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Double Crossed
The Sunday Times Bestseller
At the age of 23, Brian Wood was thrust into the front line in Iraq, in the infamous Battle of Danny Boy. Ambushed, he led a charge across open ground with insurgents firing at just five soldiers. On his return, he was awarded the Military Cross.
But Brian's story had only just begun. Struggling to re-integrate into family life, he suffered from PTSD. Then, five years later, a letter arrived: it summoned him to give evidence at the Al-Sweady Inquiry into allegations of war crimes by British soldiers during the Iraq invasion of 2003.
After years of public shame, Brian took the stand and delivered a powerful testimony, and following the tense inquiry room scenes, justice was finally served. Phil Shiner, the lawyer who made the false accusations, was struck off and stripped of an honorary doctorate.
In this compelling memoir, Brian speaks powerfully and movingly about the three battles in his life, from being ambushed with no cover, to the mental battle to adjust at home, to being falsely accused of hideous war crimes. It’s a remarkable and dark curve which ends with his honour restored but, as he says, it was too little, too late.
At the age of 23, Brian Wood was thrust into the front line in Iraq, in the infamous Battle of Danny Boy. Ambushed, he led a charge across open ground with insurgents firing at just five soldiers. On his return, he was awarded the Military Cross.
But Brian's story had only just begun. Struggling to re-integrate into family life, he suffered from PTSD. Then, five years later, a letter arrived: it summoned him to give evidence at the Al-Sweady Inquiry into allegations of war crimes by British soldiers during the Iraq invasion of 2003.
After years of public shame, Brian took the stand and delivered a powerful testimony, and following the tense inquiry room scenes, justice was finally served. Phil Shiner, the lawyer who made the false accusations, was struck off and stripped of an honorary doctorate.
In this compelling memoir, Brian speaks powerfully and movingly about the three battles in his life, from being ambushed with no cover, to the mental battle to adjust at home, to being falsely accused of hideous war crimes. It’s a remarkable and dark curve which ends with his honour restored but, as he says, it was too little, too late.
320 pages, Paperback
Published September 20, 2018
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews
June 4, 2020
I've just finished new author Brian Wood's book Double Crossed (on Kindle). I also bought a hardback version which I was privileged to have signed by the author.
From the first few pages, it is very apparent that Brian Wood is a very accomplished and experienced British soldier, who was awarded the Military Cross by The Queen for gallantry in combat. Clearly a man of integrity and honour with a comprehensive set of leadership skills that sets the very highest standards for his fellow soldiers. These qualities were severely tested following the false allegations and Brian's subsequent trial for wartime atrocities.
The author's treatment and general lack of any support from his employer throughout the period of the allegations and the subsequent trial was utterly disgraceful. I was disgusted by the lack of ethics and deceitful practices used by the law firms involved in creating the false allegations. How they were able to do this and receive legal aid from our government for their 'clients' is beyond my comprehension!
I am so pleased I have had the opportunity to finally read this story in full. I was left with a strong sense that now the true 'story' is in the public domain, Brian will use the launch of this book as a catalyst to move forward with his life, onwards and upwards to better things and I wish him well with his journey.
Definitely a book filled with inspiration and one I'm proud to have on my bookshelf.
From the first few pages, it is very apparent that Brian Wood is a very accomplished and experienced British soldier, who was awarded the Military Cross by The Queen for gallantry in combat. Clearly a man of integrity and honour with a comprehensive set of leadership skills that sets the very highest standards for his fellow soldiers. These qualities were severely tested following the false allegations and Brian's subsequent trial for wartime atrocities.
The author's treatment and general lack of any support from his employer throughout the period of the allegations and the subsequent trial was utterly disgraceful. I was disgusted by the lack of ethics and deceitful practices used by the law firms involved in creating the false allegations. How they were able to do this and receive legal aid from our government for their 'clients' is beyond my comprehension!
I am so pleased I have had the opportunity to finally read this story in full. I was left with a strong sense that now the true 'story' is in the public domain, Brian will use the launch of this book as a catalyst to move forward with his life, onwards and upwards to better things and I wish him well with his journey.
Definitely a book filled with inspiration and one I'm proud to have on my bookshelf.
February 22, 2019
I wasn’t familiar with Brian Wood, or the Battle of Danny Boy, but was aware of the huge task with the British Army had been tasked with in the Aftermath of the second Gulf War. Moving from warfare to policing in a hostile environment both in terms of the climate and populace.
I have been anticipating this book for a while having been aware of the Al-Sweady inquiry and a £31 million witch hunt of the British Army’s actions in Iraq. Primarily my interest was the motivation of those involved, on all sides, of the inquiry.
But that’s not the be all and end of of this remarkable book.
Brian Wood describes with a stunning clarity his upbringing, early army career, personal life and his deployment overseas.
In Iraq he details the Battle of Danny Boy without any premiss of courage or heroics. He was as he states doing his job.
In telling the story of his part of the battle which he would receive the Military Cross there is no indication of the further battles ahead for him. Firstly with PTSD and later against members of the legal profession, who with no regard for the lives that they would effect and with self serving interests, attacked him and his colleagues and the very courage and professionalism which they displayed, and were recognised for.
The narrative of his struggle with PTSD is heart wrenching, but ultimately uplifting. His telling of the Al-Sweady inquiry is an epic narrative of one man viciously and falsely accused and abandoned by the very system he and his fellow soldiers fought to protect.
Some who paid the ultimate price, and some who pay a daily toll for the privileges we enjoy and sometimes sadly take for granted.
This is not just a story about the aftermath of the war in Iraq, but the courage of a man who when attacked by the enemy, mental health issues and then by very system he had sworn to defend came out on top.
I defy anyone to read this book and come to the conclusion that our freedoms are by any means free. Good men and women pay that price for us.
Quite simply outstanding.
I have been anticipating this book for a while having been aware of the Al-Sweady inquiry and a £31 million witch hunt of the British Army’s actions in Iraq. Primarily my interest was the motivation of those involved, on all sides, of the inquiry.
But that’s not the be all and end of of this remarkable book.
Brian Wood describes with a stunning clarity his upbringing, early army career, personal life and his deployment overseas.
In Iraq he details the Battle of Danny Boy without any premiss of courage or heroics. He was as he states doing his job.
In telling the story of his part of the battle which he would receive the Military Cross there is no indication of the further battles ahead for him. Firstly with PTSD and later against members of the legal profession, who with no regard for the lives that they would effect and with self serving interests, attacked him and his colleagues and the very courage and professionalism which they displayed, and were recognised for.
The narrative of his struggle with PTSD is heart wrenching, but ultimately uplifting. His telling of the Al-Sweady inquiry is an epic narrative of one man viciously and falsely accused and abandoned by the very system he and his fellow soldiers fought to protect.
Some who paid the ultimate price, and some who pay a daily toll for the privileges we enjoy and sometimes sadly take for granted.
This is not just a story about the aftermath of the war in Iraq, but the courage of a man who when attacked by the enemy, mental health issues and then by very system he had sworn to defend came out on top.
I defy anyone to read this book and come to the conclusion that our freedoms are by any means free. Good men and women pay that price for us.
Quite simply outstanding.
September 24, 2026
I’d vaguely heard of the Al-Sweady enquiry on my travels and knew it was a full investigation into wartime happenings and to do with British Soldiers but that was it. This took me in deeper than I’d imagine. It’s very good at taking you deep into Brian’s story so you can almost imagine yourself there.
I listened to the audiobook version borrowed on BorrowBox (online library app where you can borrow ebooks and audiobooks for free with your UK library card) which is read very well by the Author himself. It took me quite a long time to finish it as I am shocking for falling asleep as listen at bedtime then having to pick up where I left off but I got there in the end.
At the age of 23 Brian was fighting alongside other soldiers in Iraq in active combat zones. One of these was the Battle of Danny Boy that I had never heard of. The way Brian tells the story puts you right there alongside these brave but frightened men fighting in a foreign land. He describes it all really well. They are ambushed by Insurgents and a mere 5 solders power into chaos with Brian leading the charge for this he was awarded the Military Cross.
Life is hard for him coming home as it is for all veterans. I have family still actively serving in the British forces and have a great respect for all serving men and women. It’s sad that when they come back to society as a country we are not there to really help them in enough meaningful ways. Like many Brian is terrorised by PTSD, flashbacks and all the ongoing psychological effects of living and fighting and seeing trauma everywhere in an active war zone. Then 5 years into his daily life struggles at home a letter arrives that turns his world inside out.
In 2009 an enquiry began called the Al-Sweady Enquiry into what was supposed extremely wrong actions and events undertaken by British soldiers posted in Iraq. Allegations of heinous war crimes - and this decorated soldier was one of these accused. This is what the enquiry was about;
The Al-Sweady Inquiry was a major UK public inquiry into allegations that British soldiers had unlawfully killed and mistreated Iraqi detainees following a battle in Iraq in May 2004.
What happened
On 14 May 2004, British troops were involved in a battle near Majar al-Kabir in southern Iraq, known as the Battle of Danny Boy. Twenty-eight Iraqis were killed during the fighting, and nine Iraqis were captured and taken to Camp Abu Naji, a British military base.
Allegations subsequently emerged that:
* some of the Iraqis had been killed after they were captured, rather than dying in the battle;
* detainees had been tortured or seriously mistreated;
* detainees had been assaulted, deprived of food, water and sleep, and subjected to other abusive treatment;
* some allegations concerned treatment at Camp Abu Naji and later at the detention facility at Shaibah.
Because of the seriousness of the allegations, the Government established an independent public inquiry under the Inquiries Act 2005 in 2009. It was chaired by retired High Court judge Sir Thayne Forbes. The inquiry examined a huge quantity of evidence and identified more than 1,000 potential witnesses.
What did the inquiry find?
This is where it gets interesting, because the findings were not simply “nothing happened.”
The inquiry found that the allegations that British soldiers had murdered the Iraqis after capture and committed torture were not established. It concluded that the 28 Iraqis had died during the fighting, rather than being unlawfully killed at Camp Abu Naji.
His personal story tells of the 5 years of his personal shame and of himself being vindicated after taking the stand. The whole journey. From his perspective. Some people I know might have their own opinions on these accusations but I was not there so I’ll focus on reviewing the book not what happened or didn’t.
Interestingly Phil Shriner - the lawyer bringing the accusations was struck off as a lawyer afterwards.
It’s a very well told story from his very personal perspective and certainly stirs a lot of emotion of different types as I listened. I’d definitely recommend looking up more books and info on the Enquiry itself if it really interested you. I do recall it being in the news. I wanted to hear his story and he told it really well. It’s easy to follow and engages the listener. He has an easy voice to stay with and his personality comes through on the audiobook too.
I felt and heard the fire in Brian during his fight against the lies told about him and fellow soldiers. The fire to not give up despite how tiring and traumatising it is. The fight to clear his sullied name. He wasn’t going to just let these people slate his good name and entire career.
He fought AGAIN like a soldier does. It took many years during that all but eventually he could perhaps truly start to really heal going forward and build a happy better life. He showed extraordinary courage and resilience for his final outcome. Bravo!
An astonishing true memoir whether you read it in book format or listen on audiobook. 4 stars from me.
Thanks so much for taking a little time to read my review. Your likes and comments mean a lot to me. 😻 Feel free to add me as a friend or follow me for more book reviews.
If you are an Author or Publisher and would like to ask me to review any books my email address is in my bio.
I listened to the audiobook version borrowed on BorrowBox (online library app where you can borrow ebooks and audiobooks for free with your UK library card) which is read very well by the Author himself. It took me quite a long time to finish it as I am shocking for falling asleep as listen at bedtime then having to pick up where I left off but I got there in the end.
At the age of 23 Brian was fighting alongside other soldiers in Iraq in active combat zones. One of these was the Battle of Danny Boy that I had never heard of. The way Brian tells the story puts you right there alongside these brave but frightened men fighting in a foreign land. He describes it all really well. They are ambushed by Insurgents and a mere 5 solders power into chaos with Brian leading the charge for this he was awarded the Military Cross.
Life is hard for him coming home as it is for all veterans. I have family still actively serving in the British forces and have a great respect for all serving men and women. It’s sad that when they come back to society as a country we are not there to really help them in enough meaningful ways. Like many Brian is terrorised by PTSD, flashbacks and all the ongoing psychological effects of living and fighting and seeing trauma everywhere in an active war zone. Then 5 years into his daily life struggles at home a letter arrives that turns his world inside out.
In 2009 an enquiry began called the Al-Sweady Enquiry into what was supposed extremely wrong actions and events undertaken by British soldiers posted in Iraq. Allegations of heinous war crimes - and this decorated soldier was one of these accused. This is what the enquiry was about;
The Al-Sweady Inquiry was a major UK public inquiry into allegations that British soldiers had unlawfully killed and mistreated Iraqi detainees following a battle in Iraq in May 2004.
What happened
On 14 May 2004, British troops were involved in a battle near Majar al-Kabir in southern Iraq, known as the Battle of Danny Boy. Twenty-eight Iraqis were killed during the fighting, and nine Iraqis were captured and taken to Camp Abu Naji, a British military base.
Allegations subsequently emerged that:
* some of the Iraqis had been killed after they were captured, rather than dying in the battle;
* detainees had been tortured or seriously mistreated;
* detainees had been assaulted, deprived of food, water and sleep, and subjected to other abusive treatment;
* some allegations concerned treatment at Camp Abu Naji and later at the detention facility at Shaibah.
Because of the seriousness of the allegations, the Government established an independent public inquiry under the Inquiries Act 2005 in 2009. It was chaired by retired High Court judge Sir Thayne Forbes. The inquiry examined a huge quantity of evidence and identified more than 1,000 potential witnesses.
What did the inquiry find?
This is where it gets interesting, because the findings were not simply “nothing happened.”
The inquiry found that the allegations that British soldiers had murdered the Iraqis after capture and committed torture were not established. It concluded that the 28 Iraqis had died during the fighting, rather than being unlawfully killed at Camp Abu Naji.
His personal story tells of the 5 years of his personal shame and of himself being vindicated after taking the stand. The whole journey. From his perspective. Some people I know might have their own opinions on these accusations but I was not there so I’ll focus on reviewing the book not what happened or didn’t.
Interestingly Phil Shriner - the lawyer bringing the accusations was struck off as a lawyer afterwards.
It’s a very well told story from his very personal perspective and certainly stirs a lot of emotion of different types as I listened. I’d definitely recommend looking up more books and info on the Enquiry itself if it really interested you. I do recall it being in the news. I wanted to hear his story and he told it really well. It’s easy to follow and engages the listener. He has an easy voice to stay with and his personality comes through on the audiobook too.
I felt and heard the fire in Brian during his fight against the lies told about him and fellow soldiers. The fire to not give up despite how tiring and traumatising it is. The fight to clear his sullied name. He wasn’t going to just let these people slate his good name and entire career.
He fought AGAIN like a soldier does. It took many years during that all but eventually he could perhaps truly start to really heal going forward and build a happy better life. He showed extraordinary courage and resilience for his final outcome. Bravo!
An astonishing true memoir whether you read it in book format or listen on audiobook. 4 stars from me.
Thanks so much for taking a little time to read my review. Your likes and comments mean a lot to me. 😻 Feel free to add me as a friend or follow me for more book reviews.
If you are an Author or Publisher and would like to ask me to review any books my email address is in my bio.
May 27, 2019
A Harrowing Read
If you thought our government sends our armed forces into dangerous places, to do dangerous work on our behalf and fully supports them, think again. Politicians of the current era have, for 99.9% of them, no military service. They have never faced armed men trying to kill them. This book exposes their Lilly located response to corrupt solicitors who harvested untrue a allegations to feed their own vanity and bank accounts. A story well told, for the most part. A shameful expose' of ill gotten gains by some
If you thought our government sends our armed forces into dangerous places, to do dangerous work on our behalf and fully supports them, think again. Politicians of the current era have, for 99.9% of them, no military service. They have never faced armed men trying to kill them. This book exposes their Lilly located response to corrupt solicitors who harvested untrue a allegations to feed their own vanity and bank accounts. A story well told, for the most part. A shameful expose' of ill gotten gains by some
August 18, 2019
I picked this one up and put it down again several times. I ultimately decided to stick with it and in the end it was a compelling story, but I found the many military acronyms (without explanation) made the story difficult to follow and overall wasn't a fan of the writing.
June 2, 2019
Excellent read- couldn’t put it down!
That our enemies will try to undermine confidence in our soldiers and institutions of state is to be expected.
What is not expected is that those enemies will be assisted not only by self-serving activists posing as lawyers but by the very institutions who put our soldiers into harm's way. Apologies years later do little to heal the mental trauma of having to relive, in minute detail, the events of years previously in which one's own life was in danger.
This is a story which had to be told but which should never have needed to be told.
That our enemies will try to undermine confidence in our soldiers and institutions of state is to be expected.
What is not expected is that those enemies will be assisted not only by self-serving activists posing as lawyers but by the very institutions who put our soldiers into harm's way. Apologies years later do little to heal the mental trauma of having to relive, in minute detail, the events of years previously in which one's own life was in danger.
This is a story which had to be told but which should never have needed to be told.
June 7, 2019
Brave and inspiring, very good read
Brian has managed to tell his story in a way you could feel every emotion, his frustration and his disappointment in a system he was prepared to give his life for fighting for his country. But his determination to makes sure the world knew the truth, his honestly all the way through the book.his pride in all he and his fellow soldiers had achieved. I started the book on a flight back from Bangkok and finished it halfway to London. I could not put it down.
Brian has managed to tell his story in a way you could feel every emotion, his frustration and his disappointment in a system he was prepared to give his life for fighting for his country. But his determination to makes sure the world knew the truth, his honestly all the way through the book.his pride in all he and his fellow soldiers had achieved. I started the book on a flight back from Bangkok and finished it halfway to London. I could not put it down.
December 29, 2019
When the system goes wrong, it sometimes catches and chews up the wrong individuals. This is a compelling story of one soldier's dedicated service to his country being micro examined in an environment so far removed from where the original action happened that it's difficult to envisage how real justice will be achieved. Combing real-life action with drama in the courtroom, Wood's story is not only definitely worth reading, but should be a lesson to us all on the sacrifices some make for their country.
February 22, 2019
Must read
The heroics of a humble man laid out for all to see.
A hero on the battlefield
Pursued by public interest lawyers with an overt political agenda fuelled by massive personal greed.
Brian Woods dignity and strength is to be admired, Shiner stinks more than the dog poo bin in my local park
The heroics of a humble man laid out for all to see.
A hero on the battlefield
Pursued by public interest lawyers with an overt political agenda fuelled by massive personal greed.
Brian Woods dignity and strength is to be admired, Shiner stinks more than the dog poo bin in my local park
March 23, 2019
A brilliant book by an extraordinary man. Wood tells his story of his time in Iraq where he was awarded a military cross for bravery, and the later inquiry into the army’s role in the notorious Battle of Danny Boy during what was supposed to be a peacekeeping mission. Fascinating, moving and completely open account of an experience that needs to be told.
April 15, 2021
heart warming and enlightening read
This te!!s an interesting story which is saddened by it being true. Utter respec and pride for our armed.forces. I commend you for.dealing with everything the way you did truly a.strong mind. Well.deserved commendations and I look forward to watching Danny boy.
This te!!s an interesting story which is saddened by it being true. Utter respec and pride for our armed.forces. I commend you for.dealing with everything the way you did truly a.strong mind. Well.deserved commendations and I look forward to watching Danny boy.
May 10, 2021
Awe inspiring
An amazing read. Such an honest & remarkable true story.So glad I've just read this as notice it's being dramatized on BBC.. It is eye opening in many ways, the life of a soldier, battle conditions, lies told & believed after & the effects, how the press & government react. And above all the story of a very brave & caring man.
An amazing read. Such an honest & remarkable true story.So glad I've just read this as notice it's being dramatized on BBC.. It is eye opening in many ways, the life of a soldier, battle conditions, lies told & believed after & the effects, how the press & government react. And above all the story of a very brave & caring man.
July 8, 2021
Please read this book
A well-written story about a good man (among many good people) who did the right thing extremely well, only to be screwed over by those who ought to have been his best support. He emerges wearier, wiser but it is us that benefit most from reading his tale. Thanks for telling it and for everything done in your Army career - a humbling read for us civvies
A well-written story about a good man (among many good people) who did the right thing extremely well, only to be screwed over by those who ought to have been his best support. He emerges wearier, wiser but it is us that benefit most from reading his tale. Thanks for telling it and for everything done in your Army career - a humbling read for us civvies
August 13, 2021
A hero among heroes!
My title says it all. This is the story of a very courageous man who lived by values and principles of the past. But he reminds all of us to live by these great examples today. There is also humility and inner strength in the way he dealt with an horrendous injustice. We worth reading more than once!
My title says it all. This is the story of a very courageous man who lived by values and principles of the past. But he reminds all of us to live by these great examples today. There is also humility and inner strength in the way he dealt with an horrendous injustice. We worth reading more than once!
November 27, 2022
I first Heard about this book. After listening to a Podcast by James O'Brien. It is something that is completely out of my usual comfort zonAnd as a result I was quite keen but also quite anxious to give it a read.
Brian wood has clearly been through the Ringer unsupported by a government who asked him to sacrifice his safety and life and the safety in life of his comrades for the sake of War.
Brian wood has clearly been through the Ringer unsupported by a government who asked him to sacrifice his safety and life and the safety in life of his comrades for the sake of War.
March 1, 2019
A tale of courage and fortitude that reflects very badly on the British Government and legal system. Brian Wood emerges with dignity and composure despite intolerable pressure. He is a superb ambassador for the soldiers placed in impossible situations, the Army and his regiment.
March 7, 2019
True hero
This is a remarkable story by a remarkable man, sports commentators have sullied the meaning of the word warrior, they should be made to read this book and see the true meaning of it. We are all in his debt for what he has done for this country
This is a remarkable story by a remarkable man, sports commentators have sullied the meaning of the word warrior, they should be made to read this book and see the true meaning of it. We are all in his debt for what he has done for this country
March 25, 2019
A good and brave man let down by a system that believes liars like Phil Shiner over those who put their lives on the line for their country.
An excellent and very interesting read which is pretty unputdownable.
An excellent and very interesting read which is pretty unputdownable.
May 16, 2020
Amazing Story
Shows the bravery and integrity of our armed forces. Brian Wood is everything good and decent about the British Armed Forces. He, and others should never have been is a court room. A proper page turner.
Shows the bravery and integrity of our armed forces. Brian Wood is everything good and decent about the British Armed Forces. He, and others should never have been is a court room. A proper page turner.
May 21, 2020
Brilliant story from a brave solider. Made me lose complete faith in the British government. However, I wasn’t overly keen on the writing style, it took a while to get into and some parts were hard to understand due to lots of abbreviations.
July 10, 2021
Good honest read.
I enjoyed reading Brian's story, it's everything I know our servicemen to be. I've also met a good few lawyers, some good and others who used the old legal aid system. Enough said.
I enjoyed reading Brian's story, it's everything I know our servicemen to be. I've also met a good few lawyers, some good and others who used the old legal aid system. Enough said.
April 25, 2022
Rollercoaster
A must read book on how our service personnel had their lives disrupted and in some cases ruined by Shiner who with his millions made to this day gives not a jot.
Honest and well written.
A must read book on how our service personnel had their lives disrupted and in some cases ruined by Shiner who with his millions made to this day gives not a jot.
Honest and well written.
March 28, 2019
Brilliant insight into the life of a soldier on the front line, and the harrowing story of how the country and the legal system turned it’s back on him in return.
May 29, 2019
Brilliant book.
January 2, 2020
This is a must read and will give you an insight in what the army have to do to get the job done .It will also give you an insight in some of the crap they have to take when they come home.
Want to Read
August 9, 2020Excellent
A very interesting and well articulated book that gives an insight into the problems and difficulties of modern day soldiering
A very interesting and well articulated book that gives an insight into the problems and difficulties of modern day soldiering
July 4, 2021
Good book
Excellent read
No flannel .very straight forward.recommend to anyone who wants a straight forward account of event .read straight through . no break.
Excellent read
No flannel .very straight forward.recommend to anyone who wants a straight forward account of event .read straight through . no break.
May 11, 2022
Great personal story about a British Soldier who's heroic actions ruined his life and military career once it become politically expedient to charge him with war crimes to appease public sentiment.
May 25, 2023
Compelling and shocking story of a hero’s treatment by the establishment and lack of backup from the forces and its legal representatives.
January 1, 2026
This book was proper eye opening. I really enjoyed it I tried watching the film after I'd finished but the film wasn't as good as the book. I like Brian's down to earth style of writing
Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews