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First into Action
The SBS was first into battle a month before the SAS in the Falklands War and again in the Gulf War, yet hitherto it is the SAS that has had by far the higher profile. The SBS draws its manpower solely from the Marine Commando Units, and the Royal Marines are the oldest and most battle-honoured regiment in the world. FIRST INTO ACTION is the first Special Boat Services memoir written from the inside. It tells how Duncan Falconer trained with the Royal Marines in Deal before being recruited into the SBS at Poole in Dorset. The regimen of ruthless training is graphically described and the book also includes revelatory accounts of SBS operations in Ulster, Bosnia and the Gulf War, and of the intense rivalry between the SAS's individualist mentality and the more team-based, marine ethos of the SBS. Duncan Falconer's grippingly detailed memoir is sure to command the attention of anyone interested in the Special Forces and how they operate.
452 pages, Paperback
First published October 1, 1998
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 56 reviews
May 13, 2013
This book was brilliant. It is hands down the greatest account of someones military career I have ever read.
This book follows the career of the book's author, who at the age of 19 becomes the youngest person to serve in the British special forces, in the mysterious S.B.S. The book has the standard components of a special forces biography, a little bit about his early life, an almost unbelievable account of how hard selection is, followed by various accounts of frankly ridiculous situations that the author finds himself in.
The reason why I found this book so amazing to read was due to the setting of a lot of the operations. This guy joins the British special forces while "the troubles" in northern Ireland were at their peak. although I wasn't alive during this time or lived in the country I found it fascinating that things like this (Stuff that i can only describe as James bond like) happened in the terrain it happened in, and so close to the country I used to live in. It was a welcome change of setting having read a fair few other special forces accounts that happened far off in some distant country that I could not relate to at all (not discrediting other special forces accounts here).
Another aspect of this book that regularly comes into play is the bitter rivalry between the S.A.S and the S.B.S. A large number of times throughout the book he refers to the S.A.S as an inferior unit due to the many blunders in their past, which although makes for some good reading, can be seen as a little distasteful as the S.A.S were the unit of which all other modern special forces units were based. [insert something about respecting elders here]
All in all this is a awesome read, this was a book I struggled to put down, and when I did all I wanted to talk about was what I had already read. I would recommend this to anyone who likes military accounts, has an interest in the special forces and people who have enjoyed the books of Andy Mcnab and Chris Ryan.
This book follows the career of the book's author, who at the age of 19 becomes the youngest person to serve in the British special forces, in the mysterious S.B.S. The book has the standard components of a special forces biography, a little bit about his early life, an almost unbelievable account of how hard selection is, followed by various accounts of frankly ridiculous situations that the author finds himself in.
The reason why I found this book so amazing to read was due to the setting of a lot of the operations. This guy joins the British special forces while "the troubles" in northern Ireland were at their peak. although I wasn't alive during this time or lived in the country I found it fascinating that things like this (Stuff that i can only describe as James bond like) happened in the terrain it happened in, and so close to the country I used to live in. It was a welcome change of setting having read a fair few other special forces accounts that happened far off in some distant country that I could not relate to at all (not discrediting other special forces accounts here).
Another aspect of this book that regularly comes into play is the bitter rivalry between the S.A.S and the S.B.S. A large number of times throughout the book he refers to the S.A.S as an inferior unit due to the many blunders in their past, which although makes for some good reading, can be seen as a little distasteful as the S.A.S were the unit of which all other modern special forces units were based. [insert something about respecting elders here]
All in all this is a awesome read, this was a book I struggled to put down, and when I did all I wanted to talk about was what I had already read. I would recommend this to anyone who likes military accounts, has an interest in the special forces and people who have enjoyed the books of Andy Mcnab and Chris Ryan.
September 17, 2011
I've read other books about the SBS, but this is the only one I've seen by an ex-member of the SBS. It's a good, entertaining account of the author's time in SBS. Much of it covers Northern Ireland, but it also includes mention of marine anti-terrorist rehearsals on oil rigs and the like.
The author seems frustrated that the SAS get more recognition than the SBS, and this comes through quite strongly sometimes. The author sometimes states that he can't give details about various aspects. This seems to crop up more in the later parts of the book and in relation to anti-terrorist techniques.
Annoyingly, the Kindle edition has some formatting errors, where several words do not have spaces between them. An example: "With four or five hundred yards to go we decided, thankfully, wewereontrack. Thenavigatorhaddonehis job perfectly." I don't know if these errors are present in the print editions.
The author seems frustrated that the SAS get more recognition than the SBS, and this comes through quite strongly sometimes. The author sometimes states that he can't give details about various aspects. This seems to crop up more in the later parts of the book and in relation to anti-terrorist techniques.
Annoyingly, the Kindle edition has some formatting errors, where several words do not have spaces between them. An example: "With four or five hundred yards to go we decided, thankfully, wewereontrack. Thenavigatorhaddonehis job perfectly." I don't know if these errors are present in the print editions.
June 10, 2016
We all know about the daring exploits of the infamous SAS. For some reason, the SBS – the Special Boat Services – have been somewhat overshadowed, and unfairly so. With personnel drawn from the Royal Marines and Marine Commando Units after the most robust selection process ever devised, the truth is the SBS is the oldest, most-decorated and most frequently first into battle of any regiment that flies the British flag.
The appropriately titled ‘First Into Action’ brings readers the riveting inside story of the SBS by Duncan Falconer, a special forces operative who has served the cause in scores of hotspots and writes this memoir of his experiences in a compelling style that sends shivers down your spine and brings the smell of cordite right off the page. Falconer’s skill is bringing action to life and does so by developing full-bloodied characters with their life and death decisions, their errors, successes and unbridled bravery. Excellent.
The appropriately titled ‘First Into Action’ brings readers the riveting inside story of the SBS by Duncan Falconer, a special forces operative who has served the cause in scores of hotspots and writes this memoir of his experiences in a compelling style that sends shivers down your spine and brings the smell of cordite right off the page. Falconer’s skill is bringing action to life and does so by developing full-bloodied characters with their life and death decisions, their errors, successes and unbridled bravery. Excellent.
May 29, 2021
One of the most inspiring books I've ever read. It's all about courage and thriving in adversity -and it's an entertaining read. I picked it up at random about 20 years ago, really enjoyed it, passed it on to my Dad, and we passed it back and forth for about a year before I took it on a three-year working trip. I don't know where my copy ended up, but I've just ordered another now for my nephew.
From what I can remember, the action included the author and a colleague fighting on an oil rig in the North Sea, entering and exiting submarines while deep underwater, training spies in Northern Ireland and initial training the Hereford countryside, gruelling hikes in the Brecon Beacons, etc. I was also intrigued by the lingo (the SBS say "tabs" instead of "yomp" which is the SAS term for a long hike; "scoff" instead of "scran" or vice versa...).
From what I can remember, the action included the author and a colleague fighting on an oil rig in the North Sea, entering and exiting submarines while deep underwater, training spies in Northern Ireland and initial training the Hereford countryside, gruelling hikes in the Brecon Beacons, etc. I was also intrigued by the lingo (the SBS say "tabs" instead of "yomp" which is the SAS term for a long hike; "scoff" instead of "scran" or vice versa...).
December 17, 2017
A rough book, but a fascinating one about Britain's Special Boat Service, that looks into everything from counter - insurgency work in Northern Ireland to the dynamics of one of the great inter - service rivalries of all time between the SBS and the Blades of the Regiment.
October 7, 2021
Eye-witness account of life in the extreme conditions of elite special forces. The SBS draw their manpower from the most battle-honoured unit in the world, the Royal Marines Commando Brigade. Falconer went through both units, and here describes in graphic detail the training regimes that, if you weren't operating at the physiological threshold of an elite pro sportsperson, would probably kill you. Then he describes some truly bizarre, exciting, illuminating and awe-inspiring events in which he was a principal actor. Very finely written and grounded in the social milieu of its time, I cannot recommend this book highly enough to anyone interested in combat memoirs, the elite forces, and the human spirit's will to conquer. Excellent book.
February 26, 2020
A great book, and very difficult to put down, once started. Even though, in comparison with many other similar books, it is almost completely devoid of any SpecOps actions, it does not seem to matter too much. The book is full of very interesting details of the training that the SBS operators undergo, albeit without disclosing anything which could compromise the tactical advantage of SBS. It is also full of interesting stories from the unit, mostly of personal nature, which break down the seriousness typical of many SpecOps books. This demonstrates that, even though the work that the SBS operators do every day amounts to treading a fine line between life and death, this is done with humour and distance to themselves.
Duncan Falconer is an excellent story teller – the language used by him is light and humorous. From the literary perspective this is probably the best SpecOps book I have read so far.
Duncan Falconer is an excellent story teller – the language used by him is light and humorous. From the literary perspective this is probably the best SpecOps book I have read so far.
September 27, 2024
The SBS, or special boat service is a little known unit of British special forces bonded together from the Royal Marines and Marine commandos. This book gives an excellent insight into the process by which one may be considered for the SBS and following this gives interesting accounts of some of the actions that can still be told, without falling under the View of the intelligence services of Great Britain. Written with great skill, and allowed to read it to carefully follow into action of some of these elite warriors.
May 1, 2019
Good insight into an elusive unit
A well written account of a career in the SBS. Given the general scarcity of literature on the topic, this book offered a unique and interesting insight into their capabilities and culture. There is a lot of bashing of other SF communities, maybe rightly so. But even though the author clearly had a bit of get off his chest, the stories he told made up for the politics.
A well written account of a career in the SBS. Given the general scarcity of literature on the topic, this book offered a unique and interesting insight into their capabilities and culture. There is a lot of bashing of other SF communities, maybe rightly so. But even though the author clearly had a bit of get off his chest, the stories he told made up for the politics.
April 22, 2022
Really first class read. The author starts with his early childhood, working his way upto joining the Royal marines. The feeling of wanting to stick with it comes all the way through, and you really feel safe with men like this in the British armed forces.
These are tough rugged guys who test their fear and resolve to the utmost limit. Once again a really good read by a dedicated elite forces soldier.
Thank God they are on our side.
These are tough rugged guys who test their fear and resolve to the utmost limit. Once again a really good read by a dedicated elite forces soldier.
Thank God they are on our side.
February 25, 2020
I read this (again) some years ago, but in the wake of many 'new' SF biographies currently extant on the shelves of libraries and bookshops (25/02/20) this details the lengths that were gone to, to select the very best into the SBS (back in the 1980's?) - spoiler alert; unbelieveably hard!
Must read again when I get the time
Must read again when I get the time
August 13, 2017
Tip Top
I enjoyed reading this book immensely. First hand accounts are often better than fiction. This book will remain an endearing memory for the rest of my life. All thumbs up. Outstanding!
I enjoyed reading this book immensely. First hand accounts are often better than fiction. This book will remain an endearing memory for the rest of my life. All thumbs up. Outstanding!
July 6, 2019
That was like sitting in a pub having a pint with a bloke you've just met as he tells you fascinating stories from his military career. Laugh out loud funny in places yet equally as tear jerking. Fantastically written.
November 23, 2022
SBS 101
The best special forces book I have ever read. It doesn't brag and shows the good with some of the cock ups that happen in any military unit, I should know after spending 18 years in an armoured regiment.
The best special forces book I have ever read. It doesn't brag and shows the good with some of the cock ups that happen in any military unit, I should know after spending 18 years in an armoured regiment.
January 27, 2023
I've read a lot of military non-fiction over the years so maybe I've grown bored with the format, but this was a fairly ordinary book. If you've got nothing else to read, go ahead with this. But there's plenty of better books to read.
April 13, 2025
Stunning read
As I gained some interest in special forces lately this books shows difficulty and incredible training and stamina to become SBS soldier. Stories are incredible, written in good humourus style. Definately read it if you are interested in special forces.
As I gained some interest in special forces lately this books shows difficulty and incredible training and stamina to become SBS soldier. Stories are incredible, written in good humourus style. Definately read it if you are interested in special forces.
October 8, 2017
These kinds of memoirs can be hit or miss, generally a miss. This is absolutely a hit. There is no posturing and no superfluous detail. Informative, taught, and well paced.
January 21, 2018
Interesting read
Accidentally discovered this book, overall decent read, at times wish author provided more details about operations and techniques used by SBS
Accidentally discovered this book, overall decent read, at times wish author provided more details about operations and techniques used by SBS
August 9, 2018
Halfway through this book he says, "I'm going home to visit my dad this weekend. It's my 21st." WOW!!! You're not even 21 yet. Amazing.
February 21, 2019
Fantastic read.
From start to finish a great book. You will not regret it. An interesting life and fast paced . Very enjoyable. 5 stars😊
From start to finish a great book. You will not regret it. An interesting life and fast paced . Very enjoyable. 5 stars😊
February 25, 2019
A stonkinf good read
If all you ever read or hear about is the SAS then this book corrects that balance perfectly. A damn good read.
If all you ever read or hear about is the SAS then this book corrects that balance perfectly. A damn good read.
May 19, 2019
Absolutely brilliant read.
June 3, 2019
Love reading about the SBS, great purchase, great read.
August 21, 2019
As per other SF books
Fed up of Amazon highjacking me for reviews, may by there's a crack squadron of Anti Amazon Reviewers to stop them!
Fed up of Amazon highjacking me for reviews, may by there's a crack squadron of Anti Amazon Reviewers to stop them!
August 8, 2020
This is a well written and very informative book about a little know branch of the military and I enjoyed it all.
March 15, 2021
Absolutely fantastic read
Best special forces book I've had the privilege of reading - beat that Bravo 2 Zero. Cheers Duncan for a good long awaited insight into the SBS
Best special forces book I've had the privilege of reading - beat that Bravo 2 Zero. Cheers Duncan for a good long awaited insight into the SBS
October 26, 2022
Gripping read
Excellent book. Love SAS stuff. But there isn't much out there on the SBS. But this makes up for it.
Excellent book. Love SAS stuff. But there isn't much out there on the SBS. But this makes up for it.
August 29, 2023
A very interesting peek into the life of an SBS Operative.
September 29, 2023
A brilliant, detailed and funny account of a unique journey through special forces, thoroughly enjoyed it.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 56 reviews