Series: James Ashcroft, Book 1
Genres: Biography, War
Tag: Ghost Written Books
Publisher: Virgin Books
Publication Year: 2007
Format: Ebook & Paperback
Length: 288
ASIN: B00593JNMY
ISBN: 9780753512340
Controversial, action-packed account from the Iraqi front line.
In September 2003, James 'Ash' Ashcroft, a former British Infantry Captain, arrived in Iraq as a 'gun for hire'. It was the beginning of an 18-month journey into blood and chaos.
In this action-packed page-turner, Ashcroft reveals the dangers of his adrenalin-fuelled life as a security contractor in Baghdad, where private soldiers outnumber non-US Coalition forces in a war that is slowly being privatised. From blow-by-blow accounts of days under mortar bombardment to revelations about life operating deep within the Iraqi community, Ashcroft shares the real, unsanitised story of the war in Iraq - and its aftermath - direct from the front line.
Reviews
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'This diary of death and destruction radiates not just personality but that elusive, lyrical honesty the existentialists used to call
"authenticity"'Andy Martin, Daily Telegraph
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'Vivid disruption of conflict as he tells tales of of dodging missiles and getting into all day gunfights. A great read,'
Lads Mag.
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'Blow by blow account of a war the west never should have ignited ... Touches of irony bring the story into close focus. Remember Weapons of Mass destruction. they are still looking for them,'
Charles Howard, Writer's Forum
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Made it to my top of the year if not better! A fabulous read. It makes you laugh, it leaves you in sorrow. You get a view on the things people live in Iraq every day, on the cultural clash, on the political aspects, on the military side of things. EVERYTHINGS is there - and written in a way it is impossible to put this book down.
The title is provocative, but a bit misleading. There is killing in the book, as it is the war zone, there are military actions, there is trouble. But there is much, much more to that. And the whole book is very personal and extremely well balanced.
If you look for a book about Iraq, war, PSD - this is the book for you! 5 stars +.
Highly recommended.
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A quick glance at the cover and a read of the title leads the viewer to think this book is all guns,violence, 'blast them terrorists' and no substance. It is completley wrong, I feel like the publisher gave the book the corny look and feel but the written story is gritty, authentic, and the authour proves to be intelligent, smart and far more the kind of soldier the public would want to be represented by. He also touches on culture, tactical slip ups of the invasion and the general day to day life. Five stars! 🙂 And if anyone here is serving, sweet job and stay safe!
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The change on the ground from Brit officer to security contractor lays out the extreme dangers these guys face. He knew what and how things should be done, and how they should not, but did it anyway! For me, it has to be believable and it scores top marks for me in this area. Nothing gung-ho here, just lots of page turning action. Thought to Title this 'Smooth operator' but nothing smooth about it!
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Great book about the life of private security in conflict zones. That's all I can say, I don't want to take away anything from the good informative read.
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One of the best adventure stories of this genre,I can hardly believe that James is a real guy,I read this book in one sitting,I guess that Clifford Thurlow is the professional writer and makes a really good job of it,I look forward to the duo teaming up for a sequel.
5* Amazon review
