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Chris Hunter

Eight Lives Down Paperback – 30 May 2008

by Chris Hunter (Author)

168 ratings

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SEARING HEAT

You have the most dangerous job in the world's most dangerous place. You are responsible for bomb disposal in the British sector of Iraq.You are the last defence against oblivion. And it's already a hundred degrees in the shade. ,

COLD FEAR

You are up against some of the most sophisticated bombmakers in the world. They don't play by the rules of the Geneva Convention. Nothing but your own wits will save you. You're on your own.

SILENCE

Now is the moment of truth. All you can hear is the sound of your own blood pounding through your veins. This could be your last moment on earth.

IT'S JUST YOU AND THE BOMB

Print length

528 pages
Language

English
Publisher

Corgi
Publication date

30 May 2008
Dimensions

12.85 x 3.02 x 19.84 cm
ISBN-10

0552155713
ISBN-13

978-0552155717
See all details

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Product description

Review

A ticking bomb of a book; breathtakingly tense, fast-paced and incredibly moving. The best war memoir I've read in years -- Andy McNab

You might expect an account of disabling bombs to be repetitive or overly technical, but Hunter's is neither. Each incident is fascinatingly different and edge-of-the-seat dramatic, and Hunter recounts them with vividness and clarity ― Daily Mail

Thoughtful, gripping and engaging... The emotion, the immediacy, the adrenalin rush of what it feels like to walk towards a device that may or may not blow at any minute taking you and everyone in the proximity with it packs an authentic punch -- Kate Mosse ― The Times

Chris Hunter is a very brave man. His work couldn't be more terrifying or necessary ― Daily Mirror

Action-packed... A breathtaking story of courage and survival ― News of the World

From the Back Cover

SEARING HEAT
You have the most dangerous job in the worlds most dangerous place. You are responsible for bomb disposal in the British sector of Iraq.You are the last defence against oblivion. And its already a hundred degrees in the shade. ,
COLD FEAR
You are up against some of the most sophisticated bombmakers in the world. They dont play by the rules of the Geneva Convention. Nothing but your own wits will save you. Youre on your own.
SILENCE
Now is the moment of truth. All you can hear is the sound of your own blood pounding through your veins. This could be your last moment on earth.
ITS JUST YOU AND THE BOMB
Gripping and engagingThe emotion, the immediacy, the adrenalin rush of what it feels like to walk towards a device that may or may not blow at any minute taking you and everyone in the proximity with it packs an authentic punch The Times
The action is relentless, edge-of-the-seat dramaticDestined to be the British military classic Daily Mail
Chris Hunter is a very brave man. His work couldn't be more terrifying or necessaryDaily Mirror
Action-packed...A breathtaking story of courage and survival News of the World

Product details

Publisher ‏ : ‎ Corgi; First printing of this edition (30 May 2008)
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Paperback ‏ : ‎ 528 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0552155713
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0552155717
Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 12.85 x 3.02 x 19.84 cm

Best Sellers Rank: 360,594 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
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Customer reviews:
168 ratings

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Chris Hunter

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The Truth

A very different war memoir - CSI and soldier combined

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 10 May 2011

Verified Purchase

Eight lives down is a revealing insight into what has to be one of the most dangerous jobs on earth: working for the bomb disposal unit of the British Army.

The book follows the tour of Chris Hunter, a seasoned expert in bomb disposal having had tours in Northern Island and stints training Colombian troops in the art to help the combat the IRA trained cocaine cartels and combat the war on drugs.

The book is written in a fast and lively diary-esque style which suits the subject matter and setting and makes it quick and easy to read. Each chapter is headed with little nuggets or wisdom, extracts, and quotes from famous quotes, speeches and people which sum up the upcoming chapter in the eyes of the author. These I quite liked.

However, what I found most revealing about the book was what the actual role entailed. I never realised the complexity and the depth of these people's work until now, having thought they just used diffuse all manner of bombs and IEDs with a snip of a few wires... I couldn't have been more wrong.

The role goes far beyond mere (if that's the right word?!) bomb disposal with the ATO teams becoming detectives, using every means possible to hunt down the bomb makers. They gather forensic evidence, build psychological profiles, examine patterns, and search for signatures - all in an attempt to stay one step ahead of the bombing teams.

Chris Hunter was so affective in his role at disrupting the the IED teams in Iraq, he actually ended up being actively targeted by the bomb makers who went out of their way to try and set traps with secondary devices specifically planted to try and take him out.

Add to this the inclusion of personal pressures at home caused by his role, and Hunter's very stressful tour helps to show how hard a job in the armed forces can be, and the toll it takes on those left at home as well as the troops on the ground.

I would have liked the book to go into more depth about the forensic techniques, the detective work, and how Chris went about building a case against the bombers, but I understand why its important to keep these things secret. All in all, though the book makes for an interesting read and is very different to most war memoirs I've read

3 people found this helpful

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Craig

Gripping read

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 18 August 2008

Verified Purchase

Gripping. A real page turner, Major Chris Hunter clearly has a gift for putting you there in the action. Peppered with British Army humour (quip about the REME guy "testiculating" -- waving his hands in the air and talking... had me in stiches). This is a superb book, really moving in some places and i'm not the kinda guy to be moved easily, but i defy anyone to come to the end of this book without feeling an immense amount of emotion.

This book was the first i read of Private Johnson Beharry VC. I read Sniper One by SGT Dan Mills after this book (another good read, based in Al-Amarrah at roughly the same time, not as expertly written as this book but really engaging read all the same) which also described the steely courage of Pvte Beharry VC -- i'd like to meet that soldier! Although this book doesn't tell of Pvte Beharry VC's fate (Sniper One tells a little more), i've since read that he's been awarded the VC and more importantly survived that RPG attack on his warrior. I mention Pvte Beharry's survival here for those that read the book and are left wondering on his fate.

2 people found this helpful

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KTB

Unsung hero

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 30 September 2014

Verified Purchase

If ever there was an epitome of 'Felix' then this guy is the current version, been there,done that and got the flak vest. How these guys do what they do day in day out is beyond any normal persons understanding. This book does try to lead you through the ups and downs but it still only skims the surface of the tasks that are faced. This couldn't be a work of fiction,no-one would believe it and forsure Hollywood couldn't come close.
Be prepared for a riveting read and a very human and moving story that is well written and has only one problem, you can't or daren't put it down. And you certainly look at items at the side of the road in a different light after this!

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 21 February 2013

Verified Purchase

From the first page to the last Chris Hunter takes the reader into another world. It's all there the real life drama of one of the most stressful, and rewarding, jobs in the military. The heartache of being separated from family and loved ones. The elation of completing the task and saving lives and the euphoria of collecting evidence and eventually catching the bombers. There is just enough detail to involve the reader without giving away any operational details that might be detrimental to ongoing operations. For anyone who has been involved in the world of 'Felix' this is a must read as it will take you back in vivid detail. I cannot recommend this book highly enough. I.C.

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 23 September 2009

Verified Purchase

As somebody who has never been to war I cannot comment on the accuracy or realism of this book. However, it is undoubtedly well written, engaging, and takes you to the heart of the action.

It does have a flaw though, and it is this.

In common with other such autobiographical accounts the author is clearly aware that persons named in the book will pore over anything he may write about them. This is very apparent with colleagues (meaning each and every one is a `top bloke' or `first class soldier') but even more so with his wife. The author peppers the book with remorse and anguish about the strain his work places on their relationship so much so that that at times you wonder if this isn't a book about defusing IEDs at all - rather a pitch to save their marriage.

Having said all that, there is much to recommend this book, and whilst it doesn't have the Alamo-esque suspense of Sniper One: The Blistering True Story of a British Battle Group Under Siege , it is nevertheless a highly entertaining read and testament to the unquestionably courageous work of the IEDD teams.

One person found this helpful

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