aphoristic and enlightening, 29 Sep 2008
I'm not especially interested in military history, neither am I a manager or businessman, but I still found this book very enjoyable. It has the rare appeal of being of its time but at the same time applicable to the present day. Many of the insights feel very contemporary - not simply to the business arena but to any aspect of life. The style is terse and aphoristic, which means that it doesn't really matter that the book is quite short. Even the chapters on terrain tactics are interesting from a historical point of view. I would also recommend a book called the Fall by Steve Taylor for its insights into the origins and history of warfare and social conflict The Fall:the Insanity of the Ego in Human History and the Dawning of a New Era: The Insanity of the Ego in Human History and the Dawning of a New Era



Short, snappy and very readable, 08 Sep 2008
I bought this as I am quite interested in military history, and thought I couldn't really go wrong with £3. Instead of the paragraphs of thick text I expected, instead the book is laid out with numbered points in a series of about 13 chapters.

The text never becomes heavy, but instead is written in a very accessible way meaning it is easy to dip in and out of the book as you like. Also I thought that maybe the text would be outdated and irrelevant, but instead with a bit of common sense it can apply to us today.

All in all, very readable and well worth the money, especially if you need to purchase something to get free postage!

Not what I was expecting, but quirky and useful, 04 Jun 2008
I was expecting a huge tome full of Confuscian statements which are allegorical to warfare. What I received was a 69-page book of short instructions which are dirrectly about warfare, but in many cases allegorical to life.

Possibly they're all in some way applicable to the day-to-day, the fighting with fire section does seem a bit specialised, but doubtless the scales will fall from my eyes at some stage and I will be able to use its teachings in buying tangerines from waitrose.

The best thing about the book is the ability to spice up conversation. Never again will I use a hackneyed marketing phrase where something from Sun Tzu will work. Brilliant.

A must read book !, 25 Sep 2007
Short but Sweet !
Applicable theories even today !
Must Read, more than once !

aphoristic and enlightening, 29 Sep 2008
I'm not especially interested in military history, neither am I a manager or businessman, but I still found this book very enjoyable. It has the rare appeal of being of its time but at the same time applicable to the present day. Many of the insights feel very contemporary - not simply to the business arena but to any aspect of life. The style is terse and aphoristic, which means that it doesn't really matter that the book is quite short. Even the chapters on terrain tactics are interesting from a historical point of view. I would also recommend a book called the Fall by Steve Taylor for its insights into the origins and history of warfare and social conflict The Fall:the Insanity of the Ego in Human History and the Dawning of a New Era: The Insanity of the Ego in Human History and the Dawning of a New Era



Short, snappy and very readable, 08 Sep 2008
I bought this as I am quite interested in military history, and thought I couldn't really go wrong with £3. Instead of the paragraphs of thick text I expected, instead the book is laid out with numbered points in a series of about 13 chapters.

The text never becomes heavy, but instead is written in a very accessible way meaning it is easy to dip in and out of the book as you like. Also I thought that maybe the text would be outdated and irrelevant, but instead with a bit of common sense it can apply to us today.

All in all, very readable and well worth the money, especially if you need to purchase something to get free postage!

Not what I was expecting, but quirky and useful, 04 Jun 2008
I was expecting a huge tome full of Confuscian statements which are allegorical to warfare. What I received was a 69-page book of short instructions which are dirrectly about warfare, but in many cases allegorical to life.

Possibly they're all in some way applicable to the day-to-day, the fighting with fire section does seem a bit specialised, but doubtless the scales will fall from my eyes at some stage and I will be able to use its teachings in buying tangerines from waitrose.

The best thing about the book is the ability to spice up conversation. Never again will I use a hackneyed marketing phrase where something from Sun Tzu will work. Brilliant.

A must read book !, 25 Sep 2007
Short but Sweet !
Applicable theories even today !
Must Read, more than once !


Smurfs flex their biceps , 13 Oct 2008
Coming from an Infantry background, I, along with hundreds of callsigns, have suffered at the hands of the AAC when arranged pick up confirmations are met with 'no flying, weathers closed in'. This then involved the heli pilots in sitting off in the crew room, watching a dvd whilst bourboning themselves to death with their brews while the call sign tabs back to base location or invites themselves to another unit's location-which are usually unbearbly cramped to start with.Under these too familiar circumstances,the AAC slagging is in a league of its own.
Enter Damien Lewis. Apache Dawn left me with a complete turnaround of opinion. Infanteers love fire support. Thats why they love Apaches.
Damien gets you in the cockpit with the guys and enables you to live what they live. Through the training for battle, the longing to be tested by battle and to the battle and beyond, there is action and there is hunanity. Do they mix? Moreso than most would understand/believe. DL has opened the eyes of the public to the fact that not only do special forces have hero running through them if broken in half. I wont go into the mechanics of DLs writing other than-if you've read any of his previous outings you'll know the quality the man offers. If you havent,then start.Read, absorb and learn. Everyone needs to understand what our boys are dealing with in the 'stan.Its war yet the masses are ignorantly unaware. DL isnt so much an author as a highly respected lecturer instilling knowledge. Buy this book - the subject matter needs to be known.

Perhaps I have read too many of these, 02 Oct 2008
WIth the plethora of stuff coming out now from grunts (sorry sniper one) throught to Harrier pilots, I have read many of these books and perhaps I have become overloaded.

I cannot enthuse over this book and whilst it is without doubt accurate, I did not find that it flowed as a good read. I must admit judging by the rave reviews from many readers, there are many who feel that it is better than I did.

Towards the end, I was looking to see how many pages were left, which is always a tell-tale sign for me that it is not that good. Well done to the AAC, I am glad that the army got the Apache rather than the REMFS of the RAF: sadly whilst I admire the AAC quite a bit and they pulled me out of a hole once, I can only give this read three stars.

FANTASTIC BOOK, 06 Sep 2008
This is a fantastic book so please ignore all the ill founded comments from people who i would say have barely read the book let a lone given a real review of it. The book is an excellent insight into the lifes of Apache pilots on the frontline and sells the Army Air Corps well. i am sure that my son and many others will aspire to becoming pilots themselves after reading this book. I am assured that they are all true stories and am glad that there are others doing what they do for us all, over there in Afghanistan. The pilots should be truly proud of what they have achieved. The book is well written with the author showing the human side to these men and even their mistakes; not many military books do that.
Thank you to the author and the men and heres looking forward to more of the same!

BUY IT AND ENJOY THE BEST READ EVER ABOUT THE APACHE AND THE MEN WHO FLY IT, 05 Sep 2008
Ladies believe it or not this is a great book for you, if you have anyone close serving over in Afghanistan this will be a great insite into life out there. The highs and the lows of working in harsh conditions away from family and loved ones, how they cope and deal with this and the demands it places on people at home who are left to try and cope. Waiting for that long overdue phone call to confirm they are safe because all communications have been stopped due to deaths and injury and praying daily for their loved ones safe return. Read it, truly how it is this book not only tells it all but will leave you filled with pride knowing the courage our troops show working constantly as they do for their country to ensure we all benefit from a better standard of life. Know also that by purchasing this book you are helping those fallen and their families who have given so much and asked for so little as already profits from the book sale has been given to Help for Heroes.

A must read, 02 Sep 2008
After reading Apache Dawn I felt Damien Lewis has given the public an insight into the excellent work our British Forces are doing in Afghanistan. After hearing about the the battles of last summer on the news it was good to read in to depth about what went on from a pilots point and a soldiers as i was only told a limited story. I would recommend any one to read as soldiers do not get any reconition for what they do out on tours and people can find out alot reading this book.

aphoristic and enlightening, 29 Sep 2008
I'm not especially interested in military history, neither am I a manager or businessman, but I still found this book very enjoyable. It has the rare appeal of being of its time but at the same time applicable to the present day. Many of the insights feel very contemporary - not simply to the business arena but to any aspect of life. The style is terse and aphoristic, which means that it doesn't really matter that the book is quite short. Even the chapters on terrain tactics are interesting from a historical point of view. I would also recommend a book called the Fall by Steve Taylor for its insights into the origins and history of warfare and social conflict The Fall:the Insanity of the Ego in Human History and the Dawning of a New Era: The Insanity of the Ego in Human History and the Dawning of a New Era



Short, snappy and very readable, 08 Sep 2008
I bought this as I am quite interested in military history, and thought I couldn't really go wrong with £3. Instead of the paragraphs of thick text I expected, instead the book is laid out with numbered points in a series of about 13 chapters.

The text never becomes heavy, but instead is written in a very accessible way meaning it is easy to dip in and out of the book as you like. Also I thought that maybe the text would be outdated and irrelevant, but instead with a bit of common sense it can apply to us today.

All in all, very readable and well worth the money, especially if you need to purchase something to get free postage!

Not what I was expecting, but quirky and useful, 04 Jun 2008
I was expecting a huge tome full of Confuscian statements which are allegorical to warfare. What I received was a 69-page book of short instructions which are dirrectly about warfare, but in many cases allegorical to life.

Possibly they're all in some way applicable to the day-to-day, the fighting with fire section does seem a bit specialised, but doubtless the scales will fall from my eyes at some stage and I will be able to use its teachings in buying tangerines from waitrose.

The best thing about the book is the ability to spice up conversation. Never again will I use a hackneyed marketing phrase where something from Sun Tzu will work. Brilliant.

A must read book !, 25 Sep 2007
Short but Sweet !
Applicable theories even today !
Must Read, more than once !


Smurfs flex their biceps , 13 Oct 2008
Coming from an Infantry background, I, along with hundreds of callsigns, have suffered at the hands of the AAC when arranged pick up confirmations are met with 'no flying, weathers closed in'. This then involved the heli pilots in sitting off in the crew room, watching a dvd whilst bourboning themselves to death with their brews while the call sign tabs back to base location or invites themselves to another unit's location-which are usually unbearbly cramped to start with.Under these too familiar circumstances,the AAC slagging is in a league of its own.
Enter Damien Lewis. Apache Dawn left me with a complete turnaround of opinion. Infanteers love fire support. Thats why they love Apaches.
Damien gets you in the cockpit with the guys and enables you to live what they live. Through the training for battle, the longing to be tested by battle and to the battle and beyond, there is action and there is hunanity. Do they mix? Moreso than most would understand/believe. DL has opened the eyes of the public to the fact that not only do special forces have hero running through them if broken in half. I wont go into the mechanics of DLs writing other than-if you've read any of his previous outings you'll know the quality the man offers. If you havent,then start.Read, absorb and learn. Everyone needs to understand what our boys are dealing with in the 'stan.Its war yet the masses are ignorantly unaware. DL isnt so much an author as a highly respected lecturer instilling knowledge. Buy this book - the subject matter needs to be known.

Perhaps I have read too many of these, 02 Oct 2008
WIth the plethora of stuff coming out now from grunts (sorry sniper one) throught to Harrier pilots, I have read many of these books and perhaps I have become overloaded.

I cannot enthuse over this book and whilst it is without doubt accurate, I did not find that it flowed as a good read. I must admit judging by the rave reviews from many readers, there are many who feel that it is better than I did.

Towards the end, I was looking to see how many pages were left, which is always a tell-tale sign for me that it is not that good. Well done to the AAC, I am glad that the army got the Apache rather than the REMFS of the RAF: sadly whilst I admire the AAC quite a bit and they pulled me out of a hole once, I can only give this read three stars.

FANTASTIC BOOK, 06 Sep 2008
This is a fantastic book so please ignore all the ill founded comments from people who i would say have barely read the book let a lone given a real review of it. The book is an excellent insight into the lifes of Apache pilots on the frontline and sells the Army Air Corps well. i am sure that my son and many others will aspire to becoming pilots themselves after reading this book. I am assured that they are all true stories and am glad that there are others doing what they do for us all, over there in Afghanistan. The pilots should be truly proud of what they have achieved. The book is well written with the author showing the human side to these men and even their mistakes; not many military books do that.
Thank you to the author and the men and heres looking forward to more of the same!

BUY IT AND ENJOY THE BEST READ EVER ABOUT THE APACHE AND THE MEN WHO FLY IT, 05 Sep 2008
Ladies believe it or not this is a great book for you, if you have anyone close serving over in Afghanistan this will be a great insite into life out there. The highs and the lows of working in harsh conditions away from family and loved ones, how they cope and deal with this and the demands it places on people at home who are left to try and cope. Waiting for that long overdue phone call to confirm they are safe because all communications have been stopped due to deaths and injury and praying daily for their loved ones safe return. Read it, truly how it is this book not only tells it all but will leave you filled with pride knowing the courage our troops show working constantly as they do for their country to ensure we all benefit from a better standard of life. Know also that by purchasing this book you are helping those fallen and their families who have given so much and asked for so little as already profits from the book sale has been given to Help for Heroes.

A must read, 02 Sep 2008
After reading Apache Dawn I felt Damien Lewis has given the public an insight into the excellent work our British Forces are doing in Afghanistan. After hearing about the the battles of last summer on the news it was good to read in to depth about what went on from a pilots point and a soldiers as i was only told a limited story. I would recommend any one to read as soldiers do not get any reconition for what they do out on tours and people can find out alot reading this book.

AWESOME reading, 09 Nov 2008
This is simply a magnificent read.I could not put it down.Bob Shepherd has seen it all, twenty years in the regiment followed by assignments on the circuit in hotspots such as:The West Bank and Gaza,Iraq and Afghanistan

Bobs professionalism shines through on every page and is in stark contrast to the glaring ineptitude of the American military forces. To think that he had to advise camp commanders on such basic principles as camp security or holding of hostages is gravely disturbing.But even more disturbing is the true cost of the global war on terror is being hidden by government departments who hire highly inept private security operators in place of properly trained and equipped military specialists.

This book is a revelation and Bob Shepherd pulls no punches and doesn't disguise his disquiet at the degeneration of The Circuit.

Thought Provoking, 16 Aug 2008
[[ASIN:0330455737 The Circuit: An Ex-SAS Soldier's True Account of One of the Most Powerful and Secretive Industries Spawned by the War on Terror]
A fascinating insight into the job of a 'Close Protection' operative.Bob Shepherd pulls no punches with his opinions about his fellow countrymen(and non fellow countrymen)who share the same profession,especially if they're not trained to his standard,which as you might guess after 23 years serving with 'The Regiment' are understandably high.If you're looking for a book crammed with boys own stories about damsels in distress and guns and explosions in true gruesome detail,then this definately is NOT the book for you.This is a story about a true professional in every sense of the word,who makes it his duty to understand the ways,traditions and historical backgrounds of the people he serves and meets on his adventures and operations in often very hostile environments.Oh yes,he also meets some very important and influential people(and the odd warlord)along the way...ENJOY.

A good book written by a decent bloke., 12 Aug 2008
Bob Shepherd has the courage to point out that we have lost the plot as the politicians and accountants take over. Clear eyed, funny and modest this book takes us where most of us would not survive. We need people like Bob Shepherd - I hope that we realise it before it is too late.

Dull and very disappointing, 10 Aug 2008
I bought this book after reading the raving reviews put forward by others here, however, I found myself wondering whether I'd bought the correct book. The book was incredibly dull and disappointing. The most exciting part of the book was the first two pages, where the author comes into verbal conflict with a member of the Isreali Defense Force. The book covers the author's experiences in various conflict zones around the world as a bodyguard. This sounds exciting, but don't be mislead like I was. Its more a book of opinions and interpretations of one person. I've read many books in this category over many years, this is the first Amazon review I have written, but I felt compelled to write this to warn others against the poor quality content of this book.

An eye-opener, 23 Jul 2008
This is a great insight into life on the front-line of private security - in the world's most dangerous locations! The author gives a gripping and detailed account of how to stay alive and more importantly keep your clients alive. There are some great anecdotes where the author is visiting US military outposts and drawing on his years of service in the Regiment, has to point out basic failings in US security arrangements. It is a great read which shines a light onto the politics and realities of the murky world of the Circuit.

aphoristic and enlightening, 29 Sep 2008
I'm not especially interested in military history, neither am I a manager or businessman, but I still found this book very enjoyable. It has the rare appeal of being of its time but at the same time applicable to the present day. Many of the insights feel very contemporary - not simply to the business arena but to any aspect of life. The style is terse and aphoristic, which means that it doesn't really matter that the book is quite short. Even the chapters on terrain tactics are interesting from a historical point of view. I would also recommend a book called the Fall by Steve Taylor for its insights into the origins and history of warfare and social conflict The Fall:the Insanity of the Ego in Human History and the Dawning of a New Era: The Insanity of the Ego in Human History and the Dawning of a New Era



Short, snappy and very readable, 08 Sep 2008
I bought this as I am quite interested in military history, and thought I couldn't really go wrong with £3. Instead of the paragraphs of thick text I expected, instead the book is laid out with numbered points in a series of about 13 chapters.

The text never becomes heavy, but instead is written in a very accessible way meaning it is easy to dip in and out of the book as you like. Also I thought that maybe the text would be outdated and irrelevant, but instead with a bit of common sense it can apply to us today.

All in all, very readable and well worth the money, especially if you need to purchase something to get free postage!

Not what I was expecting, but quirky and useful, 04 Jun 2008
I was expecting a huge tome full of Confuscian statements which are allegorical to warfare. What I received was a 69-page book of short instructions which are dirrectly about warfare, but in many cases allegorical to life.

Possibly they're all in some way applicable to the day-to-day, the fighting with fire section does seem a bit specialised, but doubtless the scales will fall from my eyes at some stage and I will be able to use its teachings in buying tangerines from waitrose.

The best thing about the book is the ability to spice up conversation. Never again will I use a hackneyed marketing phrase where something from Sun Tzu will work. Brilliant.

A must read book !, 25 Sep 2007
Short but Sweet !
Applicable theories even today !
Must Read, more than once !


Smurfs flex their biceps , 13 Oct 2008
Coming from an Infantry background, I, along with hundreds of callsigns, have suffered at the hands of the AAC when arranged pick up confirmations are met with 'no flying, weathers closed in'. This then involved the heli pilots in sitting off in the crew room, watching a dvd whilst bourboning themselves to death with their brews while the call sign tabs back to base location or invites themselves to another unit's location-which are usually unbearbly cramped to start with.Under these too familiar circumstances,the AAC slagging is in a league of its own.
Enter Damien Lewis. Apache Dawn left me with a complete turnaround of opinion. Infanteers love fire support. Thats why they love Apaches.
Damien gets you in the cockpit with the guys and enables you to live what they live. Through the training for battle, the longing to be tested by battle and to the battle and beyond, there is action and there is hunanity. Do they mix? Moreso than most would understand/believe. DL has opened the eyes of the public to the fact that not only do special forces have hero running through them if broken in half. I wont go into the mechanics of DLs writing other than-if you've read any of his previous outings you'll know the quality the man offers. If you havent,then start.Read, absorb and learn. Everyone needs to understand what our boys are dealing with in the 'stan.Its war yet the masses are ignorantly unaware. DL isnt so much an author as a highly respected lecturer instilling knowledge. Buy this book - the subject matter needs to be known.

Perhaps I have read too many of these, 02 Oct 2008
WIth the plethora of stuff coming out now from grunts (sorry sniper one) throught to Harrier pilots, I have read many of these books and perhaps I have become overloaded.

I cannot enthuse over this book and whilst it is without doubt accurate, I did not find that it flowed as a good read. I must admit judging by the rave reviews from many readers, there are many who feel that it is better than I did.

Towards the end, I was looking to see how many pages were left, which is always a tell-tale sign for me that it is not that good. Well done to the AAC, I am glad that the army got the Apache rather than the REMFS of the RAF: sadly whilst I admire the AAC quite a bit and they pulled me out of a hole once, I can only give this read three stars.

FANTASTIC BOOK, 06 Sep 2008
This is a fantastic book so please ignore all the ill founded comments from people who i would say have barely read the book let a lone given a real review of it. The book is an excellent insight into the lifes of Apache pilots on the frontline and sells the Army Air Corps well. i am sure that my son and many others will aspire to becoming pilots themselves after reading this book. I am assured that they are all true stories and am glad that there are others doing what they do for us all, over there in Afghanistan. The pilots should be truly proud of what they have achieved. The book is well written with the author showing the human side to these men and even their mistakes; not many military books do that.
Thank you to the author and the men and heres looking forward to more of the same!

BUY IT AND ENJOY THE BEST READ EVER ABOUT THE APACHE AND THE MEN WHO FLY IT, 05 Sep 2008
Ladies believe it or not this is a great book for you, if you have anyone close serving over in Afghanistan this will be a great insite into life out there. The highs and the lows of working in harsh conditions away from family and loved ones, how they cope and deal with this and the demands it places on people at home who are left to try and cope. Waiting for that long overdue phone call to confirm they are safe because all communications have been stopped due to deaths and injury and praying daily for their loved ones safe return. Read it, truly how it is this book not only tells it all but will leave you filled with pride knowing the courage our troops show working constantly as they do for their country to ensure we all benefit from a better standard of life. Know also that by purchasing this book you are helping those fallen and their families who have given so much and asked for so little as already profits from the book sale has been given to Help for Heroes.

A must read, 02 Sep 2008
After reading Apache Dawn I felt Damien Lewis has given the public an insight into the excellent work our British Forces are doing in Afghanistan. After hearing about the the battles of last summer on the news it was good to read in to depth about what went on from a pilots point and a soldiers as i was only told a limited story. I would recommend any one to read as soldiers do not get any reconition for what they do out on tours and people can find out alot reading this book.

AWESOME reading, 09 Nov 2008
This is simply a magnificent read.I could not put it down.Bob Shepherd has seen it all, twenty years in the regiment followed by assignments on the circuit in hotspots such as:The West Bank and Gaza,Iraq and Afghanistan

Bobs professionalism shines through on every page and is in stark contrast to the glaring ineptitude of the American military forces. To think that he had to advise camp commanders on such basic principles as camp security or holding of hostages is gravely disturbing.But even more disturbing is the true cost of the global war on terror is being hidden by government departments who hire highly inept private security operators in place of properly trained and equipped military specialists.

This book is a revelation and Bob Shepherd pulls no punches and doesn't disguise his disquiet at the degeneration of The Circuit.

Thought Provoking, 16 Aug 2008
[[ASIN:0330455737 The Circuit: An Ex-SAS Soldier's True Account of One of the Most Powerful and Secretive Industries Spawned by the War on Terror]
A fascinating insight into the job of a 'Close Protection' operative.Bob Shepherd pulls no punches with his opinions about his fellow countrymen(and non fellow countrymen)who share the same profession,especially if they're not trained to his standard,which as you might guess after 23 years serving with 'The Regiment' are understandably high.If you're looking for a book crammed with boys own stories about damsels in distress and guns and explosions in true gruesome detail,then this definately is NOT the book for you.This is a story about a true professional in every sense of the word,who makes it his duty to understand the ways,traditions and historical backgrounds of the people he serves and meets on his adventures and operations in often very hostile environments.Oh yes,he also meets some very important and influential people(and the odd warlord)along the way...ENJOY.

A good book written by a decent bloke., 12 Aug 2008
Bob Shepherd has the courage to point out that we have lost the plot as the politicians and accountants take over. Clear eyed, funny and modest this book takes us where most of us would not survive. We need people like Bob Shepherd - I hope that we realise it before it is too late.

Dull and very disappointing, 10 Aug 2008
I bought this book after reading the raving reviews put forward by others here, however, I found myself wondering whether I'd bought the correct book. The book was incredibly dull and disappointing. The most exciting part of the book was the first two pages, where the author comes into verbal conflict with a member of the Isreali Defense Force. The book covers the author's experiences in various conflict zones around the world as a bodyguard. This sounds exciting, but don't be mislead like I was. Its more a book of opinions and interpretations of one person. I've read many books in this category over many years, this is the first Amazon review I have written, but I felt compelled to write this to warn others against the poor quality content of this book.

An eye-opener, 23 Jul 2008
This is a great insight into life on the front-line of private security - in the world's most dangerous locations! The author gives a gripping and detailed account of how to stay alive and more importantly keep your clients alive. There are some great anecdotes where the author is visiting US military outposts and drawing on his years of service in the Regiment, has to point out basic failings in US security arrangements. It is a great read which shines a light onto the politics and realities of the murky world of the Circuit.

An involving account of an important piece of modern British history, 28 Oct 2008
Many will remember when, in April 1982, Argentine forces invaded the Falkland Islands. The islands had belonged to the UK since 1833 and in 1982 the 1800-strong population considered themselves British. The ailing Argentine military junta of 1982 needed to re-establish their authority and reclaiming the `Malvinas' would surely do this. Public outcry in the UK and indignance from the Falkland Islanders followed as the Argentine flag was raised over Stanley.

A British Task Force was hastily assembled and memorable pictures were broadcast of anxious families seeing their loved ones depart from the Solent ports. The UK had long been preparing to fight Cold War scenarios, but the Falklands Conflict provided senior officers, crews and engineers of the Royal Air Force with numerous challenges as to how best they could contribute to the effort.

Vulcan 607 is the story from conception to execution of Operation Black Buck; the longest-range air attack in history carried out by a single Vulcan bomber to deny Argentine use of the runway at Stanley Airfield on East Falkland. This they did supported by 15 Victor air-to-air refuelling tanker aircraft involving 19 separate in-flight refuellings over the 8000-mile journey from Ascension Island across the South Atlantic to the Falklands and back again. This precarious mission turned out to be a turning point in the fight to regain the islands, as the runway was put out of effective use and valuable Argentine air assets were diverted to protect the mainland, military bases and Navy at sea.

Roland White's book accurately describes the training, techniques and potential dangers involved in such a mission and the air-to-air refuelling it requires; his attention to detail and excellent research shows in every chapter. Personal anecdotes from aircraft crews, planners and Falkland Islanders seamlessly intertwine to reveal personal emotions during the tension, uncertainty and unfolding drama of the Conflict and vividly bring the Operation to life as events unravel.

Vulcan 607 was gripping from start to finish and I genuinely found it hard to put down.
Highly recommended.
M

Fabulous read, 09 Aug 2008
I am no literary critic as the only time I read a book is on holiday. However, if more books were like this then that would change. I found it easy to read, albeit the number of characters involved did get confusing at times but this is a true story after all with each of them playing their own part and deserving of recognition. It flows well and was hard to put down and puts into perspective what is involved in any mission let alone one at the other side of the world. Its incredible that it ever came off. A fascinating, moving and thrilling read from start to finish. I applaud the RAF and those involved.

Stunning efforts in human endurance and tenacity., 07 Feb 2008
I found this book amazing, and a wonderful addition to the many accounts of the various aspects of the Falklands conflict. I have just finished reading Excursion to hell by Vincent Bramley from 3 Para. And I have to say both these books give fascinating accounts of factual events that helped to further our efforts in the Falklands.
The journey you travel in this book is a long and arduous one, and even when the mission has been carried out, the return is just as strenuous.

Some people now claim many things about this mission, both in its effectiveness and contribution. they also seem to think it was a competition between the armed forces of Britain on who did the most.
But what a lot of people are missing is that this mission had many successful results both politically and in terms of moral on both sides. And these brave men were doing their duty, as well as the brave men of the army and navy did, and have continued to do.

Anyone with even the most remote interest in military operations cannot fail to be drawn into the intrigues of planning a huge mission and the every day life of a British serviceman.


Boys Own at its best, 16 Jan 2008
If you only read one book this year make sure its Vulcan 607. A fabulous story told in a glorious style. So many interest angles, Political, Military, Technical, Human - something for everyone. You don't have to immerse yourself in the fascinating technical and military detail to appreciate the vision, ambition, guts and determination to get the job done displayed here. The dedication and professionalism of all those involved, combined with the 'can do' attitude and the desire to give Argentine a 'bloody nose',are stirring to say the least.

Competent, 24 Dec 2007
Logistically, it would have been easier to build a hotel on Jupiter. Politically, failure of this mission would be suicidal. Tactically, it could have been left to the Sea Harriers stationed 200 miles away on HMS Invincible to destroy Stanleys Airstrip. Frankly, this mission sounded as daft as the Dambusters raids nearly 40 years previous, but just like those - symbolically it was nothing short of magical. The RAF had modified a 30 year old nuclear bomber - 2 months away from the scrapyard, with conventional weapons and a heath robinson refuelling procedure that had served as an ashtray in the officers mess for 20 years, and delivered it to within a few hundred miles of Buenos Aires. If the plan was to undermine and terrify the Junta, I cant think of anything more potent than the sight of a Vulcan in your airspace.

Sadly, the delivery of the story doesnt quite do justice to the mission itself. Its well researched, and competently written, but I felt the organisation of the chapters should have dealt seperately with the various threads, instead of lumping them together. This would have also allowed Wight to suspend the reader on the edge of their seat between chapters. For example, "Then it all went badly wrong." should have ended the chapter, instead, Wight tells us (briefly) why in the very next paragraph.

Next, watching a Vulcan take off is an unforgettable experience. The sounds, the size of the delta winged behemoth, the sheer power of the engines as it snakes upwards at an impossible angle and speed. I can only imagine the tension and feeling of seeing a dozen or so overloaded planes leaving Ascension Island on the eve of the raid that a flowing narrative could stir, but sadly this book doesnt quite capture it. "A few seconds later she was airborne" just isnt enough for me.

That said, it deals competently with the events and so is an important component in the history of the Falklands war. I would have liked more backdrop of the building tension of the war and a clearer idea of the bigger picture, though thats not really a criticism, instead this book has prompted me to find others that deal more specifically with the other events during the same period.

aphoristic and enlightening, 29 Sep 2008
I'm not especially interested in military history, neither am I a manager or businessman, but I still found this book very enjoyable. It has the rare appeal of being of its time but at the same time applicable to the present day. Many of the insights feel very contemporary - not simply to the business arena but to any aspect of life. The style is terse and aphoristic, which means that it doesn't really matter that the book is quite short. Even the chapters on terrain tactics are interesting from a historical point of view. I would also recommend a book called the Fall by Steve Taylor for its insights into the origins and history of warfare and social conflict The Fall:the Insanity of the Ego in Human History and the Dawning of a New Era: The Insanity of the Ego in Human History and the Dawning of a New Era



Short, snappy and very readable, 08 Sep 2008
I bought this as I am quite interested in military history, and thought I couldn't really go wrong with £3. Instead of the paragraphs of thick text I expected, instead the book is laid out with numbered points in a series of about 13 chapters.

The text never becomes heavy, but instead is written in a very accessible way meaning it is easy to dip in and out of the book as you like. Also I thought that maybe the text would be outdated and irrelevant, but instead with a bit of common sense it can apply to us today.

All in all, very readable and well worth the money, especially if you need to purchase something to get free postage!

Not what I was expecting, but quirky and useful, 04 Jun 2008
I was expecting a huge tome full of Confuscian statements which are allegorical to warfare. What I received was a 69-page book of short instructions which are dirrectly about warfare, but in many cases allegorical to life.

Possibly they're all in some way applicable to the day-to-day, the fighting with fire section does seem a bit specialised, but doubtless the scales will fall from my eyes at some stage and I will be able to use its teachings in buying tangerines from waitrose.

The best thing about the book is the ability to spice up conversation. Never again will I use a hackneyed marketing phrase where something from Sun Tzu will work. Brilliant.

A must read book !, 25 Sep 2007
Short but Sweet !
Applicable theories even today !
Must Read, more than once !


Smurfs flex their biceps , 13 Oct 2008
Coming from an Infantry background, I, along with hundreds of callsigns, have suffered at the hands of the AAC when arranged pick up confirmations are met with 'no flying, weathers closed in'. This then involved the heli pilots in sitting off in the crew room, watching a dvd whilst bourboning themselves to death with their brews while the call sign tabs back to base location or invites themselves to another unit's location-which are usually unbearbly cramped to start with.Under these too familiar circumstances,the AAC slagging is in a league of its own.
Enter Damien Lewis. Apache Dawn left me with a complete turnaround of opinion. Infanteers love fire support. Thats why they love Apaches.
Damien gets you in the cockpit with the guys and enables you to live what they live. Through the training for battle, the longing to be tested by battle and to the battle and beyond, there is action and there is hunanity. Do they mix? Moreso than most would understand/believe. DL has opened the eyes of the public to the fact that not only do special forces have hero running through them if broken in half. I wont go into the mechanics of DLs writing other than-if you've read any of his previous outings you'll know the quality the man offers. If you havent,then start.Read, absorb and learn. Everyone needs to understand what our boys are dealing with in the 'stan.Its war yet the masses are ignorantly unaware. DL isnt so much an author as a highly respected lecturer instilling knowledge. Buy this book - the subject matter needs to be known.

Perhaps I have read too many of these, 02 Oct 2008
WIth the plethora of stuff coming out now from grunts (sorry sniper one) throught to Harrier pilots, I have read many of these books and perhaps I have become overloaded.

I cannot enthuse over this book and whilst it is without doubt accurate, I did not find that it flowed as a good read. I must admit judging by the rave reviews from many readers, there are many who feel that it is better than I did.

Towards the end, I was looking to see how many pages were left, which is always a tell-tale sign for me that it is not that good. Well done to the AAC, I am glad that the army got the Apache rather than the REMFS of the RAF: sadly whilst I admire the AAC quite a bit and they pulled me out of a hole once, I can only give this read three stars.

FANTASTIC BOOK, 06 Sep 2008
This is a fantastic book so please ignore all the ill founded comments from people who i would say have barely read the book let a lone given a real review of it. The book is an excellent insight into the lifes of Apache pilots on the frontline and sells the Army Air Corps well. i am sure that my son and many others will aspire to becoming pilots themselves after reading this book. I am assured that they are all true stories and am glad that there are others doing what they do for us all, over there in Afghanistan. The pilots should be truly proud of what they have achieved. The book is well written with the author showing the human side to these men and even their mistakes; not many military books do that.
Thank you to the author and the men and heres looking forward to more of the same!

BUY IT AND ENJOY THE BEST READ EVER ABOUT THE APACHE AND THE MEN WHO FLY IT, 05 Sep 2008
Ladies believe it or not this is a great book for you, if you have anyone close serving over in Afghanistan this will be a great insite into life out there. The highs and the lows of working in harsh conditions away from family and loved ones, how they cope and deal with this and the demands it places on people at home who are left to try and cope. Waiting for that long overdue phone call to confirm they are safe because all communications have been stopped due to deaths and injury and praying daily for their loved ones safe return. Read it, truly how it is this book not only tells it all but will leave you filled with pride knowing the courage our troops show working constantly as they do for their country to ensure we all benefit from a better standard of life. Know also that by purchasing this book you are helping those fallen and their families who have given so much and asked for so little as already profits from the book sale has been given to Help for Heroes.

A must read, 02 Sep 2008
After reading Apache Dawn I felt Damien Lewis has given the public an insight into the excellent work our British Forces are doing in Afghanistan. After hearing about the the battles of last summer on the news it was good to read in to depth about what went on from a pilots point and a soldiers as i was only told a limited story. I would recommend any one to read as soldiers do not get any reconition for what they do out on tours and people can find out alot reading this book.

AWESOME reading, 09 Nov 2008
This is simply a magnificent read.I could not put it down.Bob Shepherd has seen it all, twenty years in the regiment followed by assignments on the circuit in hotspots such as:The West Bank and Gaza,Iraq and Afghanistan

Bobs professionalism shines through on every page and is in stark contrast to the glaring ineptitude of the American military forces. To think that he had to advise camp commanders on such basic principles as camp security or holding of hostages is gravely disturbing.But even more disturbing is the true cost of the global war on terror is being hidden by government departments who hire highly inept private security operators in place of properly trained and equipped military specialists.

This book is a revelation and Bob Shepherd pulls no punches and doesn't disguise his disquiet at the degeneration of The Circuit.

Thought Provoking, 16 Aug 2008
[[ASIN:0330455737 The Circuit: An Ex-SAS Soldier's True Account of One of the Most Powerful and Secretive Industries Spawned by the War on Terror]
A fascinating insight into the job of a 'Close Protection' operative.Bob Shepherd pulls no punches with his opinions about his fellow countrymen(and non fellow countrymen)who share the same profession,especially if they're not trained to his standard,which as you might guess after 23 years serving with 'The Regiment' are understandably high.If you're looking for a book crammed with boys own stories about damsels in distress and guns and explosions in true gruesome detail,then this definately is NOT the book for you.This is a story about a true professional in every sense of the word,who makes it his duty to understand the ways,traditions and historical backgrounds of the people he serves and meets on his adventures and operations in often very hostile environments.Oh yes,he also meets some very important and influential people(and the odd warlord)along the way...ENJOY.

A good book written by a decent bloke., 12 Aug 2008
Bob Shepherd has the courage to point out that we have lost the plot as the politicians and accountants take over. Clear eyed, funny and modest this book takes us where most of us would not survive. We need people like Bob Shepherd - I hope that we realise it before it is too late.

Dull and very disappointing, 10 Aug 2008
I bought this book after reading the raving reviews put forward by others here, however, I found myself wondering whether I'd bought the correct book. The book was incredibly dull and disappointing. The most exciting part of the book was the first two pages, where the author comes into verbal conflict with a member of the Isreali Defense Force. The book covers the author's experiences in various conflict zones around the world as a bodyguard. This sounds exciting, but don't be mislead like I was. Its more a book of opinions and interpretations of one person. I've read many books in this category over many years, this is the first Amazon review I have written, but I felt compelled to write this to warn others against the poor quality content of this book.

An eye-opener, 23 Jul 2008
This is a great insight into life on the front-line of private security - in the world's most dangerous locations! The author gives a gripping and detailed account of how to stay alive and more importantly keep your clients alive. There are some great anecdotes where the author is visiting US military outposts and drawing on his years of service in the Regiment, has to point out basic failings in US security arrangements. It is a great read which shines a light onto the politics and realities of the murky world of the Circuit.

An involving account of an important piece of modern British history, 28 Oct 2008
Many will remember when, in April 1982, Argentine forces invaded the Falkland Islands. The islands had belonged to the UK since 1833 and in 1982 the 1800-strong population considered themselves British. The ailing Argentine military junta of 1982 needed to re-establish their authority and reclaiming the `Malvinas' would surely do this. Public outcry in the UK and indignance from the Falkland Islanders followed as the Argentine flag was raised over Stanley.

A British Task Force was hastily assembled and memorable pictures were broadcast of anxious families seeing their loved ones depart from the Solent ports. The UK had long been preparing to fight Cold War scenarios, but the Falklands Conflict provided senior officers, crews and engineers of the Royal Air Force with numerous challenges as to how best they could contribute to the effort.

Vulcan 607 is the story from conception to execution of Operation Black Buck; the longest-range air attack in history carried out by a single Vulcan bomber to deny Argentine use of the runway at Stanley Airfield on East Falkland. This they did supported by 15 Victor air-to-air refuelling tanker aircraft involving 19 separate in-flight refuellings over the 8000-mile journey from Ascension Island across the South Atlantic to the Falklands and back again. This precarious mission turned out to be a turning point in the fight to regain the islands, as the runway was put out of effective use and valuable Argentine air assets were diverted to protect the mainland, military bases and Navy at sea.

Roland White's book accurately describes the training, techniques and potential dangers involved in such a mission and the air-to-air refuelling it requires; his attention to detail and excellent research shows in every chapter. Personal anecdotes from aircraft crews, planners and Falkland Islanders seamlessly intertwine to reveal personal emotions during the tension, uncertainty and unfolding drama of the Conflict and vividly bring the Operation to life as events unravel.

Vulcan 607 was gripping from start to finish and I genuinely found it hard to put down.
Highly recommended.
M

Fabulous read, 09 Aug 2008
I am no literary critic as the only time I read a book is on holiday. However, if more books were like this then that would change. I found it easy to read, albeit the number of characters involved did get confusing at times but this is a true story after all with each of them playing their own part and deserving of recognition. It flows well and was hard to put down and puts into perspective what is involved in any mission let alone one at the other side of the world. Its incredible that it ever came off. A fascinating, moving and thrilling read from start to finish. I applaud the RAF and those involved.

Stunning efforts in human endurance and tenacity., 07 Feb 2008
I found this book amazing, and a wonderful addition to the many accounts of the various aspects of the Falklands conflict. I have just finished reading Excursion to hell by Vincent Bramley from 3 Para. And I have to say both these books give fascinating accounts of factual events that helped to further our efforts in the Falklands.
The journey you travel in this book is a long and arduous one, and even when the mission has been carried out, the return is just as strenuous.

Some people now claim many things about this mission, both in its effectiveness and contribution. they also seem to think it was a competition between the armed forces of Britain on who did the most.
But what a lot of people are missing is that this mission had many successful results both politically and in terms of moral on both sides. And these brave men were doing their duty, as well as the brave men of the army and navy did, and have continued to do.

Anyone with even the most remote interest in military operations cannot fail to be drawn into the intrigues of planning a huge mission and the every day life of a British serviceman.


Boys Own at its best, 16 Jan 2008
If you only read one book this year make sure its Vulcan 607. A fabulous story told in a glorious style. So many interest angles, Political, Military, Technical, Human - something for everyone. You don't have to immerse yourself in the fascinating technical and military detail to appreciate the vision, ambition, guts and determination to get the job done displayed here. The dedication and professionalism of all those involved, combined with the 'can do' attitude and the desire to give Argentine a 'bloody nose',are stirring to say the least.

Competent, 24 Dec 2007
Logistically, it would have been easier to build a hotel on Jupiter. Politically, failure of this mission would be suicidal. Tactically, it could have been left to the Sea Harriers stationed 200 miles away on HMS Invincible to destroy Stanleys Airstrip. Frankly, this mission sounded as daft as the Dambusters raids nearly 40 years previous, but just like those - symbolically it was nothing short of magical. The RAF had modified a 30 year old nuclear bomber - 2 months away from the scrapyard, with conventional weapons and a heath robinson refuelling procedure that had served as an ashtray in the officers mess for 20 years, and delivered it to within a few hundred miles of Buenos Aires. If the plan was to undermine and terrify the Junta, I cant think of anything more potent than the sight of a Vulcan in your airspace.

Sadly, the delivery of the story doesnt quite do justice to the mission itself. Its well researched, and competently written, but I felt the organisation of the chapters should have dealt seperately with the various threads, instead of lumping them together. This would have also allowed Wight to suspend the reader on the edge of their seat between chapters. For example, "Then it all went badly wrong." should have ended the chapter, instead, Wight tells us (briefly) why in the very next paragraph.

Next, watching a Vulcan take off is an unforgettable experience. The sounds, the size of the delta winged behemoth, the sheer power of the engines as it snakes upwards at an impossible angle and speed. I can only imagine the tension and feeling of seeing a dozen or so overloaded planes leaving Ascension Island on the eve of the raid that a flowing narrative could stir, but sadly this book doesnt quite capture it. "A few seconds later she was airborne" just isnt enough for me.

That said, it deals competently with the events and so is an important component in the history of the Falklands war. I would have liked more backdrop of the building tension of the war and a clearer idea of the bigger picture, though thats not really a criticism, instead this book has prompted me to find others that deal more specifically with the other events during the same period.

A superb and thought-provoking read., 04 Apr 2008
Rupert Smith uses both his past experience as a commander of multinational troops and his interest in military history to illustrate why military forces with numerical and technological advantages fail to achieve the desired outcome - their force has no utility. He then lists how politicians and the military alike can learn from such lessons to give their force utility.

Highly stimulating and an easy read, The Utility of Force is written to such an extent that both novices interested in military affairs and those in the senior echelons of command can benefit from it. I wholeheartedly recommend it.

A MUST FOR STUDENTS OF HISTORY, 08 Nov 2007
This book is a "must" for anyone who has an understanding or thirst for all things military. It is very well written, if a little bit too academic in places and the author makes very well constructed arguments that are simple yet seemed to be not understood by those in power i.e. Government! One of the "great" British Generals of modern times!

Simple, obvious, brilliant., 07 Feb 2007
What the man says is not rocket science, but that's why this book is even more necessary.
It's about understanding the nature of what the conflict now is and what you want to get out of it. Once that's understood, make sure your organisation, tactics, strategy and resources fit.
And yet it's so obvious that this simple formula is routinely ignored by governments, not least of all our own one, and indeed armed forces.
It also reminds me as a journalist how many of my own profession don't understand what they're talking about when reporting on conflict - a modern journalistic blindspot as big as the lack of understanding of economics. This book ought to be mandatory reading for every foreign desk.
The best bits include the author's disection of various historic paradigm changes in conflict. The only criticisms that spring to mind are that he doesn't seem to give much of a rundown of things like the equipment changes that modern warfare demand, and that he can come across as a touch overbearing and arrogant, although this is no more than an impression and spoils nothing.



Essential reading, 14 Dec 2006
While not sharing Rupert Smith's opinion that warfare is somehow hard-wired into human beings - the incidence of war varies greatly in different countries and at different times (e.g. Sweden, once very warlike, hasn't been involved in armed combat for nearly 200 years) - this book is essential reading for anyone who wants to understand modern warfare. It explains very clearly, for example, why the invasion of Iraq was doomed from the outset and why the current strategy will certainly fail. From a former top soldier this is devastating stuff.

This one is , 13 Nov 2006
Rupert Smith brings together his long and relevant experience of command in some of the more prickly theatres of conflict in our time in lucid writing to put through the message that the nature of "war" has changed irrevocably. And the armed forces too have to be reformed and thus prepared for the new conflicts

This book is one of its kind. Prospective buyers may like to get the book's flavour from the mp3 audio of Rupert Smith's recent lecture (of the same title) at the RSA, and the questions and answers that followed (website~ http://www.thersa.org/audio/lecture181006.mp3).

aphoristic and enlightening, 29 Sep 2008
I'm not especially interested in military history, neither am I a manager or businessman, but I still found this book very enjoyable. It has the rare appeal of being of its time but at the same time applicable to the present day. Many of the insights feel very contemporary - not simply to the business arena but to any aspect of life. The style is terse and aphoristic, which means that it doesn't really matter that the book is quite short. Even the chapters on terrain tactics are interesting from a historical point of view. I would also recommend a book called the Fall by Steve Taylor for its insights into the origins and history of warfare and social conflict The Fall:the Insanity of the Ego in Human History and the Dawning of a New Era: The Insanity of the Ego in Human History and the Dawning of a New Era



Short, snappy and very readable, 08 Sep 2008
I bought this as I am quite interested in military history, and thought I couldn't really go wrong with £3. Instead of the paragraphs of thick text I expected, instead the book is laid out with numbered points in a series of about 13 chapters.

The text never becomes heavy, but instead is written in a very accessible way meaning it is easy to dip in and out of the book as you like. Also I thought that maybe the text would be outdated and irrelevant, but instead with a bit of common sense it can apply to us today.

All in all, very readable and well worth the money, especially if you need to purchase something to get free postage!

Not what I was expecting, but quirky and useful, 04 Jun 2008
I was expecting a huge tome full of Confuscian statements which are allegorical to warfare. What I received was a 69-page book of short instructions which are dirrectly about warfare, but in many cases allegorical to life.

Possibly they're all in some way applicable to the day-to-day, the fighting with fire section does seem a bit specialised, but doubtless the scales will fall from my eyes at some stage and I will be able to use its teachings in buying tangerines from waitrose.

The best thing about the book is the ability to spice up conversation. Never again will I use a hackneyed marketing phrase where something from Sun Tzu will work. Brilliant.

A must read book !, 25 Sep 2007
Short but Sweet !
Applicable theories even today !
Must Read, more than once !


Smurfs flex their biceps , 13 Oct 2008
Coming from an Infantry background, I, along with hundreds of callsigns, have suffered at the hands of the AAC when arranged pick up confirmations are met with 'no flying, weathers closed in'. This then involved the heli pilots in sitting off in the crew room, watching a dvd whilst bourboning themselves to death with their brews while the call sign tabs back to base location or invites themselves to another unit's location-which are usually unbearbly cramped to start with.Under these too familiar circumstances,the AAC slagging is in a league of its own.
Enter Damien Lewis. Apache Dawn left me with a complete turnaround of opinion. Infanteers love fire support. Thats why they love Apaches.
Damien gets you in the cockpit with the guys and enables you to live what they live. Through the training for battle, the longing to be tested by battle and to the battle and beyond, there is action and there is hunanity. Do they mix? Moreso than most would understand/believe. DL has opened the eyes of the public to the fact that not only do special forces have hero running through them if broken in half. I wont go into the mechanics of DLs writing other than-if you've read any of his previous outings you'll know the quality the man offers. If you havent,then start.Read, absorb and learn. Everyone needs to understand what our boys are dealing with in the 'stan.Its war yet the masses are ignorantly unaware. DL isnt so much an author as a highly respected lecturer instilling knowledge. Buy this book - the subject matter needs to be known.

Perhaps I have read too many of these, 02 Oct 2008
WIth the plethora of stuff coming out now from grunts (sorry sniper one) throught to Harrier pilots, I have read many of these books and perhaps I have become overloaded.

I cannot enthuse over this book and whilst it is without doubt accurate, I did not find that it flowed as a good read. I must admit judging by the rave reviews from many readers, there are many who feel that it is better than I did.

Towards the end, I was looking to see how many pages were left, which is always a tell-tale sign for me that it is not that good. Well done to the AAC, I am glad that the army got the Apache rather than the REMFS of the RAF: sadly whilst I admire the AAC quite a bit and they pulled me out of a hole once, I can only give this read three stars.

FANTASTIC BOOK, 06 Sep 2008
This is a fantastic book so please ignore all the ill founded comments from people who i would say have barely read the book let a lone given a real review of it. The book is an excellent insight into the lifes of Apache pilots on the frontline and sells the Army Air Corps well. i am sure that my son and many others will aspire to becoming pilots themselves after reading this book. I am assured that they are all true stories and am glad that there are others doing what they do for us all, over there in Afghanistan. The pilots should be truly proud of what they have achieved. The book is well written with the author showing the human side to these men and even their mistakes; not many military books do that.
Thank you to the author and the men and heres looking forward to more of the same!

BUY IT AND ENJOY THE BEST READ EVER ABOUT THE APACHE AND THE MEN WHO FLY IT, 05 Sep 2008
Ladies believe it or not this is a great book for you, if you have anyone close serving over in Afghanistan this will be a great insite into life out there. The highs and the lows of working in harsh conditions away from family and loved ones, how they cope and deal with this and the demands it places on people at home who are left to try and cope. Waiting for that long overdue phone call to confirm they are safe because all communications have been stopped due to deaths and injury and praying daily for their loved ones safe return. Read it, truly how it is this book not only tells it all but will leave you filled with pride knowing the courage our troops show working constantly as they do for their country to ensure we all benefit from a better standard of life. Know also that by purchasing this book you are helping those fallen and their families who have given so much and asked for so little as already profits from the book sale has been given to Help for Heroes.

A must read, 02 Sep 2008
After reading Apache Dawn I felt Damien Lewis has given the public an insight into the excellent work our British Forces are doing in Afghanistan. After hearing about the the battles of last summer on the news it was good to read in to depth about what went on from a pilots point and a soldiers as i was only told a limited story. I would recommend any one to read as soldiers do not get any reconition for what they do out on tours and people can find out alot reading this book.

AWESOME reading, 09 Nov 2008
This is simply a magnificent read.I could not put it down.Bob Shepherd has seen it all, twenty years in the regiment followed by assignments on the circuit in hotspots such as:The West Bank and Gaza,Iraq and Afghanistan

Bobs professionalism shines through on every page and is in stark contrast to the glaring ineptitude of the American military forces. To think that he had to advise camp commanders on such basic principles as camp security or holding of hostages is gravely disturbing.But even more disturbing is the true cost of the global war on terror is being hidden by government departments who hire highly inept private security operators in place of properly trained and equipped military specialists.

This book is a revelation and Bob Shepherd pulls no punches and doesn't disguise his disquiet at the degeneration of The Circuit.

Thought Provoking, 16 Aug 2008
[[ASIN:0330455737 The Circuit: An Ex-SAS Soldier's True Account of One of the Most Powerful and Secretive Industries Spawned by the War on Terror]
A fascinating insight into the job of a 'Close Protection' operative.Bob Shepherd pulls no punches with his opinions about his fellow countrymen(and non fellow countrymen)who share the same profession,especially if they're not trained to his standard,which as you might guess after 23 years serving with 'The Regiment' are understandably high.If you're looking for a book crammed with boys own stories about damsels in distress and guns and explosions in true gruesome detail,then this definately is NOT the book for you.This is a story about a true professional in every sense of the word,who makes it his duty to understand the ways,traditions and historical backgrounds of the people he serves and meets on his adventures and operations in often very hostile environments.Oh yes,he also meets some very important and influential people(and the odd warlord)along the way...ENJOY.

A good book written by a decent bloke., 12 Aug 2008
Bob Shepherd has the courage to point out that we have lost the plot as the politicians and accountants take over. Clear eyed, funny and modest this book takes us where most of us would not survive. We need people like Bob Shepherd - I hope that we realise it before it is too late.

Dull and very disappointing, 10 Aug 2008
I bought this book after reading the raving reviews put forward by others here, however, I found myself wondering whether I'd bought the correct book. The book was incredibly dull and disappointing. The most exciting part of the book was the first two pages, where the author comes into verbal conflict with a member of the Isreali Defense Force. The book covers the author's experiences in various conflict zones around the world as a bodyguard. This sounds exciting, but don't be mislead like I was. Its more a book of opinions and interpretations of one person. I've read many books in this category over many years, this is the first Amazon review I have written, but I felt compelled to write this to warn others against the poor quality content of this book.

An eye-opener, 23 Jul 2008
This is a great insight into life on the front-line of private security - in the world's most dangerous locations! The author gives a gripping and detailed account of how to stay alive and more importantly keep your clients alive. There are some great anecdotes where the author is visiting US military outposts and drawing on his years of service in the Regiment, has to point out basic failings in US security arrangements. It is a great read which shines a light onto the politics and realities of the murky world of the Circuit.

An involving account of an important piece of modern British history, 28 Oct 2008
Many will remember when, in April 1982, Argentine forces invaded the Falkland Islands. The islands had belonged to the UK since 1833 and in 1982 the 1800-strong population considered themselves British. The ailing Argentine military junta of 1982 needed to re-establish their authority and reclaiming the `Malvinas' would surely do this. Public outcry in the UK and indignance from the Falkland Islanders followed as the Argentine flag was raised over Stanley.

A British Task Force was hastily assembled and memorable pictures were broadcast of anxious families seeing their loved ones depart from the Solent ports. The UK had long been preparing to fight Cold War scenarios, but the Falklands Conflict provided senior officers, crews and engineers of the Royal Air Force with numerous challenges as to how best they could contribute to the effort.

Vulcan 607 is the story from conception to execution of Operation Black Buck; the longest-range air attack in history carried out by a single Vulcan bomber to deny Argentine use of the runway at Stanley Airfield on East Falkland. This they did supported by 15 Victor air-to-air refuelling tanker aircraft involving 19 separate in-flight refuellings over the 8000-mile journey from Ascension Island across the South Atlantic to the Falklands and back again. This precarious mission turned out to be a turning point in the fight to regain the islands, as the runway was put out of effective use and valuable Argentine air assets were diverted to protect the mainland, military bases and Navy at sea.

Roland White's book accurately describes the training, techniques and potential dangers involved in such a mission and the air-to-air refuelling it requires; his attention to detail and excellent research shows in every chapter. Personal anecdotes from aircraft crews, planners and Falkland Islanders seamlessly intertwine to reveal personal emotions during the tension, uncertainty and unfolding drama of the Conflict and vividly bring the Operation to life as events unravel.

Vulcan 607 was gripping from start to finish and I genuinely found it hard to put down.
Highly recommended.
M

Fabulous read, 09 Aug 2008
I am no literary critic as the only time I read a book is on holiday. However, if more books were like this then that would change. I found it easy to read, albeit the number of characters involved did get confusing at times but this is a true story after all with each of them playing their own part and deserving of recognition. It flows well and was hard to put down and puts into perspective what is involved in any mission let alone one at the other side of the world. Its incredible that it ever came off. A fascinating, moving and thrilling read from start to finish. I applaud the RAF and those involved.

Stunning efforts in human endurance and tenacity., 07 Feb 2008
I found this book amazing, and a wonderful addition to the many accounts of the various aspects of the Falklands conflict. I have just finished reading Excursion to hell by Vincent Bramley from 3 Para. And I have to say both these books give fascinating accounts of factual events that helped to further our efforts in the Falklands.
The journey you travel in this book is a long and arduous one, and even when the mission has been carried out, the return is just as strenuous.

Some people now claim many things about this mission, both in its effectiveness and contribution. they also seem to think it was a competition between the armed forces of Britain on who did the most.
But what a lot of people are missing is that this mission had many successful results both politically and in terms of moral on both sides. And these brave men were doing their duty, as well as the brave men of the army and navy did, and have continued to do.

Anyone with even the most remote interest in military operations cannot fail to be drawn into the intrigues of planning a huge mission and the every day life of a British serviceman.


Boys Own at its best, 16 Jan 2008
If you only read one book this year make sure its Vulcan 607. A fabulous story told in a glorious style. So many interest angles, Political, Military, Technical, Human - something for everyone. You don't have to immerse yourself in the fascinating technical and military detail to appreciate the vision, ambition, guts and determination to get the job done displayed here. The dedication and professionalism of all those involved, combined with the 'can do' attitude and the desire to give Argentine a 'bloody nose',are stirring to say the least.

Competent, 24 Dec 2007
Logistically, it would have been easier to build a hotel on Jupiter. Politically, failure of this mission would be suicidal. Tactically, it could have been left to the Sea Harriers stationed 200 miles away on HMS Invincible to destroy Stanleys Airstrip. Frankly, this mission sounded as daft as the Dambusters raids nearly 40 years previous, but just like those - symbolically it was nothing short of magical. The RAF had modified a 30 year old nuclear bomber - 2 months away from the scrapyard, with conventional weapons and a heath robinson refuelling procedure that had served as an ashtray in the officers mess for 20 years, and delivered it to within a few hundred miles of Buenos Aires. If the plan was to undermine and terrify the Junta, I cant think of anything more potent than the sight of a Vulcan in your airspace.

Sadly, the delivery of the story doesnt quite do justice to the mission itself. Its well researched, and competently written, but I felt the organisation of the chapters should have dealt seperately with the various threads, instead of lumping them together. This would have also allowed Wight to suspend the reader on the edge of their seat between chapters. For example, "Then it all went badly wrong." should have ended the chapter, instead, Wight tells us (briefly) why in the very next paragraph.

Next, watching a Vulcan take off is an unforgettable experience. The sounds, the size of the delta winged behemoth, the sheer power of the engines as it snakes upwards at an impossible angle and speed. I can only imagine the tension and feeling of seeing a dozen or so overloaded planes leaving Ascension Island on the eve of the raid that a flowing narrative could stir, but sadly this book doesnt quite capture it. "A few seconds later she was airborne" just isnt enough for me.

That said, it deals competently with the events and so is an important component in the history of the Falklands war. I would have liked more backdrop of the building tension of the war and a clearer idea of the bigger picture, though thats not really a criticism, instead this book has prompted me to find others that deal more specifically with the other events during the same period.

A superb and thought-provoking read., 04 Apr 2008
Rupert Smith uses both his past experience as a commander of multinational troops and his interest in military history to illustrate why military forces with numerical and technological advantages fail to achieve the desired outcome - their force has no utility. He then lists how politicians and the military alike can learn from such lessons to give their force utility.

Highly stimulating and an easy read, The Utility of Force is written to such an extent that both novices interested in military affairs and those in the senior echelons of command can benefit from it. I wholeheartedly recommend it.

A MUST FOR STUDENTS OF HISTORY, 08 Nov 2007
This book is a "must" for anyone who has an understanding or thirst for all things military. It is very well written, if a little bit too academic in places and the author makes very well constructed arguments that are simple yet seemed to be not understood by those in power i.e. Government! One of the "great" British Generals of modern times!

Simple, obvious, brilliant., 07 Feb 2007
What the man says is not rocket science, but that's why this book is even more necessary.
It's about understanding the nature of what the conflict now is and what you want to get out of it. Once that's understood, make sure your organisation, tactics, strategy and resources fit.
And yet it's so obvious that this simple formula is routinely ignored by governments, not least of all our own one, and indeed armed forces.
It also reminds me as a journalist how many of my own profession don't understand what they're talking about when reporting on conflict - a modern journalistic blindspot as big as the lack of understanding of economics. This book ought to be mandatory reading for every foreign desk.
The best bits include the author's disection of various historic paradigm changes in conflict. The only criticisms that spring to mind are that he doesn't seem to give much of a rundown of things like the equipment changes that modern warfare demand, and that he can come across as a touch overbearing and arrogant, although this is no more than an impression and spoils nothing.



Essential reading, 14 Dec 2006
While not sharing Rupert Smith's opinion that warfare is somehow hard-wired into human beings - the incidence of war varies greatly in different countries and at different times (e.g. Sweden, once very warlike, hasn't been involved in armed combat for nearly 200 years) - this book is essential reading for anyone who wants to understand modern warfare. It explains very clearly, for example, why the invasion of Iraq was doomed from the outset and why the current strategy will certainly fail. From a former top soldier this is devastating stuff.

This one is , 13 Nov 2006
Rupert Smith brings together his long and relevant experience of command in some of the more prickly theatres of conflict in our time in lucid writing to put through the message that the nature of "war" has changed irrevocably. And the armed forces too have to be reformed and thus prepared for the new conflicts

This book is one of its kind. Prospective buyers may like to get the book's flavour from the mp3 audio of Rupert Smith's recent lecture (of the same title) at the RSA, and the questions and answers that followed (website~ http://www.thersa.org/audio/lecture181006.mp3).

Text on War, 06 Oct 2007
This is not an easy book to read nor understand. It takes several readings. A large investment in time will allow the reader to understand Clausewitz's system and the remarkable way that it stills aides in understanding the phenomenon of war. The text is adorned with many historical examples. Continuously emphasizing that war is 'a continuity of policy by other means. He has defined perfectly the theory of war, its tactical and strategic purposes. A must for an military or political leader.

Definitive work; Definitive translation, 08 Dec 2004
Technology has made the details of Clausewitz's work obsolescent -- for example night attacks by US forces are highly effective. And strategic nuclear war approaches what Von Clausewitz thought merely an abstraction: "absolute war." Nonetheless, "On War" remains the definitive text on the unchanging fundamentals of military strategy and the relationship of force and policy.

"On War" will always be a dense and difficult work to read; it has so much information in so (comparatively) little space, and the concepts are frequently new to modern eyes. Nonetheless, a great translation makes the book far more accessible than does a poor one (such as the Wordsworth edition uses). The Howard/Paret translation is the definitive English language version. Any student of war, or even of politics, should read this book in this translation.

too tough, 26 Sep 2003
Having read The Prince and The Art of War I thought I could handle this book. I was wrong. It's so dense, so indecipherable. You'll find you've read a whole page and you have no idea what it was about.

When it comes to war, Clausewitz wrote the book, 20 Jan 2003
Clausewitz treats war as a natural, social organism, which can best be understood by practical experience. In reaction to the attempts by Jomini and other strategists to rationalize the theory and practice of war into discernible, scientific laws, Clausewitz emphasizes the capriciousness of warfare. As in all human endeavors, chance is a random variable in the conduct of war. Implicit in Clausewitzian thought is a distinction between strategy and tactics. While certain principles are useful for tactical calculations, Clausewitz asserts that no "laws" for strategy exist; experience, though, can prove of great use to the military commander. Another Clausewitzian innovation is the idea that defense is a stronger form of war than offense. In defensive warfare, a greater degree of the state's internal resources (including her citizen-soldiers) are brought to bear on the military effort. Clearly, Clausewitz warns that offensive advantage, once it has lost its initial momentum or has seen its concentration of force weakened or divided, can quickly be transmuted into a defensive orientation. Thus, a good defense is necessary for good offense (even if only during momentary pauses).

The main contribution of Clausewitz is represented by his maxim that "war is merely the continuation of policy by other means." In other words, war is basically an extension of politics. The initial motive for warfare is encapsulated by a political objective; war is a means to a political end. Clausewitz argues that policy permeates and essentially determines the character and extent of all military operations; the authority of the military commander is circumscribed by the political aims of the state. Thus, Clausewitz essentially maintains that the public sector (the state) must exercise authority over military operations. Although he has no use for military formulae, Clausewitz does offer one postulate: when the costs of the military effort exceed (in relative terms) the positive good of the political objective, then the state should seek a peaceful settlement. The good of the state depends on knowing when to stop fighting as well as when to start.

The most important message conveyed by Clausewitz is that war is not an isolated phenomenon. Any considerations for waging war (offensive or defensive) must be based on the political situation at home, in the adversarial state, and in the world community of potential allies and enemies. Military strength in and of itself is not an adequate gauge for success. A defensive war can be a victorious effort, should the assailant overextend himself. Beyond this, the desire to maintain the balance of power is a strong stimulus for foreign involvement. All in all, Clausewitz portrays war as a human endeavor, involving chance (or "friction") as well as skill. War is not a game involving the maneuverability of human instruments; victory can only be secured on the battlefield. On War is a realistic, pragmatic approach to warfare in all its facets--skill and luck, offense and defense, battle and statecraft, etc. The subservience of the armed forces to political control remains a strong source of friction in today's states--this is only one aspect of the timelessness of Clausewitz's work.

Certainly, On War is a long, difficult read. For those, both citizens and soldiers, who wish to truly understand warfare, however, it is required reading which will ultimately richly reward the diligent reader with much insight and knowledge.

The Definitive Translation..., 05 Nov 2002
Without going into the details and virtues of Clusewitz's work (suffice to say that whether you agree with what he says or not, this is compulsory reading for anyone interested in war and strategy) I think it's important to point out that this particular translation (by Sir Michael Howard and Peter Paret) is widely acclaimed as far and away the best English language translation available. If you are considering getting hold of On War (especially if you are going to be studying it formally), put your hand in your pocket and get this version.

aphoristic and enlightening, 29 Sep 2008
I'm not especially interested in military history, neither am I a manager or businessman, but I still found this book very enjoyable. It has the rare appeal of being of its time but at the same time applicable to the present day. Many of the insights feel very contemporary - not simply to the business arena but to any aspect of life. The style is terse and aphoristic, which means that it doesn't really matter that the book is quite short. Even the chapters on terrain tactics are interesting from a historical point of view. I would also recommend a book called the Fall by Steve Taylor for its insights into the origins and history of warfare and social conflict The Fall:the Insanity of the Ego in Human History and the Dawning of a New Era: The Insanity of the Ego in Human History and the Dawning of a New Era



Short, snappy and very readable, 08 Sep 2008
I bought this as I am quite interested in military history, and thought I couldn't really go wrong with £3. Instead of the paragraphs of thick text I expected, instead the book is laid out with numbered points in a series of about 13 chapters.

The text never becomes heavy, but instead is written in a very accessible way meaning it is easy to dip in and out of the book as you like. Also I thought that maybe the text would be outdated and irrelevant, but instead with a bit of common sense it can apply to us today.

All in all, very readable and well worth the money, especially if you need to purchase something to get free postage!

Not what I was expecting, but quirky and useful, 04 Jun 2008
I was expecting a huge tome full of Confuscian statements which are allegorical to warfare. What I received was a 69-page book of short instructions which are dirrectly about warfare, but in many cases allegorical to life.

Possibly they're all in some way applicable to the day-to-day, the fighting with fire section does seem a bit specialised, but doubtless the scales will fall from my eyes at some stage and I will be able to use its teachings in buying tangerines from waitrose.

The best thing about the book is the ability to spice up conversation. Never again will I use a hackneyed marketing phrase where something from Sun Tzu will work. Brilliant.

A must read book !, 25 Sep 2007
Short but Sweet !
Applicable theories even today !
Must Read, more than once !


Smurfs flex their biceps , 13 Oct 2008
Coming from an Infantry background, I, along with hundreds of callsigns, have suffered at the hands of the AAC when arranged pick up confirmations are met with 'no flying, weathers closed in'. This then involved the heli pilots in sitting off in the crew room, watching a dvd whilst bourboning themselves to death with their brews while the call sign tabs back to base location or invites themselves to another unit's location-which are usually unbearbly cramped to start with.Under these too familiar circumstances,the AAC slagging is in a league of its own.
Enter Damien Lewis. Apache Dawn left me with a complete turnaround of opinion. Infanteers love fire support. Thats why they love Apaches.
Damien gets you in the cockpit with the guys and enables you to live what they live. Through the training for battle, the longing to be tested by battle and to the battle and beyond, there is action and there is hunanity. Do they mix? Moreso than most would understand/believe. DL has opened the eyes of the public to the fact that not only do special forces have hero running through them if broken in half. I wont go into the mechanics of DLs writing other than-if you've read any of his previous outings you'll know the quality the man offers. If you havent,then start.Read, absorb and learn. Everyone needs to understand what our boys are dealing with in the 'stan.Its war yet the masses are ignorantly unaware. DL isnt so much an author as a highly respected lecturer instilling knowledge. Buy this book - the subject matter needs to be known.

Perhaps I have read too many of these, 02 Oct 2008
WIth the plethora of stuff coming out now from grunts (sorry sniper one) throught to Harrier pilots, I have read many of these books and perhaps I have become overloaded.

I cannot enthuse over this book and whilst it is without doubt accurate, I did not find that it flowed as a good read. I must admit judging by the rave reviews from many readers, there are many who feel that it is better than I did.

Towards the end, I was looking to see how many pages were left, which is always a tell-tale sign for me that it is not that good. Well done to the AAC, I am glad that the army got the Apache rather than the REMFS of the RAF: sadly whilst I admire the AAC quite a bit and they pulled me out of a hole once, I can only give this read three stars.

FANTASTIC BOOK, 06 Sep 2008
This is a fantastic book so please ignore all the ill founded comments from people who i would say have barely read the book let a lone given a real review of it. The book is an excellent insight into the lifes of Apache pilots on the frontline and sells the Army Air Corps well. i am sure that my son and many others will aspire to becoming pilots themselves after reading this book. I am assured that they are all true stories and am glad that there are others doing what they do for us all, over there in Afghanistan. The pilots should be truly proud of what they have achieved. The book is well written with the author showing the human side to these men and even their mistakes; not many military books do that.
Thank you to the author and the men and heres looking forward to more of the same!

BUY IT AND ENJOY THE BEST READ EVER ABOUT THE APACHE AND THE MEN WHO FLY IT, 05 Sep 2008
Ladies believe it or not this is a great book for you, if you have anyone close serving over in Afghanistan this will be a great insite into life out there. The highs and the lows of working in harsh conditions away from family and loved ones, how they cope and deal with this and the demands it places on people at home who are left to try and cope. Waiting for that long overdue phone call to confirm they are safe because all communications have been stopped due to deaths and injury and praying daily for their loved ones safe return. Read it, truly how it is this book not only tells it all but will leave you filled with pride knowing the courage our troops show working constantly as they do for their country to ensure we all benefit from a better standard of life. Know also that by purchasing this book you are helping those fallen and their families who have given so much and asked for so little as already profits from the book sale has been given to Help for Heroes.

A must read, 02 Sep 2008
After reading Apache Dawn I felt Damien Lewis has given the public an insight into the excellent work our British Forces are doing in Afghanistan. After hearing about the the battles of last summer on t