Non-Fiction Book Recommendations

[Cockney Mackem]

Anyone recommend any good nonfiction books about espionage and about special forces (not tough guy SAS autobiographies, detailed histories/accounts?

Ta.

[Big Sharp Teeth]

Spycatcher is an interesting read in its own way. Give a nice insight into MI5 and also raises some interesting questions regarding KGB infiltration into the UK hierarchy.

[Tex]

I've always been intrigued by the Kim Philby third man business. A movie that has never happened yet and has probably never been made as it won't appeal to the yanks so won't make any money.

Marcus Litpon who was the MP who called Philby out in the Commons was my great uncle.

[knarfw]

Not Special Forces particularly or espionage but a good read nonetheless:

[Wierd Valley Mackem]

Originally Posted by Cockney Mackem

Anyone recommend any good nonfiction books about espionage and about special forces (not tough guy SAS autobiographies, detailed histories/accounts?

Ta.

Operation Certain Death (sorry cant remember the author) Is about the SAS rescue of Irish Reg Soldiers in Seirra Leone. Cracking rip roaring SAS read!
Another book for a ripping yarn tho not SAS is Cochrane sorry no author but il get it if your interested?
The Story of Lord Cochrane Naval swashbuckling hero in the Napoleonic Wars. He took on Battleships with little sloops and won! Fought and won loads of battles at sea, attacked Pirates! Helped Bolivia and Chile achieve independence! Took on the Government over Finances became an MP (absolutely worth a book on its own how he uys a rotten Borough really funny!) and an Admiral! Probably the greatest ever seaman in that era, far surpassed Nelson but not as well known!

[Tex]

Originally Posted by Wierd Valley Mackem

Operation Certain Death (sorry cant remember the author) Is about the SAS rescue of Irish Reg Soldiers in Seirra Leone. Cracking rip roaring SAS read!
Another book for a ripping yarn tho not SAS is Cochrane sorry no author but il get it if your interested?
The Story of Lord Cochrane Naval swashbuckling hero in the Napoleonic Wars. He took on Battleships with little sloops and won! Fought and won loads of battles at sea, attacked Pirates! Helped Bolivia and Chile achieve independence! Took on the Government over Finances became an MP (absolutely worth a book on its own how he uys a rotten Borough really funny!) and an Admiral! Probably the greatest ever seaman in that era, far surpassed Nelson but not as well known!

I read that bio about Cochrane. Amazing bloke and the model for Aubrey in the Patrick OBryan books (or Russel Crowe in Master and Commander). This is why I always say history would be a lot more fun if they taught about heroes like him instead of making kids memorize a bunch of dates and suckin the life out of it.

Have you read 'Into Thin Air' Cockers? Hell of a read.

[SexyMackemBastard]

Originally Posted by knarfw

Not Special Forces particularly or espionage but a good read nonetheless:

Didn't know he had a book out, seemed like he felt the war even worse than the other soldiers when you see him interviewed. Will have to have a a look for this, cheers.

[Wierd Valley Mackem]

Originally Posted by Tex

I read that bio about Cochrane. Amazing bloke and the model for Aubrey in the Patrick OBryan books (or Russel Crowe in Master and Commander). This is why I always say history would be a lot more fun if they taught about heroes like him instead of making kids memorize a bunch of dates and suckin the life out of it.

Have you read 'Into Thin Air' Cockers? Hell of a read.

Am showing me age but i got my interest in history thru Victor and Hotspur comics, Loved all the WW2 tales in them (probably still at my mams! She never chucked owt out haha) So yea totally agree with you.
Ive got zillions of History books, I keep having to give them away as the missus gets naggy about them all over the house!

[socrates]

Originally Posted by Cockney Mackem

Anyone recommend any good nonfiction books about espionage and about special forces (not tough guy SAS autobiographies, detailed histories/accounts?

Ta.

The Regiment. book about the history and development of the SAS. good read

[knarfw]

Originally Posted by SexyMackemBastard

Didn't know he had a book out, seemed like he felt the war even worse than the other soldiers when you see him interviewed. Will have to have a a look for this, cheers.

You'll find out why when you read it.