Rules of Engagement: A Life in Conflict - Tim Collins

No matter what is said with regards to the iraq war one thing will always stand out Col. Tim Collins Commanding Officer of 1 Royal Irish Regiment rousing statement to his battilion how they came to liberate not invade. It starts off with a little bit about how he became in charge of the 1 Royal Irish, also what happened in sierra leone hostage crisis and his time in the SAS to dealing with the then IRA in Northern Ireland.How this kind gentle man of honour and intergrity grows and shows sentiment and respect to the iraqi people is amazing and truely wonderfuly written book once you start you cant put it down. There is also the usual irish charm and humour which have made me life on so many occasions. it concludes into how it became the british army didnt even stand by him when the americans didnt like his way of doing things, this is a man who walked through some of the most dangerous places in iraq without his body armour on. Very much a thinking commander rather then being "Trigger Happy" but admits to his own mistakes there aswell. I recomend this to everyone who wants to know what its really like being deployed in iraq without having to sign up to the armed forces. Towards the end of the book it shows how this once decorated Soldier became disenchanted with the british army. How poor he was treated when these very damaging articules from the tabloids hurt him and how he went to one of the most dangerous parts of iraq as a reporter when he had left the army.