Immediate Action [Paperback]

Andy McNab (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 3, 1996

In "Bravo Two Zero", Andy McNab gave an account of his experiences as commander of an SAS patrol behind enemy lines in Iraq. Now he tells the story of his life, from the day he was found in a Harrod's carrier bag on the steps of Guy's Hospital to the day he went to fight in the Gulf War. As a delinquent youth, McNab kicked against society; as a young soldier he waged war against the IRA in the streets and fields of South Armagh; and as a member of 22 SAS Regiment he was at the centre of covert operations for nine years, on five continents. In this book he details his activities in a world of surveillance and intelligence-gathering, counter-terrorism and hostage rescue.

Editorial Reviews

From the Publisher

He is one of the most highly decorated soldiers alive. He is also the first tobreak the code of silence about the most elite fighting force in the world.What Andy McNab has to say is so explosive that the British government tried tostop him.

A street fighter, a hard case, and a flawless soldier, Andy McNab became one ofthe elite fighting men in "the Regiment"--Britain's covert SAS. His actionsbehind the lines in the Gulf War made him a hero. But the full story of hislife and his amazing career in Special Forces has remained a secret...untilnow.

In harrowing detail, McNab takes us inside the Regiment, chronicling nine yearsof covert operations on five continents. Plunging us into a world ofsurveillance, counterintelligence, and hostage rescue, he takes us behind thescenes on some of their top secret missions. For the first time, he revealsthe shocking details of their training--physically severe, mentally grueling,and sometimes deadly. And he dares to expose some of their highlyconfidential codes and rules--including the one that sanctions murder.

This is the story of the fighting men of the SAS. Here is how they live. Andhere is how they die...

Andy McNab, Sergeant, SAS, joined the British infantry as a boy soldier. In1984 he was "badged" as a member of the SAS--the British special forces--andhas since been involved in elite intelligence and combat operations worldwide.During the Gulf War he commanded Bravo Two Zero, a patrol that in the words ofhis commanding officer "will remain in regimental history forever." After sixmonths of medical treatment immediately following his release by the Iraqis,Andy McNab was back on active service. He remained with the SAS until February1993, at which time he was the most highly decorated soldier in the BritishArmy. He is also the author of Bravo Two Zero.
Copyright ©1995 by Andy McNab --This text refers to the Mass Market Paperback edition.

From the Inside Flap

He is one of the most highly decorated soldiers alive.  He is also the first to break the code of silence about the most elite fighting force in the world. What Andy McNab has to say is so explosive that the British government tried to stop him.

A street fighter, a hard case, and a flawless soldier, Andy McNab became one of the elite fighting men in "the Regiment"--Britain's covert SAS.   His actions behind the lines in the Gulf War made him a hero.   But the full story of his life and his amazing career in Special Forces has remained a secret...until now.

In harrowing detail, McNab takes us inside the Regiment, chronicling nine years of covert operations on five continents.   Plunging us into a world of surveillance, counterintelligence, and hostage rescue, he takes us behind the scenes on some of their top secret missions.   For the first time, he reveals the shocking details of their training--physically severe, mentally grueling, and sometimes deadly.   And he dares to expose some of their highly confidential codes and rules--including the one that sanctions murder.

This is the story of the fighting men of the SAS.  Here is how they live.   And here is how they die... --This text refers to the Mass Market Paperback edition.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 512 pages
• Publisher: Corgi (October 3, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 055214276X
• ISBN-13: 978-0552142762
• Product Dimensions: 6.8 x 4.2 x 1.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.1 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (59 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,722,094 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

21 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Not "Bravo Two Zero," but a good read nonetheless., October 26, 2000

By 

"bulldog51" - See all my reviews

This review is from: Immediate Action (Mass Market Paperback)

In "Immediate Action," Andy McNab details his life prior to the events of his best-selling "Bravo Two Zero." McNab started as a punk in London, then became a boy soldier, and eventually an infantryman in the Royal Green Jackets. But life in the Green Jackets was too dull for him, so he tried out for "Selection," the rigorous screening process for Britain's elite Special Air Service Regiment. He failed.

But that just gave him the drive to get tougher and pass. He gets "badged" as a member of the SAS after his second try at Selection. This book details McNab's journeys with the SAS throughout the world: from the jungles of Malaysia and Colombia to the back alleys of Northern Ireland to the savannas of Botswana.

If you're looking for "Bravo Two Zero"-style constant pulse-pounding tension, you're going to be disappointed. That said, this book is also highly readable. It's a great look inside arguably the world most elite military unit. The little gems of "B-2-0," like the interplay between the soldiers and the little absurdities of life in the army, are here as well. But military professionals, and those interested in military tactics, are the people who would enjoy this book the most. "B-2-0" could be read by anyone who likes a thriller, but "Immediate Action" is slower in places. I found it very enjoyable, but it's a bunch of little stories strung together, rather than one single operation, like "B-2-0."

If you'd like to know what life is like for the men inside the Regiment, then this book will fit the bill to a T.

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars An excellent insight into life in the SAS, May 4, 1999

By A Customer

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Immediate Action (Mass Market Paperback)

Andy McNab lets you see the human side of the SAS. As you read along, you realize these men are not supermen or Rambos, but rather ordinary people who have been trained to a superior level. Even experienced SAS men seem to practice routines over and over again. One thing that they do have, that many don't, is physical and mental endurance. I really liked this book. It was a great read. It was slightly disappointing that some operations ended with no real results, but then, this is not fiction. What you do get a good understanding of, is how well the SAS prepares for any operation they have to perform. The publisher claims that the British government tried to stop publication of this book. I cannot understand why - no SAS operation secrets are exposed. If you're looking for cover to cover action, go rent Rambo. If you want to get some insight into how the SAS operates, you'll enjoy this book. If I had to choose between this book and Bravo Two Zero (one of McNab's other books), Bravo Two Zero wins, but I read both, and I am happy I did.

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars McNab's "Immediate Action" only makes me want to join!, November 16, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Immediate Action (Mass Market Paperback)

Andy McNab, the elite warrior of the most "special" military unit in the world swept me through half his military career in just a few days. This included breaking and entry at the age of 15-16, service with his parent regiment The Royal Green Jackets, selection to the Regiment, training missions in the middle-east, covert operations in Northern Ireland,counter terrorist duties with the Quick Reaction Force and also one failing marriage after another. His attention to detail overwhelmed me, I got glued to the book. Never in my life have I read a book at such speed. What also makes this book (and of course his three others) so exhilirating is the fact that this is a documentary, this is real. It all actually happened to this man. What it gave me besides pure reading pleasure was an overwhelming urge to leave Norway, apply for British citizenship, join the BA and eventually go for selection. Too bad Norway is not a commonwealth country. Sincerely: Experience this book! I also highly recommend: Andy McNab - "Bravo Two Zero", "Remote Control" and is latest work of "fiction" "Crisis Four", Cameron Spence - "Saber Squadron" and "All Necessary Measures", Gaz Hunter - "The Shooting Gallery", Chris Ryan - "The One That Got Away" and his "Gordie Sharp"-novels.