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Military Books

245

Comments

  • Registered Users Posts: 323 ✭✭armchairninja


    +1 on Apache, a great read, very interesting and informative.

    The reason he was very alert the whole time was probably due to the fact that he would have p!ssed a serious amount of taliban off with his escapades in Afghanistan, which you'll discover when you read the book.

    Great admiration for the pilots though, serious skill and ability required to pilot one them machines!


  • Moderators, Education Moderators Posts: 2,432 Mod ✭✭✭✭Peteee


    Not a book but a series of online articles called 'The War Nerd' the archive can be found here and the current stuff can be found here.

    Its a column written by a guy called Gary Brecher. his writing style is quite unique, and he has a interesting viewpoint on a lot of matters related to warfare. Even if you disagree with his analysis, it will always be thought provoking and often laugh out loud funny.

    An excerpt from a column about the IRA a few years ago
    It took the Provos a while to realize that bombings and shootings in Ulster didn't accomplish anything. Finally, after years of blasting their own neighborhoods, the Micks started to understand that the British government didn't care what happened up there. Northern Ireland is a hellhole -- one big welfare slum. The English hate the Northern Irish Protestants almost as much as the Catholics, and wouldn't mind if Ulster was wiped out by a meteor.

    Eventually the PIRA realized that there was only one target the Brits really cared about: London. London IS England. Almost a third of the country's population lives in Greater London. Hit London and you cripple the whole UK. Imagine if New York had a population of 100 million and our next biggest city was some place like Milwaukee. That's how important London is to Britain.

    Even after they focused on London, it took the IRA 20 years to perfect a way of attacking London without drawing too much bad publicity. Because that's what the IRA's war was about: publicity, "hearts 'n minds," not real military advantage. In their first London campaigns, they used Khadafy's semtex to attack military targets. Some of the results were pretty funny, like when they killed seven cavalry horses bombing a military parade in Hyde Park in 1982.

    It was a successful attack, with eight soldiers killed -- but killing those horses drove the British papers into a frenzy. The Limeys are more horse-crazy than a sexually frustrated 14-year-old girl. They were ready to hang anybody with red hair or freckles after the pictures of dying horses hit the front page. You can slaughter all the people you want, but touch a pony and those English ladies will pull your spleen out and squeeze it to pulp right before your eyes.

    So the PIRA went back to the drawing board, with a note-2-self: "No more dead animals, lads." They tried to think what would hurt the rich folks and had a flash: shopping! On Dec. 17, 1983, an IRA bomb blew up Harrod's Department Store (if you've seen Ali G's interview with the Arab who owns it, you might know it better as "'Arrod's.")

    Five shoppers got splatted and the tabloids went wild. I mean, napalm is one thing, but messing with the retail season -- talk about war crimes!

    The PIRA was slowly starting to understand that the more casualties they inflicted the worse things went. The British media just splattered the pictures of bloody civilians all over the papers and TV, and the PIRA was in bigger trouble than ever. They stuck to the idea of paralyzing London, but they started trying to think of ways to do it without hurting anyone.

    Q: How can you blow up London without casualties?

    A: Phone in lots of warnings, hours before the bombs are due to go off.

    That's what the PIRA started doing in the late 1980s. To cause maximum property damage, they started using trucks packed with fertilizer-based explosives and also equipped with booby traps, so any attempt to defuse the bomb would set it off and vaporize the bomb experts working on it. In the late 1980s you could always tell an IRA man: he was the customer who ordered ten tons of fertilizer even though he lived in a London highrise.

    The PIRA's new London cadre was English-raised, so they didn't have that giveaway Belfast accent. They were classic urban guerrilla material: disciplined, young guys who held day jobs and didn't talk.

    Their first success with this kind of bomb came on April 10, 1992. A PIRA man drove a truck packed with more than a ton of fertilizer bomb mix to the London financial district, parked it and walked away. No worries about parking tickets, and any towtruck driver who messed with it would be real, real sorry.

    Then PIRA operatives started calling in warnings about the bomb, starting hours before it was set to go off. They even called radio and TV stations because they were afraid if they only called Scotland Yard's Special Branch, the spooks there might not pass on the warning, since any casualties hurt the PIRA and helped the Brits.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 782 ✭✭✭riflehunter77


    HOGs In the Shadows by Milo S. Afong
    Combat stories from Marine Snipers in Iraq.


    Just start reading this and I cant put it down it is a collection of short stories from snipers. It gives you a personal look inside the mentally and physically demanding world of the marine sniper in combat almost to the point where you can feel the recoil yourself. Picked mine up at amazon.co.uk but the link below gives a good descripition of it.


    http://www.historybookclub.com/ecom/pages/nm/product/productDetail.jsp?skuId=1028024330


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,798 ✭✭✭Local-womanizer


    I have a few:

    Chickenhawk by Robert Mason:My favourite book,the author gives a first hand account of the Vietnam War as viewed from the cockpit of a Huey.Fantastic read.

    The Lebanon Diaries by Martin Malone:"A unique warts and all insight into Irish military life,at home and abroad".An account of five tours of the Leb drawn from personal diaries and letters,"A must read for any person interested in the Irish Defence Forces."

    Jarhead by Anthony Swofford:Much better read than the movie,very dark at times,as you would expect.

    An Ordinary Solider by Doug Beattie:Accounts from a British Captian in the Royal Irish during his recruit training,his tour in Northern Ireland,Bosnia,Iraq and the most serious Garmsir in Afghanistan.Great read again,very first hand accounts of the battles.

    18 Hours: The True Story of an SAS War Hero by Sandra Lee:Its about a Australian SAS signal man during Operation Anaconda in Afghanistan.Turns into a brutal battle.He ends up winning a medal.Great read.

    Edit:Added another to the list.


  • Moderators, Education Moderators Posts: 2,432 Mod ✭✭✭✭Peteee


    Chickenhawk by Robert Mason:My favourite book,the author gives a first hand account of the Vietnam War as viewed from the cockpit of a Huey.Fantastic read.

    I would highly reccomend this. Fantastic read.

    Dispatches by Michael Herr is another great read. Probably one of the all time great books about war, it follows a war correspondant for an american magazine embedded with the U.S. Army during the Vietnam war.

    Some of the best writing I've ever seen, both poetic and harrowing in parts, its a absolute must.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 3,001 ✭✭✭p1akuw47h5r3it


    triskell wrote: »
    I just finished reading Sniper One, by sgt Dan Mills a british solider in Iraq, great read, very much told from a solider's point of view who wanted to be in combat, totally recommended it for the holidays.

    Ye I read this. ****ing brilliant.

    It's probably been mentioned already but Hidden soldier by Padraig O'keef is brilliant aswell. Got it yesterday and am more then halfway through, nearly finished it in fact it's that good.

    If your interested in the middle east The Great War for Civilisation is pretty good.


  • Moderators, Science, Health & Environment Moderators Posts: 21,666 Mod ✭✭✭✭helimachoptor


    Bramble wrote: »
    Currently reading "One Bullet Away:The Making of a Marine Officer" by Nathaniel Fick. He is the Lt. from "Generation Kill". Halfway through it and its an easy read. The guy writes well and doesn't get bogged down in technical data or macho posturing. More like a personal diary than a historical account of his experience. He seems to have a grounded attitude to it all. (Angry but not overly aggressive over 9/11. Proud to be an American but not a chest beating flag wearer. Focused on Iraq but confused by lack of direction from above. Prepared to obey chain of command but will question bad orders)Nice to see a different view on what was reported in "Generation Kill" by Evan Wright.
    Yes a really fantastic book I have to say Bramble.


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


    I have just started "Apache Dawn" by Damien Lewis. It is about british army apache pilots in Afghanistan. It is looking good so far. Lewis is an author who was given a lot of access to the army air corp so a lot is second or third hand, but comes over as well researched.

    Finally finished it. A very good read inded and gives a lot of info about not only the apache itself, but also the Afghan conflict.

    The author was approached by the crews themselves to write their story so whilst it may be written by a non military person, the accounts are all straight from the horses mouth so to speak.

    definately worth a read.

    Flachette darts...Jesus:eek:


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,255 ✭✭✭getz


    i dont normally read many war books-but a few years ago i picked up one called popskies private army -it was a true story based in north africa during ww11 this man was the start of the long range desert group-my father often told me about them as he was in the desert rats, and when i first started work in 1957 one of my bosses was a sargent with them-one of the stories he often he told, was one day he and two others were sent to blow up a german arms dump-with the info that he was to bring back his own guns as we were short of them-when he arrived the germans were waiting for them ,he was the only one not taken prisoner-he took two days to walk back to the allied lines-and was absolutely sure it was his own army who had tipped off the germans to spread false information


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  • Moderators, Motoring & Transport Moderators Posts: 9,927 Mod ✭✭✭✭Tenger


    The author was approached by the crews themselves to write their story so whilst it may be written by a non military person, the accounts are all straight from the horses mouth so to speak.
    Have read Operation Certain Death by Damien Lewis and thought it was a goood read. Have this on my shelf. Just finished "The Circuit" by Bob Shepherd, easy and enjoyable to read, subjective accounts but very good,actually argues against the merits of his commercial security industry,recommendation from this thread. Just started "One million bullets", about the British in Afghanistan. Then its Apache Dawn.


  • 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, Registered Users 2 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, Registered Users 2 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, Registered Users 2 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, Registered Users 2 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, Registered Users 2 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, Registered Users 2 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, Registered Users 2 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, Registered Users 2 Posts: 17,399 ✭✭✭✭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, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,512 ✭✭✭BigDuffman


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


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 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, Registered Users 2 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, Registered Users 2 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, Registered Users 2 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, Registered Users 2 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, Registered Users 2 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, Registered Users 2 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.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,533 ✭✭✭iceage


    I've been resisting the urge to pick up Ed Macy's new one. I eventually did in desperation in Cork Airport the other day, I expected a re-run of his first book but was pleasently surprised to find a whole new insight into his time flying.

    A bit of a lippy git, but what would you expect from an ex Para!! Have to say, I'm devouring this book..it reads so easily..its a credit to him. The only issue I had with it so far was his " I know I'm right bvll****" but it seems in most of the cases he was....according to himself! :)


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,798 ✭✭✭Local-womanizer


    iceage wrote: »
    I've been resisting the urge to pick up Ed Macy's new one. I eventually did in desperation in Cork Airport the other day, I expected a re-run of his first book but was pleasently surprised to find a whole new insight into his time flying.

    A bit of a lippy git, but what would you expect from an ex Para!! Have to say, I'm devouring this book..it reads so easily..its a credit to him. The only issue I had with it so far was his " I know I'm right bvll****" but it seems in most of the cases he was....according to himself! :)

    Never knew he had a new book out,whats it called?

    Picked up Apache Dawn the other day,still have to start it. Iam currently reading a book on a Gaurdian Newspaper journalists move to Rural Donegal!I needed a change from the military books for awhile and I couldent have asked for a more extreme change:D


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,533 ✭✭✭iceage


    Hellfire is the title. about his work up for the Apache. Seems he saw it coming and decided he was gonna fly one of these beasts.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 194 ✭✭jake59


    Dunno if it has been mentioned here but read Attack State Red..... well worth it...


  • Moderators, Science, Health & Environment Moderators Posts: 21,666 Mod ✭✭✭✭helimachoptor


    Just watched 9th Company, a story about young recruits being sent to Afghanistan during the Soviet invasion, a great film.


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


    Just watched 9th Company, a story about young recruits being sent to Afghanistan during the Soviet invasion, a great film.

    Ok movie. I enjoyed it.

    Reading Enigma: The Battle for the Code at the moment (Hugh Sebag-Montefiore) Very interesting book. Its about all the events, rather than just the code breaking that are part of the story. Goes into the code breaking a good bit too.

    The fictional movie based around the Enigma is also a good movie. But its not an action movie. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Enigma_(2001_film).


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 403 ✭✭DeCoR18


    Got Where Men Win Glory by Jon krakauer for Christmas. Thought it was a great book.

    Its about Pat Tillman a professional NFL player who Joined the army rangers after 9/11 and was tragically killed by friendly fire in Afganistan and the subsequent cover up by the army. Author comes on pretty strong with his political views but not enough to spoil it.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 317 ✭✭stag39


    For those of you who enjoyed Chickenhawk you will definetly enjoy To the limit by Tom A Johnson..

    its the same style of writing and feels a better read too..

    i picked up my copy in the states though should be available here or online


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


    Just finished HellFire by Ed Macy. Decent book, not as good as Apache but good read nonetheless.

    That looks good stag39. Thx


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 9,249 ✭✭✭Stev_o


    Guns for Hire: The Inside Story of Freelance Soldiering by Tony Geraghty.

    Consdering the rise in the popularity of PMC/PSC this is a must read. Will certainly break down the illusion most people are under of said organisations and give you a insight into how they are currently being used.


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