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Lethal Shot: A Royal Marine Commando in Action
Rob Driscoll, former sergeant with 42 Commando, Royal Marines, served tours in Iraq, Kuwait and Kosovo. A born leader of fighting men, he also endured three tours in Afghanistan. The third of those will go down in history as one of the UK military's darkest hours, for it marked the first time a British serviceman has been tried for a murder on the battlefield since the Second World War.That man was 'Marine A', Sergeant Alexander Blackman, Rob Driscoll's friend and fellow NCO in 42 Commando, and on the day in question they were commanding patrols within a few hundred yards of each other. Few men know what really went on that day in Helmand Province. Rob Driscoll is one, and, like Blackman, knew only too well the privations and frustrations of fighting an ubiquitous and tenacious enemy without sufficient resources and support.Yet Lethal Shot is more than a compelling insight into one of the most controversial and divisive cases in recent military history. It is a clear-eyed account of life on active service with the Royal Marines, of incursions into war-torn countries where chaos and anarchy ruled - and of men risking their lives daily only too often to find that they would not be backed up by politicians at home. In charting its author's career as a Royal Marine Commando, it unflinchingly demonstrates the real-life horrors of engaging at close quarters with enemies such as the Taliban.Rob Driscoll received a Mention in Despatches for his last tour of 'Afghan', the citation 'He never bows to fatigue or danger and there is no doubt that his remarkable acts of selflessness saved a number of lives for which he deserves significant formal recognition.'
403 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 30, 2019
6 people are currently reading
38 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
August 31, 2022
Listened to the audiobook version which is narrated fantastically. This covers the beginning of Rob Driscoll, the challenges he faced in joining the Royal Marines and then the various tours that he took each one escalating in difficulty ultimately ending with how his military career ended.
I dont know much about the military but this is a sobering story about the reality of life in the military. I would recommend those that are thinking of joining either listen or read it.
I dont know much about the military but this is a sobering story about the reality of life in the military. I would recommend those that are thinking of joining either listen or read it.
October 22, 2022
Very insightful account on the mental gymnastics of a soldier. Also an introduction to the explanation of the Marine A case.
October 24, 2020
This is a decent read, those who like the genre will certainly enjoy it and feel the frustration of the author and his troops as they grapple against red tape and poor - sometimes awful - decisions from seniors sitting in a cool office with a glass of ice tea.
I suspect opinion might be divided by the interesting and tragic twists described at the end of the book which must have been terrible for all involved especially after everything they'd already been through.
The one thing I wasn't so keen on was a bit too much of the old 'Marines rule, the army drools' type stuff, quite common in books by authors with service in the 'special' units and certainly not unique to Marines. But it can be a bit excessive in this book and some instances go a bit too far I think, discrediting the army in ways which simply can't be corroborated whatsoever by any other books (including by fellow Marines) or by the reels of footage now widely available of this conflict.
Don't let that put you off though - it's a good book and describes some intense experiences and the author has my respect as a soldier and a writer.
I suspect opinion might be divided by the interesting and tragic twists described at the end of the book which must have been terrible for all involved especially after everything they'd already been through.
The one thing I wasn't so keen on was a bit too much of the old 'Marines rule, the army drools' type stuff, quite common in books by authors with service in the 'special' units and certainly not unique to Marines. But it can be a bit excessive in this book and some instances go a bit too far I think, discrediting the army in ways which simply can't be corroborated whatsoever by any other books (including by fellow Marines) or by the reels of footage now widely available of this conflict.
Don't let that put you off though - it's a good book and describes some intense experiences and the author has my respect as a soldier and a writer.
March 7, 2022
The first third of the book was a bit slow and boring (Early life and initial years in the Royal Marines). The rest was a cracking read (Deployment to Afghanistan in 2011).
The tale is of a man desperate to cut his teeth in battle, who eventually gets his wish, and ends up being humbled and more circumspect in the process. Big respect to all in the armed forces who have put themselves in harms way in the service of protecting freedom and serving their country, but this is definitely a cautionary tale of, ‘be careful what you wish for’ and ‘be wary of helping people who do not want your help’.
Of note the author’s tale happened at the same time and near the same location as the infamous ‘Marine A’ (Sgt Alexander Blackman). Having read what they were expected to do and how difficult this was I did come away with a lot of sympathy for Sgt Blackman.
The tale is of a man desperate to cut his teeth in battle, who eventually gets his wish, and ends up being humbled and more circumspect in the process. Big respect to all in the armed forces who have put themselves in harms way in the service of protecting freedom and serving their country, but this is definitely a cautionary tale of, ‘be careful what you wish for’ and ‘be wary of helping people who do not want your help’.
Of note the author’s tale happened at the same time and near the same location as the infamous ‘Marine A’ (Sgt Alexander Blackman). Having read what they were expected to do and how difficult this was I did come away with a lot of sympathy for Sgt Blackman.
October 12, 2019
Just don't bother, he has an over inflated ego and tries to sex up his service..... Also the book is full of lies any service person can see through.
Just another guy writing a book and telling lies about his service to make money.
Just another guy writing a book and telling lies about his service to make money.
May 21, 2020
A gripping peek into the highs, and lows, of military service in the United Kingdom. I read the audiobook version which was one of the best narrated audio books iv ever read. Very highly recommended.
July 19, 2020
Good content, awesome narration
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews