We Were Warriors: A Powerful and Moving Story of Courage Under Fire - Softcover

Mercer, Johnny

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1509853022 ISBN 13: 9781509853021

Publisher: Pan, 2018

Synopsis

'An adrenalin-fuelled, gritty story of heroism on the frontline in Afghanistan' - Andy McNab

Unflinching and laced with wry humour, Johnny Mercer's We Were Warriors is an action-packed account of his journey from young commando to a captain with one of the most pressurized and skilled jobs in the army.

A captain in 29 Commando, Johnny Mercer served in the army for twelve years. On his third tour of Afghanistan he was a Joint Fires Controller, with the pressurized job of bringing down artillery and air strikes in close proximity to his own troops. Based in an area of northern Helmand that was riddled with Taliban leaders, he walked into danger with every patrol, determined to protect them. Then one morning, in brutal close quarter combat, everything changed . . .

In We Were Warriors Johnny takes us from his commando training to the heat, blood and chaos of battle. With brutal honesty, he describes what it is like to risk your life every day, pushing through the fear that follows watching your friends die. He took the fight back to the enemy with a relentless efficiency that came at a high personal cost. Back in the UK, seeing the inadequate care available for veterans and their families, he was inspired to run for Parliament in the hope he could improve their plight.

'This is NOT the stereotypical account of war, it's without doubt the best first hand account in a war zone I've ever read.' – Tom Marcus, ex MI5 Surveillance Officer, author of Soldier, Spy

About this title

About the Author

Johnny Mercer served in the UK military as a Commando from 2001 until 2014, and experienced some of the heaviest fighting in the Afghanistan war over several years. Moved by the plight of his fellow veterans, Johnny sought elected office to improve their services and rights. Although he'd never voted before, Johnny was elected as a Conservative MP in his home city of Plymouth in 2015. He went on to win successive elections before being appointed into the Cabinet by two Prime Ministers. Johnny created the UK Government’s Office for Veterans Affairs, oversaw record spending on veterans and introduced legislation in Parliament that would become law to protect veteran's rights and services. His first book, We Were Warriors, detailed his military career and was a Sunday Times bestseller. No Way to Run a Country is a memoir of his time in office.

From the Back Cover

‘An adrenalin-fuelled, gritty story of heroism’ Andy McNab

In 2010 Captain Johnny Mercer was on his third tour of Afghanistan in an area of northern Helmand that had seen some of the heaviest fighting of the campaign. A Joint Fires Controller, with the pressurized job of bringing down artillery and air strikes in close proximity to his own troops, he walked into danger with every patrol, determined to protect them. Then one morning, in brutal close-quarter combat, everything changed . . .

In We Were Warriors Johnny describes what it is like to risk your life every day, to push through the fear that follows watching your friends die. He took the fight back to the enemy with a relentless efficiency that came at a high personal cost. Back in the UK, seeing the inadequate care available for his men, he ran for Parliament in the hope he could improve their plight. Unflinchingly honest, action-packed and laced with wry humour, this is an unforgettable read by a remarkable man.

‘The best first-hand account in a war zone I've ever read. Brutally honest, humble and written with a pace that could induce a heart attack’ Tom Marcus, ex-MI5 Surveillance Officer and author of Soldier, Spy

Edition details

• Publisher: Pan
• Publication date: 2018
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 1509853022
• ISBN 13: 9781509853021
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 352