Customer Reviews

Jihad!: The SAS Secret War in Afghanistan

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(7)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

BBC NEWS Wednesday, 14 November, 2001, 18:17 GMT
Author 'lied about SAS membership'
Tom Carew claimed to be a member of the SAS
Claims by bestselling author Tom Carew to have been a member of the elite 22
SAS have been exposed as false by the BBC. Mr Carew's book, Jihad! The
Secret War in Afghanistan, is expected to sell 100,000 copies by Christmas.
The BBC's George Eykyn says he still insists he did serve with the SAS.
Since the start of the war in Afghanistan, Tom Carew has been a regular on
the airwaves and in newspapers, speaking about special forces.
His book is principally a tale of mercenary derring do in Afghanistan when
Mr Carew trained Mujahideen fighters.
But his claims to have served at least 14 years in 22 SAS, the regular
army's elite regiment, have been exposed as false.
Demonstration Troop
Inquiries by the BBC Two's Newsnight programme have established that Tom
Carew's real name is Philip Sessarego.
He tried Selection for 22 SAS in 1973 but failed.
He was allowed to stay on as a non-member in what was called Demonstration
Troop - ordinary soldiers who did jobs for the SAS like play the enemy on
exercises.
Records show Mr Sessarego later tried to join the Territorial Army Reserve
Squadron of the SAS and failed that selection at the end of 1975.
On Wednesday he was challenged over the allegations.
Mr Carew broke off the interview and on his way out punched a BBC camera.
Tom Carew's ghost writer has said he is embarrassed by the revelations, but
stressed that the book was principally a true story about Afghanistan.

Definitely a good read. This book provides detailed insight into the planning of covert operations in Afghanistan, and some of the problems associated with dealing with the indigenous population of that region. The book is not centered around actual battles fought, but focuses on the day to day aspects of the operation. I would definitely recommend it for anyone with an interest in special forces operations.

Not a book for serious researchers and those with military backgrounds. If you just like a good yarn, then go for it.

Tom Carew, real name Philip Sessarego, is a SAS groupie. I remember him from the years I lived in Hereford late 70s and early 80s. Hereford was home to the SAS and the SAS guys were pretty low-key. Then there were soldiers attached to to SAS, who could be anything from cooks to motor mechanics. A number of these guys tried their best to look SAS, wearing beepers and drinking in the pubs (i.e. The David Garrick) where SAS guys were supposed to hang out. Then, there was Sessarago, who was a category to himself. He left the Army in 1975, having failed acceptance into the SAS. He spent the years after that in a fantasy world, trying to look the part in his Land Rover, and supposedly, dabbling in some occasional private mercenary work overseas. I'm sure that Phil is a legend both in his own mind, and probably in his house.

I bought this book at Heathrow Airport flying out to New York and I read the whole thing in one go. It is a really amazing story of a soldier fighting against communism at the height of the Cold war. Tom Carew - a British ex-soldier - was sent by the DIA to find out what was happening in Afghanistan. He's the first western soldier I came across outside the movies who actually fought the Russians. A real good story which takes you every step of the way through the mountains with him.

As "Tom Carew", a S.A.S. soldier joins up with British and American intelligence he finds himself deep in the heart of the ultimate soldiers nightmare; Afghanistan. Its 1980 and soviet forces are wrecking the landscape, killing any unfortunate soul crossing their path. Tom is teamed up with the mujahideen and has a double task; search for specific military equipement and find ways and places to train the Afghan resistance against the Soviet forces. What happens next might very well be one of the best accounts of "modern" guerilla warfare and black bag operations,and written in a human point of view, this story is down to earth and has actually managed to capture the true feelings and pains of a soldiers life. Correct that, a human's life. One of the best books ever written about the S.A.S. and their way of life,a book worthwhile reading.

In response to various stories in the British press last fall, the Ministry of Defense eventually confirmed that, despite statements made in this book and in interviews, Mr. Carew had never been in the SAS Regiment. Presumably the rest of the experiences in the book are just as accurate.

Like so many of us since Sept 11th, I have been trying to consume as much information as possible on Islamic Jihads & Afghanistan. This book appeared to offer a rare account of both but as they say "don't judge a book by it's cover".
It's an easy read & is full of adventure but do not buy this book if you are looking for an insite into the title & Afghanistan. The author is a liar. He was never in the SAS & has never been to Afghanistan.

I read this book in the spring of 2001 and at the time I was somewhat interested in a war that I did not know a lot about. Given the events post 9/11 it would be interesting to reread the book. The book was ok, it offered some interesting facts of the British Special Forces operations, but it did not provide a good overall view of the conflict, country or people of Afghanistan. There are a number of books now coming out about this conflict and part of the world that would probably offer a better overview. If you are interested in British Special Forces then this would be a good book for you.

Simply a waste of time. Offers virtually nothing that helps understand Jihad, Afghanistan people/politics or the current situation. My guess is that Mr. Carew wrote this either to support his tough guy image among his grandchildren or with the hope of selling movie rights.

This supposed guide to the "jihad" or holy war was a complete bust. Mr Carew (if that is who he really is) has duped us into believing that this book would serve as an insightful look at the war in afghanistan during the 1980's. It in fact is nothing but a poorly written story of one mans exploits as a so called operative for the SAS.
Mr. Carew bored me to tears with his self indulgent back patting.
Save your money!