In the Service of the Sultantells
first-hand, the largely unknown story of a small number of British officers who
led Muslim soldiers in this hard fought insurgency war which has shaped today's
Gulf. After outlining the historical, geographical and political context, the
book describes military action in a stark mountainous environment, including
operations with irregular forces and the SAS, as well as action in the air and
at sea. The book gives a gripping, moving funny account of all these
and paints a powerful, illuminating picture of the realities of war.
It ranges widely and will appeal
to all who are interested in the Cold War and relationships between the Western
and the Arab worlds. Politics, history, irregular warfare, religion,
international affairs: all are ingredients in this absorbing informative read.
In the light of current insurgencies in Iraq and Afghanistan, it is also timely
to be reminded how a rare victory was won over Communist
guerillas.
Given the current tensions between Islam
and Christianity, it is of especial relevance. The cooperation,
friendship and
ungrudging tolerance that flourished in Oman then - and still do now
- present an encouraging and refreshing contrast to the prevailing
atmosphere elsewhere. In the light of the current debate surrounding the
decision to go to war against Iraq, it is also of interest to be
reminded how
British forces were committed to a ten-year long hot war against
Communism
during the Cold War, with barely anyone in UK
noticing.
"This is one of the best books about soldiering I have ever read"
Professor Richard Holmes "This is an enthralling book" Bruce Anderson The Telegraph
This book has
also now been published in Oman in Arabic.
The Yompers
The Yompers describes how the men of 45 Commando Royal
Marines were called to action from around the world on 2 April 1982 to
sail 8,000 miles to recover the Falklands Islands from Argentine
invasion. Lacking helicopters and short of food, they 'yomped' in
appalling weather carrying overloaded rucksacks across the roughest
terrain. Yet for a month in mid-winter, they remained a cohesive
fighting-fit body of men. They then fought and won the highly successful
and fierce night battle for Two Sisters, a 1,000 feet high mountain
which was the key to the defensive position around Port Stanley.
This is
the first-hand story of that epic feat, but it is much more than that.
The first to be written by a company commander in the Falklands War,
the book gives a compelling vivid description of the 'yomp' and infantry
fighting, but it also offers penetrating insights into the realities of
war at the higher levels. It is a unique combination of descriptive
writing, wider reflections on the Falklands War and conflict in
general. Published by Pen & Sword Books Ltd.
Of the 74 Customer Reviews on Amazon, 4 are three star, 9
are four star, and 61 are five star: a remarkable testimony to the
quality of this book.
"One of the finest accounts by a front line officer ever written."
Professor Eric Grove
The Flatpack Bombers
The Flatpack Bombers is the story of the first strategic
bomber raids in history which took place deep into Germany in 1914
conducted by the Royal Naval Air Service. It also describes the first
British aircraft carrier strike which took place on Christmas Day that
year. Churchill's fingerprints are all over this story yet it has been
lost in the long grass of history. The book is a flowing narrative of
this remarkable episode when Germany, with her Zeppelins, had strategic
supremacy in the air, and describes the British attempts to overcome
this potentially war winning capability. Thus it was that
the Royal Naval Air Service, with IKEA-style flatpack aeroplanes, pioneered
strategic bombing which eventually led to the Blitz, and the massive air raids
on Germany and Japan during the Second World War. Moreover, by extending its
striking range in order to destroy Zeppelins in their home bases many miles
from the sea, the Royal Navy developed the first aircraft carriers. It described
the thrilling exploits of the pilots, and the courage and endurance of
their adversaries, the German Zeppelin crews, and explains why the British
nightmare never came about. Every bomber raid, and every aircraft
carrier strike operation since owes it genesis to those early naval
flyers, and there are ghosts from 1914 which haunt us still today.