'Impeccably researched, superbly told - by far the best book on the SAS in World War II' - Antony Beevor In the summer of 1941, at the height of the war in the Western Desert, a bored and eccentric young officer, David Stirling, came up with a plan that was radical and entirely against the rules- a small undercover unit that would inflict mayhem behind enemy lines. So began the most celebrated and mysterious military organisation in the world- the SAS. Now, the SAS has finally decided to tell its astonishing story. It has opened its secret archives for the first time, granting historian Ben Macintyre full access to a treasure trove of unseen reports, memos, diaries, letters, maps and photographs, as well as free rein to interview surviving Originals and those who knew them. The result is an exhilarating tale of fearlessness and heroism, recklessness and tragedy; of extraordinary men who were willing to take monumental risks. It is a story about the meaning of courage.

Details

ISBN13: 9780241186862
Format: Paperback / softback
Number of Pages: 384
Edition:
Publication Date: 19 Jun 2017
Publisher: Penguin Books Ltd
Publication City, Country: London, United Kingdom
Dimensions (cm): 19.6(H)x12.8(L)x2.4(W)312
Weight (gm): 312

Author Biography

Ben Macintyre is the multimillion-copy bestselling author of books including Colditz, Agent Sonya, SAS- Rogue Heroes, The Spy and the Traitor, Agent Zigzag, Operation Mincemeat and A Spy Among Friends. He is a columnist and Associate Editor at The Times, and has worked as the newspaper's correspondent in New York, Paris and Washington. Several of his books have been made into films and television series, including Operation Mincemeat, A Spy Among Friends and SAS- Rogue Heroes.

Reviews

Such a well-written, but also just informative, deeply detailed account of all of these guys’ lives within the SAS during that time. * Jack Barton, star of the BBC series SAS Rogue Heroes *
This book has many strengths but perhaps its greatest is how thought-provoking it is -- Laurence Rees * Sunday Times *
Macintyre provides a riveting history of a revolutionary fighting force . . . A ripping good read * Washington Post 10 Best Books of 2016 *
The sharp style and sly wit reveal some pretty acute insights into the politics of the nation's favourite undercover boys * Evening Standard Books of the Year *