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Immediate Action
- Narrated by: Paul Thornley
- Length: 16 hrs and 26 mins
- Unabridged Audiobook
- Categories: Biographies & Memoirs, Military & War
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If you have even the slightest interest in the UKSF..this is the one.
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Summary
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.
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What listeners say about Immediate Action
Average customer ratingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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- Mikey
- 27-01-15
Mcnab = Elite soldiering LEDGEND
If you could sum up Immediate Action in three words, what would they be?
Absolutely awe inspiring
Any additional comments?
This book is basically an autobiography of Andy Mcnab's life detailing life from his early days as a youth getting into trouble in the dark streets of South London right up to his army career, SAS selection training and consequent missions he was tasked with.
This book is incredibly captivating. This man has had an extraordinary life and I for one can say his morals and ethics that kept him among the most elite group of soldiers in the world help me in my daily life. Andy Mcnab has been my hero since I was 8 years old and this book shows you why.
Words can't describe the awe I have for all the men mentioned in this book, including Andy himself, and how grateful I am that there are men crazy enough in the world to put their necks on the line day in and day out for our welfare, while not thinking much of it. I couldn't help but challenge myself as I worked my way through this book. I constantly found myself wanting to be just like the characters Mcnab talks about; fearless, humble, ruthless, determined and quite frankly unstoppable.
I asked myself, how would I have reacted in that situation? Would that worry me? Would I be scared here? .... and so on. Listening to an elite group of people such as those mentioned in this book and the tasks they had in achieving their notoriety left me feeling inadequate at times!
This book shows the humble side of the SAS. How these group of soldiers save lives but don't want ever to be caught in the limelight or congratulated for their brave work astounds me beyond words.
This book speaks of true bravery, true humility, madness, strength, endurance: the list is endless. Buy it, challenge yourself and be prepared to be left in absolute awe of the most incredible group of men this country has ever had fighting for it.
11 people found this helpful
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- Matt
- 12-01-17
Great insight into the regiment
Very insightful and the pace was good. If you have read BTZ gives you a really good leg up into how these guys developed and built their skills and mindset to be the best they can be for every single eventuality. Paul the narrator was top notch. I would love a frequency count on how many time the word "Brew" was used.
4 people found this helpful
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- Got Bulbs? I havent
- 07-01-18
I liked it
easy listen, if you are interested in the life (personal and professional) of an SAS soldier then crack on.
2 people found this helpful
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- Jack
- 20-07-16
great
loved it, brilliant detail and good humour, cant wait to get another of his, brilliant..
1 person found this helpful
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- Ian portee
- 02-04-16
"terrific"
Read this book when it first came out. Was so amazed with Andy McNabb books as their wasn't many like this. It's also very nice to have some one read it to you. Anyone interested in this subject will love this book, an like it more as its being read to you. Hope you enjoy as much as I have....!! 📚💡📻. (Good narration)
1 person found this helpful
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- Martyn
- 22-03-16
Amazingly gripping
Absolutely awesome. Found myself taking longer to get anywhere, 4 times listened to now. Brilliant.
1 person found this helpful
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- ian
- 17-03-16
Good but not the best audible
Enjoyed this story at first then it faded in the middle ending was the best bit.
Dont be put off.
1 person found this helpful
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- Amazon Customer
- 06-08-15
Good story but some parts are a little drawn out
Loved this book, would highly recommend to others. A detailed account of his rise through the regiment but some parts felt a little drawn out. I would highly recommend this book.
1 person found this helpful
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- JAMIE
- 25-04-15
Perfect best book loved it
This book has lots of detail about the regiment an how to become a gud soldier an then become the elite but not have his head up your arse an shows how hard life is in the special forces
2 people found this helpful
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- Anonymous User
- 11-05-22
Great narration,great story’s
Very interesting from the start,very detailed, if you like SF books, don’t miss this one, had me gripped from start to finish, had it on all day, well done, wish all books were like this, very happy with purchase
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- Joe T
- 11-02-18
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.
2 people found this helpful
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- Erl Gould Purnell
- 19-10-16
Britz sure have a lot of colorful language
McNabb writes a very thrilling account of what it is to serve in the regiment (special airborne services). From selection to training to operational events across the water, the reader learns to appreciate how incredibly capable and courageous the soldiers are. The book is a bit long but a good read.
1 person found this helpful
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- Michael
- 29-03-15
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.
1 person found this helpful
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- Shaun L
- 20-02-22
excellent listen.
This is an outstanding book all around. I was never bored and enjoyed every minute of it. the narration is spot on and really sends it.
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- Molly
- 01-08-20
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.
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- Mr Robert W Paynter
- 18-02-17
Very Disappointed
What disappointed you about Immediate Action?
I was very much looking forward to read about life in the SAS however I was very disappointed with this book. I can best summarise it as follows - first bit interesting and from then on waffle, waffle, padding, padding, waffle, waffle, padding, padding.
Would you ever listen to anything by Andy McNab again?
Nope .....
1 person found this helpful
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- Dennis Seybert
- 15-03-15
This was a boring narative
What disappointed you about Immediate Action?
Far too much detail about the hour by hour life of Andy. Different assignment, same details over and over.
What could Andy McNab have done to make this a more enjoyable book for you?
Immediate Action leads a person to believe that there will be action.
Would you be willing to try another one of Paul Thornley’s performances?
Not sure.