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Extreme Risk: A Life Fighting the Bombmakers
The explosive new non-fiction title from the author of Eight Lives Down .
In this edgy, fast-paced and incredibly moving account, Chris Hunter chronicles the remarkable journey of a teenager with few hopes and limited prospects who went on to become one of the most successful counter-terrorism operators in Britain.
Hunter depicts his grueling officer training at Sandhurst, and afterwards as a young troop commander in Bosnia. He describes how, as a bomb disposal operator in Northern Ireland and Iraq, he witnessed horrendous acts of terrorism and recounts the methods he employed to outsmart the terrorists who repeatedly tried to target him.
Hunter takes us to some of the most perilous places on earth as he and his team relentlessly attempt to track down the world's leading terrorists and disrupt their networks. A journey that takes us from the battlefields of Iraq and Afghanistan to the murky back-streets of Colombia and Israel. Whether he's protecting members of the Royal Family, responding to the 2005 London suicide bombings or trying to foil Al Qaeda bomb plots, he provides a fascinating, no-holds-barred insight into a fascinating world that has rarely been documented by somebody on the inside.
By turns gritty, absorbing, and heart-breaking, this is the portrait of a man prepared to sacrifice everything for his country, but to concede nothing to the terrorists.
In this edgy, fast-paced and incredibly moving account, Chris Hunter chronicles the remarkable journey of a teenager with few hopes and limited prospects who went on to become one of the most successful counter-terrorism operators in Britain.
Hunter depicts his grueling officer training at Sandhurst, and afterwards as a young troop commander in Bosnia. He describes how, as a bomb disposal operator in Northern Ireland and Iraq, he witnessed horrendous acts of terrorism and recounts the methods he employed to outsmart the terrorists who repeatedly tried to target him.
Hunter takes us to some of the most perilous places on earth as he and his team relentlessly attempt to track down the world's leading terrorists and disrupt their networks. A journey that takes us from the battlefields of Iraq and Afghanistan to the murky back-streets of Colombia and Israel. Whether he's protecting members of the Royal Family, responding to the 2005 London suicide bombings or trying to foil Al Qaeda bomb plots, he provides a fascinating, no-holds-barred insight into a fascinating world that has rarely been documented by somebody on the inside.
By turns gritty, absorbing, and heart-breaking, this is the portrait of a man prepared to sacrifice everything for his country, but to concede nothing to the terrorists.
368 pages, Paperback
First published April 29, 2010
7 people are currently reading
89 people want to read
About the author
Chris Hunter
65 books9 followersChris Hunter is the author of Eight Lives Down, a riveting first-person account of a high-threat bomb disposal tour – the world’s most dangerous job in the world’s most dangerous place.
He joined the British Army in 1989 at the age of sixteen. He was commissioned from Sandhurst at twenty-one and later qualified as a counter terrorist bomb disposal operator. He served with a number of specialist counter-terrorism units and deployed to numerous operational theatres, including the Balkans, Northern Ireland, Colombia, Afghanistan and Iraq.
Seconded to COBR-A as an IED and suicide terrorism expert, he played an instrumental role during the July 2005 London bombings. In early 2007 he retired as the MOD’s senior IED intelligence analyst to become a writer and Counter Improvised Explosive Device consultant.
For his actions during his Iraq tour he was awarded the Queen’s Gallantry Medal by HM Queen Elizabeth II. His citation read: ‘There can be few other individuals who have so willingly played Russian roulette with their own life to safeguard the lives of others.’
He joined the British Army in 1989 at the age of sixteen. He was commissioned from Sandhurst at twenty-one and later qualified as a counter terrorist bomb disposal operator. He served with a number of specialist counter-terrorism units and deployed to numerous operational theatres, including the Balkans, Northern Ireland, Colombia, Afghanistan and Iraq.
Seconded to COBR-A as an IED and suicide terrorism expert, he played an instrumental role during the July 2005 London bombings. In early 2007 he retired as the MOD’s senior IED intelligence analyst to become a writer and Counter Improvised Explosive Device consultant.
For his actions during his Iraq tour he was awarded the Queen’s Gallantry Medal by HM Queen Elizabeth II. His citation read: ‘There can be few other individuals who have so willingly played Russian roulette with their own life to safeguard the lives of others.’
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
July 30, 2021
I served with Chris as an apprentice. He was a good soldier then and made the highest apprentice rank in our camp (Apprentice RSM). It was clear then that he'd go far. I've just discovered how far.
He was commissioned from Sandhurst at the age of 21 and went on to become a high-threat bomb disposal expert, working in the most dangerous areas of the world.
He's written two books, documenting his career and personal life. I just finished Extreme Risk, his second book and could not put it down. I was never particularly army barmy and have never really read any army books, but this one had me totally hooked.
This book reminds me a little of the professional musicians I've met. They're just ordinary people doing extraordinary things. I can say that I knew Chris as a teenager, so I think of him first and foremost as someone I know. Then I read about the things he's done and how he got there and it's utterly awe-inspiring. He's achieved some incredible results and lived and incredibly interesting life, but there was always that background of his personal life throwing up mental obstacles, frustration, resentment and a whole package of emotions, both good and bad. And despite all of that, he achieved. And he's not even 40!
This is an incredible story that I highly recommend.
He was commissioned from Sandhurst at the age of 21 and went on to become a high-threat bomb disposal expert, working in the most dangerous areas of the world.
He's written two books, documenting his career and personal life. I just finished Extreme Risk, his second book and could not put it down. I was never particularly army barmy and have never really read any army books, but this one had me totally hooked.
This book reminds me a little of the professional musicians I've met. They're just ordinary people doing extraordinary things. I can say that I knew Chris as a teenager, so I think of him first and foremost as someone I know. Then I read about the things he's done and how he got there and it's utterly awe-inspiring. He's achieved some incredible results and lived and incredibly interesting life, but there was always that background of his personal life throwing up mental obstacles, frustration, resentment and a whole package of emotions, both good and bad. And despite all of that, he achieved. And he's not even 40!
This is an incredible story that I highly recommend.
February 28, 2016
This is one of those books that falls into the cliché of a book that you can’t put down, a page turner.
A really good read.
To start each chapter the author gives you a quotation or verse from some very noble people, which have the thread running through the chapter. I found this very uplifting and relevant.
The author lays bare his life and soul without any self deprecation and without any self irony. He lets us into the hurt and desolation that surrounds him, with the problems he faced with his personal life, and yet he tells us of his immense pleasure he finds in his military life, living with his buddies.
I read this book in the surreal situation of being on holiday in a beautiful place with all the pleasures of sun, drink, and good food, and yet I was drawn into the really desperate and dangerous situations that the author was experiencing. It left me wanting to read more and more.
What the ATO’s do is nothing short of unbelievable. This book takes you into the heart of the subject. It also takes you into the heart of the author. The account of the ops the author undertook takes you right into the meat of the situations. You are left both cold and sweating at each and every outcome. That the experiences are real, make this book even more riveting.
The author takes you from his officer training at Sandhurst, to his postings in Bosnia, Northern Ireland, Columbia, the SAS, the Middle East and then his freelance work back in Afghanistan. He has lead an unbelievable life already. That he can then write all of this is wonderful.
I look forward to reading his first book: Eight Lives Down
A really good read.
To start each chapter the author gives you a quotation or verse from some very noble people, which have the thread running through the chapter. I found this very uplifting and relevant.
The author lays bare his life and soul without any self deprecation and without any self irony. He lets us into the hurt and desolation that surrounds him, with the problems he faced with his personal life, and yet he tells us of his immense pleasure he finds in his military life, living with his buddies.
I read this book in the surreal situation of being on holiday in a beautiful place with all the pleasures of sun, drink, and good food, and yet I was drawn into the really desperate and dangerous situations that the author was experiencing. It left me wanting to read more and more.
What the ATO’s do is nothing short of unbelievable. This book takes you into the heart of the subject. It also takes you into the heart of the author. The account of the ops the author undertook takes you right into the meat of the situations. You are left both cold and sweating at each and every outcome. That the experiences are real, make this book even more riveting.
The author takes you from his officer training at Sandhurst, to his postings in Bosnia, Northern Ireland, Columbia, the SAS, the Middle East and then his freelance work back in Afghanistan. He has lead an unbelievable life already. That he can then write all of this is wonderful.
I look forward to reading his first book: Eight Lives Down
September 6, 2019
I would really like to give this 4.5 stars. Amazing man whose grounded sense of duty and right from wrong makes you really think about your own daily life, it is a shame that there is not more of him in the world. In regard to the writing, I liked the short chapters, by its very nature, the subject matter can be quite dense, involved and intense and if you are not from a military background like myself, it does make it easier to read and digest. Although, the writing style is easy and zips along with pace. The acronyms are not too heavy, I have read some like this where every other sentence contains them and it can get a bit distracting constantly referring to the glossary but the majority that Hunter uses are repeated and easy to work out even without the glossary. The quotes that headed the chapters were some of the best I've read, I do find quotes can sometimes be over-used and rather trite but they work very well here and also, very thought-provoking. Well chosen. There was a just a slightly weak part towards the end, a chapter or so that meandered a wee bit as if he was not too sure where to go/how to end but it picks up again and yes, well worth a read. I enjoyed it (if 'enjoy' is the right term) immensely.
April 26, 2021
This is a follow up to Chris Hunter's previous book, Eight Lives Down. That book deals more in detail of his EOD work in Iraq; this book deals with his life before and after. It covers some of the more interesting aspects of his training and assignments over than Iraq. It is also reveals the stresses put on family life by someone that needs to be in the thick of it.
June 7, 2019
Checking walk survived.
An interesting and honest account of military service and it's impact on personal lives.
An interesting career mix which makes for interesting reading.
An interesting and honest account of military service and it's impact on personal lives.
An interesting career mix which makes for interesting reading.
October 28, 2021
What an epic memoir! I do hope that the writer is having a good life nowadays.
September 12, 2021
Very powerful and compelling read.
Chris’s writing transports the reader to a position just over his shoulder, it’s so atmospheric.
A fantastic and informative tale.
Chris’s writing transports the reader to a position just over his shoulder, it’s so atmospheric.
A fantastic and informative tale.
January 17, 2015
Extreme Risk by Major Chris Hunter, is his autobiography as an EOD (Explosive Ordnance Disposal) operator, also known as a bomb disposal expert. In Extreme Risk by Major Chris Hunter, we see his message is that anything is possible, no matter what it is, if you have motivation, you can achieve it. Some important events that prove this message is when he decides to leave his course as a young officer at sandhurst to become a bomb disposal specialist, despite not finishing high school, keeping in mind that becoming an EOD operator is one of the hardest and most failed courses in the army. An important quote from the book is “On the ATO (Ammunition technical officer) we take more than two hundred exams and face the threat of being returned-to-unit if we fail more than three” (Pg 93). This quote is important to understand how hard he had to work to get what he wanted, and also how proficient ATOs have to be when facing some of the worlds most advanced bomb makers. Another important quote is “Ninety-nine percent boredom, one percent terror” (Pg 96) and it is important to understand the nature of being an EOD operator. This book is very interesting, if not motivating, showing that if you have motivation and are willing to put in the effort, you can achieve anything. I could not put down the story of Major Chris Hunter, as he went from an uneducated teen joining the army with limited prospects, to a decorated army ATO. This book was a fast read, as i could not put it down. This book is very inspiring and i recommend it to anybody who likes inspiring stories.
July 9, 2020
A gripping and emotionally raw military memoir of one of the United Kingdom's top Bomb Disposal Technicians. From Chris Hunter's humble beginnings in his youth dealing with a troubled older brother who lost his life to drug addiction, to enlisting in the British Army traveling to various hot spots and finally to his greatest mission: enduring the rigorous training program to become a member of the elite Felix Unit, England's elite bomb squad.
From Londonderry Northern Ireland, to Columbia training counter-IED teams in the fight against FARC terrorist groups, and a relentless tour of duty in Iraq at the peak of the IED conflict in Basra. This modest hero of his Majesty's government has literally seen and done it all! Major Hunter also gives special mention to the events of July 7th 2005 in dealing with the horrific London transit bombings and recounts how the city came together in what was London's 9/11.
If you're a fan of Chris Hunter's engaging memoir "Eight Lives Down," then "Extreme Risk" makes for a great companion book! My hat's off to Major Chris Hunter and his colleagues who are both exemplary men and women who are a special breed of heroes. Courageously walking downrange to defuse danger, risking much for the preservation of many.
From Londonderry Northern Ireland, to Columbia training counter-IED teams in the fight against FARC terrorist groups, and a relentless tour of duty in Iraq at the peak of the IED conflict in Basra. This modest hero of his Majesty's government has literally seen and done it all! Major Hunter also gives special mention to the events of July 7th 2005 in dealing with the horrific London transit bombings and recounts how the city came together in what was London's 9/11.
If you're a fan of Chris Hunter's engaging memoir "Eight Lives Down," then "Extreme Risk" makes for a great companion book! My hat's off to Major Chris Hunter and his colleagues who are both exemplary men and women who are a special breed of heroes. Courageously walking downrange to defuse danger, risking much for the preservation of many.
July 15, 2012
Not so much a follow-up to "Eight Lives Down" as a companion tome, and a far superior one. Whereas the first book covered predominantly Hunter's involvement in one conflict, Extreme Risk spans several.
It's also a far more emotional and hard-hitting read with greater variety in subject matter. Training, different countries, and a variety of positions both within and out with the Army are all covered as part of Hunter's incredibly interesting life story.
If you like either factual or fictional military books, this is without a doubt a must-read. The background to events that have occurred in recent memory - the 7th July bombings in London to name but one - are detailed and help make sense of what happened on those awful dates, as well as justifying some of the government actions which came afterwards.
Check my progress on this book (if you can). I think it's the quickest I have ploughed through a reasonably-sized book in the last couple of years... and with good reason. Gripping, well-paced, oozing with information, yet easy to read.
It's also a far more emotional and hard-hitting read with greater variety in subject matter. Training, different countries, and a variety of positions both within and out with the Army are all covered as part of Hunter's incredibly interesting life story.
If you like either factual or fictional military books, this is without a doubt a must-read. The background to events that have occurred in recent memory - the 7th July bombings in London to name but one - are detailed and help make sense of what happened on those awful dates, as well as justifying some of the government actions which came afterwards.
Check my progress on this book (if you can). I think it's the quickest I have ploughed through a reasonably-sized book in the last couple of years... and with good reason. Gripping, well-paced, oozing with information, yet easy to read.
October 8, 2011
One of the best true stories I have read, covering the awful atrocities in Croatia, Bosnia & Herzegovia, the Columbia drugs problem, the Northern Ireland conflict, the Iraq situation and war in Afghanistan, together with insight into the USA 9/11 and London 7/7 terrorist attacks.
Each chapter is headed by a thoughtful quotation, generally relevant to the story at that stage.
One quotation on which all Islamic extremists should reflect is:
“Beware of extremism in religion, for it was extremism in religion
that destroyed those who went before you”
The Prophet Mohammed.
Recommended reading for all who value the freedom to choose their particular lifestyle and religion, in accordance with personal conscience.
Each chapter is headed by a thoughtful quotation, generally relevant to the story at that stage.
One quotation on which all Islamic extremists should reflect is:
“Beware of extremism in religion, for it was extremism in religion
that destroyed those who went before you”
The Prophet Mohammed.
Recommended reading for all who value the freedom to choose their particular lifestyle and religion, in accordance with personal conscience.
October 29, 2014
I read his first book 8 Lives Down and that was excellent. This is not quite as good but probably more human. I don't understand how anybody would choose the job he did for many years. But he saved many lives whilst putting his own in extreme risk. Brave is not the word for this man. Hero is not the word, people who did his job are way beyond such simple words. He couldn't live a simple life, but he quite simply saved many other peoples. Whilst at the same time many of his friends lost theirs doing the same job. Unlike most of us, he didn't see that as a reason to give up the role, instead it made him more determined.
April 5, 2015
Chris Hunter served as a bomb disposal and anti-terrorism expert for the British Army. This is the story of his military career, part of which has already been covered in the gripping Eight Lives Down: The Most Dangerous Job in the World in the Most Dangerous Place in the World. He talks about his training, his experiences in Bosnia, Northern Ireland, Columbia and the Middle East and the impact that his career has on his family. He writes very well and gives the reader a wonderful understanding of both the highs and lows of such a job.
This is a fascinating and moving story, although it lacks the intensity that Eight Lives Down had.
This is a fascinating and moving story, although it lacks the intensity that Eight Lives Down had.
July 17, 2013
Chris Hunter's book gave you a diary style glimpse into his daily life and overall career as an ATO in the British army. The book had less of a continuous narrative style, and was similar to reading his diary. I admired Chris's dedication to his profession, and I understood some of the underlying stresses that he was going through. While this book was not anything like "The longest walk" written by an American EOD tech, it did pay homage to the psychological scars associated with the military profession. I really liked the book and enjoyed Chris's writing. I would read it again.
November 20, 2012
A fascinating insight into the battles fought by a very different kind of soldier. Brutally honest and thought provoking.
May 20, 2012
Really enjoyed this one, I've Chris' first book (8 Lives Down) to read yet.
Full respect to these guys and the job they do.
Full respect to these guys and the job they do.
August 28, 2012
More military non-fiction. My second favourite in this area.
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews