Real Bravo Two Zero (Cassell Military Paperbacks) [Paperback]

Michael Asher (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 13, 2003 | Series: Cassell Military Paperbacks

'Bravo Two Zero' was the code-name of the famous SAS operation: a classic story of bravery in the face of overwhelming odds. BRAVO TWO ZERO by patrol commander 'Andy McNab' became an international bestseller, as did the book by 'Chris Ryan' (THE ONE THAT GOT AWAY). Both men became millionaires. Three members of the patrol were killed. One, veteran sergeant Vince Phillips, was blamed in both books for a succession of mistakes. As Michael Asher reveals, the stories in BRAVO TWO ZERO and THE ONE THAT GOT AWAY grew considerably in the telling. Their heroic tales of taking out tanks with their rocket launchers, mowing down hundreds of Iraqi soldiers, the silent stabbing of the occasional sentry, were never mentioned at their post-war debriefings...In an investigation literally in the footsteps of the patrol, Michael Asher tells the true story.

Editorial Reviews

Review

THE REAL BRAVO TWO ZERO is now in the top 10 bestseller list and has received a brilliant review in FRONT MAGAZINE: 'Asher reveals fact from fiction and gives the full, no-bullshit account of what actually happened. Superbly written and researched, this is a gem of recent military history that shouldn't bemissed.' FRONT MAGAZINE, April 03 'Michael Asher, ex-SAS man and desert specialist discovered some glaring inconsistencies in the best-selling Gulf War books by Andy McNab and Chris Ryan. Retracing their steps across the Iraqui desert, Asher pieces together what really happened. Far from the supposed heroics of the now-millionaire writers, he tells of McNab's botched planning, poorleadership and a sorry attempt to pin the blame on a dead patrol member. Thewhole truth is very difficult to know, but this is a timely and humane book nevertheless.'JACK magazine, April 03 'The classic international best-seller now in paperback. What really happened when the now famous eight-man SAS patrol went behind enemy lines in the Gulf War? This really is the true story of the SAS operation that made millionaires of the two men in the patrol... Intelligence sources say this is a powerful 'expose' of the men called 'McNab' and 'Ryan'.'EYE SPY Vol II, issue 16, 2003 'SAS Trooper Michael Asher's powerful re-telling of the truth behind Bravo Two Zero and The One That Got Away raises serious questions as to how tall were these two tales in the first place.Asher, a Fellow of the Royal Society of Literature and fluent Arabic speaker, describes how he follows literally in the footsteps of the famous patrol. We are also asked how gullible are we and also how credible is Asher. The conclusions either way are disturbing.' * * * * SCOTTISH LEGION NEWS, April/May 20

About the Author

Michael Asher served in the Parachute Regiment and SAS. A fluent Arab speaker, he has lived for years among the Bedouin peoples. He is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Literature, his published books include SHOOT TO KILL (1990), THESIGER: A BIOGRAPHY (1994) and an acclaimed biography of Lawrence of Arabia.

Product Details

• Paperback: 272 pages
• Publisher: Cassell Military (February 13, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0304365548
• ISBN-13: 978-0304365548
• Product Dimensions: 4.4 x 0.9 x 7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #976,329 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

20 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Intriguing read, September 6, 2005

By 

M. R. Gould (Glasgow, UK) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Real Bravo Two Zero (Hardcover)

Asher wasn't trying to "put the boot in" with this book - quite the opposite. He was trying to rehabilitate the late Sgt. Vince Phillips, who both McNab and Ryan criticized in their accounts.

Asher's background as both an Arabist and former Territorial SAS member gives him a rare insight into the story of Bravo Two Zero. He can explain both the tactical aspects of desert warfare (and spot where McNab and Ryan's claims don't add up) and the reactions of the Bedouin and Iraqis they were among. Against all the odds (and despite the efforts of his Iraqi handlers) he manages to find and interview many of the key Iraqi players in the story - the goatherd who first breaks their cover, for instance. These interviews open up new perspectives on the B20 story, and give some insight into Iraqi and Bedouin culture. Some things turn out to have happened differently than McNab/Ryan claimed; some things they couldn't have understood at the time, with their lack of Arabic and understanding of Arabic society.

The Real Bravo Two Zero isn't as racy as Bravo Two Zero or The One That Got Away, but there are enough unexpected twists and surprising revelations to keep you reading. If you enjoyed either of the above books and want to know how much to believe, or want a wider perspective on the story, this book's well worth it.

12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Why can't people see the real story the man's trying to tell?, December 19, 2007

By 

M. Lucas (Australia) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Real Bravo Two Zero (Cassell Military Paperbacks) (Paperback)

Of all the SAS Gulf War 1 related books, this one is the most misunderstood. People either read it and slam Mcnab and Ryan for being liars, or they find some criticism for Asher trying to 'cash in' on the Bravo 2/0 bandwagon.
Asher's treatment of Mcnab and Ryan is fairly gentle and respectful. He states in the beginning that he just wanted to get to the bottom of what really happened to his friend, Vince (one of the deceased members of the patrol), and despite inconsistancies of the stories, wasn't on a dirt digging mission. I found in some parts he was almost apologising for Ryan and Mcnab.
He acknowledges, and emphasises just how incredible a feat their 3 or so days of E&E in the desert, and during one of the coldest winters Iraq had seen for a long time (we're talking colder than England in the winter), really was.
Asher does his best to retrace the footsteps of the patrol, and gives credit where it is due. But he also presents his evidence when fact and fiction clash (I was a still new to the Army and the cavalry when Mcnab's book started doing the rounds and even then I found it hard to swallow Mcnabs account of 'armoured vehicle' killing).
The real stories in this book are one man's love of a region and it's people, his journey to uncover a truth and the incredible story of human endurance and survival he discovered instead. Read it with this in mind and you'll find yourself reading it a second time.

8 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Shocking Eye Opener of the British SAS, March 7, 2006

By 

Razdino (Singapore) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Real Bravo Two Zero (Hardcover)

A very interesting book that reveals shocking facts about the Bravo two Zero mission of the SAS. The author has carefully researched his finding and they make logical sense. It also puts to shame Andy Mc Nab and Chris Ryan (members of the mission) who wrote books about their self acclaimed bravery during the mission. I dont think that the author has gone through the trouble and the research to down play the SAS or the shameful recruits (Andy & Chris) but has done a commendable job in redeeming respect for late Sgt Vince Phillips (another member of the mission) who's name was disgraced by Andy & Chris in their books.