I read this memoir after reading three books covering the British special ops fiasco in Iraq called Bravo Two Zero. This memoir retrieves the reputation of British ops so badly tarnished by Bravo Two Zero. The author gives us an autobiographical account of his life prior to and after joining the British SAS (Special Air Service) the equivalent of our Navy Seals or Army Special Forces. During his service he participated in most of the important operations that the SAS was involved in, including the Falklands and Iraq. This memoir is particularly interesting because our author is obviously a gritty, salt-of-the-earth type who can only be frank in his account of people, places and events. No puffery, unlike "Bravo Two Zero".