Real Combat Books

Sniper Ash6 · 03-09-2009, 10:14 AM

Im quite into action books such as those written by Tom Clancy and Lee Child but a few months ago head an advert for a real combat book called "3 Para"

I looked it up and it looked a good book so i ordered "3 Para", "Sniper One" and "Eight Lives Down"
All of which are real combat books two of which are based in Iraq and one of which is based in Afghanistan

To me they were quite good reads and found them interesting to get an in sight into the uncut things that happened out there

Any other read these books or similar, what do you think to them and any others you recommend?

GasDad · 03-09-2009, 10:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sniper Ash6

Im quite into action books such as those written by Tom Clancy and Lee Child but a few months ago head an advert for a real combat book called "3 Para"

I looked it up and it looked a good book so i ordered "3 Para", "Sniper One" and "Eight Lives Down"
All of which are real combat books two of which are based in Iraq and one of which is based in Afghanistan

To me they were quite good reads and found them interesting to get an in sight into the uncut things that happened out there

Any other read these books or similar, what do you think to them and any others you recommend?

As a slight variation perhaps try a few of Stephen Ambrose's books. like 'Band of Brothers' (the TV series was based on the book). Obviously more historical -but the history of individual men and units, rather than the great swathes of humanity most history books cover.

mentalpen · 03-09-2009, 10:50 AM

Iv'e read "eight lives down" before and thought that was a great read.

Band of brothers was agood read, have you read "beyond band of brothers" by Major Dick Winters?

Also "generation kill" i found was excelent (now a tv show), it's about an American platoon based in Iraq.

Sniper Ash6 · 03-09-2009, 10:55 AM

Thanks, Im not sure about the more historical books really

daveaka · 03-09-2009, 11:28 AM

I too enjoyed Eight Lives Down and Generation Kill (TV Show is also Very good. If you haven't seen it check it out..Hoo Rah)..

Eye of the Storm By Peter Ratcliffe is a good read, as is
Fighting Scared By Robert Horsfall.. I just got my copies for a couple of quid on ebay

So you enjoyed Sniper One ? A few months ago I was trying to pick up a cheap copy on Fleabay but I kept getting outbid, so I kind of forgot about it...Think I might try to pick a copy up

Sniper Ash6 · 03-09-2009, 11:36 AM

Cheers will have a look into them

eL-ZilCHo! · 03-09-2009, 12:15 PM

I'm currently reading a book called Danger Close about 3 para in Afghanistan.

The authors name escapes me, but it is written by the commanding officer of 3 para. Its really interesting.

I have also just picked up another book called 3 commando about the RM Commandos taking over from the paras in Helmand. Haven't started that one yet. Picked it up for £3 in Tesco yesterday, seemed like a bargain.

I'd recommend Danger Close though (assuming that isn't the one you already have) based on what I have read so far.

Edit

Heres some Amazon linky's to the books I was talking about.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Danger-Close...1980391&sr=8-1

http://www.amazon.co.uk/3-Commando-B...1980528&sr=1-2

Sniper Ash6 · 03-09-2009, 12:28 PM

Cheers for those, the book called "3 Para" that i have read is written by Patrick Bishop

Amazon link: 3 Para: Amazon.co.uk: Patrick Bishop: Books

In the frequently bought together bit just below the pic in the link above you can buy all three books i mentioned in the OP for £21.59

**Theydon Bois** · 03-09-2009, 1:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sniper Ash6

Thanks, Im not sure about the more historical books really

Sniper, I really recommend the Band of Brothers and generation Kill as TV Shows - not read the books yet, but if they are like the TV shows, they should be good.

Scholes18 · 03-09-2009, 2:56 PM

Others

Making a Killing - James Ashcroft (psd in iraq)

House to House - David Bellavia/John Bruning (us army in fallujah)

Devils sandbox - with the 2nd Btn 162nd Inf in iraq - John Bruning (us army national guard in baghdad/fallujah)

An Ordinary Soldier - Major Doug Beattie

Apache - Ed Macy

All are excellent reads and very honest/graphic in their decriptions of modern war.

Will also recommend 8 lives down and the awesome Generation Kill as well as anything Stephen Ambrose has written but especially "Citizen Soldiers"

Alan CD · 03-09-2009, 3:22 PM

Andy McNab's new book "Seven Troop" is now in paperback. It's a good read and follows on from his book "Immediate Action" which is his account of his life in the army including the Regiment.

"Andy McNab" tells a good yarn, even in his real combat books!

Alan

SecretSquirrel · 03-09-2009, 9:03 PM

^^^
Read this a while back, fairly good. I see you've already read Sniper One which I thought was fantastic. Currently want to read this...

**Theydon Bois** · 04-09-2009, 8:04 PM

Dont know how I managed to miss these, but try the books by Sven Hassell - autobiographical fiction I think is the best way to descrive it - basically he is one of a group of Polish prisoners press ganged into being a Tank Crew for the Germans during WWII.

Brilliant.

Sniper Ash6 · 04-09-2009, 8:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Theydon Bois

Dont know how I managed to miss these, but try the books by Sven Hassell - autobiographical fiction I think is the best way to descrive it - basically he is one of a group of Polish prisoners press ganged into being a Tank Crew for the Germans during WWII.

Brilliant.

Have you just picked them up and started them or something?

**Theydon Bois** · 04-09-2009, 8:20 PM

No, I have the whole collection on my bookcase on the stairs - haven't read them in ages.....

Sven Hassel - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

nheather · 04-09-2009, 8:27 PM

I like the modern real accounts (like Sniper 1, Apache etc) but because they are all talking about the same conflict (even the same patrols within the conflict) I find they get a bit samey if I don't mix the history up a bit.

So I like to include WWII and ancient (roman) stuff for variety.

For WWII I'd recommend

Ambrose - Pegasus Bridge (makes a change from Band of Brothers and all about the Brits doing good)

Beevor - Stalingrad

Bishop - Fighter Boys (interesting view of Battle of Britain from the 19 yos who were flying and dying)

Kershaw - Tank Men (I like tanks most of all - this covers from WWI to present)

My favourite military fiction is still Clancy - Red Storm Rising

For lighter reading I have just gone through the Scarrow - Roman Legion series - they were good fun.

Cheers,

Nigel

Sniper Ash6 · 04-09-2009, 8:32 PM

I have read Red Storm Rising and Rainbow Six by Clancy, will have a look into those other books thanks guys!

Alan CD · 05-09-2009, 9:18 AM

I've just bought and read a 2nd-hand paperback WWII true story called "Lancaster Target" by Jack Currie.

This is a really excellent read and quite funny in places. It's about life in Bomber Command and a Lancaster bomber's crew fight for survival over a full tour of operations in 1943.

How these guys survived I do not know - amazing! I'm going through a WWII phase at the moment - books on Fighter & Bomber Command.