Selous Scouts - Top Secret War

by R.F. Reid-Daly, Peter Stiff

The Selous Scouts were the toughest and most efficient killing machine anywhere in Africa, and its members consisted of the finest guerrilla fighting men in the Western world. Unconventional in many ways, disregardful of parade ground discipline, unorthodox in their dress, yet a force so tightly knit in the face of danger that those who knew anything about them could only marvel.

Genres: Africa, Military Fiction, History, War, Military History, South Africa, Research

752 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1982

Reviews

[Carlton Sirewu]

Very gripping book. An account of (modern) military history that tells a tale of one of the most successful special forces regiments in history as told by its creator Lt. Col. Ron Reid Daly, from what necessitated the formation of the regiment, their training methods (yes: keeping the prospective candidates hungry to a point where they're ready to eat rotting baboon flesh - can't make this up), their controversial modus operandi and how they became the most feared operators during the Rhodesian bush wars at its peak in the 1970s then 'betrayal' and the end of the war, the writer also gives a historical and political background, from his criticism of how the war effort was being handles to what he thought would have worked.

[Pedro Plassen Lopes · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book tells the story of one of the most famous special forces, based on the accountings of its creator Lt Col Ron Reid-Daly. From the political context in which the force was formed, the training required, bush survival techniques, to the description of the military operations. Considered one of the most efficient units: at a peak of 1500 responsible for 68% of terrorist casualties between 1973 and 1980. It is of interest to know that a carcass of a decomposing animal is still a good source of proteins if boiled only once :9

[Thomas Kanyak · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tales of Derring-do by Rhodesia's superb pseudo operations regiment the Selous Scouts, told by its commander Ron Reid-Daly, during the Bush war to preserve white rule in Rhodesia in the 1970s. Some of the operations border on the incredulous, recklessness borne of desperation of fighting against long odds with the entire world against them and a vastly numerically superior foe in a unwinnable war. The book is written in a informal format, as Daly is spinning yarns to a writer shortly after the war while events are fresh in his mind.

[Tigere Mubayiwa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Review of Selous Scouts: Top Secret War by Peter Stiff

Peter Stiff’s Selous Scouts: Top Secret War is a compelling and controversial account of one of the most feared and secretive military units to operate during the Rhodesian Bush War (1964–1979). Through meticulous research and first-hand interviews, Stiff provides an insider's perspective into the clandestine operations of the Selous Scouts—an elite unit of the Rhodesian Security Forces that specialized in counter-insurgency, reconnaissance, and pseudo-operations against guerrilla fighters of ZANLA and ZIPRA.

Strengths:

Detailed and Well-Researched Narrative: Stiff’s background in Southern African military affairs lends the book a level of authority and detail. He explores the formation, strategy, and inner workings of the Selous Scouts with precision, including how the unit infiltrated guerrilla networks by posing as insurgents—a tactic that was both effective and ethically murky.

Fascinating Insights into Guerrilla Warfare: Readers are given a rare look into psychological and asymmetrical warfare tactics. The Scouts’ use of deception, intelligence gathering, and brutal efficiency in combat operations is thoroughly examined.

Human Stories and Personal Accounts: The book weaves in personal stories from Scouts and commanders, which bring the narrative to life and expose the extreme pressure, camaraderie, and psychological toll of their missions.

Controversies and Criticisms:

Pro-Rhodesian Bias: Critics argue that Stiff’s perspective is unapologetically sympathetic to the Rhodesian cause. The book rarely interrogates the broader context of colonial oppression, racial politics, and the legitimacy of the nationalist struggle, instead framing the war through the lens of Rhodesian heroism and survival.

Moral Ambiguity and Lack of Critical Distance: While the Scouts’ tactics were effective, they often involved extrajudicial killings, torture, and operations that blurred the lines between soldier and assassin. Stiff does not deeply question the legality or morality of such actions, which some readers may find problematic.

Limited African Voices: The narrative largely omits perspectives from black Rhodesians or nationalist fighters, which narrows the historical lens. As a result, the book can feel one-sided in its treatment of the complex and multi-layered conflict.

Conclusion:

Selous Scouts: Top Secret War is essential reading for military historians, students of guerrilla warfare, and those interested in Southern African conflicts. It provides an intense and revealing look into the brutal realities of counter-insurgency from the Rhodesian perspective. However, readers should approach it critically, aware of its ideological framing and the wider historical context of liberation and colonial resistance in Southern Africa.

Recommended for:

Military history enthusiasts

Readers interested in African conflicts

Scholars of guerrilla warfare
Not recommended for:

Those seeking a balanced or post-colonial critique of the Rhodesian Bush War

Casual readers sensitive to graphic military violence or political bias

[Scott · Rating 2 out of 5]

Just. Too. Much. Each page takes 3 minutes to slog thru. Exhausting. Not my thing.

[Matt Treston · Rating 5 out of 5]

An absolutely stunning depiction of one of the greatest counter-insurgency units of all time.

[Peter Lockhart · Rating 5 out of 5]

An extraordinary book. Its an African adventure - Wilbur Smith style but its military history and real events. Its a manual of how to fight terrorists, and what to do and what to avoid. It really was a great read and I am so p,eased I own a copy of this book. It was worth every cent.

[Thorsten · Rating 5 out of 5]

great reading but at times a lit
tle bit heavy