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Military Books

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  • Closed Accounts Posts: 102 ✭✭lazybhoy


    Soldier of the Queen by Bernard O Mahoney, in the 70s he was given a choice after glassing someone in a fight in a pub, borstal or the army, he chose the army, in the 70s and 80s usually such types were put in the Paras, RGJ or Light infantry he writes about his time in NI, the bits most have never heard about. Since then hes gone on to be a successful author. The book reflects on the causes of violence in his own life and also society.


    http://www.amazon.co.uk/Soldier-Queen-Bernard-OMahoney/dp/0863222781


    This review is from: A Soldier of the Queen (Hardcover)
    Unlike the 'norm' British Army book, Soldier of the Queen centres on the truth about a Squaddies experiences and behaviour on the ground in Ulster. The first 5 or 6 chapters document O'Mahoney's brutal childhood, the violence that hardened him and the injustices that turned him into a habitual criminal. Given a rifle, power and the opportunity to met out his own justice in Ulster, O'Mahoney dispells many of the sanitised myths and story's about the dirty war in Ireland.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 611 ✭✭✭Craigsy


    I've been trying to locate a book called "The Sunburst And The Dove", about the Irish in the Congo. It's an old book and i haven't been able to find anyone who has it or who wrote it. Heard about it from my dad who read it years ago but he hasn't got it anymore. Anyone heard of it or know of any shops that specialise in old books where i may pick it up


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 26,567 ✭✭✭✭Fratton Fred


    I've just started Pheonix Squadron by Rowland White. it is about HMS Ark Royal, the Fleet Air Arm and the Guatemalan invasion of Belize.

    Interesting historical stuff and would definately interest those with an interest in flying as it goes into a lot detail on Buccaneers and Phantoms.


  • Registered Users Posts: 3,533 ✭✭✭iceage


    reading The Naked Soldier. An account by Tony Sloane about his time in the FFL. Interesting read so far.


  • Registered Users Posts: 3,798 ✭✭✭Local-womanizer


    Poccington wrote: »
    Having read Lone Survivor, I personally don't feel it was in any way "flag waving, god fearing massive ego stuff" at all. All it showed(In my opinion) was that Marcus Luttrell has a love for his country and firmly believes in God.

    Very good book though, the firefight as they're coming back down the mountain is unbelievable.

    +1 for Sniper One too.

    Picked up Lone Survivor yesterday.The first few pages I feel are a bit patriotic but once he starts talking about his team it eases up a bit.Good read so far.

    Theres a great wee local bookshop by me,I have picked up plenty of good books for cheap.I'll be picking up a few more soon.


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  • Registered Users Posts: 3,533 ✭✭✭iceage


    iceage wrote: »
    reading The Naked Soldier. An account by Tony Sloane about his time in the FFL. Interesting read so far.


    Finished it, lent it to a mate...I better get that back!!:) Interesting read, this fella stayed in for 5 years, Jeez he got a lot done in those five years but I got the feeling that as much as he had done and achieved, he spends a lot of time going on about the mighty piss ups he was involved in, don't get me wrong I ain't knocking it, we all know the score its an honest snot 'n blood account I felt and he wrote it as honestly as he could I think, he had a bit of a speed wobble at one point but sorted himself so credit to him there.

    Went on to join the Paras and served in NI, Kosovo and SL.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 471 ✭✭pmg58


    Recently found a book I bought and read last year, "Shake Hands With The Devil" by Romeo Dallaire. He was the force commander of UNAMIR. Its a very interesting look at how the UN worked (or rather, didn't), he was given an impossible job and had his hands tied, and was unable to prevent the Rwandan Genocide.


  • Registered Users Posts: 5,641 ✭✭✭zero19


    Another vote for "Apache" by Ed Macy, thought it was a very good read.


  • Registered Users Posts: 36 jabbathehurt


    roashter wrote: »
    Read this a while back and still the best book I've ever read.
    Sajer was a 16 year old French lad when he joined the wehrmacht, and spent over 2 years fighting in Russia.
    An absolute must read.

    I know your post was from a while back but, just have to say I agree. This book blew my mind in secondary school, My leaving cert suffered as a result! The translation doesn't make it an easy read but for a military book of times it's very honest and frank. Good to get a different perspective on WW2 :pac:


  • Registered Users Posts: 36 jabbathehurt


    Hi Guys, New to the thread a few of my favorites are
    Forgetten soldier - Guy Sajer
    Bravo two zero - Andy Mc Nab the integrity of the book is questionable but still a great read.
    Jarhead - Anthony Swofford
    Generation Kill - Both the book and the HBO mini-series. What are peoples thought on the books translation to the screen? In my opinion its excellent.
    Which brings me to Black hawk Down by Mark Bowden, everyone has seen the film adaptation which is faithful if a little patriotic. For those of you who haven't seen the film I'd really recommend the book. Got some good suggestions off the thread so thanks. Sniper One seems to be a good'un.
    Also I've just ordered http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/My_War:_Killing_Time_in_Iraq check out the description. Also his orginal blog is @ http://cbftw.blogspot.com/ Can't wait for this one, it caused quite of a stir in america when it came out.
    :pac:


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  • Registered Users Posts: 3,798 ✭✭✭Local-womanizer


    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/My_War:_Killing_Time_in_Iraq check out the description. Also his orginal blog is @ http://cbftw.blogspot.com/ Can't wait for this one, it caused quite of a stir in america when it came out.
    :pac:

    Have that book,tis a good one alright.Its more about what he himself,the ordinary solider thinks of the war.A few interesting moments in it.


  • Registered Users Posts: 6,975 ✭✭✭nkay1985


    Hi lads,

    Just in case any of you would be interested, my girlfriend's father has just had his second book released. His name is Paddy Cummins. Some of you may know him. He's been an aviation enthusiast for about 50 years and `The Irish Air Corps - An Illustrated Guide' is the fruition of a lot of those years' work. I'm no expert but I think it catalogues pretty much all Irish Air Corps aircraft since its formation.

    It's been released as co-authored with Joe Maxwell.


  • Registered Users Posts: 3,533 ✭✭✭iceage


    Got Ross Kemps book on his trips to Afghanistan with the 1st Battalion The Royal Anglian Regiment during filming for the Sky One documentary as a Fathers day pressie.

    Runs hand in hand with the series with some very funny additions and some very sobering ones as well.


  • Registered Users Posts: 17,398 ✭✭✭✭r3nu4l


    iceage wrote: »
    Just finished The Circuit by Bob Shephard, a really interesting insight into the world of PMCs
    Reading this at the moment and really enjoying it :)
    triskell wrote: »
    This guy really dose number on Blackwater,
    Tenger wrote: »
    Very definitely agree here. Great book to bring up in chats about PMCs in Iraq and elswhere!
    I saw this in the shops and was wondering whether to buy it or not, I will be now :) Thanks lads :)
    Tenger wrote: »
    Also read "The Real Bravo Two Zero" by Micheal Asher. Its a criticism of the original story by a guy who is ex-military and traces the path of the patrol.
    LD 50 wrote: »
    I have "The Real Bravo Two Zero" somewhere round here. started reading it and then lost interest. He's ex-SAS. Reading through it was like hearing that Santa isn't real, in that a great military legend is being torn to shreds.
    I don't like Michael Asher at all tbh.

    I really enjoyed his book 'Shoot to Kill' where he chronicles his time in 2 Para, the RUC Special Patrol Group (iirc) and the Territorial SAS regiment. However there were a few big problems with the book.

    On one occasion he claims that the SAS NEVER operated in NI and claims that the MRF were not SAS by another name because the 2 para battalion carpenter was a member of the MRF. The British Government has since admitted that the SAS were indeed a part of the MRF and Bob Shepherd and other SAS members openly admit to working in NI. Okay, at the time of his service, Asher may not have known about SAS involvement in MRF but he wrote the book years later.

    Another problem I had was that at one point he claims that during a house siege the IRA surrendered upon hearing that the 'SAS were on hand'. That wasn't true either, there was a shootout with the SAS where one member was killed and another injured.

    When I did my research and discovered these things they really took the shine out of Asher's work for me and I feel that I can't trust what he writes anymore.

    I've read both Bravo Two Zero and The One that Got Away (McNabb and Ryan respectively), both of which were 'good reads' but left me thinking that the full story will never be known, I admire Michael Asher's attempt to tell the story but as I say, I can't trust what he has to say anymore.

    Both McNabb and Ryan have commented on Asher's book, there's some info here

    EDIT: I may have been too harsh on Asher, his book Shoot to Kill is an excellent read, particularly for anyone interested in knowing what a British Army soldier in NI was thinking while serving there but as I say, some instances make me doubt him and therefore I'm left wondering how much to believe.


  • Registered Users Posts: 1,512 ✭✭✭BigDuffman


    It would be interesting to read Mike Coburn's version of the events...any word on his publications?


  • Registered Users Posts: 3,533 ✭✭✭iceage


    Soldier Five. Coburn seemed to have more hassle publishing.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 18,056 ✭✭✭✭BostonB


    iceage wrote: »
    Soldier Five. Coburn seemed to have more hassle publishing.

    Reviews seem to suggest its the one closest to the truth. Haven't read it, but will look out for it now.


  • Registered Users Posts: 3,533 ✭✭✭iceage


    Read it. Lucky to have not lost a foot or worse. He states quite clearly that the Iraqi Doctor saved his foot.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 3,635 ✭✭✭tribulus


    I've also read it, it's a good read. He explains the legal troubles in getting published in a chapter at the end but really he could have written a whole other book about it!


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 611 ✭✭✭Craigsy


    Got a copy of "In the Service of Peace" for 2 euro at salute on Sunday. Golden find if there ever was one


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  • Closed Accounts Posts: 18,056 ✭✭✭✭BostonB


    Craigsy wrote: »
    Got a copy of "In the Service of Peace" for 2 euro at salute on Sunday. Golden find if there ever was one

    What is that then?


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 611 ✭✭✭Craigsy


    I'm sure someone put something on here about it but its a collection of articles from An Cosantoir about the Leb right the way through from going in to coming out


  • Registered Users Posts: 32 Reisman


    Some great ones mentioned, just spotting this thread now myself. Looking forward to getting some of those reviewed, cheers for the tip offs everyone. I thought Black Hawk Down was an excellent read, didn't think much of McNabbs efforts really, though it was the first I'd read about the troubles from a British soldiers point of view so I found that interesting. I thought Simon Murray's account of life in the old school french foreign legion, Legionnaire, was an excellent read. Have to say I've read a few of the Iraq from british soldiers point of view books and whilst some were good reads, others were a bit like the same old stuff being trotted out, but as I say there's seems like a few good ones mentioned on here. On a less factual level, reading the Thin Red Line by James Jones and it's excellent whilst The Naked and the Dead by Norman Mailer is up there with the best books I've ever read. Oh and I have to mention If I Die in a Combat Zone by Tim O'Brien also.


  • Registered Users Posts: 3,533 ✭✭✭iceage


    A mate lent me a book recently about a guy called Simo Häyhä who fought in the Winter War between Finland and Russia 1939-1940. Amazing statistic on this fella, he racked up 505 confirmed kills as a sniper with a rifle using only iron sights over a period of only 100 days!

    Amazing skills on this guy, he was only stopped when he was shot in the face nearly losing half of his jaw. He continued shooting after the War and was instumental in the training of Snipers in the Finnish Army.


  • Registered Users Posts: 14,739 ✭✭✭✭minidazzler


    iceage wrote: »
    A mate lent me a book recently about a guy called Simo Häyhä who fought in the Winter War between Finland and Russia 1939-1940. Amazing statistic on this fella, he racked up 505 confirmed kills as a sniper with a rifle using only iron sights over a period of only 100 days!

    Amazing skills on this guy, he was only stopped when he was shot in the face nearly losing half of his jaw. He continued shooting after the War and was instumental in the training of Snipers in the Finnish Army.

    Yes, that guy is fairly cool, he was basically a farmer with a rifle.

    http://www.badassoftheweek.com/hayha.html


  • Registered Users Posts: 3,533 ✭✭✭iceage


    The very man Daz. I must ask my mate for the IBN number of the book he lent me, it was written by a Finnish Officer who interviewed the man himself. It was full of photos of this guy before and after his run in with a bullet. A very proud and unassuming man and who took great pleasure in hunting and breeding hunting dogs.


  • Registered Users Posts: 3,798 ✭✭✭Local-womanizer


    Seen a thing about him on TV.He woke up from the coma thinking the war was still on and the rifle he used was a variant of a russian rifle!


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 471 ✭✭pmg58


    I know its been mentioned a few times already, but I'm about three quarters of the way through Generation Kill by Evan Wright, and I can't put it down. I'd highly recommend it to anyone. Also, the TV series is extremely faithful to the book, much more so than any adaptation I've ever seen.


  • Registered Users Posts: 3,798 ✭✭✭Local-womanizer


    pmg58 wrote: »
    I know its been mentioned a few times already, but I'm about three quarters of the way through Generation Kill by Evan Wright, and I can't put it down. I'd highly recommend it to anyone. Also, the TV series is extremely faithful to the book, much more so than any adaptation I've ever seen.

    Must give that a read.The show was class.


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  • Closed Accounts Posts: 307 ✭✭artielange


    Rogue Warrior (ISBN 0671795937), by Richard Marcinko,

    is an account of how he founded two United States Navy counter-terrorist units, SEAL Team SIX and Red Cell. Commanding Red Cell, he was directed to use them to test the Navy's anti-terrorist capabilities. During the tests, Red Cell was able to infiltrate supposedly impenetrable, highly secured bases, nuclear submarines, ships and other "secure areas", including the Presidential plane Air Force One. In doing so he claims to have embarrassed several superior officers, whom he accuses of involvement in his subsequent conviction for misappropriation of funds and resources under his command.


    White Feather: Carlos Hathcock, USMC Scout Sniper(I think this is the one I read)

    Carlos Norman Hathcock II (May 20, 1942 – February 23, 1999) was a United States Marine Corps Gunnery Sergeant sniper with a service record of 93 confirmed kills. Hathcock's record and the extraordinary details of the missions he undertook made him a legend in the Marine Corps. His fame as a sniper and his dedication to long distance shooting led him to become a major developer of the United States Marine Corps Sniper training program. He has, in recent years, also had the honor of having a rifle named after him: a variant of the M21 dubbed the Springfield Armory M25 White Feather.[1]

    Thanks wikipedia. Found these to be very good, true stories make up for writing stlye.


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