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Rules of Engagement: A Life in Conflict (Hardcover)

by Tim Collins (Author)
4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (19 customer reviews)

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Product details

  • Hardcover: 416 pages
  • Publisher: Headline Book Publishing (23 May 2005)
  • Language English
  • ISBN-10: 0755313747
  • ISBN-13: 978-0755313747
  • Product Dimensions: 23.4 x 15.8 x 4.4 cm
  • Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (19 customer reviews)
  • Amazon.co.uk Sales Rank: 205,470 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

    Popular in these categories:

    #77 in  Books > Biography > Historical > Countries & Regions > Middle East
    #79 in  Books > Biography > Political > Countries & Regions > Middle East
    #94 in  Books > History > Britain & Ireland > Post-war Period, 1946-Present

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Product Description

Review

'As well as concentrating on Iraq, this well-written, evocative book also focuses on the author's deeply personal relationship with his regiment and men, whose lives were always close to his heart' -- Hugh McManners, Sunday Times 20050529 'This absorbing tale, by turns dramatic, thoughtful and humorous, is a lesson in the humanity behind a country at war' -- Sun 20050626 'Painfully compelling' -- Allan Mallinson, The Times 20050604 'The book is a fascinating, detailed account of what he and his men went through in the invasion and delivers a hard-hitting message of where the Coalition has gone wrong since the invasion' -- Sydney Sun Herald 20050626 'His memoir is incendiary' -- Herald 20050523 'He is a thinking soldier with a gift for words and tells his story well. He is particularly good on the travails of his own regiment' -- John Keegan, Spectator 20050611


Product Description

From the moment Tim Collins's speech to his men in Iraq was made public, he became more than an army colonel. He spoke to a world that was confused, at best, as to the motives for war, and gave some explanation - at last - for the need for this war and gave counsel on how it should be approached. Full of drama, thought and humour, RULES OF ENGAGEMENT describes in graphic and thrilling detail not only Tim Collins's time in Iraq in the lead up to war and during the war itself, but looks back on a life's experience in the army. He talks for the first time about the accusations of war crimes levelled against him and reveals the truth about US behaviour during the conflict. A snap shot of history, RULES OF ENGAGEMENT is an absorbing tale that will stand the test of time and is a moving lesson in the humanity that lies behind a country at war.
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Customer Reviews

19 Reviews
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3 star:
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2 star:    (0)
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Average Customer Review
4.4 out of 5 stars (19 customer reviews)
 
 
 
 
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19 of 19 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars Compelling, 24 April 2006
By N. Brett (Wiltshire, England) - See all my reviews
(TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)      
This review is from: Rules of Engagement: A Life in Conflict (Paperback)
This is a really important book on a number of levels. I have seen some of the reviews that have commented about the author's philosophy but it does help us understand his mind set and approach!

The title suggests this is a full autobiography but it mainly deals with Iraq with a little bit before and a little afterwards.

Collins is a natural leader and his approach to the Iraq conflict should have been a benchmark for the rest of the conflict, i.e put into place standards and controls that would allow the free Iraq people to govern themselves and allow the early withdrawal of British and US troops. Very much a thinking and intelligent leader (although he admits his mistakes) you can see how his tactics work and the resulting improvements in the areas under his control.

Equally fascinating is his view and understanding of the people of Iraq. They come across and a warm but complex people and it is easy to understand how and why they have re-acted to the conflict in the way they have. There is a small section on the way a British cemetery has been immaculately maintained through the passion and loyalty of the locals that was quite moving.

Of course there is much mention of both the famous speech and then later on, the allegations against Collins. It was dis-heartening to see the way that the British Army and establishment failed to support Collins and allowed his name to be smeared in the press when they should have stood by a true asset.

While a biography will obviously paint a reasonably positive view of the author, I think this is a frank account and I have no doubt that the British Army needs more people like Collins.

I learnt a great deal from this one and have no hesitation in recommending it to anyone who is interested in either the Iraq conflict or military leadership.
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15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars A Man of Honour, 8 Mar 2006
By Meredon (Australia) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Rules of Engagement: A Life in Conflict (Paperback)
Tim Collins comes across as a man of honour, integrity and ability.
His book is full of insight, educated comment and some great humour. He allows the reader to be with him in some very tense and dangerous situations. He also clearly shows us that desk jockeys and management wannabes have no place in judging those who have placed themselves in harms way and alludes to the fact that without practical experience and wisdom the allies will make an almighty mess in Iraq. His personal experience of injustice is a salutary warning for us all - as personalities and politics are a constant threat to justice and reason - however there is another lesson in that life will use any means to precipitate the mid-life transition - particularly in an outstanding man of action.
Tim Collins shows how the job should be done in an excellent book - we can only hope that men like him train the armies of the future.
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30 of 31 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars Officer Class, 23 Aug 2005
By Dr. P. J. A. Wicks (London, England) - See all my reviews
(TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)      
I agree with previous reviewers who have detailed this excellent book but thought I would add another angle of analysis. In a market segment dominated by individual tales of derring-do on the battlefield, in his autobiography Tim Collins gives us an insight into the very difficult role of battlefield management. If you want detailed pages of tech specs on weapons loadouts and obscene bodycounts read an SAS book; in Rules of Engagement these heroic exploits usually get a line or two. Instead we are given a detailed overview of the psychological and organisational issues involved in running an army regiment, which is often where the real battle is fought.

He understands that having the right kit with you is as much about looking the part as doing the job, the role of the regiment as an extended family that looks out for its own, and how strong leadership is the backbone of the British Armed Forces. I particularly enjoyed the sections contrasting the outlook of the Brits to the Americans in running an army, they are undoubtedly well trained, well equipped, and make all the right noises but appear sorely lacking in experience amongst their lower ranks. In addition to the other qualities mentioned here and other reviews, this book serves as a fine tribute to the Royal Irish Regiment and the community that supports them.

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Most Recent Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent insider's account of life in the Army
I had this book recommended to me and thoroughly enjoyed it. It's a fantastic account of what life in the modern army is really like. Read more
Published 2 months ago by mclanno

1.0 out of 5 stars Self-serving account
One speech before war and people fall in love with this guy! Sub-Blair, sub-Henry V, but great fodder for the gullible. Read more
Published 19 months ago by William Podmore

5.0 out of 5 stars A role model for soldiers and writers alike
I bought this book having heard Tim Collins lecture on leadership and strategy. Since he is impressive in person, I had high expectations and I was not disappointed. Read more
Published on 6 Nov 2007 by G. H. Fraser-sampson

5.0 out of 5 stars ASYMMETRIC WARFARE
Colonel Tim Collins first achieved fame for his address to his troops when about to go into battle in Iraq. Read more
Published on 2 Jul 2007 by DAVID BRYSON

5.0 out of 5 stars Pull up a sandbag
As a former soldier myself, I bought this book as a holiday read at the airport and was not disappointed - in fact it was very hard to put down. Read more
Published on 16 Jul 2006 by K. Dawson

5.0 out of 5 stars Simply Superb
This is a book every politician should read, he did far more for Iraq in his tour of duty than any politician managed, they should be taking notes on the concept of honour and... Read more
Published on 18 May 2006 by Mr. T. Holden

5.0 out of 5 stars Essential read for Military Personnel going to Iraq
An excellent well written insight which would provide anyone deployed to Iraq with some of the tools to make a tour out there a better time
Published on 26 April 2006 by A. Mclean

4.0 out of 5 stars Great on soldiering. Weak on philosophy.
Like his contemporary, Lieutenant-Colonel Tim Spicer, Colonel Tim Collins describes, in fair detail, his life and times in the British Army, and how he ultimately became... Read more
Published on 17 Mar 2006 by S Smyth

3.0 out of 5 stars Review
A bit disappointing. In Iraq Col. Collins' regiment moved into areas where the elite regiments (Paras and US Marines) had already done the hard work, so essentially his was a... Read more
Published on 13 Feb 2006

4.0 out of 5 stars From Belfast to Baghdad
Lt Colonel Collins’ autobiography focuses largely on his role as commander of 1st Battalion, Royal Irish Regiment (1 RIR), in Gulf War 2, which is rather unfortunate as he... Read more
Published on 13 Jan 2006 by C. J. Husing

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