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4.27 AVERAGE
4.27 AVERAGE
challenging
informative
inspiring
reflective
adventurous
challenging
dark
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
adventurous
challenging
informative
inspiring
fast-paced
Such a brilliant book loved every second of it and help me tremendously thank you.
**Audible**
After having watched SAS: Are You Tough Enough? since the first series and having read [b:First Man In: Leading from the Front|38586921|First Man In Leading from the Front|Ant Middleton|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1518664645l/38586921._SY75_.jpg|60189019] by Ant Middleton it was an easy choice to pick this little cracker. It is quite short at just over 6 hours but it is packed full of Billy's life and exploits; his childhood, his time in the SAS and his close protection work with some of the biggest names in Hollywood and, of course, his TV appearances on SAS: Are You Tough Enough?. Along with the usual fisticuffs you get with these types of books it is non-stop action and thoroughly fascinating.
The prologue and epilogue are both read by Billy himself but the chapters themselves are read by Simon Slater. After reading a few reviews beforehand this seemed to have annoyed a few people but I'm not sure why. I thought Simon read this brilliantly and overall this is a great read (or listen) to while away a few hours.
After having watched SAS: Are You Tough Enough? since the first series and having read [b:First Man In: Leading from the Front|38586921|First Man In Leading from the Front|Ant Middleton|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1518664645l/38586921._SY75_.jpg|60189019] by Ant Middleton it was an easy choice to pick this little cracker. It is quite short at just over 6 hours but it is packed full of Billy's life and exploits; his childhood, his time in the SAS and his close protection work with some of the biggest names in Hollywood and, of course, his TV appearances on SAS: Are You Tough Enough?. Along with the usual fisticuffs you get with these types of books it is non-stop action and thoroughly fascinating.
The prologue and epilogue are both read by Billy himself but the chapters themselves are read by Simon Slater. After reading a few reviews beforehand this seemed to have annoyed a few people but I'm not sure why. I thought Simon read this brilliantly and overall this is a great read (or listen) to while away a few hours.
Well written full of highs and lows, turning his life around like that is amazing. Good read.
adventurous
informative
inspiring
fast-paced
The fourth SASWhoDaresWins guy to get his biography out is the highest decorated and an MBE.
Starting from a scrubby childhood in Walsall Billy has a couple of run ins with men who, instead of giving him a good hiding, see something there and tell him to join boxing, where a new avenue of life opens up.
Later his brother takes him along to cadets, appreciating the order and discipline and underneath understanding his own accountability for how things are, Billy starts looking longterm at a career in the army, the Paras no less, and off he goes.
With a string work ethic he finds this life suits him, not always his family, but he excels.
There are a few war stories in here and I enjoyed the jungle ones along with him. Never telling all he gives enough to give the picture of the madness on the ground.
His life as security is interesting. I didn't know he had been bodyguard for so many Hollywood names.
I liked his outlook at problem solving and the way he has carved his life his own way. Even as he says, the hard way.
At the too he has his life lessons he adheres to which are informative and you know when he makes decisions later in the book these were his base of thinking.
His dealings in Haiti in the aftermath of the devastating earthquake a few years ago also see him come through as a man who can get things done, a man who plans and can see a bigger picture.
I found this a different read from the other guys. I felt engaged and his no nonsense opinion of his combat and actions, acknowledging he was a cause of many of his own problems when young, with enough savvy to know when to turn it around he has made himself quite the life story worth reading about.
A nod to Conor Woodman his 'ghost writer' who managed to put such a life into an order I could enjoy reading about.
Starting from a scrubby childhood in Walsall Billy has a couple of run ins with men who, instead of giving him a good hiding, see something there and tell him to join boxing, where a new avenue of life opens up.
Later his brother takes him along to cadets, appreciating the order and discipline and underneath understanding his own accountability for how things are, Billy starts looking longterm at a career in the army, the Paras no less, and off he goes.
With a string work ethic he finds this life suits him, not always his family, but he excels.
There are a few war stories in here and I enjoyed the jungle ones along with him. Never telling all he gives enough to give the picture of the madness on the ground.
His life as security is interesting. I didn't know he had been bodyguard for so many Hollywood names.
I liked his outlook at problem solving and the way he has carved his life his own way. Even as he says, the hard way.
At the too he has his life lessons he adheres to which are informative and you know when he makes decisions later in the book these were his base of thinking.
His dealings in Haiti in the aftermath of the devastating earthquake a few years ago also see him come through as a man who can get things done, a man who plans and can see a bigger picture.
I found this a different read from the other guys. I felt engaged and his no nonsense opinion of his combat and actions, acknowledging he was a cause of many of his own problems when young, with enough savvy to know when to turn it around he has made himself quite the life story worth reading about.
A nod to Conor Woodman his 'ghost writer' who managed to put such a life into an order I could enjoy reading about.
Having read all the books by Who Dares Wins instructors [and enjoyed them too] I was looking forward to reading this one. After all, Mark is an ace sniper and served in the SAS for two decades. He earned an MBE for leading a hostage-saving mission. He tracked down, acquired and delivered mass killers to the War Crimes Tribunal. Along with many other perilous missions. But we don't get to hear about them! Subsequently, I found the book a little light. There is little, to nothing, about his time in the SAS.
He focuses on his life outside of the Special Forces. No doubt Mark has had a tough upbringing. Plus he's done a lot too but the general lack of depth and detail was disappointing. It felt like a summary. A collection of anecdotes designed to capitalise on his celebrity. Plus the writing was poor too. I suspect the other members of Who Dares Wins used experienced ghost writers? Anyway, all a bit disappointing and mediocre I'm afraid.
He focuses on his life outside of the Special Forces. No doubt Mark has had a tough upbringing. Plus he's done a lot too but the general lack of depth and detail was disappointing. It felt like a summary. A collection of anecdotes designed to capitalise on his celebrity. Plus the writing was poor too. I suspect the other members of Who Dares Wins used experienced ghost writers? Anyway, all a bit disappointing and mediocre I'm afraid.
adventurous
informative
inspiring
medium-paced