Read a good book lately?

**Winston001** · 15th January 2014, 23:09

This is an excellent and scholarly book.

MacKenzie is a Kiwi who served in Vietnam, NZ SAS, South African SAS, then in 22nd SAS, retiring as a Lieutenant Commander. He has walked the talk.

This book is both a history of the SAS and a timely critique. The Regiment does get it wrong sometimes and is not always used in the best ways.

I have read most of the SAS books starting with The Phantom Major when I was 12yrs old. Wonderful boys-own stuff.

Nevertheless when I got to Bravo Two Zero, questions arose as to why any 22nd SAS would go into a desert without cold weather gear. The SAS cut their teeth in the Western Desert and again in Oman. Cold freezing nights are the norm. But Andy McNab and his squad had lost that knowledge.

MacKenzie rightly IMHO criticises various SAS deployments saying that the Paras could have done the job just as well or forward spotters from the artillery.

He doesn't bother with describing the iconic battles such as Mirbat and the Iranian Embassy because they are well known.

Don't agree with him on the the Malayian campaign but overall this is a solid book and a valuable addition to the SAS lexicon.

**Winston001** · 15th January 2014, 23:13

Just to add - one point MacKenzie makes is the questionable value of HALO and HAHA parachute training (High Altitude Low Opening, High Altitude High Opening). People die just trying this stuff. SAS have only used it once on an operation - with a fatality. The Paras can do it and become expert.

**Swoop** · 16th January 2014, 12:16

Originally Posted by Winston001

...the questionable value of HALO and HAHA parachute training (High Altitude Low Opening, High Altitude High Opening). People die just trying this stuff. SAS have only used it once on an operation - with a fatality. The Paras can do it and become expert.

"Questionable" is an odd term to use. He should know that it comes down to the envelope of tactical employment. The Paras still use round parachutes predominantly at low level. A C-130 would be lucky to get above 1000ft to chuck out the maroon machine. SAS are able to use a different canopy shape and deploy high and fly many kilometres to a landing area OR freefall from a great height, the difference is less chance of the aircraft being heard or seen.
You may be surprised at the amount of different aircraft types potentially used for this approach...

**Winston001** · 16th January 2014, 23:11

Yes I appreciate that Swoop and I'm no expert. The thing is, jumping at 35,000 ft is risky - oxygen breathers can ice up, the stick can spread far apart, all sorts of things can happen. The SAS guys are so specialised that it's questionable whether adding in such a risky entry to target is justified. Why waste a highly trained life on a HALO drop?

According to MacKenzie they've only used a HALO jump once anyway and a soldier died. No idea where but maybe Afghanistan.

Don't know enough about the Paras but I expected the elite guys would go to 35,000 ft?

**Grashopper** · 17th January 2014, 07:00

Originally Posted by cc rider

2012 I got right into Robin Hobb's...

The Realm of the Elderlings

The Farseer Trilogy
- Assassin's Apprentice
- Royal Assassin
- Assassin's Quest

Liveship Traders Trilogy
- Ship of Magic
- The Mad Ship
- Ship of Destiny

The Tawny Man Trilogy
- Fool's Errand
- The Golden Fool
- Fool's Fate

Had such a 'lost' feeling when I closed the last book. Sat twiddling thumbs.

BUT I haven't read The Rain Wilds Chronicles (4 books) & reviews say they're real slow & miss the mark.

She has a new Trilogy (The Fitz and the Fool Trilogy) due out this year, so will probably whip the Chronicles in first. That's the trouble when characters are carried through.

I loved the Farseeer and the Tawny Man trilogies. Felt the same as you when I was done reading. Haven't touched the Liveship Traders yet. Don't really know why. Maybe because I'm thinking they can never be as good as the other two trilogies.
But Robin Hobb used to be my all time favorite author until I discovered Jim Butcher. Now it's at least a tie :-)

Originally Posted by cc rider

I was buying, then exchanging & then started using library again.
Back to buying. I love used book shops.

Me too. Which is great, if you have the storage space and never move houses. lol

Originally Posted by Geeen

Have you tried reading Robert Jordan's "The Wheel of Time" series? Its long at 14 books but well worth it. It does slow a bit around book 8 but speeds up dramatically after that. I'm in the process of re-reading it - again.

I've heard of the Wheel of Time series but never got into it. Maybe I should put it on the list.

And +1 for Kiwi Bike Culture by Steve Holmes

**BoristheBiter** · 17th January 2014, 07:15

Originally Posted by Grashopper

Me too. Which is great, if you have the storage space and never move houses. lol

It's fine now as everything is on e-reader (thanks "out for a duck").

over 5000 books now.

**HenryDorsetCase** · 20th January 2014, 14:10

Originally Posted by Grashopper

Me too. Which is great, if you have the storage space and never move houses. lol

I will never be able to shift because of all the friggin dead tree products I own.

Some of you like science fiction.

Check this interview with William Gibson at the New York Public Library. He discusses his upcoming novel (The Peripheral (due this year)) at around the 73 minute mark and on.

the whole thing is worth listening to.

http://www.tested.com/art/makers/455...ublic-library/

My favourite author. Neuromancer is my favourite book. (Hence my user name).

**george formby** · 20th January 2014, 15:43

Originally Posted by HenryDorsetCase

I will never be able to shift because of all the friggin dead tree products I own.

Some of you like science fiction.

Check this interview with William Gibson at the New York Public Library. He discusses his upcoming novel (The Peripheral (due this year)) at around the 73 minute mark and on.

the whole thing is worth listening to.

http://www.tested.com/art/makers/455...ublic-library/

My favourite author. Neuromancer is my favourite book. (Hence my user name).

You ever get into Iain M Banks? The only sci fi I have read for eons. I seem to pick The Algebraist up every 6 months. Love it.

**HenryDorsetCase** · 20th January 2014, 16:07

Originally Posted by george formby

You ever get into Iain M Banks? The only sci fi I have read for eons. I seem to pick The Algebraist up every 6 months. Love it.

I have read some of his. Not for ages though.

I've actually been buying the classic stuff that I should have read years ago and never did. I only read Fahrenheidt 451 at Christmas. I have a copy of Slaughterhouse Five on the way as well, and re-read 1984 last year after first reading it in the 6th form. ....

**Kickaha** · 20th January 2014, 18:21

Originally Posted by HenryDorsetCase

I only read Fahrenheidt 451 at Christmas.

I might have to read that again, I remember thinking it was total shit when I read it at school

**ellipsis** · 20th January 2014, 18:31

...I never read at high school...on principle...

**Kickaha** · 25th January 2014, 16:22

If anyone comes across "A Kind of Madness" by Philip Mincher I am after a copy, most likely it will be in a book of short stories

**James Deuce** · 25th January 2014, 17:26

"Just One Damn Thing After Another", by Jodi Taylor.

Funny and insightful Sci-Fi Time Travel.

**unstuck** · 25th January 2014, 19:32

Peace like a river. Leif Enger. Meh, so so.

**Motu** · 7th February 2014, 18:14

Originally Posted by HenryDorsetCase

I will never be able to shift because of all the friggin dead tree products I own.

Books, vinyl and motorcycle parts...shifting is always a huge drama, but I'd never be able to move overseas.

Reading The Luminaries... thought I better find out what the fuss is all about. On my Kobo from the library. I haven't been to the library for months now, I can go 24/7 - got books out Xmas Day, anytime I like. No good for pictures and maps, I need the library for them, but it's an ereader for me now.