Dangerous Men: The SAS and Popular Culture [Hardcover]

John Newsinger (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 1, 1997 | ISBN-10: 0745312160 | ISBN-13: 978-0745312163

In the popular imagination the Special Air Service Regiment, or SAS, is perceived as both protector and avenger of the Crown and emblematic of staunch British individualism. In Dangerous Men, John Newsinger analyses the recent glut of popular books, magazines and films based on the activities of the SAS and assesses the aggressive masculinity, graphic violence and military prowess that are represented in many of the works, and their use in perpetuating myths of muscle-flexing nationalism. The book is divided into four parts covering the myth of the SAS analysed through historical works, and its representation in personal memoirs, fiction, survival manuals, TV documentaries and Hollywood film. Through the works examined, Newsinger deconstructs a range of real and imagined scenarios in which the SAS are pitted against an array of perceived enemies of the state, including the representation of the its role in the storming of the Iranian Embassy and in conflicts from the Falklands to the Gulf. Among the works examined are the bestselling memoirs by Michael Paul Kennedy, Andy McNab, Peter de la Billiere, Chris Ryan, and Jenny Simpson; fiction by James Follett, Terence Strong, Gerald Seymour and the Soldier A-Z series; key historical accounts by Philip Warner,Tony Geraghty, James Adams, and Mark Urban; and acclaimed films such as Who Dares Wins and The Rock .

Editorial Reviews

Review

‘A clear-headed critique of the SAS cult ... an incisive challenge to the mindless worship of 'the Regiment' --Boyd Tonkin, Independent

About the Author

John Newsinger is lecturer in History and Irish Studies at Bath SpaUniversity. He is the author of Fenianism in Mid-Victorian Britain (Pluto Press, 1994).

Product Details

• Hardcover: 196 pages
• Publisher: Pluto Press (November 1, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0745312160
• ISBN-13: 978-0745312163
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 5.5 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 2.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,816,179 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The popular view of SAS vs reality, March 22, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Dangerous Men: The Sas and Popular Culture (Paperback)

The author of this book, a British academic, deconstructs the popular image of the Britain's Special Air Service Regiment (SAS) generated by the spate of books-historical, autobiographical, and fictional-that have been reprinted or written since 1980, when a SAS team killed a group of terrorists and rescued their hostages after storming the Iranian Embassy in London, an action that propelled the SAS, with the blessing of the Thatcher government, onto the world stage. The author examines what he believes is the disparity between the myth and the reality of the SAS and its history, and he examines the political use to which he believes SAS has been put by Conservative governments beginning with Thatcher's. The author covers a lot of ground in the course of examining movies, television documentaries, and many books dealing with the SAS. His examination of the literature of the SAS will provide many readers with useful assistance in deciding which of the many books about the SAS are worth pursuing (and it will alert many readers, I suspect, to books of which they were unaware). As one would expect of an academic, the book is richly footnoted and sources are cited. SAS groupies and wannabes will wish to spend their money and time on other books. Serious students of modern military history in general, and of the SAS in particular, as well as those with interests in politics or sociology, will find this book interesting.

3 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars A sociologist's view of the SAS, November 8, 2004

By 

wjw22 - See all my reviews

This review is from: Dangerous Men: The SAS and Popular Culture (Hardcover)

The central thesis of this book is that there is a myth of the SAS's military prowess that far exceeds the reality of their achievements. Although there is arguably some merit to this suggestion, the author largely relies upon logical fallacies and weak arguments which hint at a lack of understanding of military strategy.

The author begins by arguing that because the SAS have never single-handedly won a war their contribution to military conflict is insignificant. The impact of guerrilla warfare and counter-insurgency action in war is not discussed.

He then goes on to argue that the books and films of individuals such as Andy McNab and Chris Ryan give an unrealistic view of SAS activities. The fact that much of this material is clearly described as *fiction* does not impact upon his argument.

The author makes some valid points about the SAS and the militaristic overtones of Margaret Thatcher's government but inexplicably attributes this to a desire by the SAS to be associated with Thatcher, rather than the other way around.

Although the book is extensively footnoted and copious sources are cited, there are many fallacious appeals to authority which betray the author's lack of military knowledge.

No literate student of modern military history will find this book of value, unless as an object lesson in the dangers of not doing your research before venturing into print.

10 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars A TOTAL WASTE OF TIME AND GOOD MONEY, March 29, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Dangerous Men: The SAS and Popular Culture (Hardcover)

IT SEEMS THAT THE AUTHOR OF THIS VERY DRY AND ONE SIDED LOOK AT THE SAS HAS GOT A PERSONAL PROBLEM WITH THEM. INSTEAD OF JUST REPORTING THE FACTS, THE AUTHOR FINDS NOTHING BUT FAULT IN THE JOB THEY DO JUST LIKE AN ARMCHAIR QUARTERBACK ON MONDAY NIGHT. IT IS VERY APPARENT THAT THE AUTHOR JUST LOOKS AT THE SURFACE OF SOME OF THEIR MISSIONS, INSTEAD OF DOING MORE RESEARCH TO FIND THE REAL ANSWERS. IF YOU WANT TO WASTE YOUR TIME AND MONEY...$50.00 FOR THE HARDCOVER VERSION! THEN BUY THIS BOOK. I SENT MINE BACK.