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  • Paddy Mayne

  • Lt Col Blair 'Paddy' Mayne, 1 SAS Regiment
  • By: Hamish Ross
  • Narrated by: Alan Turkington
  • Length: 11 hrs and 36 mins
  • 4.7 out of 5 stars (58 ratings)

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Paddy Mayne

By: Hamish Ross
Narrated by: Alan Turkington
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Summary

‘Paddy' Mayne was one of the most outstanding special forces leaders of the Second World War. Hamish Ross's authoritative study follows Mayne from solicitor and a rugby international to troop commander in the Commandos and then the SAS, whose leader he later became and whose annals he graced, winning the DSO and three bars, the Croix de Guerre and the Légion d'Honneur.

Mayne's achievements attracted attention, and after his early death legends emerged, based largely on anecdote and assertion. Hamish Ross's closely researched biography challenges much of the received version, using contemporary sources, the official war diaries, the chronicle of 1 SAS, Mayne's papers and diaries, and a number of extended interviews with key contemporaries. It has the support of the Mayne family and the SAS Regimental Association.

In Ross's analysis Mayne is a dynamic, yet principled and thoughtful man, committed to the unit's original concepts; not flawless, but whose leadership qualities and tactical brilliance in the field secured the reputation of the SAS.

©2011 Hamish Ross (P)2023 W. F. Howes Ltd
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What listeners say about Paddy Mayne

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Interesting and well balanced book. Excellent

Great book, marred only slightly by the occasional mispronunciation or silly error by the narrator.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

A straight forward description of a true Hero

It was so refreshing to have a balanced and honest description of a hero that needs no embellishment.

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2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

At last his story is properly told.

I can't recommend this book highly enough it is gripping, honest, well written and most importantly it tells the true un-embellished story of a truly great man and leader of men. I couldn't watch or read the rubbish that has been written in books or the awful TV show about the origins of the SAS because it always seemed to ring false. At last there has been an autobiography that reflects the true nature of Robert Blair Mayne, it has been a long time coming and had to be done right and this author hit the bulleye!

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Incredible story

Excellent narration of an incredible leader of soldiers and key founders of the SAS known today.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

What stood out was the truthful story telling

I watched and read tales of Paddy Mayne. And the truthful telling and debunking of myths does nothing to diminish the stature of the man. Great read!

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Important

For me it was important to get a more accurate perspective of Paddy’s leadership of men and why his was able to achieve an almost super human level of performance on the battle field.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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Reality of a Great Leader and Warrior

The most Story was very well delivered, and gave a true impression of the man and his achievements.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Brilliant

Wow what a story of the life of
Lt Col Mayne, it's not the life your expecting and all the story's you heard.
Really interesting insite to a legends life.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Paddy Mayne

The guy is a real-life superhero. It's hard to believe that this guy was real.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Sets the record straight

A very well researched book which debunks many of the myths surrounding Mayne. However, it is not wholly objective and contains some conjecture where records or personal memories are lacking. The prose is quite dense and fact heavy so not a light listen. My only quibble is with the delivery, some pronunciations were incorrect, most notably of Montevideo which was mispronounced until fairly near the end of the book when the correct English language pronunciation is adopted. However, this is a minor issue when set against the author's and narrator's combined achievement of delivering Paddy Maynes amazing story. Well worth the 1/2 credit I paid.

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