reissued,repackaged and required Reading, 01 Sep 2008
How do you fill the void left after watching the final episode of one of the greatest tv shows of all time ? Go back to the source and that's what this is without this book there is no The Wire. It's a remarkable book and one that hasn't really dated unlike the TV series of the same name.
The premise is well described David Simon writes about a year in the life of the homicide department of Baltimore what suprised me was that it isn't written for the journalist point of view so instead we get informed what the detectives are thinking. It's hard to explain that for the veteran detectives we see that there is no personal crusade to solve the crimes it's a job and not a highly paid one so if it's not the money what compels these individuals to keep going especially when faced by some pretty daming statistics pointed out by Simon when it comes to actually securing convictions.
The less experienced detectives find it harder to be detached especially in the case of a murder of a young school girl that takes up a large amount of the book here the principal detective is haunted not so much by the crime but frustration to crack the case.

The politics, the court system , the lack of resource are all explored but without Simon preaching an opinion it shows just how much content is here when a scene from the wire season 5! Not an early season is in the book that to me showed just how much content there is that after 40 hours of tv there is still a gem to be pulled from the book
A powerful subject and probably as close as anyone is going to understand what freeman, bunk and mcnaulty would describe as true police
A must read for lovers of The Wire

Gritty and Realistic, 07 Jul 2008
A true "no over the top" crime book told with honesty and well worth a read.

Definately worth the time, 29 Feb 2008
I stumbled upon this book about 4 years ago whilst i was watching the tv series the wire. I didnt read it straight away but luckily i came down with flu and was bedridden for a week and thankfully because of that I read what I consider to be the best ever true crime literature ever written. This is a truly outstanding book and I couldnt recommend it highly enough, i just wish there were more books as engrossing, thought provoking and epic as this masterpeice

Wired Up, 31 Aug 2007
Led to this novel following my infatuation with David Simon's HBO television series - The Wire. Would recommend this book to anyone who enjoyed the television series. Has the same feeling of authenticity (I can't really tell - thankfully) as The Wire, the banter between the detectives is hilarious and the writing is at times Chandleresque. Given the nature of the job that they do and the way that Simon was embedded, he came to admire the homicide squad maybe too uncritically but - I have been wrong plenty of times before. If you liked The Wire.....

fascinating, 12 Sep 2005
I found the beginning a bit slow - there are a lot of characters to be described - but once he starts to introduce the homicides and describes in detail the techniques used at the crime scene, in the interview room, in court etc I was fascinated. It was a real eye-opener. David Simon's writing style is great - drama, a lot of humour, facts, tragedy - this book has got a little bit of everything.

I would love to read more by the same author.

reissued,repackaged and required Reading, 01 Sep 2008
How do you fill the void left after watching the final episode of one of the greatest tv shows of all time ? Go back to the source and that's what this is without this book there is no The Wire. It's a remarkable book and one that hasn't really dated unlike the TV series of the same name.
The premise is well described David Simon writes about a year in the life of the homicide department of Baltimore what suprised me was that it isn't written for the journalist point of view so instead we get informed what the detectives are thinking. It's hard to explain that for the veteran detectives we see that there is no personal crusade to solve the crimes it's a job and not a highly paid one so if it's not the money what compels these individuals to keep going especially when faced by some pretty daming statistics pointed out by Simon when it comes to actually securing convictions.
The less experienced detectives find it harder to be detached especially in the case of a murder of a young school girl that takes up a large amount of the book here the principal detective is haunted not so much by the crime but frustration to crack the case.

The politics, the court system , the lack of resource are all explored but without Simon preaching an opinion it shows just how much content is here when a scene from the wire season 5! Not an early season is in the book that to me showed just how much content there is that after 40 hours of tv there is still a gem to be pulled from the book
A powerful subject and probably as close as anyone is going to understand what freeman, bunk and mcnaulty would describe as true police
A must read for lovers of The Wire

Gritty and Realistic, 07 Jul 2008
A true "no over the top" crime book told with honesty and well worth a read.

Definately worth the time, 29 Feb 2008
I stumbled upon this book about 4 years ago whilst i was watching the tv series the wire. I didnt read it straight away but luckily i came down with flu and was bedridden for a week and thankfully because of that I read what I consider to be the best ever true crime literature ever written. This is a truly outstanding book and I couldnt recommend it highly enough, i just wish there were more books as engrossing, thought provoking and epic as this masterpeice

Wired Up, 31 Aug 2007
Led to this novel following my infatuation with David Simon's HBO television series - The Wire. Would recommend this book to anyone who enjoyed the television series. Has the same feeling of authenticity (I can't really tell - thankfully) as The Wire, the banter between the detectives is hilarious and the writing is at times Chandleresque. Given the nature of the job that they do and the way that Simon was embedded, he came to admire the homicide squad maybe too uncritically but - I have been wrong plenty of times before. If you liked The Wire.....

fascinating, 12 Sep 2005
I found the beginning a bit slow - there are a lot of characters to be described - but once he starts to introduce the homicides and describes in detail the techniques used at the crime scene, in the interview room, in court etc I was fascinated. It was a real eye-opener. David Simon's writing style is great - drama, a lot of humour, facts, tragedy - this book has got a little bit of everything.

I would love to read more by the same author.

yawn, 15 Oct 2008
While this is a painstakingly researched book, I found it to be very dull and that the murder case itself was not at all interesting. I was very disappointed after all the wonderful reviews!

Fascinating and chilling, 14 Oct 2008
Kate Summerscale has crafted a pacy and exhaustive book on a very sinister crime that took place in 1860 in the small Wiltshire town of Road. I found it a gripping tale which had a fascinating effect on the Victorian public, and had a pronounced influence on the development of the crime novel and the creation of the fictional lone detective.

The Road story was an infanticide that shocked the public not only with the horror of the event itself, but also with the way the detective (Mr Whicher) probed into the attendant family's private life in a fashion that was repugnant to many of the day's public and press. This book, then, is not just the story of a murder but also an account of Victorian mores and prejudices, and the two got very tangled up during the investigation. Kate Summerscale unweaves the story superbly, and has written an extremely readable and perceptive book that is well deserving of the acclaim it has received.

Absolutely engrossing, 11 Oct 2008
This is a retelling of the Road House murder of 1860. The Kents - an outwardly conventional and respectable middle class family - are horrified to discover that three year old Saville has disappeared from his cot. He is soon found gruesomely murdered and his body dumped in the outside privy. The local police arrive and begin a somewhat haphazard investigation. They decline to ask any questions of the family in the belief that people of their class would be too genteel to be involved in murder. Later Detective Inspector Jonathan Whicher arrives from London. He soon suspects one of the Kent daughters but she is released by the court and Whicher generally castigated by all for his error.

Kate Summerscale has succeeded in writing a non-fiction book that reads like a modern detective story. Her research is obviously meticulous and she brings to life all the main characters as well as the social history of the time. Her references to Wilkie Collins, Dickens and Henry James all help to place Whicher at the heart of the developing interest in detective fiction. Even those who already know the story of the Road House murder will find this a page-turner.

But at the end we are still left with an enigma. Constance Kent - was she mad, bad or abused? We will probably never know the whole truth.



Padding out the story, 10 Oct 2008
Oh dear, what on earth were the judges thinking when they gave this book the Samuel Johnson Prize? It is a page-turner, I grant you, which is no doubt why it won the prize, and it's cleverly conceived, written in the style of a country-house murder, the genre it explores. But there have been many books on the Constance Kent case, perhaps the most famous murder in the Victorian era, and Summerscale has nothing new to say. Worse, the book is padded out with social history, elementary details that could have come directly from any one of countless history books on the shelves of Waterstones. In short, the book is not nearly as good as its many plaudits in the press and book prize judges think.

I absolutely disagree, 07 Oct 2008
This is the worst book I've read for a long time. "Pacey" is not the word - in fact I have trouble staying awake. The Author frequently digresses from the main plot (which, all told would take up less than a quarter of the book) to examine in detail things like excerpts from 3 different newspaper articles saying more or less the same thing, quotes from Sigmund Freud, Whichers' previous cases (which although interesting rarely add anything to the progression of the story), and anything else which could possibly hinder the sloppy storytelling.

Then we have the fact that the story teller sees fit to remind us at every opportunity of previous stated clues - something she doubtless decided the story needed with all the frequent asides. The book honestly reads like an academic work like a thesis rather than the story it claims.

Well researched? Yes. Well written? Action packed? Pacey? Indeed not. I would avoid this book, and I feel slightly angry that I was tricked by the back cover into thinking it was something it wasn't, and buying it.

reissued,repackaged and required Reading, 01 Sep 2008
How do you fill the void left after watching the final episode of one of the greatest tv shows of all time ? Go back to the source and that's what this is without this book there is no The Wire. It's a remarkable book and one that hasn't really dated unlike the TV series of the same name.
The premise is well described David Simon writes about a year in the life of the homicide department of Baltimore what suprised me was that it isn't written for the journalist point of view so instead we get informed what the detectives are thinking. It's hard to explain that for the veteran detectives we see that there is no personal crusade to solve the crimes it's a job and not a highly paid one so if it's not the money what compels these individuals to keep going especially when faced by some pretty daming statistics pointed out by Simon when it comes to actually securing convictions.
The less experienced detectives find it harder to be detached especially in the case of a murder of a young school girl that takes up a large amount of the book here the principal detective is haunted not so much by the crime but frustration to crack the case.

The politics, the court system , the lack of resource are all explored but without Simon preaching an opinion it shows just how much content is here when a scene from the wire season 5! Not an early season is in the book that to me showed just how much content there is that after 40 hours of tv there is still a gem to be pulled from the book
A powerful subject and probably as close as anyone is going to understand what freeman, bunk and mcnaulty would describe as true police
A must read for lovers of The Wire

Gritty and Realistic, 07 Jul 2008
A true "no over the top" crime book told with honesty and well worth a read.

Definately worth the time, 29 Feb 2008
I stumbled upon this book about 4 years ago whilst i was watching the tv series the wire. I didnt read it straight away but luckily i came down with flu and was bedridden for a week and thankfully because of that I read what I consider to be the best ever true crime literature ever written. This is a truly outstanding book and I couldnt recommend it highly enough, i just wish there were more books as engrossing, thought provoking and epic as this masterpeice

Wired Up, 31 Aug 2007
Led to this novel following my infatuation with David Simon's HBO television series - The Wire. Would recommend this book to anyone who enjoyed the television series. Has the same feeling of authenticity (I can't really tell - thankfully) as The Wire, the banter between the detectives is hilarious and the writing is at times Chandleresque. Given the nature of the job that they do and the way that Simon was embedded, he came to admire the homicide squad maybe too uncritically but - I have been wrong plenty of times before. If you liked The Wire.....

fascinating, 12 Sep 2005
I found the beginning a bit slow - there are a lot of characters to be described - but once he starts to introduce the homicides and describes in detail the techniques used at the crime scene, in the interview room, in court etc I was fascinated. It was a real eye-opener. David Simon's writing style is great - drama, a lot of humour, facts, tragedy - this book has got a little bit of everything.

I would love to read more by the same author.

yawn, 15 Oct 2008
While this is a painstakingly researched book, I found it to be very dull and that the murder case itself was not at all interesting. I was very disappointed after all the wonderful reviews!

Fascinating and chilling, 14 Oct 2008
Kate Summerscale has crafted a pacy and exhaustive book on a very sinister crime that took place in 1860 in the small Wiltshire town of Road. I found it a gripping tale which had a fascinating effect on the Victorian public, and had a pronounced influence on the development of the crime novel and the creation of the fictional lone detective.

The Road story was an infanticide that shocked the public not only with the horror of the event itself, but also with the way the detective (Mr Whicher) probed into the attendant family's private life in a fashion that was repugnant to many of the day's public and press. This book, then, is not just the story of a murder but also an account of Victorian mores and prejudices, and the two got very tangled up during the investigation. Kate Summerscale unweaves the story superbly, and has written an extremely readable and perceptive book that is well deserving of the acclaim it has received.

Absolutely engrossing, 11 Oct 2008
This is a retelling of the Road House murder of 1860. The Kents - an outwardly conventional and respectable middle class family - are horrified to discover that three year old Saville has disappeared from his cot. He is soon found gruesomely murdered and his body dumped in the outside privy. The local police arrive and begin a somewhat haphazard investigation. They decline to ask any questions of the family in the belief that people of their class would be too genteel to be involved in murder. Later Detective Inspector Jonathan Whicher arrives from London. He soon suspects one of the Kent daughters but she is released by the court and Whicher generally castigated by all for his error.

Kate Summerscale has succeeded in writing a non-fiction book that reads like a modern detective story. Her research is obviously meticulous and she brings to life all the main characters as well as the social history of the time. Her references to Wilkie Collins, Dickens and Henry James all help to place Whicher at the heart of the developing interest in detective fiction. Even those who already know the story of the Road House murder will find this a page-turner.

But at the end we are still left with an enigma. Constance Kent - was she mad, bad or abused? We will probably never know the whole truth.



Padding out the story, 10 Oct 2008
Oh dear, what on earth were the judges thinking when they gave this book the Samuel Johnson Prize? It is a page-turner, I grant you, which is no doubt why it won the prize, and it's cleverly conceived, written in the style of a country-house murder, the genre it explores. But there have been many books on the Constance Kent case, perhaps the most famous murder in the Victorian era, and Summerscale has nothing new to say. Worse, the book is padded out with social history, elementary details that could have come directly from any one of countless history books on the shelves of Waterstones. In short, the book is not nearly as good as its many plaudits in the press and book prize judges think.

I absolutely disagree, 07 Oct 2008
This is the worst book I've read for a long time. "Pacey" is not the word - in fact I have trouble staying awake. The Author frequently digresses from the main plot (which, all told would take up less than a quarter of the book) to examine in detail things like excerpts from 3 different newspaper articles saying more or less the same thing, quotes from Sigmund Freud, Whichers' previous cases (which although interesting rarely add anything to the progression of the story), and anything else which could possibly hinder the sloppy storytelling.

Then we have the fact that the story teller sees fit to remind us at every opportunity of previous stated clues - something she doubtless decided the story needed with all the frequent asides. The book honestly reads like an academic work like a thesis rather than the story it claims.

Well researched? Yes. Well written? Action packed? Pacey? Indeed not. I would avoid this book, and I feel slightly angry that I was tricked by the back cover into thinking it was something it wasn't, and buying it.

High personal price of special forces soldiering, 11 Oct 2008
A sad but very much needed work on the nasty realities of soldiering, this book recounts the very moving descent into unhappiness and despair some of McNab's best mates endured in the aftermath of service.

From this book it seems clear that the Regiment is an unnatural substitute for normal family life for young men, i.e., wife and kids are replaced by comradeship, which perhaps becomes foundational for a subsequent dysfunctional life for some of the guys. It means that when they leave there is a sense that they've lost the focus or foundation of their daily existence. And of course, the exposure to the cutting edge of modern military adventurism is the other key factor destabilising the mental health of special forces soldiers, with the inevitable horrible sights, sounds and loss of beloved friends. I couldn't help but conclude that, all the prestige notwithstanding, making it into the SAS is just not worth it for a lot, maybe even most, of the lads who manage it.

A few errors apart (i.e. Kesh RUC station was in Fermanagh, not Donegal, as the latter is part of the Republic of Ireland), the book is replete with fascinating anecdotes and occasional operational accounts, most notably in my native Northern Ireland, where, among my own community (the Protestants), the SAS are revered for their work at Loughgall in particular and against the IRA in general. Many of us would have liked to have seen them given a freer hand during the Troubles, as we are sure that had they been, there would be fewer of our friends and family lying dead in graveyards around the Province.

In closing, I am very pleased McNab wrote this and especially glad he disclosed so much of Frank Collins' story therein also. I was moved to tears at the kindness and sincerity of Collins as accounted in the book, so credit to McNab for not shying away from relating the man's religious convictions. In sum, this book shows us that even the elite forces are just human beings, amongst some of the most noble on the face of this earth. Highly recommended reading!

Stories of laughter and others of sorrow, 22 Sep 2008
After reading Bravo Two Zero and Immediate Action a long time ago as a young soldier, I still cannot bring myself to read a fiction book from Andy McNab; not because they might not be good but because of the first two books being non-fiction. However, as soon as I discovered that he had created a new book of his personal stories I broke my pledge of "no more war stories" and bought it.

The book does build upon Immediate Action but it has an underlying and consistent message, one that I unfortunately witnessed in some ex-Falkland paras. Without telling the lay of the book and thereby removing the enjoyment for other readers, what I will say is that the story follows a young trooper meeting "brothers in arms" and what can result from years at the hard edge. Like Andy's first two books; I read this one in under a week (I spend some time at airports!)

The message is simple; the reality of war is hell and those that return can suffer from physical and/or mental injury. Both types of wounds can be very deep and life threatening; the latter is extremely difficult to heal. The book concludes with open emotion and I take my hat (well, beret as an ex-para) to anyone who can put that onto paper.




Not entirely a new book, but a great read., 19 Sep 2008
If you've already read Immediate Action, this book will contain a lot that's familiar. In a sense, if the book were re-released as a revision to Immediate Action it wouldn't be far wrong. A great read in it's own right, and as the other reviewer suggests Andy has taken a lot of time to touch on the more sensitive aspects of soldiering - in particular the "after" of that career. And that's a good thing. Hopefully in the future Andy and other ex service writers look at the long-term effect of that way of life on the families & relationships that support them too.

A HAUNTING TOUR DE FORCE, 15 Sep 2008
This book does much more than just take over from where Bravo Two Zero and Immediate Action left off. It traces Andy McNab's military career from the time he joined 7 Troop, SAS, to the time he left, but covers many other aspects of his subsequent life as and when they overlap with other members of the Troop. In many ways, this is as much their story as his, and McNab is man enough to give centre stage from time to time to giants like Frank Collins, Al Slater and Nish Bruce. Nor does he try to sweep bad news under the carpet; the events of 1998 when Dr Thomas Shanks gunned down his former girlfriend with an AK47 in a Leeds car park are given a full airing. This is a reflective, almost sad, book, but it's none the worse for that. The reality is starting to hit home about the time-bomb of PTSD, and McNab champions the cause of counselling, even for rough, tough SAS lads. This book might be harrowing, but it still carries all the McNab hallmarks of a brilliant sense of (dark) humour, and dialogue and action that crackles with authenticity. I loved it. I just hope the powers that be take heed of what men like McNab are saying.

reissued,repackaged and required Reading, 01 Sep 2008
How do you fill the void left after watching the final episode of one of the greatest tv shows of all time ? Go back to the source and that's what this is without this book there is no The Wire. It's a remarkable book and one that hasn't really dated unlike the TV series of the same name.
The premise is well described David Simon writes about a year in the life of the homicide department of Baltimore what suprised me was that it isn't written for the journalist point of view so instead we get informed what the detectives are thinking. It's hard to explain that for the veteran detectives we see that there is no personal crusade to solve the crimes it's a job and not a highly paid one so if it's not the money what compels these individuals to keep going especially when faced by some pretty daming statistics pointed out by Simon when it comes to actually securing convictions.
The less experienced detectives find it harder to be detached especially in the case of a murder of a young school girl that takes up a large amount of the book here the principal detective is haunted not so much by the crime but frustration to crack the case.

The politics, the court system , the lack of resource are all explored but without Simon preaching an opinion it shows just how much content is here when a scene from the wire season 5! Not an early season is in the book that to me showed just how much content there is that after 40 hours of tv there is still a gem to be pulled from the book
A powerful subject and probably as close as anyone is going to understand what freeman, bunk and mcnaulty would describe as true police
A must read for lovers of The Wire

Gritty and Realistic, 07 Jul 2008
A true "no over the top" crime book told with honesty and well worth a read.

Definately worth the time, 29 Feb 2008
I stumbled upon this book about 4 years ago whilst i was watching the tv series the wire. I didnt read it straight away but luckily i came down with flu and was bedridden for a week and thankfully because of that I read what I consider to be the best ever true crime literature ever written. This is a truly outstanding book and I couldnt recommend it highly enough, i just wish there were more books as engrossing, thought provoking and epic as this masterpeice

Wired Up, 31 Aug 2007
Led to this novel following my infatuation with David Simon's HBO television series - The Wire. Would recommend this book to anyone who enjoyed the television series. Has the same feeling of authenticity (I can't really tell - thankfully) as The Wire, the banter between the detectives is hilarious and the writing is at times Chandleresque. Given the nature of the job that they do and the way that Simon was embedded, he came to admire the homicide squad maybe too uncritically but - I have been wrong plenty of times before. If you liked The Wire.....

fascinating, 12 Sep 2005
I found the beginning a bit slow - there are a lot of characters to be described - but once he starts to introduce the homicides and describes in detail the techniques used at the crime scene, in the interview room, in court etc I was fascinated. It was a real eye-opener. David Simon's writing style is great - drama, a lot of humour, facts, tragedy - this book has got a little bit of everything.

I would love to read more by the same author.

yawn, 15 Oct 2008
While this is a painstakingly researched book, I found it to be very dull and that the murder case itself was not at all interesting. I was very disappointed after all the wonderful reviews!

Fascinating and chilling, 14 Oct 2008
Kate Summerscale has crafted a pacy and exhaustive book on a very sinister crime that took place in 1860 in the small Wiltshire town of Road. I found it a gripping tale which had a fascinating effect on the Victorian public, and had a pronounced influence on the development of the crime novel and the creation of the fictional lone detective.

The Road story was an infanticide that shocked the public not only with the horror of the event itself, but also with the way the detective (Mr Whicher) probed into the attendant family's private life in a fashion that was repugnant to many of the day's public and press. This book, then, is not just the story of a murder but also an account of Victorian mores and prejudices, and the two got very tangled up during the investigation. Kate Summerscale unweaves the story superbly, and has written an extremely readable and perceptive book that is well deserving of the acclaim it has received.

Absolutely engrossing, 11 Oct 2008
This is a retelling of the Road House murder of 1860. The Kents - an outwardly conventional and respectable middle class family - are horrified to discover that three year old Saville has disappeared from his cot. He is soon found gruesomely murdered and his body dumped in the outside privy. The local police arrive and begin a somewhat haphazard investigation. They decline to ask any questions of the family in the belief that people of their class would be too genteel to be involved in murder. Later Detective Inspector Jonathan Whicher arrives from London. He soon suspects one of the Kent daughters but she is released by the court and Whicher generally castigated by all for his error.

Kate Summerscale has succeeded in writing a non-fiction book that reads like a modern detective story. Her research is obviously meticulous and she brings to life all the main characters as well as the social history of the time. Her references to Wilkie Collins, Dickens and Henry James all help to place Whicher at the heart of the developing interest in detective fiction. Even those who already know the story of the Road House murder will find this a page-turner.

But at the end we are still left with an enigma. Constance Kent - was she mad, bad or abused? We will probably never know the whole truth.



Padding out the story, 10 Oct 2008
Oh dear, what on earth were the judges thinking when they gave this book the Samuel Johnson Prize? It is a page-turner, I grant you, which is no doubt why it won the prize, and it's cleverly conceived, written in the style of a country-house murder, the genre it explores. But there have been many books on the Constance Kent case, perhaps the most famous murder in the Victorian era, and Summerscale has nothing new to say. Worse, the book is padded out with social history, elementary details that could have come directly from any one of countless history books on the shelves of Waterstones. In short, the book is not nearly as good as its many plaudits in the press and book prize judges think.

I absolutely disagree, 07 Oct 2008
This is the worst book I've read for a long time. "Pacey" is not the word - in fact I have trouble staying awake. The Author frequently digresses from the main plot (which, all told would take up less than a quarter of the book) to examine in detail things like excerpts from 3 different newspaper articles saying more or less the same thing, quotes from Sigmund Freud, Whichers' previous cases (which although interesting rarely add anything to the progression of the story), and anything else which could possibly hinder the sloppy storytelling.

Then we have the fact that the story teller sees fit to remind us at every opportunity of previous stated clues - something she doubtless decided the story needed with all the frequent asides. The book honestly reads like an academic work like a thesis rather than the story it claims.

Well researched? Yes. Well written? Action packed? Pacey? Indeed not. I would avoid this book, and I feel slightly angry that I was tricked by the back cover into thinking it was something it wasn't, and buying it.

High personal price of special forces soldiering, 11 Oct 2008
A sad but very much needed work on the nasty realities of soldiering, this book recounts the very moving descent into unhappiness and despair some of McNab's best mates endured in the aftermath of service.

From this book it seems clear that the Regiment is an unnatural substitute for normal family life for young men, i.e., wife and kids are replaced by comradeship, which perhaps becomes foundational for a subsequent dysfunctional life for some of the guys. It means that when they leave there is a sense that they've lost the focus or foundation of their daily existence. And of course, the exposure to the cutting edge of modern military adventurism is the other key factor destabilising the mental health of special forces soldiers, with the inevitable horrible sights, sounds and loss of beloved friends. I couldn't help but conclude that, all the prestige notwithstanding, making it into the SAS is just not worth it for a lot, maybe even most, of the lads who manage it.

A few errors apart (i.e. Kesh RUC station was in Fermanagh, not Donegal, as the latter is part of the Republic of Ireland), the book is replete with fascinating anecdotes and occasional operational accounts, most notably in my native Northern Ireland, where, among my own community (the Protestants), the SAS are revered for their work at Loughgall in particular and against the IRA in general. Many of us would have liked to have seen them given a freer hand during the Troubles, as we are sure that had they been, there would be fewer of our friends and family lying dead in graveyards around the Province.

In closing, I am very pleased McNab wrote this and especially glad he disclosed so much of Frank Collins' story therein also. I was moved to tears at the kindness and sincerity of Collins as accounted in the book, so credit to McNab for not shying away from relating the man's religious convictions. In sum, this book shows us that even the elite forces are just human beings, amongst some of the most noble on the face of this earth. Highly recommended reading!

Stories of laughter and others of sorrow, 22 Sep 2008
After reading Bravo Two Zero and Immediate Action a long time ago as a young soldier, I still cannot bring myself to read a fiction book from Andy McNab; not because they might not be good but because of the first two books being non-fiction. However, as soon as I discovered that he had created a new book of his personal stories I broke my pledge of "no more war stories" and bought it.

The book does build upon Immediate Action but it has an underlying and consistent message, one that I unfortunately witnessed in some ex-Falkland paras. Without telling the lay of the book and thereby removing the enjoyment for other readers, what I will say is that the story follows a young trooper meeting "brothers in arms" and what can result from years at the hard edge. Like Andy's first two books; I read this one in under a week (I spend some time at airports!)

The message is simple; the reality of war is hell and those that return can suffer from physical and/or mental injury. Both types of wounds can be very deep and life threatening; the latter is extremely difficult to heal. The book concludes with open emotion and I take my hat (well, beret as an ex-para) to anyone who can put that onto paper.




Not entirely a new book, but a great read., 19 Sep 2008
If you've already read Immediate Action, this book will contain a lot that's familiar. In a sense, if the book were re-released as a revision to Immediate Action it wouldn't be far wrong. A great read in it's own right, and as the other reviewer suggests Andy has taken a lot of time to touch on the more sensitive aspects of soldiering - in particular the "after" of that career. And that's a good thing. Hopefully in the future Andy and other ex service writers look at the long-term effect of that way of life on the families & relationships that support them too.

A HAUNTING TOUR DE FORCE, 15 Sep 2008
This book does much more than just take over from where Bravo Two Zero and Immediate Action left off. It traces Andy McNab's military career from the time he joined 7 Troop, SAS, to the time he left, but covers many other aspects of his subsequent life as and when they overlap with other members of the Troop. In many ways, this is as much their story as his, and McNab is man enough to give centre stage from time to time to giants like Frank Collins, Al Slater and Nish Bruce. Nor does he try to sweep bad news under the carpet; the events of 1998 when Dr Thomas Shanks gunned down his former girlfriend with an AK47 in a Leeds car park are given a full airing. This is a reflective, almost sad, book, but it's none the worse for that. The reality is starting to hit home about the time-bomb of PTSD, and McNab champions the cause of counselling, even for rough, tough SAS lads. This book might be harrowing, but it still carries all the McNab hallmarks of a brilliant sense of (dark) humour, and dialogue and action that crackles with authenticity. I loved it. I just hope the powers that be take heed of what men like McNab are saying.

INCREDIBLE TRUE STORY OF WAR IN AFGANISTAN!, 09 Oct 2008
What an incredible true story Ed Macy delivers in "Apache".Detailing the the harsh brutal realities of war in Afganistan and the incredible devotion and bravery our troops display daily.This book is a great read for those not interested in military matters as much as for those that are.Utterly compelling and the "Jugroom Fort" chapters are so engaging you'll not want to put the book down before you finish them.

Absolutely recommended.

AN ABSOLUTE STONKING SUPERB READ !!!, 09 Oct 2008
THIS HAS GOT TO BE ONE OF THE BEST BOOKS IVE READ , IT TOTALY PUTS YOU IN THE COCKPIT WITH ED , FANTASTIC , AMAZING ACCOUNT OF THE BATTLE THAT THE AIR CORP DOES ON A DAILY BASIS ,THE APACHE IS ONE MEAN BABY ! WOW !!!!!!

A Brilliant Debut!!, 28 Sep 2008
It's hard to comprehend, on reading Apache, that this is a debut book. Ed Macy writes with such confidence and skill it really brings home exactly what our troops are facing every day. Rarely does a book hold my attention from the first page to the last, but there's something about this book that makes you want to continue right to the end. This book has everything Hollywood blockbusters can only dream about. Romance, action, cheers and tears, I went through the whole range of emotions. This book is definately worth reading, at least twice!!

The standard all air warfare books should be set by., 27 Sep 2008
Having worked in the AH community since the Apache's inception into the British Armed forces this book has been a long time coming but it was certainly well worth the wait.Written with compassion and humour by an obviously very intelligent chap it took me back to my time in Helmland like a slap in the face and at times i had to put the book down to wipe away a tear and take in what i had just read.The descriptions of the aircraft strike the balance perfectly between technical awareness and laymans speak so even a non aviation type can read the book and come away with a good grasp of the aircraft and its systems.The greatest tribute i can give is that it has given great justice to the memory of mathew ford.I thank you ED for a Wizard read.

Astonishing, 21 Sep 2008
Having bought this book a week ago, and finishing it in less than a day, I suddenly realized I should write a few words about it. This book is absolutely fantastic, and provides you with all the information, and graphic descriptions you could ever want. The tales of courage are just outstanding and after reading this, I have decided that I am going to try out for AAC selection.
I highly recommend this book to all

reissued,repackaged and required Reading, 01 Sep 2008
How do you fill the void left after watching the final episode of one of the greatest tv shows of all time ? Go back to the source and that's what this is without this book there is no The Wire. It's a remarkable book and one that hasn't really dated unlike the TV series of the same name.
The premise is well described David Simon writes about a year in the life of the homicide department of Baltimore what suprised me was that it isn't written for the journalist point of view so instead we get informed what the detectives are thinking. It's hard to explain that for the veteran detectives we see that there is no personal crusade to solve the crimes it's a job and not a highly paid one so if it's not the money what compels these individuals to keep going especially when faced by some pretty daming statistics pointed out by Simon when it comes to actually securing convictions.
The less experienced detectives find it harder to be detached especially in the case of a murder of a young school girl that takes up a large amount of the book here the principal detective is haunted not so much by the crime but frustration to crack the case.

The politics, the court system , the lack of resource are all explored but without Simon preaching an opinion it shows just how much content is here when a scene from the wire season 5! Not an early season is in the book that to me showed just how much content there is that after 40 hours of tv there is still a gem to be pulled from the book
A powerful subject and probably as close as anyone is going to understand what freeman, bunk and mcnaulty would describe as true police
A must read for lovers of The Wire

Gritty and Realistic, 07 Jul 2008
A true "no over the top" crime book told with honesty and well worth a read.

Definately worth the time, 29 Feb 2008
I stumbled upon this book about 4 years ago whilst i was watching the tv series the wire. I didnt read it straight away but luckily i came down with flu and was bedridden for a week and thankfully because of that I read what I consider to be the best ever true crime literature ever written. This is a truly outstanding book and I couldnt recommend it highly enough, i just wish there were more books as engrossing, thought provoking and epic as this masterpeice

Wired Up, 31 Aug 2007
Led to this novel following my infatuation with David Simon's HBO television series - The Wire. Would recommend this book to anyone who enjoyed the television series. Has the same feeling of authenticity (I can't really tell - thankfully) as The Wire, the banter between the detectives is hilarious and the writing is at times Chandleresque. Given the nature of the job that they do and the way that Simon was embedded, he came to admire the homicide squad maybe too uncritically but - I have been wrong plenty of times before. If you liked The Wire.....

fascinating, 12 Sep 2005
I found the beginning a bit slow - there are a lot of characters to be described - but once he starts to introduce the homicides and describes in detail the techniques used at the crime scene, in the interview room, in court etc I was fascinated. It was a real eye-opener. David Simon's writing style is great - drama, a lot of humour, facts, tragedy - this book has got a little bit of everything.

I would love to read more by the same author.

yawn, 15 Oct 2008
While this is a painstakingly researched book, I found it to be very dull and that the murder case itself was not at all interesting. I was very disappointed after all the wonderful reviews!

Fascinating and chilling, 14 Oct 2008
Kate Summerscale has crafted a pacy and exhaustive book on a very sinister crime that took place in 1860 in the small Wiltshire town of Road. I found it a gripping tale which had a fascinating effect on the Victorian public, and had a pronounced influence on the development of the crime novel and the creation of the fictional lone detective.

The Road story was an infanticide that shocked the public not only with the horror of the event itself, but also with the way the detective (Mr Whicher) probed into the attendant family's private life in a fashion that was repugnant to many of the day's public and press. This book, then, is not just the story of a murder but also an account of Victorian mores and prejudices, and the two got very tangled up during the investigation. Kate Summerscale unweaves the story superbly, and has written an extremely readable and perceptive book that is well deserving of the acclaim it has received.

Absolutely engrossing, 11 Oct 2008
This is a retelling of the Road House murder of 1860. The Kents - an outwardly conventional and respectable middle class family - are horrified to discover that three year old Saville has disappeared from his cot. He is soon found gruesomely murdered and his body dumped in the outside privy. The local police arrive and begin a somewhat haphazard investigation. They decline to ask any questions of the family in the belief that people of their class would be too genteel to be involved in murder. Later Detective Inspector Jonathan Whicher arrives from London. He soon suspects one of the Kent daughters but she is released by the court and Whicher generally castigated by all for his error.

Kate Summerscale has succeeded in writing a non-fiction book that reads like a modern detective story. Her research is obviously meticulous and she brings to life all the main characters as well as the social history of the time. Her references to Wilkie Collins, Dickens and Henry James all help to place Whicher at the heart of the developing interest in detective fiction. Even those who already know the story of the Road House murder will find this a page-turner.

But at the end we are still left with an enigma. Constance Kent - was she mad, bad or abused? We will probably never know the whole truth.



Padding out the story, 10 Oct 2008
Oh dear, what on earth were the judges thinking when they gave this book the Samuel Johnson Prize? It is a page-turner, I grant you, which is no doubt why it won the prize, and it's cleverly conceived, written in the style of a country-house murder, the genre it explores. But there have been many books on the Constance Kent case, perhaps the most famous murder in the Victorian era, and Summerscale has nothing new to say. Worse, the book is padded out with social history, elementary details that could have come directly from any one of countless history books on the shelves of Waterstones. In short, the book is not nearly as good as its many plaudits in the press and book prize judges think.

I absolutely disagree, 07 Oct 2008
This is the worst book I've read for a long time. "Pacey" is not the word - in fact I have trouble staying awake. The Author frequently digresses from the main plot (which, all told would take up less than a quarter of the book) to examine in detail things like excerpts from 3 different newspaper articles saying more or less the same thing, quotes from Sigmund Freud, Whichers' previous cases (which although interesting rarely add anything to the progression of the story), and anything else which could possibly hinder the sloppy storytelling.

Then we have the fact that the story teller sees fit to remind us at every opportunity of previous stated clues - something she doubtless decided the story needed with all the frequent asides. The book honestly reads like an academic work like a thesis rather than the story it claims.

Well researched? Yes. Well written? Action packed? Pacey? Indeed not. I would avoid this book, and I feel slightly angry that I was tricked by the back cover into thinking it was something it wasn't, and buying it.

High personal price of special forces soldiering, 11 Oct 2008
A sad but very much needed work on the nasty realities of soldiering, this book recounts the very moving descent into unhappiness and despair some of McNab's best mates endured in the aftermath of service.

From this book it seems clear that the Regiment is an unnatural substitute for normal family life for young men, i.e., wife and kids are replaced by comradeship, which perhaps becomes foundational for a subsequent dysfunctional life for some of the guys. It means that when they leave there is a sense that they've lost the focus or foundation of their daily existence. And of course, the exposure to the cutting edge of modern military adventurism is the other key factor destabilising the mental health of special forces soldiers, with the inevitable horrible sights, sounds and loss of beloved friends. I couldn't help but conclude that, all the prestige notwithstanding, making it into the SAS is just not worth it for a lot, maybe even most, of the lads who manage it.

A few errors apart (i.e. Kesh RUC station was in Fermanagh, not Donegal, as the latter is part of the Republic of Ireland), the book is replete with fascinating anecdotes and occasional operational accounts, most notably in my native Northern Ireland, where, among my own community (the Protestants), the SAS are revered for their work at Loughgall in particular and against the IRA in general. Many of us would have liked to have seen them given a freer hand during the Troubles, as we are sure that had they been, there would be fewer of our friends and family lying dead in graveyards around the Province.

In closing, I am very pleased McNab wrote this and especially glad he disclosed so much of Frank Collins' story therein also. I was moved to tears at the kindness and sincerity of Collins as accounted in the book, so credit to McNab for not shying away from relating the man's religious convictions. In sum, this book shows us that even the elite forces are just human beings, amongst some of the most noble on the face of this earth. Highly recommended reading!

Stories of laughter and others of sorrow, 22 Sep 2008
After reading Bravo Two Zero and Immediate Action a long time ago as a young soldier, I still cannot bring myself to read a fiction book from Andy McNab; not because they might not be good but because of the first two books being non-fiction. However, as soon as I discovered that he had created a new book of his personal stories I broke my pledge of "no more war stories" and bought it.

The book does build upon Immediate Action but it has an underlying and consistent message, one that I unfortunately witnessed in some ex-Falkland paras. Without telling the lay of the book and thereby removing the enjoyment for other readers, what I will say is that the story follows a young trooper meeting "brothers in arms" and what can result from years at the hard edge. Like Andy's first two books; I read this one in under a week (I spend some time at airports!)

The message is simple; the reality of war is hell and those that return can suffer from physical and/or mental injury. Both types of wounds can be very deep and life threatening; the latter is extremely difficult to heal. The book concludes with open emotion and I take my hat (well, beret as an ex-para) to anyone who can put that onto paper.




Not entirely a new book, but a great read., 19 Sep 2008
If you've already read Immediate Action, this book will contain a lot that's familiar. In a sense, if the book were re-released as a revision to Immediate Action it wouldn't be far wrong. A great read in it's own right, and as the other reviewer suggests Andy has taken a lot of time to touch on the more sensitive aspects of soldiering - in particular the "after" of that career. And that's a good thing. Hopefully in the future Andy and other ex service writers look at the long-term effect of that way of life on the families & relationships that support them too.

A HAUNTING TOUR DE FORCE, 15 Sep 2008
This book does much more than just take over from where Bravo Two Zero and Immediate Action left off. It traces Andy McNab's military career from the time he joined 7 Troop, SAS, to the time he left, but covers many other aspects of his subsequent life as and when they overlap with other members of the Troop. In many ways, this is as much their story as his, and McNab is man enough to give centre stage from time to time to giants like Frank Collins, Al Slater and Nish Bruce. Nor does he try to sweep bad news under the carpet; the events of 1998 when Dr Thomas Shanks gunned down his former girlfriend with an AK47 in a Leeds car park are given a full airing. This is a reflective, almost sad, book, but it's none the worse for that. The reality is starting to hit home about the time-bomb of PTSD, and McNab champions the cause of counselling, even for rough, tough SAS lads. This book might be harrowing, but it still carries all the McNab hallmarks of a brilliant sense of (dark) humour, and dialogue and action that crackles with authenticity. I loved it. I just hope the powers that be take heed of what men like McNab are saying.

INCREDIBLE TRUE STORY OF WAR IN AFGANISTAN!, 09 Oct 2008
What an incredible true story Ed Macy delivers in "Apache".Detailing the the harsh brutal realities of war in Afganistan and the incredible devotion and bravery our troops display daily.This book is a great read for those not interested in military matters as much as for those that are.Utterly compelling and the "Jugroom Fort" chapters are so engaging you'll not want to put the book down before you finish them.

Absolutely recommended.

AN ABSOLUTE STONKING SUPERB READ !!!, 09 Oct 2008
THIS HAS GOT TO BE ONE OF THE BEST BOOKS IVE READ , IT TOTALY PUTS YOU IN THE COCKPIT WITH ED , FANTASTIC , AMAZING ACCOUNT OF THE BATTLE THAT THE AIR CORP DOES ON A DAILY BASIS ,THE APACHE IS ONE MEAN BABY ! WOW !!!!!!

A Brilliant Debut!!, 28 Sep 2008
It's hard to comprehend, on reading Apache, that this is a debut book. Ed Macy writes with such confidence and skill it really brings home exactly what our troops are facing every day. Rarely does a book hold my attention from the first page to the last, but there's something about this book that makes you want to continue right to the end. This book has everything Hollywood blockbusters can only dream about. Romance, action, cheers and tears, I went through the whole range of emotions. This book is definately worth reading, at least twice!!

The standard all air warfare books should be set by., 27 Sep 2008
Having worked in the AH community since the Apache's inception into the British Armed forces this book has been a long time coming but it was certainly well worth the wait.Written with compassion and humour by an obviously very intelligent chap it took me back to my time in Helmland like a slap in the face and at times i had to put the book down to wipe away a tear and take in what i had just read.The descriptions of the aircraft strike the balance perfectly between technical awareness and laymans speak so even a non aviation type can read the book and come away with a good grasp of the aircraft and its systems.The greatest tribute i can give is that it has given great justice to the memory of mathew ford.I thank you ED for a Wizard read.

Astonishing, 21 Sep 2008
Having bought this book a week ago, and finishing it in less than a day, I suddenly realized I should write a few words about it. This book is absolutely fantastic, and provides you with all the information, and graphic descriptions you could ever want. The tales of courage are just outstanding and after reading this, I have decided that I am going to try out for AAC selection.
I highly recommend this book to all

The story of a True Heroine, 11 Sep 2008

When the German army invaded Paris in 1940, Agnes Humbert a strong minded, politically aware art historian, immediately knew that she had to 'do something', the thought of accepting the invasion was anathema to her and she helped to form one of the first organised groups of the French Resistance. The speed with which this was set up and began to operate was staggering. She had excellent contacts and friends in literary and journalistic circles and an underground newspaper, combating the German propaganda machine, was printed and circulated around Paris. It was simply amazing that they managed to keep this going and out of the hands of the authorities for nearly a year before they were betrayed and she was arrested and thrown into prison. Seven of the men who founded the group died by firing squad and Agnes, while escaping the death penalty, was sentenced to five years in a German labour camp.

She had kept a diary up to her imprisonment and she completed it after liberation in 1945. Unable to keep a written record of her experiences she recreated them afterwards, relying on her memory alone. This gives this fascinating book a contrast in writing, the earlier diary memories dashed down quickly on a daily basis, breathless and eager to get everything on paper as it happened; the later reflections more considered even though she wrote at top speed in 1945 after the was liberated and before her memories faded. 'I remember everything as clearly as it it was written in notebooks' everything was recorded in memory and all she had to do was slowly turn the pages.

She worked in a factory spinning materials for uniforms for the German troops, often working a 12 hour shift, with little food and having to stand for hours, weak with fatigue

"My feet are absolute agony and we'll be standing here for hours. I have a brainwave. I ask permission to take off my awful shoes (my insteps are bleeding) and wrap my feet in the lengths of rayon that are scattered all round........the director on Anrath (the factory) is going to carry out an inspection and I was told I should stand to attention when he arrives....he stops in front of me asking me viciously why I have taken off my shoes. I explain. He replies: 'Very good you will be severely punished' and with that promise he leaves me'.

Despite all this Agnes makes sure that she causes the cotton to knot and break and does her best to carry out minor acts of sabotage which will cause maximum inconvenience. Later, when she is set to making boxes, once she has hammered in the nails, she makes sure she shears them off so that the crates will fall apart as soon as possible. Such actions continue throughout her five years and these small rebellions strengthen her will and help to keep her going even when her weight plummets and she is given the nickname 'Ghandi' as she is so bony and skeletal.

In this closed world, with teachers and professors working cheek by jowl with prostitutes and murderers, the solidarity and camaraderie among the prisoners assumes the importance of life saving proportions. Friendships of exceptional intensity are formed, generally between prisoners who hardly ever see each others faces and who have little time for intimate chat or gossip though at first Agnes had harsh words for the criminals with whom she was in such close proximity: 'Wretched faces, vicious and primitive, a collection of gallows birds, thieves, syphilitic prostitutes and murderers'.

Once liberation took place and the prisoners were all released by the incoming American army, Agnes embarked on important work with them. With her fluent German and English and her knowledge of the workings of the Nazi camp system, she made herself indispensable and In an amazingly short space of time her authority and energy restored, she was put in charge of administration of the town where they were billeted organising local prison camps, provision of shelter and food and first aid to refugees.

The rapidity with which she shed her identity as a political prisoner after four years of imprisonment is quite astounding and a tribute to her strength of personality and intelligence. After the war she became a founder and president of her local group of a left wing organisation Fighters for Freedom, and in 1949 was awarded the Croix de Guerre.

For many years this book Notre Guerre, was out of print and unobtainable though when it was first published in 1946 it caused quite a stir. It was one of the first books written about the Resistance and written while memories were fresh and, according to the Afterword, historians were immediately aware of this testimony and its value has continued to be recognised ever since.

I found Agnes' story to be profoundly moving, it took my breath away at times and also made me laugh, as she had a wicked sense of humour. Whenever I read a book such as this, and one that is a true story as well, I am staggered at the bravery displayed under fire. It makes me feel very humble and also makes me wonder just how I would behave and act if placed in such circumstances. I am thankful that I have never had to find out, but gosh a document such as this does make you think.

A truly wonderful book and I have no hesitation if giving it five stars. Do buy and read - you won't regret it.

reissued,repackaged and required Reading, 01 Sep 2008
How do you fill the void left after watching the final episode of one of the greatest tv shows of all time ? Go back to the source and that's what this is without this book there is no The Wire. It's a remarkable book and one that hasn't really dated unlike the TV series of the same name.
The premise is well described David Simon writes about a year in the life of the homicide department of Baltimore what suprised me was that it isn't written for the journalist point of view so instead we get informed what the detectives are thinking. It's hard to explain that for the veteran detectives we see that there is no personal crusade to solve the crimes it's a job and not a highly paid one so if it's not the money what compels these individuals to keep going especially when faced by some pretty daming statistics pointed out by Simon when it comes to actually securing convictions.
The less experienced detectives find it harder to be detached especially in the case of a murder of a young school girl that takes up a large amount of the book here the principal detective is haunted not so much by the crime but frustration to crack the case.

The politics, the court system , the lack of resource are all explored but without Simon preaching an opinion it shows just how much content is here when a scene from the wire season 5! Not an early season is in the book that to me showed just how much content there is that after 40 hours of tv there is still a gem to be pulled from the book
A powerful subject and probably as close as anyone is going to understand what freeman, bunk and mcnaulty would describe as true police
A must read for lovers of The Wire

Gritty and Realistic, 07 Jul 2008
A true "no over the top" crime book told with honesty and well worth a read.

Definately worth the time, 29 Feb 2008
I stumbled upon this book about 4 years ago whilst i was watching the tv series the wire. I didnt read it straight away but luckily i came down with flu and was bedridden for a week and thankfully because of that I read what I consider to be the best ever true crime literature ever written. This is a truly outstanding book and I couldnt recommend it highly enough, i just wish there were more books as engrossing, thought provoking and epic as this masterpeice

Wired Up, 31 Aug 2007
Led to this novel following my infatuation with David Simon's HBO television series - The Wire. Would recommend this book to anyone who enjoyed the television series. Has the same feeling of authenticity (I can't really tell - thankfully) as The Wire, the banter between the detectives is hilarious and the writing is at times Chandleresque. Given the nature of the job that they do and the way that Simon was embedded, he came to admire the homicide squad maybe too uncritically but - I have been wrong plenty of times before. If you liked The Wire.....

fascinating, 12 Sep 2005
I found the beginning a bit slow - there are a lot of characters to be described - but once he starts to introduce the homicides and describes in detail the techniques used at the crime scene, in the interview room, in court etc I was fascinated. It was a real eye-opener. David Simon's writing style is great - drama, a lot of humour, facts, tragedy - this book has got a little bit of everything.

I would love to read more by the same author.

yawn, 15 Oct 2008
While this is a painstakingly researched book, I found it to be very dull and that the murder case itself was not at all interesting. I was very disappointed after all the wonderful reviews!

Fascinating and chilling, 14 Oct 2008
Kate Summerscale has crafted a pacy and exhaustive book on a very sinister crime that took place in 1860 in the small Wiltshire town of Road. I found it a gripping tale which had a fascinating effect on the Victorian public, and had a pronounced influence on the development of the crime novel and the creation of the fictional lone detective.

The Road story was an infanticide that shocked the public not only with the horror of the event itself, but also with the way the detective (Mr Whicher) probed into the attendant family's private life in a fashion that was repugnant to many of the day's public and press. This book, then, is not just the story of a murder but also an account of Victorian mores and prejudices, and the two got very tangled up during the investigation. Kate Summerscale unweaves the story superbly, and has written an extremely readable and perceptive book that is well deserving of the acclaim it has received.

Absolutely engrossing, 11 Oct 2008
This is a retelling of the Road House murder of 1860. The Kents - an outwardly conventional and respectable middle class family - are horrified to discover that three year old Saville has disappeared from his cot. He is soon found gruesomely murdered and his body dumped in the outside privy. The local police arrive and begin a somewhat haphazard investigation. They decline to ask any questions of the family in the belief that people of their class would be too genteel to be involved in murder. Later Detective Inspector Jonathan Whicher arrives from London. He soon suspects one of the Kent daughters but she is released by the court and Whicher generally castigated by all for his error.

Kate Summerscale has succeeded in writing a non-fiction book that reads like a modern detective story. Her research is obviously meticulous and she brings to life all the main characters as well as the social history of the time. Her references to Wilkie Collins, Dickens and Henry James all help to place Whicher at the heart of the developing interest in detective fiction. Even those who already know the story of the Road House murder will find this a page-turner.

But at the end we are still left with an enigma. Constance Kent - was she mad, bad or abused? We will probably never know the whole truth.



Padding out the story, 10 Oct 2008
Oh dear, what on earth were the judges thinking when they gave this book the Samuel Johnson Prize? It is a page-turner, I grant you, which is no doubt why it won the prize, and it's cleverly conceived, written in the style of a country-house murder, the genre it explores. But there have been many books on the Constance Kent case, perhaps the most famous murder in the Victorian era, and Summerscale has nothing new to say. Worse, the book is padded out with social history, elementary details that could have come directly from any one of countless history books on the shelves of Waterstones. In short, the book is not nearly as good as its many plaudits in the press and book prize judges think.

I absolutely disagree, 07 Oct 2008
This is the worst book I've read for a long time. "Pacey" is not the word - in fact I have trouble staying awake. The Author frequently digresses from the main plot (which, all told would take up less than a quarter of the book) to examine in detail things like excerpts from 3 different newspaper articles saying more or less the same thing, quotes from Sigmund Freud, Whichers' previous cases (which although interesting rarely add anything to the progression of the story), and anything else which could possibly hinder the sloppy storytelling.

Then we have the fact that the story teller sees fit to remind us at every opportunity of previous stated clues - something she doubtless decided the story needed with all the frequent asides. The book honestly reads like an academic work like a thesis rather than the story it claims.

Well researched? Yes. Well written? Action packed? Pacey? Indeed not. I would avoid this book, and I feel slightly angry that I was tricked by the back cover into thinking it was something it wasn't, and buying it.

High personal price of special forces soldiering, 11 Oct 2008
A sad but very much needed work on the nasty realities of soldiering, this book recounts the very moving descent into unhappiness and despair some of McNab's best mates endured in the aftermath of service.

From this book it seems clear that the Regiment is an unnatural substitute for normal family life for young men, i.e., wife and kids are replaced by comradeship, which perhaps becomes foundational for a subsequent dysfunctional life for some of the guys. It means that when they leave there is a sense that they've lost the focus or foundation of their daily existence. And of course, the exposure to the cutting edge of modern military adventurism is the other key factor destabilising the mental health of special forces soldiers, with the inevitable horrible sights, sounds and loss of beloved friends. I couldn't help but conclude that, all the prestige notwithstanding, making it into the SAS is just not worth it for a lot, maybe even most, of the lads who manage it.

A few errors apart (i.e. Kesh RUC station was in Fermanagh, not Donegal, as the latter is part of the Republic of Ireland), the book is replete with fascinating anecdotes and occasional operational accounts, most notably in my native Northern Ireland, where, among my own community (the Protestants), the SAS are revered for their work at Loughgall in particular and against the IRA in general. Many of us would have liked to have seen them given a freer hand during the Troubles, as we are sure that had they been, there would be fewer of our friends and family lying dead in graveyards around the Province.

In closing, I am very pleased McNab wrote this and especially glad he disclosed so much of Frank Collins' story therein also. I was moved to tears at the kindness and sincerity of Collins as accounted in the book, so credit to McNab for not shying away from relating the man's religious convictions. In sum, this book shows us that even the elite forces are just human beings, amongst some of the most noble on the face of this earth. Highly recommended reading!

Stories of laughter and others of sorrow, 22 Sep 2008
After reading Bravo Two Zero and Immediate Action a long time ago as a young soldier, I still cannot bring myself to read a fiction book from Andy McNab; not because they might not be good but because of the first two books being non-fiction. However, as soon as I discovered that he had created a new book of his personal stories I broke my pledge of "no more war stories" and bought it.

The book does build upon Immediate Action but it has an underlying and consistent message, one that I unfortunately witnessed in some ex-Falkland paras. Without telling the lay of the book and thereby removing the enjoyment for other readers, what I will say is that the story follows a young trooper meeting "brothers in arms" and what can result from years at the hard edge. Like Andy's first two books; I read this one in under a week (I spend some time at airports!)

The message is simple; the reality of war is hell and those that return can suffer from physical and/or mental injury. Both types of wounds can be very deep and life threatening; the latter is extremely difficult to heal. The book concludes with open emotion and I take my hat (well, beret as an ex-para) to anyone who can put that onto paper.




Not entirely a new book, but a great read., 19 Sep 2008
If you've already read Immediate Action, this book will contain a lot that's familiar. In a sense, if the book were re-released as a revision to Immediate Action it wouldn't be far wrong. A great read in it's own right, and as the other reviewer suggests Andy has taken a lot of time to touch on the more sensitive aspects of soldiering - in particular the "after" of that career. And that's a good thing. Hopefully in the future Andy and other ex service writers look at the long-term effect of that way of life on the families & relationships that support them too.

A HAUNTING TOUR DE FORCE, 15 Sep 2008
This book does much more than just take over from where Bravo Two Zero and Immediate Action left off. It traces Andy McNab's military career from the time he joined 7 Troop, SAS, to the time he left, but covers many other aspects of his subsequent life as and when they overlap with other members of the Troop. In many ways, this is as much their story as his, and McNab is man enough to give centre stage from time to time to giants like Frank Collins, Al Slater and Nish Bruce. Nor does he try to sweep bad news under the carpet; the events of 1998 when Dr Thomas Shanks gunned down his former girlfriend with an AK47 in a Leeds car park are given a full airing. This is a reflective, almost sad, book, but it's none the worse for that. The reality is starting to hit home about the time-bomb of PTSD, and McNab champions the cause of counselling, even for rough, tough SAS lads. This book might be harrowing, but it still carries all the McNab hallmarks of a brilliant sense of (dark) humour, and dialogue and action that crackles with authenticity. I loved it. I just hope the powers that be take heed of what men like McNab are saying.

INCREDIBLE TRUE STORY OF WAR IN AFGANISTAN!, 09 Oct 2008
What an incredible true story Ed Macy delivers in "Apache".Detailing the the harsh brutal realities of war in Afganistan and the incredible devotion and bravery our troops display daily.This book is a great read for those not interested in military matters as much as for those that are.Utterly compelling and the "Jugroom Fort" chapters are so engaging you'll not want to put the book down before you finish them.

Absolutely recommended.

AN ABSOLUTE STONKING SUPERB READ !!!, 09 Oct 2008
THIS HAS GOT TO BE ONE OF THE BEST BOOKS IVE READ , IT TOTALY PUTS YOU IN THE COCKPIT WITH ED , FANTASTIC , AMAZING ACCOUNT OF THE BATTLE THAT THE AIR CORP DOES ON A DAILY BASIS ,THE APACHE IS ONE MEAN BABY ! WOW !!!!!!

A Brilliant Debut!!, 28 Sep 2008
It's hard to comprehend, on reading Apache, that this is a debut book. Ed Macy writes with such confidence and skill it really brings home exactly what our troops are facing every day. Rarely does a book hold my attention from the first page to the last, but there's something about this book that makes you want to continue right to the end. This book has everything Hollywood blockbusters can only dream about. Romance, action, cheers and tears, I went through the whole range of emotions. This book is definately worth reading, at least twice!!

The standard all air warfare books should be set by., 27 Sep 2008
Having worked in the AH community since the Apache's inception into the British Armed forces this book has been a long time coming but it was certainly well worth the wait.Written with compassion and humour by an obviously very intelligent chap it took me back to my time in Helmland like a slap in the face and at times i had to put the book down to wipe away a tear and take in what i had just read.The descriptions of the aircraft strike the balance perfectly between technical awareness and laymans speak so even a non aviation type can read the book and come away with a good grasp of the aircraft and its systems.The greatest tribute i can give is that it has given great justice to the memory of mathew ford.I thank you ED for a Wizard read.

Astonishing, 21 Sep 2008
Having bought this book a week ago, and finishing it in less than a day, I suddenly realized I should write a few words about it. This book is absolutely fantastic, and provides you with all the information, and graphic descriptions you could ever want. The tales of courage are just outstanding and after reading this, I have decided that I am going to try out for AAC selection.
I highly recommend this book to all

The story of a True Heroine, 11 Sep 2008

When the German army invaded Paris in 1940, Agnes Humbert a strong minded, politically aware art historian, immediately knew that she had to 'do something', the thought of accepting the invasion was anathema to her and she helped to form one of the first organised groups of the French Resistance. The speed with which this was set up and began to operate was staggering. She had excellent contacts and friends in literary and journalistic circles and an underground newspaper, combating the German propaganda machine, was printed and circulated around Paris. It was simply amazing that they managed to keep this going and out of the hands of the authorities for nearly a year before they were betrayed and she was arrested and thrown into prison. Seven of the men who founded the group died by firing squad and Agnes, while escaping the death penalty, was sentenced to five years in a German labour camp.

She had kept a diary up to her imprisonment and she completed it after liberation in 1945. Unable to keep a written record of her experiences she recreated them afterwards, relying on her memory alone. This gives this fascinating book a contrast in writing, the earlier diary memories dashed down quickly on a daily basis, breathless and eager to get everything on paper as it happened; the later reflections more considered even though she wrote at top speed in 1945 after the was liberated and before her memories faded. 'I remember everything as clearly as it it was written in notebooks' everything was recorded in memory and all she had to do was slowly turn the pages.

She worked in a factory spinning materials for uniforms for the German troops, often working a 12 hour shift, with little food and having to stand for hours, weak with fatigue

"My feet are absolute agony and we'll be standing here for hours. I have a brainwave. I ask permission to take off my awful shoes (my insteps are bleeding) and wrap my feet in the lengths of rayon that are scattered all round........the director on Anrath (the factory) is going to carry out an inspection and I was told I should stand to attention when he arrives....he stops in front of me asking me viciously why I have taken off my shoes. I explain. He replies: 'Very good you will be severely punished' and with that promise he leaves me'.

Despite all this Agnes makes sure that she causes the cotton to knot and break and does her best to carry out minor acts of sabotage which will cause maximum inconvenience. Later, when she is set to making boxes, once she has hammered in the nails, she makes sure she shears them off so that the crates will fall apart as soon as possible. Such actions continue throughout her five years and these small rebellions strengthen her will and help to keep her going even when her weight plummets and she is given the nickname 'Ghandi' as she is so bony and skeletal.

In this closed world, with teachers and professors working cheek by jowl with prostitutes and murderers, the solidarity and camaraderie among the prisoners assumes the importance of life saving proportions. Friendships of exceptional intensity are formed, generally between prisoners who hardly ever see each others faces and who have little time for intimate chat or gossip though at first Agnes had harsh words for the criminals with whom she was in such close proximity: 'Wretched faces, vicious and primitive, a collection of gallows birds, thieves, syphilitic prostitutes and murderers'.

Once liberation took place and the prisoners were all released by the incoming American army, Agnes embarked on important work with them. With her fluent German and English and her knowledge of the workings of the Nazi camp system, she made herself indispensable and In an amazingly short space of time her authority and energy restored, she was put in charge of administration of the town where they were billeted organising local prison camps, provision of shelter and food and first aid to refugees.

The rapidity with which she shed her identity as a political prisoner after four years of imprisonment is quite astounding and a tribute to her strength of personality and intelligence. After the war she became a founder and president of her local group of a left wing organisation Fighters for Freedom, and in 1949 was awarded the Croix de Guerre.

For many years this book Notre Guerre, was out of print and unobtainable though when it was first published in 1946 it caused quite a stir. It was one of the first books written about the Resistance and written while memories were fresh and, according to the Afterword, historians were immediately aware of this testimony and its value has continued to be recognised ever since.

I found Agnes' story to be profoundly moving, it took my breath away at times and also made me laugh, as she had a wicked sense of humour. Whenever I read a book such as this, and one that is a true story as well, I am staggered at the bravery displayed under fire. It makes me feel very humble and also makes me wonder just how I would behave and act if placed in such circumstances. I am thankful that I have never had to find out, but gosh a document such as this does make you think.

A truly wonderful book and I have no hesitation if giving it five stars. Do buy and read - you won't regret it.

Another great slice of 40s life, 02 Oct 2008
If you enjoyed the original 'Nella Last's War' then you will enjoy this second volume just the same. The end of hostilities doesn't mean the end of either Nella's writing, or her talent with words and observation. It also certainly does not mean the end of hardship and difficulty. I drove to Barrow on the strength of the first diary and was very fortunate to meet the present owners of Nella's old house - they actually bought it off the Last family forty years ago. Just sitting in her old living room, where all those words had poured onto the page, brought Nella and her time tangibly closer. I heartily recommend this book.

reissued,repackaged and required Reading, 01 Sep 2008
How do you fill the void left after watching the final episode of one of the greatest tv shows of all time ? Go back to the source and that's what this is without this book there is no The Wire. It's a remarkable book and one that hasn't really dated unlike the TV series of the same name.
The premise is well described David Simon writes about a year in the life of the homicide department of Baltimore what suprised me was that it isn't written for the journalist point of view so instead we get informed what the detectives are thinking. It's hard to explain that for the veteran detectives we see that there is no personal crusade to solve the crimes it's a job and not a highly paid one so if it's not the money what compels these individuals to keep going especially when faced by some pretty daming statistics pointed out by Simon when it comes to actually securing convictions.
The less experienced detectives find it harder to be detached especially in the case of a murder of a young school girl that takes up a large amount of the book here the principal detective is haunted not so much by the crime but frustration to crack the case.

The politics, the court system , the lack of resource are all explored but without Simon preaching an opinion it shows just how much content is here when a scene from the wire season 5! Not an early season is in the book that to me showed just how much content there is that after 40 hours of tv there is still a gem to be pulled from the book
A powerful subject and probably as close as anyone is going to understand what freeman, bunk and mcnaulty would describe as true police
A must read for lovers of The Wire

Gritty and Realistic, 07 Jul 2008
A true "no over the top" crime book told with honesty and well worth a read.

Definately worth the time, 29 Feb 2008
I stumbled upon this book about 4 years ago whilst i was watching the tv series the wire. I didnt read it straight away but luckily i came down with flu and was bedridden for a week and thankfully because of that I read what I consider to be the best ever true crime literature ever written. This is a truly outstanding book and I couldnt recommend it highly enough, i just wish there were more books as engrossing, thought provoking and epic as this masterpeice

Wired Up, 31 Aug 2007
Led to this novel following my infatuation with David Simon's HBO television series - The Wire. Would recommend this book to anyone who enjoyed the television series. Has the same feeling of authenticity (I can't really tell - thankfully) as The Wire, the banter between the detectives is hilarious and the writing is at times Chandleresque. Given the nature of the job that they do and the way that Simon was embedded, he came to admire the homicide squad maybe too uncritically but - I have been wrong plenty of times before. If you liked The Wire.....

fascinating, 12 Sep 2005
I found the beginning a bit slow - there are a lot of characters to be described - but once he starts to introduce the homicides and describes in detail the techniques used at the crime scene, in the interview room, in court etc I was fascinated. It was a real eye-opener. David Simon's writing style is great - drama, a lot of humour, facts, tragedy - this book has got a little bit of everything.

I would love to read more by the same author.

yawn, 15 Oct 2008
While this is a painstakingly researched book, I found it to be very dull and that the murder case itself was not at all interesting. I was very disappointed after all the wonderful reviews!

Fascinating and chilling, 14 Oct 2008
Kate Summerscale has crafted a pacy and exhaustive book on a very sinister crime that took place in 1860 in the small Wiltshire town of Road. I found it a gripping tale which had a fascinating effect on the Victorian public, and had a pronounced influence on the development of the crime novel and the creation of the fictional lone detective.

The Road story was an infanticide that shocked the public not only with the horror of the event itself, but also with the way the detective (Mr Whicher) probed into the attendant family's private life in a fashion that was repugnant to many of the day's public and press. This book, then, is not just the story of a murder but also an account of Victorian mores and prejudices, and the two got very tangled up during the investigation. Kate Summerscale unweaves the story superbly, and has written an extremely readable and perceptive book that is well deserving of the acclaim it has received.

Absolutely engrossing, 11 Oct 2008
This is a retelling of the Road House murder of 1860. The Kents - an outwardly conventional and respectable middle class family - are horrified to discover that three year old Saville has disappeared from his cot. He is soon found gruesomely murdered and his body dumped in the outside privy. The local police arrive and begin a somewhat haphazard investigation. They decline to ask any questions of the family in the belief that people of their class would be too genteel to be involved in murder. Later Detective Inspector Jonathan Whicher arrives from London. He soon suspects one of the Kent daughters but she is released by the court and Whicher generally castigated by all for his error.

Kate Summerscale has succeeded in writing a non-fiction book that reads like a modern detective story. Her research is obviously meticulous and she brings to life all the main characters as well as the social history of the time. Her references to Wilkie Collins, Dickens and Henry James all help to place Whicher at the heart of the developing interest in detective fiction. Even those who already know the story of the Road House murder will find this a page-turner.

But at the end we are still left with an enigma. Constance Kent - was she mad, bad or abused? We will probably never know the whole truth.



Padding out the story, 10 Oct 2008
Oh dear, what on earth were the judges thinking when they gave this book the Samuel Johnson Prize? It is a page-turner, I grant you, which is no doubt why it won the prize, and it's cleverly conceived, written in the style of a country-house murder, the genre it explores. But there have been many books on the Constance Kent case, perhaps the most famous murder in the Victorian era, and Summerscale has nothing new to say. Worse, the book is padded out with social history, elementary details that could have come directly from any one of countless history books on the shelves of Waterstones. In short, the book is not nearly as good as its many plaudits in the press and book prize judges think.

I absolutely disagree, 07 Oct 2008
This is the worst book I've read for a long time. "Pacey" is not the word - in fact I have trouble staying awake. The Author frequently digresses from the main plot (which, all told would take up less than a quarter of the book) to examine in detail things like excerpts from 3 different newspaper articles saying more or less the same thing, quotes from Sigmund Freud, Whichers' previous cases (which although interesting rarely add anything to the progression of the story), and anything else which could possibly hinder the sloppy storytelling.

Then we have the fact that the story teller sees fit to remind us at every opportunity of previous stated clues - something she doubtless decided the story needed with all the frequent asides. The book honestly reads like an academic work like a thesis rather than the story it claims.

Well researched? Yes. Well written? Action packed? Pacey? Indeed not. I would avoid this book, and I feel slightly angry that I was tricked by the back cover into thinking it was something it wasn't, and buying it.

High personal price of special forces soldiering, 11 Oct 2008
A sad but very much needed work on the nasty realities of soldiering, this book recounts the very moving descent into unhappiness and despair some of McNab's best mates endured in the aftermath of service.

From this book it seems clear that the Regiment is an unnatural substitute for normal family life for young men, i.e., wife and kids are replaced by comradeship, which perhaps becomes foundational for a subsequent dysfunctional life for some of the guys. It means that when they leave there is a sense that they've lost the focus or foundation of their daily existence. And of course, the exposure to the cutting edge of modern military adventurism is the other key factor destabilising the mental health of special forces soldiers, with the inevitable horrible sights, sounds and loss of beloved friends. I couldn't help but conclude that, all the prestige notwithstanding, making it into the SAS is just not worth it for a lot, maybe even most, of the lads who manage it.

A few errors apart (i.e. Kesh RUC station was in Fermanagh, not Donegal, as the latter is part of the Republic of Ireland), the book is replete with fascinating anecdotes and occasional operational accounts, most notably in my native Northern Ireland, where, among my own community (the Protestants), the SAS are revered for their work at Loughgall in particular and against the IRA in general. Many of us would have liked to have seen them given a freer hand during the Troubles, as we are sure that had they been, there would be fewer of our friends and family lying dead in graveyards around the Province.

In closing, I am very pleased McNab wrote this and especially glad he disclosed so much of Frank Collins' story therein also. I was moved to tears at the kindness and sincerity of Collins as accounted in the book, so credit to McNab for not shying away from relating the man's religious convictions. In sum, this book shows us that even the elite forces are just human beings, amongst some of the most noble on the face of this earth. Highly recommended reading!

Stories of laughter and others of sorrow, 22 Sep 2008
After reading Bravo Two Zero and Immediate Action a long time ago as a young soldier, I still cannot bring myself to read a fiction book from Andy McNab; not because they might not be good but because of the first two books being non-fiction. However, as soon as I discovered that he had created a new book of his personal stories I broke my pledge of "no more war stories" and bought it.

The book does build upon Immediate Action but it has an underlying and consistent message, one that I unfortunately witnessed in some ex-Falkland paras. Without telling the lay of the book and thereby removing the enjoyment for other readers, what I will say is that the story follows a young trooper meeting "brothers in arms" and what can result from years at the hard edge. Like Andy's first two books; I read this one in under a week (I spend some time at airports!)

The message is simple; the reality of war is hell and those that return can suffer from physical and/or mental injury. Both types of wounds can be very deep and life threatening; the latter is extremely difficult to heal. The book concludes with open emotion and I take my hat (well, beret as an ex-para) to anyone who can put that onto paper.




Not entirely a new book, but a great read., 19 Sep 2008
If you've already read Immediate Action, this book will contain a lot that's familiar. In a sense, if the book were re-released as a revision to Immediate Action it wouldn't be far wrong. A great read in it's own right, and as the other reviewer suggests Andy has taken a lot of time to touch on the more sensitive aspects of soldiering - in particular the "after" of that career. And that's a good thing. Hopefully in the future Andy and other ex ser