Immediate Action by Andy McNab Summary and Reviews
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Book Reviews of Immediate Action
Book Review: HALO and how to fly from a writer's perspective.
Summary: 4 Stars
Information is manna for a writer. It stimulates creativity that becomes part of stories, books, essays, articles, photojournalism, journalism, etc. For any writer of action stories, knowing the secrets of good battle training is imperative whether the book is a futuristic science fiction novel or one set in the dark ages. Andy McNab is one of the soldiers in "The Regiment," Britian's covert SAS (Special Air Service) team. This is his autobiography. He was an undisciplined teenager with no goals who became a member of this elite group. He holds nothing back as he chronicles nine years of covert operations on five continents. McNab's language in this book is rough, but refreshing; you feel as if you are in The Regiment, but grateful that you did not have to go through the training. It is not easy to become a member of this group; many give up and never try again -- but Andy did. In my opinion, taking the second chance speaks highly of courage.
This book has given me a higher respect for Navy SEALS, NATO SAS, The Regiment, and everyone who protects the law and the innocent. It is part of their training to learn judgement -- and that is imperative when you are holding a weapon. I have a friend who is in SAS; after reading, this book I am simply in awe of his challenges.
Photographs are included in Immediate Action. The black and white snapshots state much about the author and his journey through his assignments.
What tips help writers in this book:
HALO or High Altitude Low Opening is a method of intrusion into a zone. Any person that jumps from a plane that is flying over 10,000 feet from the ground must have oxygen until they reach the relative safety of this altitude in the drop. By riding a parachute from that height the plane is not generally considered a threat by the target -- but the troops are vulnerable when the reach firing range. What happens when a member lands in the ocean? How about a tree (accidents do happen and can cause death)? What if the oxygen tank fails? How does a squadron stay nourished and keep from boredom in the midst of a stakeout?
What is a "can?" It is a slang term for a tank. Using slang words in dialogue create a realistic and plausible scene.
Do you know what a "G3 with collapsible stock is?" I certainly had no idea that it is an automatic similar to an AK47. How about a kukri -- one wicked machete.
These questions become part of scene just as having the correct terminology shows that you know what you are writing -- it is safe to suspend disbelief. Adding details enhances the reading experience, and adds veracity to your plot, characters, action, and story.
This book opens amazing doors. The truth (as far as I know) is not diluted. Why four stars? So much information is within this biography that sometimes the details are explained more than once.
Four stars for the writers among you.
Book Review: Immediate Action
Summary: 5 Stars
Immediate Action
A close friend of mine recently told me he was SAS. That revalation made me want to find out more of what he was not telling me. When I finished I was speechless - McNab gave a clear picture of what, who and how this group works.
Book Review: Immediate Action - Showing a superb knowledge.
Summary: 4 Stars
Being a fellow soldier in the Regiment I have an avid interest in his books. Although several within Hereford are not best pleased with his work, it allows the public an insiders view of SF life. His new fiction book "Remote Control" is a brilliant read allowing him to explore situations that he couldn't in his factual books. In a similar thread to X-Files it covers Government conspiracy relating to Guns, Drugs, the IRA, Britain and the CIA. Another good book about Desert Storm is "Sabre Squadron" by Cameron Spence about a mechanised patrol in Iraq working from 4x4s. He shows the otherside to the coin about the SAS involvment in Iraq, one where we actually did something!! I hope they both continue to have good writing careers. H. PS In response to the comment about the involvment in disabling Drug Manufacturing Plants. It indeed was true, I myself being involved in the planning of the operation. Drug warfare is a serious business. In some instances the Cartels armies are better equiped than the countires own army. The Regiment it at the disposal of the Goverment and other such people. If they decide a country needs our help. Then help we will.
Book Review: Immediate Brilliance
Summary: 5 Stars
I have just finished reading Immediate Action and have to say that it is the best book I have ever read it has lead me to buy the other books that Andy McNab has written and it has also made me think more about what i want to do as a carreer so buy it, it's excellantBook Review: Immediately Engrossing!
Summary: 4 Stars
I read Andy McNab's IMMEDIATE ACTION cover to cover in one sitting. In this fast-paced and fascinating book McNab lifts the veil on the training and mission of the UK's vaunted SAS, the Special Air Service, the elite military force featured in McNab's bestselling BRAVO TWO ZERO.
IMMEDIATE ACTION is hyped as "the book the British government wanted to ban," and its easy to see why. McNab chronicles the grueling, almost constant training received by "the Regiment" with a fine eye for detail. If anybody ever wondered what it takes to become a commando this book tells them. The intensity of the Regiment lifestyle is telling in comparison to the equivalent U.S. Delta Force.
McNab's recounting of various field ops is eye-opening. In these days when Britain is no longer a true superpower it is easy not to recognize the wide scope of British involvement in world politics. McNab informs us that the sun still never sets on the British, empire or no. From fighting drug manufacturers in the jungles of Colombia (whatever happened to the Monroe Doctrine?) to undercover infiltration of IRA strongholds in Derry, to stopping South African (yes!) border incursions into Botswana, the SAS is there, Even James Bond doesn't get around as much in his fictional world.
McNab himself is all soldier, all the time. His entire life's focus is the Regiment, and he cheerfully neglects three wives right into divorce along the way. His Heckler & Koch automatic rifle gets far more loving attention on these pages than his second wife, who is mentioned only occasionally as "working back in Germany". It's clear he's most at home in his self-contained man's world. His emotional maturity for anything other than work is, self-admittedly, not very impressive. Given that he's one of the most highly decorated soldiers in the UK, fate seems to have dealt him a good hand though.
This reviewer's primary (entertaining?)(negative?) criticism of IMMEDIATE ACTION is its linguistic style. It's written in "English" (as opposed to "American"). Even having lived in London for a while I struggled with McNab's idioms. There is a glossary at the back, but it isn't very good. McNab uses the word "bone" as an adjective throughout the book, apparently an example of Regiment-speak. "Bone" is translated as "Naff," which doesn't sound complimentary, but it took me most of the book to really get the sense of what McNab meant. I still don't know what a "Baruki Sangar" is, and there's even a picture of one in the book. Beware the Jabberwock, my son...