Decent modern 'war' book for holiday
Discussion
Tango13 said:
"Soldier I SAS" by Peter Winner, he was on operation Jaguar, fought at the battle of Mirbat, was on the balcony of the Iranian Embassy and went down to the Falklands!
http://www.arrse.co.uk/wiki/Second_Man_On_The_Balc...Legionnaire is very good - autobiography of a young English lad who joined the French Foreign legion in the 60s.
I'm having a brain fart at the moment - there was a book about a para who went SAS and then developed schizophrenia, tried to kill his missus in Switzerland. Sadly, committed suicide for real about 5 years ago when he threw himself out of a plane without a parachute.
I'll edit it later to add it in when I find it on my bookshelf. Top top read - looks at his life growing up and then the stuff he went through with the paras, his selection for SF and then some of the experiences he had out in places like NI.
I'm having a brain fart at the moment - there was a book about a para who went SAS and then developed schizophrenia, tried to kill his missus in Switzerland. Sadly, committed suicide for real about 5 years ago when he threw himself out of a plane without a parachute.
I'll edit it later to add it in when I find it on my bookshelf. Top top read - looks at his life growing up and then the stuff he went through with the paras, his selection for SF and then some of the experiences he had out in places like NI.
Not modern war, but Somme Mud by E P F Lynch is one of the finest war books i have read.
It's up there with Chickenhawk as far as quality of story and impact of events.
Other good Vietnam books
Low Level hell
Thud Ridge
Snake Pilot
13th Valley
When Thunder Rolled
Palace Cobra
100 Missions North
Also a must read about the French Vietnam escapades is Devils Guard by George Robert Elford. Based on hearsay and rumour, never proved, but a terrific story. It was a must read when I was in the forces.
It's up there with Chickenhawk as far as quality of story and impact of events.
Other good Vietnam books
Low Level hell
Thud Ridge
Snake Pilot
13th Valley
When Thunder Rolled
Palace Cobra
100 Missions North
Also a must read about the French Vietnam escapades is Devils Guard by George Robert Elford. Based on hearsay and rumour, never proved, but a terrific story. It was a must read when I was in the forces.
gregd said:
Just to ignore the "modern" bit I also wholeheartedly recommend the Flashman books and the author George Macdonald Fraser's wartime memoir "Quartered Safe From Harm".
seconded; also GMF's McAuslan books are good and bloody funny too, semi-autobiographical fiction from WW2.Another you might try is 'Reasons in writing' by Ewen Southby Tailyour, who was a RM major during the Falklands.
alfa pint said:
Legionnaire is very good - autobiography of a young English lad who joined the French Foreign legion in the 60s.
I'm having a brain fart at the moment - there was a book about a para who went SAS and then developed schizophrenia, tried to kill his missus in Switzerland. Sadly, committed suicide for real about 5 years ago when he threw himself out of a plane without a parachute.
I'll edit it later to add it in when I find it on my bookshelf. Top top read - looks at his life growing up and then the stuff he went through with the paras, his selection for SF and then some of the experiences he had out in places like NI.
Freefall by Tom Read.I'm having a brain fart at the moment - there was a book about a para who went SAS and then developed schizophrenia, tried to kill his missus in Switzerland. Sadly, committed suicide for real about 5 years ago when he threw himself out of a plane without a parachute.
I'll edit it later to add it in when I find it on my bookshelf. Top top read - looks at his life growing up and then the stuff he went through with the paras, his selection for SF and then some of the experiences he had out in places like NI.
Very good book,a truly human story.
Alfa - thanks for reminding me about it,may give it a reread next hols.
goldblum said:
alfa pint said:
Legionnaire is very good - autobiography of a young English lad who joined the French Foreign legion in the 60s.
I'm having a brain fart at the moment - there was a book about a para who went SAS and then developed schizophrenia, tried to kill his missus in Switzerland. Sadly, committed suicide for real about 5 years ago when he threw himself out of a plane without a parachute.
I'll edit it later to add it in when I find it on my bookshelf. Top top read - looks at his life growing up and then the stuff he went through with the paras, his selection for SF and then some of the experiences he had out in places like NI.
Freefall by Tom Read.I'm having a brain fart at the moment - there was a book about a para who went SAS and then developed schizophrenia, tried to kill his missus in Switzerland. Sadly, committed suicide for real about 5 years ago when he threw himself out of a plane without a parachute.
I'll edit it later to add it in when I find it on my bookshelf. Top top read - looks at his life growing up and then the stuff he went through with the paras, his selection for SF and then some of the experiences he had out in places like NI.
Very good book,a truly human story.
Alfa - thanks for reminding me about it,may give it a reread next hols.
Another 'big up' for devil's guard; a simply phenomenal read about an SS man fighting for the French in Indochina. Unfortunately it appears to be faction if you read the Wikipedia article, very few facts back up the guy's story-doesn't mean it's bs but take with a pinch of salt.
That said, definitely one of the best book's on war I've read: mix one dose of Sven hassel, the forgotten soldier, any Vietnam book and hey presto!
Back on topic: attack state red, low level hell, chickenhawk, robert's ridge, Vulcan 607, sea harrier over the Falklands etc
That said, definitely one of the best book's on war I've read: mix one dose of Sven hassel, the forgotten soldier, any Vietnam book and hey presto!
Back on topic: attack state red, low level hell, chickenhawk, robert's ridge, Vulcan 607, sea harrier over the Falklands etc
Zaxxon said:
Not modern war, but Somme Mud by E P F Lynch is one of the finest war books i have read.
It's up there with Chickenhawk as far as quality of story and impact of events.
Other good Vietnam books
Low Level hell
Thud Ridge
Snake Pilot
13th Valley
When Thunder Rolled
Palace Cobra
100 Missions North
Also a must read about the French Vietnam escapades is Devils Guard by George Robert Elford. Based on hearsay and rumour, never proved, but a terrific story. It was a must read when I was in the forces.
You've just listeda few of the books in my 'library' It's up there with Chickenhawk as far as quality of story and impact of events.
Other good Vietnam books
Low Level hell
Thud Ridge
Snake Pilot
13th Valley
When Thunder Rolled
Palace Cobra
100 Missions North
Also a must read about the French Vietnam escapades is Devils Guard by George Robert Elford. Based on hearsay and rumour, never proved, but a terrific story. It was a must read when I was in the forces.
Although I sold Devil's Guard for £90 on e-bay.
Not seen this one mentioned yet.It's about a JTAC in Afghanistan.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Fire-Strike-7-Paul-Grahame...
Edited to add:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Immediate-Response-Mark-Ha...
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Fire-Strike-7-Paul-Grahame...
Edited to add:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Immediate-Response-Mark-Ha...
Edited by f1dget on Thursday 31st March 21:03
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