Immediate Action

By: Andy McNab

Narrated by: Paul Thornley

Immediate Action is a no-holds-barred account of an extraordinary life, from the day Andy McNab was found in a carrier bag on the steps of Guy's Hospital to the day he went to fight in the Gulf War.

As a delinquent youth he kicked against society. As a young soldier he waged war against the IRA in the streets and fields of South Armagh. As a member of 22 SAS Regiment he was at the centre of covert operations for nine years - on five continents.

Recounting with grim humour and in riveting, often horrifying, detail his activities in the world's most highly trained and efficient Special Forces unit, McNab sweeps us into a world of surveillance and intelligence-gathering, counter-terrorism and hostage rescue.There are casualties: the best men are so often the first to be killed, because they are in front.

By turns chilling, astonishing, violent, funny and moving, this blistering first-hand account of life at the forward edge of battle confirms Andy McNab's standing in the front rank of writers on modern war.

Critic reviews

A richly detailed picture of life in the SAS

The real thing... The strength of Immediate Action lies in its detail... much more than a jingoistic adventure story

A joy... An absorbing insight into the controlled thuggery and intimate comradeship that are the the hallmarks of the SAS

Honest

Honest, humble recount of a stellar career of service. Not the typical false bravado and hey look what I did, well done.

Action

Good storytelling keeps you engrossed, plenty of action makes you feel like you're a part of the SAS

Believable and unglorified.

McNab didn’t place him self as Rambo. In fact
focused more on blending in and pondering home life. Still, great action chapters and great development of the places & people he would go.

Keeps you listening

You can't beat a great biography, after BTZ it filled in the gaps regarding his childhood and how he entered the SAS, a great listen.

Magnificent

For any fan of Special Operations, this book is a must read. It's threaded with bits of golden wisdom from a man who exemplifies a genuine warrior. There's no false bravado or swaggering throughout. It's a lucid view of the SAS selection and why they are the most elite and elusive operating force on the globe.