Tenth Man Down - Hardcover

Ryan, Chris

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0712680810 ISBN 13: 9780712680813

Publisher: Century, 1999

Synopsis

At the start of the novel Geordie Sharp feels he may be dying. He wants to explain to his son, Tim, what happened on his last mission in the SAS - and his account forms the substance of the novel. Sharp's team is training government forces in the Central African republic of Kamenga (?), which is racked by civil war. The rebels are fighting for control of the country's rich diamond and uranium resources, which explain the interest of not only the British government but also a South African white supremacist movement. In the course of the war with the rebels Geordie learns that their forces are being led by ex-members of the US Navy SEALS. This SAS team's skills and fighting fitness are tested as never before in this fight to the death.

About this title

Review

Ex-commando, Chris Ryan, did three extensive tours with the SAS as an "assaulter", "sniper" and "Sniper Team Leader" before becoming a bestselling thriller writer. His hands-on field experience makes a definitive mark in his writing and is personified in the character of Geordie Sharp, an everyman's Rambo.

In the fifth episode, Tenth Man Down, Sharp finds himself on his toughest assignment yet: to reclaim a lucrative African diamond mine held by Kamangan rebels and escape the evil spell of a Sin'ganga or witch doctor. To make matters worse, as Sharp and his men move in, they discover the rebels are being supported by ex-US Navy SEAL mercenaries. As they try and uncover the hidden agenda, Sharp is taken prisoner with comrade-in-arms, Whinger. In line with the Sin'ganga's predictions, Whinger is brutally slaughtered, leaving Sharp to break the conspiracy and reunite with his team alone.

Ryan's mean, lean, fast-moving prose is filled with colourful military descriptors and salute- inducing narrative: "I wanted to introduce him to Pen-y-Fen, the mountain whose silhouette is supposed to be graven on every Special Forces man's heart." And for those not familiar with military jargon and the Kamangan dialect, there's also a glossary to guide you through thorny verbiage. Akin to reading a solider's diary, the action in The Tenth Man Down is gritty, straightforward and believable. --Susan Queue

Review

"Packed with Ryan's trademark gung-ho style, graphic imagery and technical detail that can only come from first-hand experience. Hard as nails." (Mirror)

"Slick, polished and gut-wrenching stuff" (Irish Times)

"Arguably the father of the SAS thriller gene" (Good Book Guide)

"Real strength in detailing the nitty-gritty of operations" (Sunday Times)

"There's a frightening ring of authenticity" (Mirror)

Edition details

• Publisher: Century
• Publication date: 1999
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0712680810
• ISBN 13: 9780712680813
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 352