Customer Reviews

SAS, the Illustrated History

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Ordinarily, one might expect a great deal of celebrated information from a work entitled; "SAS - The Illustrated History." Regrettably, this book is no more than a big disappointment because "an illustrated history" it is not.

This is a collection of photographs. Whilst some may be historic, the vast majority are the property of one man and were taken throughout his own service with 22 SAS Regiment. Yes, plenty of blurred faces here, but once that simple fact is explained (and it is!), it automatically follows that the majority of this book covers the author's own service with the briefest possible mention of those elements which were beyond his experience.

With no Index, there is little chance of finding anything specific without trawling through every word. Having said that, such a search will not take long. The first chapter, for example, is entitled "The Early Years" and purports to cover the regiment's history to 1972. Condensed into 20 pages - most of which comprise one or two photographs (with or without brief) captions and plenty of blank spaces, there really isn't any detail to speak of.

There is a shipwreck close inshore off southern Cyprus which the Royal Navy will insist is simply not there! One of the many suggestions as to how her presence in Cyprus might be explained, is that she was acquired by the SAS in the latter stages of the war and used in clandestine operations after (or even during!) which she came to be wrecked where she is found today. Sadly, this book fails to mention that particular aspect of SAS operations at all.

In addition, I also have reason to doubt the factual accuracy of some of the content. When I left 22 SAS in late 1971, elements of the regiment were fighting a little-known war in Muscat and Oman. A very dear friend, who was one of the Fijian members of the regiment, drove me to the station in an open desert Landrover. It was his way of saying farewell. He was a giant of a man who died heroically in Oman just a few weeks later. I am quite certain that was in February 1972 but here his death is recorded as July. Perhaps I have been wrong all these years... Furthermore, however, at that time in our military history, the only honours that could be bestowed posthumously were either the Victoria Cross or the Mention in Despatches (MID). My good friend Corporal Labalaba from Fiji received the latter whereas in this thinly researched work he is shown as having received the British Empire Medal (BEM). In 1979, I actually met Lab's sister in Fiji and have also seen a framed poster in 2 Para Sergeants Mess - and both those sources referred to his MID!

In summary, we have a collection of photographs supported by dubious research padded out with plenty of blank spaces (often half a page!) to produce a work which is wholly reliant on the three letters "SAS" to sell copies. There is little or nothing to be learned from reading the book which might have been better described as a "magazine for boys."

NM

Ordinarily, one might expect a great deal of celebrated information from a work entitled; "SAS - The Illustrated History." Regrettably, this book is no more than a big disappointment because "an illustrated history" it is not.

This is a collection of photographs. Whilst some may be historic, the vast majority are the property of one man and were taken throughout his own service with 22 SAS Regiment. Yes, plenty of blurred faces here, but once that simple fact is explained (and it is!), it automatically follows that the majority of this book covers the author's own service with the briefest possible mention of those elements which were beyond his experience.

With no Index, there is little chance of finding anything specific without trawling through every word. Having said that, such a search will not take long. The first chapter, for example, is entitled "The Early Years" and purports to cover the regiment's history to 1972. Condensed into 20 pages - most of which comprise one or two photographs (with or without brief) captions and plenty of blank spaces, there really isn't any detail to speak of.

There is a shipwreck close inshore off southern Cyprus which the Royal Navy will insist is simply not there! One of the many suggestions as to how her presence in Cyprus might be explained, is that she was acquired by the SAS in the latter stages of the war and used in clandestine operations after (or even during!) which she came to be wrecked where she is found today. Sadly, this book fails to mention that particular aspect of SAS operations at all.

In addition, I also have reason to doubt the factual accuracy of some of the content. When I left 22 SAS in late 1971, elements of the regiment were fighting a little-known war in Muscat and Oman. A very dear friend, who was one of the Fijian members of the regiment, drove me to the station in an open desert Landrover. It was his way of saying farewell. He was a giant of a man who died heroically in Oman just a few weeks later. I am quite certain that was in February 1972 but here his death is recorded as July. Perhaps I have been wrong all these years... Furthermore, however, at that time in our military history, the only honours that could be bestowed posthumously were either the Victoria Cross or the Mention in Despatches (MID). My good friend Corporal Labalaba from Fiji received the latter whereas in this thinly researched work he is shown as having received the British Empire Medal (BEM). In 1979, I actually met Lab's sister in Fiji and have also seen a framed poster in 2 Para Sergeants Mess - and both those sources referred to his MID!

In summary, we have a collection of photographs supported by dubious research padded out with plenty of blank spaces (often half a page!) to produce a work which is wholly reliant on the three letters "SAS" to sell copies. There is little or nothing to be learned from reading the book which might have been better described as a "magazine for boys."

NM

Barry Davies now one of the biggest Authors of SAS history and Tactics, etc. etc. Has written this book well using a personal and outside source of photos he accuratelly retells the history of the SAS. So if you admire or just have heard about the SAS you should purchase this Book. SAS: The Illustrated History. By Barry Davies

But besides very good photographs of the SAS in action, this book also contains quite a good description of the history and current activities of the SAS. From the WWII desert raids to Princess Gate, it's all there. A very easy and good read.

Proving an interesting read, this book gave me a valuable insight of the history of the SAS. I would recomend it to any reader.

Whilst there are some interesting pictures in this book, I feel it a great shame that the some of these pictures were taken by serving members of serving members who previously had a trust between each other. There are many pictures in this book of people who do not want to appear in picture. The author or person who took the pictures never once asked if their once trusted colleagues had any objection to them selling their soles and taking "an easy buck" at the expense of other peoples anonymity!

I hope people who buy this book do enjoy it, but please remember when you are looking at these pictures, what if someone you worked with, took several photographs of you and published them without even thinking?