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Review
"Remarkable story ... Hart-Davis tells splendidly the astonishing tale he has uncovered"--Max Hastings, The Sunday Times
"Duff Hart-Davis has taken over the writing of this book from Jim Johnson's second-in-command, Tony Boyle, who was working from Johnson's archive; both men died before the work was completed. He has done his extraordinary subject justice. Why did any of them get involved with the project? Well, the pay was good, but that is exactly the sort of thing men say to cover their enjoyment and excitement. The fact of the matter is that it was a terrific adventure"--Philip Hensher, The Spectator
"Plenty of books claim to be about forgotten aspects of the past. Yet Duff Hart-Davis has managed to go one better in this tale of British mercenaries and Egyptian skulduggery by unearthing a war that has hitherto remained more or less secret"--James Owen, Mail on Sunday
"This dramatic piece of history is thoroughly researched, drawn from first-hand accounts of the mercenaries’ experience. Written at the pace of a James Bond thriller, Hart-Davis leavens his gung-ho tale with details that are at times touching and humorous"--The Herald
"An extraordinary story that needed to be told... Duff Hart-Davis tells their fascinating story, which will be new to many readers, remarkably well"--Charles Guthrie, Literary Review
"An extradordinary story, told for the first time"--Today, Radio 4
"Their gung-ho story is told with much buckle and swash"--The Times
"A barnstorming history."--Independent
"Duff Hart-Davis has taken over the writing of this book from Jim Johnson's second-in-command, Tony Boyle, who was working from Johnson's archive; both men died before the work was completed. He has done his extraordinary subject justice. Why did any of them get involved with the project? Well, the pay was good, but that is exactly the sort of thing men say to cover their enjoyment and excitement. The fact of the matter is that it was a terrific adventure"--Philip Hensher, The Spectator
"Plenty of books claim to be about forgotten aspects of the past. Yet Duff Hart-Davis has managed to go one better in this tale of British mercenaries and Egyptian skulduggery by unearthing a war that has hitherto remained more or less secret"--James Owen, Mail on Sunday
"This dramatic piece of history is thoroughly researched, drawn from first-hand accounts of the mercenaries’ experience. Written at the pace of a James Bond thriller, Hart-Davis leavens his gung-ho tale with details that are at times touching and humorous"--The Herald
"An extraordinary story that needed to be told... Duff Hart-Davis tells their fascinating story, which will be new to many readers, remarkably well"--Charles Guthrie, Literary Review
"An extradordinary story, told for the first time"--Today, Radio 4
"Their gung-ho story is told with much buckle and swash"--The Times
"A barnstorming history."--Independent
Book Description
The thrilling, adventure-packed, untold story of the British covert war in Yemen, and the last great battle for our colonial interests.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
16 of 16 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
I bought this book after reading a review in the Spectator. At the time of these events I served in the Trucial Oman Scouts in what is now the Union of Arab Emirates and passed through Aden a couple of times, including 3 months on the language course. The mercenaries security must have been good as I never heard a whisper of what was going on in the Yemen. Another reason for buying the book was that I know the son of one of the major participants.
The book does give a very good account of what the mercenaries went through. It gives a very good insight to the chaotic happenings in Yemen today and a sad view of the British Government's handling of the situation in the Middle East.
A very good read
The book does give a very good account of what the mercenaries went through. It gives a very good insight to the chaotic happenings in Yemen today and a sad view of the British Government's handling of the situation in the Middle East.
A very good read
43 of 47 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
This book tells the fascinating story of a secret war fought by British mercenaries in the Yemen in the early 1960s. If you've seen the film, the Wild Geese you will have some idea of what happens here. Ranging from London's "Gentlemen's" clubs to the deserts of the Yemen this is a rip roaring, marvellously told story of good old fashioned derring-do with a generous hint of stiff upper lip Britishness thrown in. The leader was a bloke called Colonel Jim Johnson, a proper throwback to empire it would appear and the rag-tag group of ex SAS and others he gets together to train and lead Yemeni tribesmen in their fight against the Egyptian army. The book has particular resonance as affairs in the region unfold as I type and it reinforces the delicate balance that the region's governments have to maintain to have any semblance of power. My one quibble with the book would be the gung-ho sub-title of the book as, although the story is indeed heroic, can it really be described as Britain's "most secret battle" as it is not really clear how official any sanctioned action was? Nevertheless if you want to read a truly amazing account of proper "Boys Own" stuff then this is the book for you.
14 of 15 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
This book is excellent. A true story. The author was able to precis a large and complex event from notes and word of mouth and make a boys own adventure that many would feel proud to be involved in. As I knew several of those involved from my early days in Oman it became all the more absorbing. I would certainly recommend the book to all those who have served in the region.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
yemen
It is hard to determine how much of this book is fact,fiction or wishful thinking but to me it smacks of Joyce Grenfells "jollyy hockysticks and merry japes. Read more
Published 6 months ago by G. I. Forbes
good read
Very interesting and informative on the goings on in government.Probably just the same as today,although more of it going on right now.well worth a read
Published 7 months ago by douglas livingston
Great revelations on a little known war
Great revelations on a little known war
I was and am a reader of all the books about the post war period about conflicts that Britain was involved in. Read more
I was and am a reader of all the books about the post war period about conflicts that Britain was involved in. Read more
Published 10 months ago by Peter Wade
WHAT A YAWN
Don't waste your time reading this book I wish I hadn't. Frankly the book is not at all honest. To suggest as the author continually does that the main characters involved were not... Read more
Published 10 months ago by Mad Geographer
disappointed
Whilst not wishing to demean any of the participants I think this book is more suited to anyone who was involved in whatever form. I found it very hard going indeed. Read more
Published 10 months ago by P. Waller
Unreliable
I gave up reading this book when I discovered the author's claim that David Stirling was the creator of the Long Range Desert Group, in 1942. See page 354. Read more
Published 11 months ago by R. Wilkerson
When the bold were not so old.
This is an excellent book far too long overdue. Sadly Jim Johnson is no longer with us to enjoy its telling. Read more
Published 12 months ago by RhodieBKK
Ah! ....
It's interesting to know what was going on 'up there' as it was suspected but not acknowledged down in Aden.
Published 12 months ago by Mr. E. Lambe
Tedious
From reading the other reviews it is clear that this book has appeal to those who were involved in and around the Yemen at the time. Read more
Published 12 months ago by M. Dale
Determination and Courage
This is a great story in the rivetting grand old tradition of ladies and gentlemen with guts and governments with the courage to exploit those talents, skills and abilities to... Read more
Published 13 months ago by D. H. Mcclure
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