Spoken From The Front - Hardcover

McNab, Andy

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0593064798 ISBN 13: 9780593064795

Publisher: Bantam Press, 2009

Synopsis

"Spoken from the Front" will tell the stories of what Andy McNab describes as 'modern-day heroes fighting modern-day wars'. It will recount the courage and hardship of British servicemen and support staff as they have faced the unique difficulties posed by the ongoing conflict in Afghanistan. Andy will introduce and edit the book, but the interwoven stories will be told by those serving on the front line, in their own words. Their action-packed, dramatic, moving and often humorous testimonies will be told through interviews and diaries, and letters and emails written to family, friends and loved ones. "Spoken from the Front" will be styled loosely on the Imperial War Museum's highly-successful "Forgotten Voices" series, but will focus on a smaller number of central characters who turn up repeatedly throughout the narrative.

About this title

About the Author

From the day he was found in a carrier bag on the steps of Guy's Hospital in London, Andy McNab has led an extraordinary life.

As a teenage delinquent, Andy McNab kicked against society. As a young soldier he waged war against the IRA in the streets and fields of South Armagh. As a member of 22 SAS he was at the centre of covert operations for nine years – on five continents. During the Gulf War he commanded Bravo Two Zero, a patrol that, in the words of his commanding officer, 'will remain in regimental history for ever'. Awarded both the Distinguished Conduct Medal (DCM) and Military Medal (MM) during his military career, McNab was the British Army's most highly decorated serving soldier when he finally left the SAS.

Since then Andy McNab has become one of the world’s best-selling writers, drawing on his insider knowledge and experience. As well as several non-fiction bestsellers including Bravo Two Zero, the biggest selling British work of military history, he is the author of the best-selling Nick Stone and Tom Buckingham thrillers. He has also written a number of books for children.

Besides his writing work, he lectures to security and intelligence agencies in both the USA and UK, works in the film industry advising Hollywood on everything from covert procedure to training civilian actors to act like soldiers. He continues to be a spokesperson and fundraiser for both military and literacy charities.

From the Inside Flap

The war in Afghanistan is one of the toughest campaigns the British Army has ever had to fight. Traditionally the graveyard of any invading force, the country's barren and inhospitable terrain has seen off many comers over its bloody history. When British forces took up their positions in Helmand Province in summer 2006, they knew what they were getting into. They knew how hard it would be.

Spoken from the Front is the story of the Afghan Campaign, told for the first time in the words of the servicemen and women who have been fighting there. With unprecedented access to soldiers of all ranks, as well as pilots, reservists, engineers, medics, Royal Military police, mechanics, cooks and other military personnel, Andy McNab has assembled a portrait of modern conflict like never before.

This is the full experience of our troops on the ground and in the air there, whether the preparation for battle, the battles themselves, their aftermath or merely what day-to-day life feels like. The horrors, cruelties, drudgery, excitement and banter of these soldiers' lives combine to form a chronological narrative of all the major events in Helmand during the British Army's time there.

From their action-packed, dramatic, moving and often humorous testimonies in interviews, diaries, letters and emails written to family, friends and loved ones, emerges a 360-degree picture of guerrilla warfare up close and extremely personal. It is as close to the real thing as you can get.

Edition details

• Publisher: Bantam Press
• Publication date: 2009
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0593064798
• ISBN 13: 9780593064795
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 352