Bravo Two Zero - Andy McNab

Bravo Two Zero - Andy McNab


Introduction

This was one of many books released in the aftermath of the Gulf War, I am pretty sure this was the first one being published in 1993. It was subsequently turned into a film and is possibly the most famous SAS/Gulf War book around today. Andy McNab tells the true story of the ill-fated Bravo Two Zero mission deep behind enemy lines in Iraq with a lot of technical details ...
...22nd January 1991 and the Bravo Two Zero SAS team consisting of eight elite fighting machines. Their leader is Andy McNab (our author friend.) They are to enter behind enemy lines deep into Iraq and do some damage to an MSR (Main Supply Route) and destroy a few mobile scud missile units to help the overall war cause. This is to stop Iraq attacking Israel and drawing them into the war because Israel in a war means a lot of other Arab countries will ... more

Bravo Two Zero - Andy McNab

Introduction

This was one of many books released in the aftermath of the Gulf War, I am pretty sure this was the first one being published in 1993. It was subsequently turned into a film and is possibly the most famous SAS/Gulf War book around today. Andy McNab tells the true story of the ill-fated Bravo Two Zero mission deep behind enemy lines in Iraq with a lot of technical details but also plenty of story.

Plot

This will be shorter than usual as really, it is pretty short. As it is a true story, many people know the 'ending' and those who don't can use common sense to find out (i.e. McNab must have lived as he is telling the story.)

It is 22nd January 1991 and the Bravo Two Zero SAS team consisting of eight elite fighting machines. Their leader is Andy McNab (our author friend.) They are to enter behind enemy lines deep into Iraq and do some damage to an MSR (Main Supply Route) and destroy a few mobile scud missile units to help the overall war cause. This is to stop Iraq attacking Israel and drawing them into the war because Israel in a war means a lot of other Arab countries will leave and make life impossible for the Allied Forces.

(MINOR SPOILER)
Now, I shall give you a brief introduction to the eight main characters. The first three all perished during the few weeks they were in Iraq; Vince Phillips, Legs Lane and Bob Consiglio. Another member and subsequent author was Chris Ryan who walked half way around the world to escape Iraq with no supplies. The final four were held captive but released at the end of the war. Firstly, Mark who was alone and finally, the author, Andy McNab, Dinger and Stan.
(OVER NOW)

As you may notice, only full names are given to the deceased, this is to protect the identities of the remaining members of the team. I cannot honestly say if pseudonyms were used for any or all of the five who are still alive but it doesn't really matter in the course of the book.

Continuing with the plot outline, the team goes in, in a Chinook and gets dropped off. They do not get far before being compromised and have to turn to the escape plan by riding across Iraq towards the Syrian border. It is tough is temperature that freeze diesel fuel and very long walks but they make it a long way but get split up near the border and go their separate ways. We then only hear McNab's story of his attempts to get into Syria and subsequent capture, torture and release. I will leave it there so anyone wishing to read the book can have some surprises as although the basic plot is simple (all military plans are) there are many twists in between - it is a real case of A to B via X, Y and Z.

Verdict

OK, I have very mixed views on this book and could argue a case for giving it either one star or five stars. Let me start by waffling for a few lines about writers; there are several types of people who write books/stories. The first is the one who is a great storyteller and can get their audience drawn into the book, they grab your attention form page one and deprive you of sleep until you finish, this is not Andy McNab, he is an SAS guy who kills people, not a storyteller. Secondly, we have the person who will spend years making a up a great story, the writing style may not be great but the story will be so engrossing, you will again be deprived of your 8-hours beauty sleep until you finish it. Again, Andy McNab does not fit in here, as it is a true story. Finally, we have the all-rounder that has a decent story and can write aswell, obviously not McNab! This may be getting a little long and pointless but I have a major point coming up now; Andy McNab hasn't got a clue about writing a book.

He has obviously picked up a 'How To Write A Novel' book from a cheap bookstore and followed the golden rules section. Number one being to have an exciting beginning. He does but it quickly (two lines) evaporates into anti-climax and then falls into a very poor character introduction (another thing from the golden rules.)

The worst thing however about this book is the chapter length, this is something I always mention when writing a book review as chapter length indicates how easy you can slip into and out of a book. This book needs a got few hours for some chapters with amazing chapter lengths such as sixty pages. Luckily, I read this on holiday lying on the beach in Clearwater so didn’t much care about time limitations but I could not have read this at home during a normal weekday. The chapters were just too long. I actually laughed out loud when I flicked on a few pages to count how long a chapter was and go to around sixty. Shot chapters such as three pages are irritating such as in 'Tis but long chapters are just plain silly.

Anyhow, getting back to the good points, it is a great story. This is not really a praise Andy McNab session as he had very little to do in thinking of a story, he lived it and just had to remember it all. This was relatively easy as he is a solider and had to remember it anyway for enquiries and had very little else to do in an Iraqi prison.

One thing I did like about the book was the technical detail, as with all military books, it is cramped with it, however it has a glossary, and most things that us normal civvies wouldn't understand are explained in simple terms. It is by no means different to any other military books I have read in this respect but he deserves praise where praise is due.

Next comment is an observation of how McNab can make it funny sometimes, 364 pages or so of tension would be frankly boring and annoying so he has helpfully added some humorous moments. To be honest, again, they were already there, such as the hijacking a yellow 1950s New York cab in the middle of Iraq (not exactly discrete) but others are kind of forced in to give us something to chuckle about.

I suppose I have to comment on the mission itself, after reading this, and also, the excellent Eye of the Storm by Peter Ratcliffe; I have to say I am still undecided about what went wrong. McNab insists that it was doomed to failure because of the ridiculously large numbers of Iraqis in his area but Ratcliffe says the decision to go without a vehicle was the wrong one. Perhaps, they were both correct as they have great arguments for their cases.

At this point near the end of my opinion, I have to say that I have not saw the film but I will assume that compared to the book, it is pathetic as the film industry's record on book to film conversions is frankly depressing.

This book is great for anyone who likes war books, SAS books, exciting books and books that have obvious endings (he lives.) Do not be put off by Andy McNab's pathetic writing style and long chapters. I would also recommend one of his other books called Crisis Four, he has learnt how to really write a book by then and it is harder to tell he isn't a real writer.

I also feel obliged to mention that some people may find the torture scenes a bit disturbing and be prepared for the usual swearing.

In a final summary, it would have been better if a good storyteller had experienced it all first hand but the story is so amazing, you just have to put up with it and enjoy the book.

Finally, I do not read books twice hence the rating below.

Happy Reading,
Chris

 

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