's basic premise, the cumulative effect of the many incidents the author examines - the book's page count is actually 500, not 240 - is compelling. And the author cites his sources: there are over 100 footnotes and an extensive bibliography and index. Some of you at this point may be possessed of something less than sympathy for Fr. Murray's claims, and you may say: Let's not lose sight of the fact that for decades the IRA have conducted a war of terrorism against the government and the people of Great Britain. Surely, the British government has a right, an obligation, to protect itself, and to use whatever instruments, such as SAS, it has at its disposal. Here you will have touched upon the larger question that hovers over this book: how should a democratic government, a civilized people, respond to terrorism? Fr. Murray believes, as do many others, that we must, even when dealing with terrorists, hew to codes of behavior that are absolute. Others, including many among the military, believe that it is foolish and dangerous to play by the rules when one's adversary does not. I placed myself firmly in the latter camp before reading this book, but now I am not so sure. This book is sobering and thought-provoking, and destined, I suspect, to reach all too small an audience.
Customer Reviews:
Compelling and thought provoking.......2002-06-20
Having served a number of times as an officer in Northern Ireland, this book filled in a number of gaps in my own knowledge. The reading of this book should be compulsory for anyone wishing to comment on the fight against Irish terrorism and the methods employed by each opposing side.
Compelling Reading.......2001-09-01
An overview of the SAS fight against the IRA, it appears that a shoot to kill policy may have been in place as the SAS killed many IRA terrorists during their covert operations.Great insight into the skill and sophistication of the IRA and the SAS.
Book Description
"Who Dares Wins" is the motto of one of modernhistorys first elite corps, the British Special Air Service, (the SAS). Trained in espionage and sabotage, anti-terrorism and guerrilla warfare, the SAS has been confounding their enemies for over fifty years. From the desert sands fighting Rommel's famed Afrika Korps to the daring nighttime raid on Argentinean aircraft in the Falklands the SAS has the reputation of being the most feared and successful of all nations' special forces.First hand accounts from assault team members, full color maps, diagrams detailing each member's movement, and rare real action photo- graphy, complete the author's narrative, make this an excellent guide to the combat history of the SAS.
Customer Reviews:
Not bad for an introduction.......2004-11-15
This book was a thorough history into the British Special Air Service's exploits. It has a lot of information on contemporary SAS operations not usually covered in other books or media; specifically, operations in Sierra Leone and the Balkans. I learned some new facts (which always sets a book apart from others) about the Falklands campaign. The book has a lot of good detail (tactics and strategies) on various operations that I have not seen in other SAS books. The author has a hard time figuring out whether the Royal Marines SBS is the Special Boat Service, Section, or Squadron. That oversight, as well as punctuation and grammatical errors that were blatant throughout this book, required that I rate it 3-stars. I nonetheless recommend this book as a very entertaining and informative piece of literature.
Average customer rating:
- I AM THE EX-WIFE OF PAUL BRUCE
- Vehicle Mechanic
- good fiction
- excellent book
- Fun read but total (...)
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The Nemesis File: The True Story of an Sas Execution Squad
Paul Bruce
Manufacturer: Blake Pub
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
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ASIN: 1857821351 |
Customer Reviews:
I AM THE EX-WIFE OF PAUL BRUCE.......2006-01-05
Of course I have read his book. Also, knew some of his fellow S.A.S. friends. DO NOT listen to the RUBBISH of some reviewers who only knew half the story. Like anyone else who is controversial, there are many who have an investment in putting his true story down. I speak unbiasedly about Paul, as we are divorced and I'm married again.
But this man has not lied. He was out the army and passed the time of the silence word keeping. The Government heard of him exposing them and so they tried to quiet him. Paul was not treated very well and accidently found himself lying on floors and grounds, He does not take to threats and so the story came out. He was arrested, for them to obtain his written apology which came out in a newspaper, his family would have suffered otherwise.
Luckily some other S.A.S. from British Execution Squads, had been speaking to a Colonel, who wrote his review on the back cover of the second publication. Paul Bruce was vindicated and acclaimed one of the bravest men ever. Which of course he was, the deal he did with the publisher was criminal as the percentage of such a best selling book, has been extremely low. I even hawked it around booksellers and helped for extra sales.
Because of the way Paul had been treated by the British Army and the Government, he began to drink very heavily again. Paul was angry that he had written a book which could have cost him his life, and still no help with the trauma he suffered for doing the nasty jobs. No thank you, housing, pension, or mental help.Rehab he got for himself eventually, but he was already ruined.
Paul is killing himself with drink and he does not care. He's been through hell and can not handle life. His children, boy and a girl, suffer from seeing their father like this. I think Paul Bruce deserved something for trying to stop the lies and killings in Ireland. He may not have developed his self-destruct button.
The book was not well written, mistakes and sentences running to long. But it was the typist at the publisher who wrote it whilst Paul was talking the story to him. This man is mentioned on the book and got good remuneration for it too. As much as Paul got. What do you think of that. And Paul can not take the book and have that movie made, as John Blake has kept all the rights for ever. Paul found even at the end his trust was misplaced. Story of his life.
Vehicle Mechanic.......2005-11-18
http://www.nics.gov.uk/press/ruc/nemesis.htm
QUOTE: "THE NEMESIS FILE: A TRUE STORY OF AN EXECUTION SQUAD
The Royal Ulster Constabulary has for some time been making enquiries into alleged serious criminal offences, primarily as a result of allegations made in the book "The Nemisis File: the true story of an Execution Squad" which is published by Blake Publishing.
As part of our continuing enquiries, and having regard to the seriousness of the allegations made in the book, the book's author was arrested by RUC officers under the Prevention of Terrorism Act and was interviewed at Castlereagh Police Station, Belfast.
Enquiries into the matter have now been completed and we are satisfied that the allegations contained in the book are not true in fact or substance and this includes an assertion that the author was at some time a member of the Special Air Services Regiment. The RUC is satisfied that the author has not been concerned, either directly or indirectly, in the commission of any serious criminal offence whilst serving in the Province during the period February _ June 1972 when he served as a vehicle mechanic with the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers. The RUC considers the book "The Nemesis File: the true story of an Execution Squad" as a work of fiction and accordingly the investigation is now closed". UNQUOTE
good fiction.......2002-03-29
I have just arrived halfway into this book and decided to check it out on the net, and found out its a load of fiction its a pity i was starting to enjoy it. I was a bit suspicious when on page 96 he states he was issued with a SMG which is the STERLING L2A3 9MM so taking 2 magazines of 7.62mm rounds would be pointless.I now have read that Paul Bruce has since been arrested by the RUC and charged with wasting police time and they cant find any truth in his story.I also believe that if the British Gov intended to assasinate terrorists they would use the sercurity services and not the high profile SAS.I will continue to read on and just enjoy it as a piece of fiction.
excellent book.......2002-03-14
For those of you loyalists to the british crown, I say remember the "Guildford Four" and the fraudulent quack investigation that widgery used to force troopers to lie about the Bloody Sunday terrorist attack by british soldiers on unarmed Catholic protestors. These soldiers now say they never came under gunfire on January 30, 1972. If you keep those blatant miscarriages of justice in mind you will enjoy this book and believe it is quite possibly true.
Fun read but total (...).......2001-12-07
Bruce was arrested by N. Ireland police and charged with "obstructing police" after they investigated his claims and found
absolutly no evidence to support them. But give him credit, he wrote a great yarn. Shame on all you left wing, anti gov. types that fell for it.
Average customer rating:
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Raven's Return
Roy French
Manufacturer: Trafford Publishing
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
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ASIN: 1412015413
Release Date: 2006-07-06 |
Product Description
In a sequel to his award-winning A Sense of Honour, Roy French returns with another tale of the Raven, once the most feared of all paramilitary enforcers in Ireland.
Customer Reviews:
French delivers again!.......2004-02-02
Kudos to French for delivering yet another great read! If you haven't read his other Raven series books, you're missing out on some real fun! French does a terrifc job of threading the story line to meet each detail and, although a bit gory at times, this is what makes Riordan's lurid and sad past, and... his drive for revenge a fun adventure for every reader to embark upon. It's a shoe-in for strong box office appeal. I am quite surprised that a film company has yet to pick up on French's stories. C'mon film companies... let's get with it!! You're missing out on a lot of green!!
Average customer rating:
- An ex-Rigger
- Treading in My Footsteps
- The Rigger
- The Rigger
- The Rigger
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The Rigger: Operating with the SAS
Jack Williams
Manufacturer: Pen and Sword
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
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ASIN: 0850528178 |
Book Description
Britain's Ministry of Defense attempted to ban this too-candid account of operations in Northern Ireland, but copies are now available for distribution in the United States.
The British effort in Northern Ireland made unprecedented use of electronic surveillance. The Special Air Service and other British elite assault units were highly dependent on information provided by a network of towers and other devices. Construction and maintenance of the towers was the job of the British Army's Royal Corps of Signals.
The author and his fellow troopers of the "R. Sigs" had to climb and work on the electronic towers in full view of an often hostile population and occasionally even under fire. Jack Williams' account adds a previously little-known dimension to the campaign in Northern Ireland and provides a first-hand account of previously unknown operations and techniques.
Customer Reviews:
An ex-Rigger.......2003-08-25
Having spent time in the Province employed in this very field, I was glad to see that someone had at last made the effort to write about this little known and overlooked task that is carried out on an almost daily basis. However now that I have read the book, I am disappointed that "Jack" felt it necessary to make constant vague references to "Special Forces". Although he did undoubtably work in support of these people, the tasks that he carried out and those carried out by other Royal Signals Riggers are daring and pulse racing enough without trying to hang on the back of other peoples glory. I think that "Jack" has missed the point. He could have told the story of these brave lads who risked their lives day after day, going to some of the hardest areas in NI, climbing towers in South Armagh, Belfast, Londonderry and East Tyrone without teams of "Operators" watching their backs. He does however get across the feeling of almost acute paranoia that is felt at the beginning and end of a tour, the mind numbing tiredness felt after long hours of stress combined with hard physical work and also the terrible heart ache when a friend is lost.
Treading in My Footsteps.......2003-07-26
Reviewer: A reader from United Kingdom
Jack's book is very good and realistic, it is an exceptional read and is a testament to all those unsung heroes who served their time in NI. Many lives were altered from the experience of serving within the conflict, many were just doing what they thought was an ordinary job in different circumstances just like Jack. What is refreshing is that Jack has written what we all wanted to say, but then we havn't the talent as a Writer. Whatever your standpoint when reading the book you can't help but feel sorry, not just for Jack but for the many other who were affected also.
The Rigger.......2002-05-07
A concrete bunker deep in bandit country that is surrounded by a wire mesh fence and claymore mines. There is a mast next to the bunker and the only way in or out of this location is by chopper.
Excerpt from the book:
`Bring your gear over,' shouted the load master.
We lugged it and stowed it under his supervision, then went back to our original spot, and waited. Power was fed into the chopper motor and the whir grew louder, shriller and more intense. They started to rotate slowly to begin with, then picked up speed until all blades blurred into one. The pilot looked back through his window and gave the thumbs up to the load master, `Come on,' he shouted waving his arm.
We boarded and sat facing the door as the load master clipped a line hanging from the roof to the harness he was wearing. The engine reached full pitch after he spoke into his microphone and we quickly rose into the air. As soon as we were clear of the buildings, the pilot banked a sharp right and shot forward catching all three of us unaware. A tickle of fear crept into me as I grabbed hold of the seat to prevent myself falling out of the open door.
The load master turned around and looked at us, smiling. He didn't say anything. He didn't have to. He could see by the look on our faces that they'd achieved what they'd set out to do. It was tactical flying all the way since the IRA had downed one of their choppers. It was exhilarating with no warnings of maneuvers. The big bird would suddenly rise or drop, or bank right or left to give us sinking and rising feelings in our stomachs.
THE CLIMB:
They stood by their slits. Switched on their night scopes. Scanned and adjusted. I waited until they came fully alive, then fastened on my belt.
It had turned into a clear night. Might as well have been daytime it was so light. The moon was like a giant searchlight beaming down. It revealed every detail in perfect clarity. Trees loomed on the surrounding hills beyond the fence. Bramble bushes could be seen distinctly at two hundred metres. The parts of the concrete bunker not covered by earth seemed to act like giant mirrors, and reflected the moon's rays everywhere. There was no hiding, and no turning back. The area was alive with animals scurrying and rustling in the undergrowth, calling to each other. If it's going to happen, it's going to happen. I'd often thought about taking a weapon up with me. I'd been through this many times. Each time realizing that the only thing I'd want to do if shot at would be to run down. I wouldn't be able to see where the shot came from, and the weapon would get in the way, on my mad rush down.
Gone were the days of jangling spanners and antennae banging on the mast. My rigging techniques were honed and perfected. No more shaking hands. No more trembling knees. No more breathlessness. Every move and ounce of energy spent were deliberate, and directed.
The wildlife sensed the tension in me. Went quiet. Waited.
The Rigger.......2002-04-17
A customer review at amazon.co.uk
A very interesting and easy-to-read book about a subject that I never really knew much about until now. I know all about the SAS and 14th Intelligence and Security Group, or whatever they call themselves nowadays, but neglected to think of the people, without whom the aforementioned security forces could not communicate, that risk their lives to climb 400+ foot masts to either put up or maintain antennae whilst under IRA gunfire, sometimes with fatal consequences. I read it in a night, but that was because I couldn't put it down. I recommend this book to anyone interested in the conflict in Northern Ireland and the military in general, but it is also a story of personal achievement. A very good read!
The Rigger.......2002-04-08
Anthony Kemp - the world's leading authority on the SAS says:
Wow - a super book.
It arrived yesterday and as I was having lunch I decided to dip into it. It was not until I looked at the clock, that I realised that it was past three and my lunch had congealed on the plate.
I laughed until I cried about Brummie and the horse turd in his burger.
You have a natural ability to write dialogue which is rare and the jargon of the squaddies is worth a study in itself. Your description of the sleeping arrangements at Bessbrook was a delight - one could almost smell the place and feel it. Ugh.
Customer Reviews:
McArdle: IRA Propogandist.......1998-02-26
This is a work of IRA propoganda that heavily inclines towards sensationalism. For a more balanced and informed assesment of counter terrorist operations in Ireland, read the works of Martin Dillon in particular. Bear in mind that it is virtually impossible to obtain a book that accurately reflects the realities of life in Northern Ireland, and those who wish to come to an informed conclusion must read several books from a variety of perspectives. I wonder when we will get a book that gives us details of the IRAs full range of sinister activities on the border, from no warning bombs, shooting women in the back and their systematic genocide against innocent and unarmed Protestants on the Irish border? I would urge readers not to accept this book uncritically.
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