Their mission: To take out the scuds. Eight went out. Five came back. Their story had been closed in secrecy. Until now. They were British Special ...
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Jun 20, 2008
K
rated it: 
I enjoyed this book for a number of reasons, but one was the way it was written. I mean I believe I could actually see the method of writing, whether from taped interviews and transcriptions or from careful notes. The book was written the way McNab speaks and that voice is what comes through. You get the sense you are being told the story by a gifted story-teller, the kind of guy you want to hang out with and listen to his stories because, first and last, he tells a good story. The narrative mov
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Dec 20, 2008
Graham
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First of all, this review is concerned with the book and the book alone; forget the conspiracy, bad mouthing and follow-ups which have followed in the decade since this came out. Instead, I'm just focusing on Bravo Two Zero the book and the book alone.
Of the various true-life war accounts written over the past century, it certainly stands out as a corker, chronicling the ill-fated 1991 mission from beginning to chaotic ending, beginning with the initial planning back at base, moving More...
Of the various true-life war accounts written over the past century, it certainly stands out as a corker, chronicling the ill-fated 1991 mission from beginning to chaotic ending, beginning with the initial planning back at base, moving More...
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Oct 30, 2011
Joe
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Andy McNab an ex SAS infantryman tells the story of his mission in the first gulf war.
Their call sign: Bravo Two Zero.
Dropped into the middle of Iraq, an eight man SAS squad is given orders to sever a main communications line that ran from north-west Iraq to Baghdad and to destroy any Scud missiles they find being launched along the way. But on the second day, they are compromised. They are forced to run from the entire Iraqi army and flee to the Syrian border, along the way they are More...
Their call sign: Bravo Two Zero.
Dropped into the middle of Iraq, an eight man SAS squad is given orders to sever a main communications line that ran from north-west Iraq to Baghdad and to destroy any Scud missiles they find being launched along the way. But on the second day, they are compromised. They are forced to run from the entire Iraqi army and flee to the Syrian border, along the way they are More...
Nov 24, 2010
Richard
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Say what you like about Andy McNab, but this book was revolutionary in its day - when I was about 18 and sitting in some dingy barracks somewhere on TA camps. It was heavily edited by the MoD who had tried to block its publication altogether - which all made it even more fascinating to a boy soldier like me! It is the real-life account of the ill-fated Bravo Two Zero patrol, an eight man team of elite SAS soldiers, sent into Iraq behind enemy lines during the first Gulf War. As it turned out, th
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Jun 13, 2011
Trung
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As a fan of military history, I do have a passing understanding the 22nd Special Air Service with our allies in England. The boys at Hereford are a tough lot and we used the Regiment in establishing our own 1st Special Forces Operational Detachment-Delta. If you find yourself in the mood to find out what tough really is, read this book.
Bravo Two Zero is a harrowing story. One that you may have heard about once or twice in passing. The story is not so much about the failure of a patrol More...
Bravo Two Zero is a harrowing story. One that you may have heard about once or twice in passing. The story is not so much about the failure of a patrol More...
Jan 15, 2010
Dalleer
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I'm sure that people who haven't followed the storm boiled over the release of this particular book will probably think it is a unique story covering a courageous hero fighting against immeasurable odds and situations.
However, the people that have gathered enough evidence after reading the accounts of the other members of Mr. McNab's team will possibly disagree. This particular book has alot of inconsistency and lies behind it, apparently. It is quite clear that Bravo Two-Zero has be More...
However, the people that have gathered enough evidence after reading the accounts of the other members of Mr. McNab's team will possibly disagree. This particular book has alot of inconsistency and lies behind it, apparently. It is quite clear that Bravo Two-Zero has be More...
Dec 08, 2008
Renee
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'Bravo Two Zero' is the true (?) story of an eight-man SAS team, headed by Andy McNab, sent to Iraq during the gulf war. Set deep in enemy territory, McNab recounts his exceptional story of survival and endurance.
I understand there is some controversy surrounding McNab's version of Bravo Two Zero's story, as other members of the team have challenged details of this novel. I have no idea whether 'Bravo Two Zero' is entirely true or not, but I can say that it's a rollicking good war st More...
I understand there is some controversy surrounding McNab's version of Bravo Two Zero's story, as other members of the team have challenged details of this novel. I have no idea whether 'Bravo Two Zero' is entirely true or not, but I can say that it's a rollicking good war st More...
Jun 14, 2011
James
rated it:
A must read for all fans of true war stories. I think most people in the UK, if not the western world, who was around at the time of the first Iraq war will have at least heard of this mission. This narrative takes us from the period when Saddam Hussein invaded Kuwait up until after the war had ended and the prisoners of the patrol code-named Bravo-Two-Zero returned home.
I find that it is almost always worthwhile reading first-hand accounts alongside the 'official' histories as they t More...
I find that it is almost always worthwhile reading first-hand accounts alongside the 'official' histories as they t More...
Jul 01, 2011
Brendan
rated it:
Bravo Two Zero is a non fiction title about the events that happened in Iraq during an infiltration by the SAS squad Brave Two Zero. Their aim was to disrupt communication and also disable various SCUD launchers in the area. Within a few hours they are compromised and have to fight for survival.
The author Andy McNab is the sergeant of the squad and they are his responsibility. He tells the story from his point of view, but also shifts the viewpoint when he meets up with other members More...
The author Andy McNab is the sergeant of the squad and they are his responsibility. He tells the story from his point of view, but also shifts the viewpoint when he meets up with other members More...
Feb 05, 2010
Don
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I'd heard good things about this book and that it contained the amazing (true) story of an SAS patrol operating in Iraq. I had no idea nearly half of the book was about the author's experiences as a POW after his patrol was discovered. What he and others were forced to endure was truly horrible.
The writing wasn't perhaps as polished as a professional writer's, but I thought it added more to the story. It sounded like how a hard-working, professional soldier would describe what was ha More...
The writing wasn't perhaps as polished as a professional writer's, but I thought it added more to the story. It sounded like how a hard-working, professional soldier would describe what was ha More...
Nov 01, 2011
Oscar
rated it:
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers.
To view it, click here
Nov 21, 2010
Joe
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It was an alright book about SAS patrol behind enemy lines. There was a squad of 8. They were on a secret mission behind the enemy lines. In Iraq they were found and went on the run. At some point the squad split and the story is about there suvival and capture. Some of the survival they had to go through was cold nights, freezing tempertures in the desert, lack of food and water and over some days they tried to get to the Syrien border. They were captured and tortured but still never broke and
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Aug 28, 2009
Tom
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Once again, I was shocked by Andy's ability to turn real life situations into chapters that you simply can't put down. One criticism would be that as per usual from what I've read of his non-fiction style, it does take some time before the real action comes, but this is a good time to learn your way around; you feel so immersed in his life, its amazing. The plot turns around as it would in real life and you experience emotions that you never thought a book could provide. Brilliant!
Jun 30, 2011
Joe
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This is one I couldn't put down. I read in three sittings. The British street talk is well spoken in the writing. The last of the Epilogue is characteristic of the feel of the book, "And as for the people who interrogated me, if I met any of them in the street tomorrow, and thought I could get away with it, I'd slot them." The episodes of flying, describing with a soldier's nostalgia, particularly show the heart and soul of a soldier.
Sep 21, 2011
Keith
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An autobiography of an SAS operatives capture during the Gulf War, this book tells a captivating story of the SAS team's mission, their compromise, their attempted escape, their eventual capture, and their time in captivity until they were released. This is an excellent book for the military reader who wants to understand the difficulties and terror of being stranded behind enemy lines.
Jul 28, 2011
Lisa
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I thought this book was really enthralling. I read it because it was chosen by a book group I belong to and would not normally have read a book like this. It has certainly given me an insight into a world I know nothing about and feel grateful and hopeful that I will never have to experience!
Dec 05, 2011
Tan
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Good paced book about a mission that went wrong from the start. Book is about a special ops soldier that was part of a squad that was tasked to operate behind enemy lines, was detected almost immediately upon insertion, attempted to escape back to friendly lines, captured, and their harrowing experiences in torture by the Iraqi machinery. Raw and brutal account.
Aug 08, 2011
Kirsten
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Another great book by Mr. McNab. I throughly enjoyed this book and really think that books like these should be read in schools. I found him fairly straight forward. In the beginning it was a slow start and it took awhile to warm up to his brash/cocky-ness, but he is what he is, and the book is good.
Jun 30, 2009
Marius
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This is Andy McNab's non-fiction tale of his own experiences in an operation while he was in the SAS. It is fast-paced and very readable. The mission itself is a cock-up in every respect, something McNab does not fully acknowledge, but this adds to the readability.
Dec 29, 2010
Bob
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A good book for an inside look at who the men are in Special Operations. Since the US Special Forces and Delta Force 'borrowed' a lot from the SAS, particularly in Selection and Assessment, this is a good book to read to understand how that process works.
Feb 24, 2011
Stevey
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Absolutely amazing read.
I'm not normally a fan of what I'd class as normal reads I mostly read manuals and learning materiel but from page 1 I was totally hooked for a couple of days reading this. Have since bought it for friends its that good!
I'm not normally a fan of what I'd class as normal reads I mostly read manuals and learning materiel but from page 1 I was totally hooked for a couple of days reading this. Have since bought it for friends its that good!
Jan 31, 2012
Robin
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The only reason I completed this book was because I was living in Russia and craving the need to read something in English. Otherwise, I would have donated it. It seriously needed an editor, a rewrite, and an improved narrative.
Mar 18, 2011
José
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Enjoyed the insight into SAS operations related by Bravo Two Zero first Gulf War patrol commander Andy McNab, although subsequently have found out there is some controversy surrounding some parts of this real life account.
Dec 27, 2010
Ryangbiv
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Gobs of slang and vast narration of torture permeate what is a harrowing account of land navigation, tactics, and the mindset of the SAS. A good read but lord, lots of torture. It's always the goat herders that mix things up.
Jan 08, 2012
Matt
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Mr. McNab's writing style was very easy to read, and his story was simply amazing. It is hard to imagine enduring the punishment and degradation he withstood. As I understand it he has authored other books. It would be nice to read one where he is not a POW. He sounded like he had many other missions. It would be interesting to hear one that was more successful.
Aug 31, 2008
Bob
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On the first day of their mission behind enemy lines in Iraq they were spotted by some kid herding goats and then had to run like hell to get out. Of the eight who started only one did (he was the Geordie). The others, including the author, were captured (or killed).
McNab is a good story-teller. His account is very much just 'this is what we did, this is what we did next', but he's very honest and gives a good sense of 'this is what it felt like'. I didn't get any feeling that he'd bother More...
McNab is a good story-teller. His account is very much just 'this is what we did, this is what we did next', but he's very honest and gives a good sense of 'this is what it felt like'. I didn't get any feeling that he'd bother More...
Dec 09, 2008
Stuart
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I very much liked this book, and found it very readable.The operation itself seems so bungled, yet McNabb doesn't go to great length to cover up for the bungling, which is refreshing.
Feb 21, 2008
Matt
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Andy McNab vividly captures the minutiae of what it means to be a special forces commando. His simplistic use of dialog and description only serves to heighten the tension. It's not so much as if you're reading a novel about commandos behind enemy lines as if you're actually in on the debriefing of those commandos. Any fan of military adventures fiction or otherwise should enjoy this book. The insights into how SAS missions are planned are simply amazing and the matter of fact way in which McNab
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Aug 03, 2011
Dan
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Quite a good book. It certainly does well in conveying a sense of what it was like to be part of the SAS, and the author does not shrink from opening up his fears and feelings.
May 09, 2010
Alain
rated it:
Decent read. If McNab wrote this book without a ghost writer that's too his credit. The writing style is relaxed and informal. It almost seems like you are listening to McNab tell you his story over a couple of pints at your local pub.
