- Paperback: 446 pages
- Publisher: Time Warner Paperbacks; New edition edition (1 April 1999)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 0751526304
- ISBN-13: 978-0751526301
- Product Dimensions: 17.6 x 10.8 x 3.2 cm
- Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars See all reviews (81 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 340,090 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
First Into Action
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Product Description
Review
A must for military buffs. (MANCHESTER EVENING NEWS )
--This text refers to an alternate
Paperback
edition.
Book Description
* Compulsive insider's account of life within the units who often prepare the ground for the SAS - the Special Boat Services, the SBS. * The SBS follow the same basic training as the SAS and then do it again - under water!
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First Sentence
I was in my first ambush waiting to kill two men I had never seen before. Read the first page
Front Cover | Copyright | Excerpt | Back Cover
I was in my first ambush waiting to kill two men I had never seen before. Read the first page
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Concordance
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
11 of 11 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Great book, much better than I expected. Some reviewers say they are annoyed with the author's coldness, brevity and lack of detail of certain events but I think that's due in part to the need for confidentiality of those events. I was not bothered by it and did not feel like it detracted from the book. I thought it had a plethora of information and events were explained very thoroughly. If it was too DETAILED or too GENERAL then I would question it's authenticity. I like the anonymity of the SBS, as the author says, it makes their job easier. This is the book to read if you want to read about the SBS or even the SAS. I'm burned-out on all the SAS/SEAL hoopla and wanted something a little different. The SBS are not as well known in Britain as the SAS and even less so here in the US, I only found this book when I was unknowingly transferred to Amazon.uk. Great book.
17 of 18 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
I received this book on Friday lunch time and finished early Saturday. A reason for buying was seeing Duncan's picture and remembering him from my time in the Marines, I served 77 to 84.
This is one of the best factual accounts of SF work I have ever read and due to my own life and knowledge of those who contributed to the book, know it is at no point a work of fiction. The accounts are accurate and not just told by Duncan as many other former members of the SBS helped, as he states in the book. This has to be one of the best books written by a SF operative.
The reviews are mainly positive with a couple who question the author, to that end they are wrong as the events are true and factual and in many cases are told in a way that must have been close to the mark as far as the MOD were concerned. One critique questioned some of the diving detail to which I would say you are a fool to compare sports diving to anything to do with the diving SB undertake and in the 70's and 80's the trials were still very experimental and watching Seal teams when they came to Poole was nothing more than farcical when confronted by the dark water dives and equipment.
Some of the accounts have brought a tear as some of the people described were people I knew and respected very highly.
Do pictures make a book? NO not in this case as they would just be the same as any you find on the Internet due to the OSA and in many cases would not tie in with the book. Should he have used dates? again NO as anyone worth his salt can work out from the events rough dates after all the Falkland took place over a few months in 1982 so come on people use your brains.
SBS were quite often moved back to Commando units especially NCO's who could prove invaluable in operations within units by introducing their knowledge and professionalism as well as inspiration to others. Yes Duncan was part of the test to take recruits straight through to SBS and he must be glad of that opportunity and to have gone all the way. The training in SBS is demanding physically but more mentally as they must be able to work even when their body has almost given up and having seen the training first hand can only appreciate anyone who succeeds.
The rivalry between SBS and SAS is understandable, but in the 70's and 80's the SAS had more former Royal Marines than Army and by former I mean the only way to join SAS was to leave the Royal Marines due to the Navy tie. Rivalry is always going to be part of Forces life.
If you want a good read that is true to fact, just with the compromise of exactly how to taken away, then this book has to be one you don't miss and if you served as an RM then this will make sense and open your eyes to the work of the sneeky beeky branch. A really good read that pulls no punches and shows that people can sometimes do the unthinkable and the remarkable.
This is one of the best factual accounts of SF work I have ever read and due to my own life and knowledge of those who contributed to the book, know it is at no point a work of fiction. The accounts are accurate and not just told by Duncan as many other former members of the SBS helped, as he states in the book. This has to be one of the best books written by a SF operative.
The reviews are mainly positive with a couple who question the author, to that end they are wrong as the events are true and factual and in many cases are told in a way that must have been close to the mark as far as the MOD were concerned. One critique questioned some of the diving detail to which I would say you are a fool to compare sports diving to anything to do with the diving SB undertake and in the 70's and 80's the trials were still very experimental and watching Seal teams when they came to Poole was nothing more than farcical when confronted by the dark water dives and equipment.
Some of the accounts have brought a tear as some of the people described were people I knew and respected very highly.
Do pictures make a book? NO not in this case as they would just be the same as any you find on the Internet due to the OSA and in many cases would not tie in with the book. Should he have used dates? again NO as anyone worth his salt can work out from the events rough dates after all the Falkland took place over a few months in 1982 so come on people use your brains.
SBS were quite often moved back to Commando units especially NCO's who could prove invaluable in operations within units by introducing their knowledge and professionalism as well as inspiration to others. Yes Duncan was part of the test to take recruits straight through to SBS and he must be glad of that opportunity and to have gone all the way. The training in SBS is demanding physically but more mentally as they must be able to work even when their body has almost given up and having seen the training first hand can only appreciate anyone who succeeds.
The rivalry between SBS and SAS is understandable, but in the 70's and 80's the SAS had more former Royal Marines than Army and by former I mean the only way to join SAS was to leave the Royal Marines due to the Navy tie. Rivalry is always going to be part of Forces life.
If you want a good read that is true to fact, just with the compromise of exactly how to taken away, then this book has to be one you don't miss and if you served as an RM then this will make sense and open your eyes to the work of the sneeky beeky branch. A really good read that pulls no punches and shows that people can sometimes do the unthinkable and the remarkable.
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
I don't normally write book reviews as my thoughts often echo or merely repeat what has already been said, but even if this were the case here, I feel obliged to say that I loved this book and will almost certainly read it again.
The author's style is very modest and his honesty compelling. Importantly, Falconer acknowledges the rivalry between the SAS and the SBS - something which (to my knowledge and admittedly unimpressive reading around the subject) has never been genuinely addressed by similar titles written about the history of the SAS. In highlighting this rivalry, we get (what I believed to be) a truly interesting account of the loneliness of UK Special Forces life.
One final note to make is that this book is indeed 'dramatic': humour, horror, frustration and honour are just some of the words I would associate with the 'dits' I read about. I had to stop reading this book before bed, as I found I would simply keep reading into the early hours - so gripping was the narrative at times.
I would very much recommend this book to anyone with an interest in UKSF, the SBS or the Royal Marines ethos (which is almost certainly what the author exhibits during his many feats). A refreshing read in a landscape full of war-stories, this one is (or these ones I should say are) just a little bit special.
The author's style is very modest and his honesty compelling. Importantly, Falconer acknowledges the rivalry between the SAS and the SBS - something which (to my knowledge and admittedly unimpressive reading around the subject) has never been genuinely addressed by similar titles written about the history of the SAS. In highlighting this rivalry, we get (what I believed to be) a truly interesting account of the loneliness of UK Special Forces life.
One final note to make is that this book is indeed 'dramatic': humour, horror, frustration and honour are just some of the words I would associate with the 'dits' I read about. I had to stop reading this book before bed, as I found I would simply keep reading into the early hours - so gripping was the narrative at times.
I would very much recommend this book to anyone with an interest in UKSF, the SBS or the Royal Marines ethos (which is almost certainly what the author exhibits during his many feats). A refreshing read in a landscape full of war-stories, this one is (or these ones I should say are) just a little bit special.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
enjoyable
Really enjoyed this book, informative and exciting, kept me reading late at night and turning the pages. Author injects personality into his writing.
Published 1 month ago by nicdigby
Very dubious facts.....
The only thing you can learn about the military from this book is the word 'Walt': this is a word used to describe a civilian fantasist. Read more
Published 3 months ago by DannyBoyd
Not Sure!!
I've only just finished the first few chapters but what I've read to this point raised enough suspicion for me to have a look at others thoughts. Read more
Published 3 months ago by Mick
Great book
As a man who is currently joining the Royal Marines as an officer, and will be looking into joining the SBS, this book is very useful from the perspective of selection and... Read more
Published 3 months ago by J. Faulkner
Good Read
I enjoyed reading this book. Its still the best book Falkner has written in my opinion.
I've read his some of his other books, but this one is my favourite.
I've read his some of his other books, but this one is my favourite.
Published 4 months ago by BookAddict
Very accessible, great anecdotes
Whether you're into this sort of thing or not, it really does prove to be a very interesting read. Falconer does not come across as arrogant or macho (what you would generally... Read more
Published 4 months ago by A D Toll
Groundbreaking stuff
Whos the best? SAS or SBS? Want to know? Read the book...
The 'action' is a little thin on the ground, but the books central theme, the rivalry between the SAS and... Read more
The 'action' is a little thin on the ground, but the books central theme, the rivalry between the SAS and... Read more
Published 5 months ago by Keenerstill
Superb, flowing account of one man's journey in The Elite Force
A well written account that reads like a novel but must be based largely on true events - I read the book none stop, it is that compelling ! Read more
Published 6 months ago by Chris C
Too many inconsistancies..
Its hard to know what to make of this book. I found it a fascinating read, but at the risk of having black clad assassins from the SBS tracking me down I think its worth sounding a... Read more
Published 7 months ago by Anon
10/10
This is one of very few books that gives a true account of life within the Special Boat Service. I found it to be gripping from the very beginning, and I must admit, I found it... Read more
Published 8 months ago by Jon Winters
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