Customer Reviews

Not for Queen and Country

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Now dont get me wrong. This is an interesting piece of work by what seems to be quite a knowledgable and experienced author. Yet even from the start you cant help but get the feeling this book isnt going to deliver. It lacks the 'edge' and the mood which is present in other books of similar genre, leaving a nagging feeling in your mind that the story will start...soon. Unfortunately it doesnt . The blurb leaves the reader with the impression that you are going to get snippets of Northern Ireland and the Falklands that were never reported by the media, instead it seems the final section of the book especially is devoted to the author and his team going for a brew at evey available opportunity. At some points the book almost creaks as the dialogue becomes repetetive and worn, an example of which being the amount of times Mr Denmark uses the term; ' its a double edged sword'. It does provide a good few hours worth however, and some of the experiences mentioned are truly funny. The book is fairly easy going, there are no real 'eye openers' where you would be truly shocked or suprised at what goes on. For someone who isnt particularly interested in military based literature, or who only wants a very general idea of the situation the soldiers faced in Northern Ireland and The Falklands this book certainly shouldnt be overlooked. Not recommended for those who have already read books such as 'Bravo Two Zero' or 'the joker' by Pete Scholey though...

This is a real insight into the British Army and how they operate in war and Northern Ireland.

If you liked the film saving private ryan read this

I have a keen interest in military themed literature and due to this I have read a large amount of books on the subject of The Falklands War and Northern Ireland.

This book is one of the rare pieces that tells the story as it was without glamourizing the tale. It is a very human approach and strips the uniform from the men and women who serve in the armed forces. Beneath the veneer we are shown that the soldiers are thinking, feeling and sometimes scared people. This flies in the face of the macho, faceless image of the numerous special forces books I have read.

An excellent read even if military books don't ring your bell. If more books were wrote as honestly as this a lot of stereotypical perceptions would be shattered forever.