Description
By (author) Fiennes, Ranulph
Short /annotation
Five thousand years of military history. The best elite unites that have fought across the globe. Their story told by acclaimed adventurer and ex-SAS officer, Ranulph Fiennes.
“Riveting stuff. Through the prism of his experience of the military elite, Fiennes presents a dazzling history of the world”s best fighting units to amaze and enthral the reader.”
Damien Lewis, Bestselling author of Zero Six Bravo
Inspired by the
heroic war time escapades of his father, as well as drawing on his own experiences in the
special forces, acclaimed adventurer
Sir Ranulph Fiennes thrillingly explores the history of
elite military units, from ancient Sparta to the War on Terror.
The
best of the best, these elite units have frequently been immortalised on the big screen, and in computer games, for their
daring deeds. Whether it be fighting on the
battlefield, storming forts and castles,
rescuing hostages, high stakes reconnaissance missions or the dramatic
assassination of enemy leaders, these are the men who are relied upon to undertake
dangerous missions of the highest stakes. While celebrating the heroics of groups such as
the SAS and
Navy Seals, Sir Ranulph also reveals the
true stories of infamous organisations such as
The Assassins and
Templar Knights. Uncovering their origins, and examining their weapons and tactics, Sir Ranulph showcases these units
most famous missions, and reveals the men behind them. Showing incredible
courage, often in the face of
impossible odds, these units have also changed the course of history along the way. Sir Ranulph discusses the reasons behind their success and failures, with many
notorious conflicts often being decided by these elite units facing off against each other, with the victor not only evolving warfare, but also consigning their opponent to history.
While these units traditionally prefer to operate
in the shadows, Sir Ranulph brings their remarkable histories to the fore, told with his trademark ability to weave a story which has seen him become
one of Britain’s most beloved bestselling authors.
Review quote
“Riveting stuff. Through the prism of his experience of the military elite, Fiennes presents a dazzling history of the world”s best fighting units to amaze and enthral the reader.”
Biographical note
Sir Ranulph Fiennes was the first man to reach both poles by surface travel and the first to cross the Antarctic Continent unsupported. In the 1960s he was removed from the SAS Regiment for misuse of explosives but, after joining the army of the Sultan of Oman, received that country”s Bravery Medal on active service in 1971. He is the only person yet to have been awarded two clasps to the Polar medal for both Antarctic and the Arctic regions. Fiennes has led over thirty expeditions, including the first polar circumnavigation of the Earth, and in 2003 he ran seven marathons in seven days on seven continents in aid of the British Heart Foundation. In 1993 Her Majesty the Queen awarded Fiennes the Order of the British Empire (OBE) because, on the way to breaking records, he has raised over £14 million for charity. He was named Best Sportsman in the 2007 ITV Great Briton Awards and in 2009 he became the oldest Briton to reach the summit of Everest.
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