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Speed, Aggression, Surprise

The Untold Secret Origins of the SAS

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Speed, Aggression, Surprise

By: Tom Petch
Narrated by: Tom Petch
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Summary

Brought to you by Penguin.

The Who Dares Wins Pioneers

The origins story of the SAS is a myth.
This is the real story of how the world's preeminent Special Forces came into existence.

Speed, Aggression, Surprise is a fly-on-the-wall, character-driven story of how, from the wreckage of Dunkirk, emerged the idea of guerrilla Commando units who could inflict devastating 'mosquito stings' on larger, and better-armed opponents.

It's a story of how the shock of defeat propelled an unlikely group of renegades into the frontline of the war. An adventure that reaches back from the trenches of the Western Front to high piracy in the deserts of North Africa to the final assault on Germany. It's a story that comes together in the corridors of headquarters, on long nights at the long bar in Shepherd's Hotel in Cairo, and on the deadliest battlefields in history, around a cast of insubordinate mavericks who didn't fit into the tight military hierarchy.

Jumping between dramatic accounts from the field and back-channel power negotiations, and pulling in a cast of characters that includes Evelyn Waugh, Ernest Hemingway and Randolph Churchill, as well as a lot of alcohol, amphetamines and grenades, this is the real story of the SAS as you have never seen it before.

© Tom Petch 2022 (P) Penguin Audio 2022

 Air Forces Armed Forces Europe Great Britain Military Special & Elite Forces War England Africa Middle East

Critic reviews

Awesome! The true story of the men who invented Special Forces warfare is even more compelling than the mythology
We rightly value the SAS as a precious national jewel. However its is rarely seen in its full splendour, embedded in our national sceptre of strategic operations - in which the UK excels. To marvel at this phenomenon you must read this book. Well written, entertaining - with breathtaking depth of research telling a genuinely new story of an old tale (Colonel Tim Collins OBE)
A genuinely fresh and insightful account of the origins of the SAS. Combining extraordinary depth of research with an understanding born of first-hand experience, this is the page-turning and revelatory story of how a small group of men tried to change the way that war was fought and, in doing so, led to the formation of the world's first special force
I thought I knew this story. I didn't. Tom Petch's account of the creation of the Special Forces is more complex, more compelling and more inspiring than the versions we've previously heard. And the fate of the men who have been written out of history - until now - gives it a profoundly poignant conclusion
Gripping and fascinating in equal measure... A highly readable, fast-paced and enjoyable account of the SAS, packed with unforgettable characters and thrilling adventures
A fascinating study of a complex and innovative man (Gavin Mortimer)
The mystique and exploits, past and present, of the SAS continues to be a source of fascination to the public. This excellent book by an author who served in the regiment strips away the myth from the reality, reveals new information, and presents a lucid account of the making of this elite and lethal force.
I can honestly say that this book is the best there is on that subject
All stars
Most relevant
Well researched, detailed, superbly written and wonderfully read. Read it or listen to it, you won't be disappointed or use your time better

Compelling

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With the wealth of material available recently on the North African response and advance through Italy, this book covers the complexity of Dudley Clarke's information war in North Africa, and the chaos that from which the (most) effective development of the new unconventional warfare emerged. As others have mentioned, it is so appropriate that Major William (Bill) Fraser (M.C. twice awarded) is fully mentioned in his central and principal role within the start-up of the SAS, along with Stirling, Mayne and Lewes, but not to forget others such as Reg Seekings, John Cooper and of course navigator Mike Sadler, and many others whose names with which we are now familiar and who have contributed in person and in recordings, to present knowledge of the original SAS.

new angle

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this is probably the best telling of Dudley Clarke military life you will come across and does justice to Bill Fraser a often overlooked character in the SAS story really tastefully done.

really good telling of subject which is often misrepresented

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I enjoyed hearing a alternative view to some of the stories about the formation of the SAS and of Operation Mincemeat. Maybe the story pushes the accuracy of these other views a little bit too hard but it’s very interesting all the same. The recording has some faults in it in places and some of the pronunciation goes a bit astray - produced, maybe, on a bit of a budget? That, and the delivery, grated with me slightly, but it is still a great audiobook

Alternative View

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A good companion history to some other WW2 - based SAS histories in that it gives centre stage to Dudley Clarke and Bill Fraser and the importance of the backing of generals such as Wavell and Auchinleck. A different angle and well received by myself.

A Different Take on the Founders of the SAS.

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