This riveting history of the formation of Britain’s Special Air Services (SAS)—and its activities through the last battles of World War II—reads like a novel. Written by a distinguished war journalist, it is the first account of the SAS officially sanctioned by the veterans and based on their unique first-hand testimony. More than 60 men who were there at the start provided personal documents on founder David Stirling and the organization he turned into the stuff of legend.
Gavin Mortimer, 38, is an award-winning author, whose narrative non-fiction books have received rapturous reviews on both sides of the Atlantic. His first book, Ernest Shackleton, was published in 1999 and six more have followed, including The Great Swim, which was adjudged the 2009 Book of the Year by the Women's Sport Foundation of America. In addition, the Sunday Times named the Great Swim one of its best reads of 2008. His latest book, Chasing Icarus, was published in the US by Walker Bloomsbury in May, and has already received excellent reviews with the Dallas Morning News describing it as 'a wonderful, absorbing story'. Away from his non-fiction titles, Gavin has written a dozen books for children and contributed articles to publications such as BBC History Magazine, Esquire and the Observer. For further details, visit his website: www.gavinmortimer.com
