Listen free for 30 days
-
The Hard Way
- Adapt, Survive and Win
- Narrated by: Mark 'Billy' Billingham, Simon Slater
- Length: 6 hrs and 39 mins
- Unabridged Audiobook
- Categories: Biographies & Memoirs, Military & War
Add to basket failed.
Add to wishlist failed.
Remove from wishlist failed.
Follow podcast failed
Unfollow podcast failed
Listen with a free trial
Buy Now for £14.39
No valid payment method on file.
We are sorry. We are not allowed to sell this product with the selected payment method
Listeners also enjoyed...
-
Battle Scars
- By: Jason Fox
- Narrated by: Jason Fox
- Length: 7 hrs and 1 min
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Jason Fox served with the SBS for over a decade, thriving on the close bonds of the Special Forces brotherhood and the ‘death or glory’ nature of their missions. Battle Scars tells the story of his career as an elite operator, from the gunfights, hostage rescues, daring escapes and heroic endeavours that defined his service to a battle of a very different kind: the psychological devastation of combat that ultimately forced him to leave the military and the hard reality of what takes place in the mind of a man once a career of imagined invincibility has come to an end.
-
-
Life changing
- By Paul on 05-11-18
-
Life Under Fire
- How to Build Inner Strength and Thrive Under Pressure
- By: Jason Fox
- Narrated by: Jason Fox
- Length: 8 hrs and 3 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Whether serving in the Special Forces, rowing oceans or investigating some of the world’s most notorious drug cartels, Jason Fox has overcome more than his fair share of emotional and mental conflicts. Now, he shares the tools he’s developed at the cutting edge of an elite military career and shows how you, too, can build the resilience and inner strength to overcome whatever challenges life puts in front of you.
-
-
Excellent
- By Morney on 25-01-21
-
SAS: Sea King Down
- By: Mark Aston, Stuart Tootal
- Narrated by: Simon Darwen
- Length: 9 hrs and 55 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
After passing the world's toughest Special Forces selection to get into D Squadron, 22 SAS, in 1979, Mark 'Splash' Aston thought he'd missed out on all the action. Too late to fight with the SAS in a decade long secret war in Oman, when terrorists then seized the Iranian Embassy in London in 1980 Splash missed out again when responsibility for the counter-terror role was passed to their comrades in B Squadron just weeks earlier. Then on April 2nd 1982 Argentina invaded the Falkland Islands.
-
-
Like putting on a comfortable pair of Old DMS boot
- By Mr T.S. Downing on 28-07-21
-
First Man In
- Leading from the Front
- By: Ant Middleton
- Narrated by: Ant Middleton
- Length: 6 hrs and 59 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
No one is born a leader. But through sheer determination and by confronting life’s challenges, Ant Middleton has come to know the meaning of true leadership. In First Man In, he shares the core lessons he’s learned over the course of his fascinating, exhilarating life. Special forces training is no walk in the park. The rules are strict, and they make sure you learn the hard way, pushing you beyond the limits of what is physically possible. There is no mercy. Even when you are bleeding and broken, to admit defeat is failure.
-
-
Incredible book. Strong, powerful and inspiring
- By Paddy Biggar on 13-07-18
-
Call to Kill
- The first in a brand new high-octane SAS series
- By: Billy Billingham
- Narrated by: Conor Woodman
- Length: 8 hrs and 1 min
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Matt 'Mace' Mason is deployed on a deniable SAS mission in war-torn Yemen, becoming embroiled in a hostage rescue that goes terribly wrong. Pulling at the strings of the local political scene is not only the local warlord who is destined to become Mace's nemesis, General Ruak Shahlai, but hardbitten American arms dealer Erica Atkins, who controls a whole international network to her advantage. As well as his own team, Mace has to work, initially unwillingly, with female CIA Agent (and Islamic scholar) Redford.
-
-
This story is crying out for a Hollywood production!
- By Mr A R on 18-06-21
-
Bravo Two Zero - 20th Anniversary Edition
- By: Andy McNab
- Narrated by: Paul Thornley
- Length: 15 hrs and 48 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
January 1991: IRAQ. Eight members of the SAS regiment embark upon a top-secret mission to infiltrate deep behind enemy lines. Under the command of Sergeant Andy McNab, they are to sever a vital underground communication link and to seek and destroy mobile Scud launchers. Their call sign: BRAVO TWO ZERO. Each laden with 15 stones of equipment, they tab 20km across the desert to reach their objective. But within days, their location is compromised. After a fierce fire fight, they are forced into evasive action. Four men are captured. Three die. Only one escapes.
-
-
Even Better Than The Book
- By Chally on 01-02-14
-
Battle Scars
- By: Jason Fox
- Narrated by: Jason Fox
- Length: 7 hrs and 1 min
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Jason Fox served with the SBS for over a decade, thriving on the close bonds of the Special Forces brotherhood and the ‘death or glory’ nature of their missions. Battle Scars tells the story of his career as an elite operator, from the gunfights, hostage rescues, daring escapes and heroic endeavours that defined his service to a battle of a very different kind: the psychological devastation of combat that ultimately forced him to leave the military and the hard reality of what takes place in the mind of a man once a career of imagined invincibility has come to an end.
-
-
Life changing
- By Paul on 05-11-18
-
Life Under Fire
- How to Build Inner Strength and Thrive Under Pressure
- By: Jason Fox
- Narrated by: Jason Fox
- Length: 8 hrs and 3 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Whether serving in the Special Forces, rowing oceans or investigating some of the world’s most notorious drug cartels, Jason Fox has overcome more than his fair share of emotional and mental conflicts. Now, he shares the tools he’s developed at the cutting edge of an elite military career and shows how you, too, can build the resilience and inner strength to overcome whatever challenges life puts in front of you.
-
-
Excellent
- By Morney on 25-01-21
-
SAS: Sea King Down
- By: Mark Aston, Stuart Tootal
- Narrated by: Simon Darwen
- Length: 9 hrs and 55 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
After passing the world's toughest Special Forces selection to get into D Squadron, 22 SAS, in 1979, Mark 'Splash' Aston thought he'd missed out on all the action. Too late to fight with the SAS in a decade long secret war in Oman, when terrorists then seized the Iranian Embassy in London in 1980 Splash missed out again when responsibility for the counter-terror role was passed to their comrades in B Squadron just weeks earlier. Then on April 2nd 1982 Argentina invaded the Falkland Islands.
-
-
Like putting on a comfortable pair of Old DMS boot
- By Mr T.S. Downing on 28-07-21
-
First Man In
- Leading from the Front
- By: Ant Middleton
- Narrated by: Ant Middleton
- Length: 6 hrs and 59 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
No one is born a leader. But through sheer determination and by confronting life’s challenges, Ant Middleton has come to know the meaning of true leadership. In First Man In, he shares the core lessons he’s learned over the course of his fascinating, exhilarating life. Special forces training is no walk in the park. The rules are strict, and they make sure you learn the hard way, pushing you beyond the limits of what is physically possible. There is no mercy. Even when you are bleeding and broken, to admit defeat is failure.
-
-
Incredible book. Strong, powerful and inspiring
- By Paddy Biggar on 13-07-18
-
Call to Kill
- The first in a brand new high-octane SAS series
- By: Billy Billingham
- Narrated by: Conor Woodman
- Length: 8 hrs and 1 min
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Matt 'Mace' Mason is deployed on a deniable SAS mission in war-torn Yemen, becoming embroiled in a hostage rescue that goes terribly wrong. Pulling at the strings of the local political scene is not only the local warlord who is destined to become Mace's nemesis, General Ruak Shahlai, but hardbitten American arms dealer Erica Atkins, who controls a whole international network to her advantage. As well as his own team, Mace has to work, initially unwillingly, with female CIA Agent (and Islamic scholar) Redford.
-
-
This story is crying out for a Hollywood production!
- By Mr A R on 18-06-21
-
Bravo Two Zero - 20th Anniversary Edition
- By: Andy McNab
- Narrated by: Paul Thornley
- Length: 15 hrs and 48 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
January 1991: IRAQ. Eight members of the SAS regiment embark upon a top-secret mission to infiltrate deep behind enemy lines. Under the command of Sergeant Andy McNab, they are to sever a vital underground communication link and to seek and destroy mobile Scud launchers. Their call sign: BRAVO TWO ZERO. Each laden with 15 stones of equipment, they tab 20km across the desert to reach their objective. But within days, their location is compromised. After a fierce fire fight, they are forced into evasive action. Four men are captured. Three die. Only one escapes.
-
-
Even Better Than The Book
- By Chally on 01-02-14
-
Strongman
- My Story
- By: Eddie 'The Beast' Hall
- Narrated by: Steven Hartley
- Length: 7 hrs and 33 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Few athletes have had as big an impact on British sport over the last five years as Eddie Hall. Not only is he the subject of trending Netflix documentary Eddie: Strongman, but his Facebook page is approaching three quarters of a million likes, with 10,000 new fans joining each week, and he draws huge crowds at the Strongman arena tour Giants Live. The reason for Eddie's popularity is simple: he is the biggest name and the biggest talent in one of the fastest-growing sports.
-
-
amazing
- By Kindle Customer on 14-06-19
-
Shackleton
- By: Ranulph Fiennes
- Narrated by: Jonathan Keeble
- Length: 11 hrs and 51 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
In 1915, Sir Ernest Shackleton's attempt to traverse the Antarctic was cut short when his ship, Endurance, became trapped in ice. The disaster left Shackleton and his men alone at the frozen South Pole, fighting for their lives. Their survival and escape is the most famous adventure in history.
-
-
A truly epic story!!
- By L. BETTLES on 20-10-21
-
How to Grow Old
- By: John Bishop
- Narrated by: John Bishop
- Length: 7 hrs and 1 min
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
How to Grow Old is John’s offering to the world. With sage advice on how to avoid the common pitfalls of age, intimate confessions and spit-your-dentures-out hilarious commentary on his own advancing years, this is his observational comic writing at its very best. If you were concerned about how not to be boring or how to get rid of your should-be-old-enough-to-manage kids, this audiobook has the answers.
-
-
Truly hated this book
- By GENTILE on 31-01-20
-
Born Fearless
- From Kids' Home to SAS to Pirate Hunter - My Life as a Shadow Warrior
- By: Phil Campion
- Narrated by: Phil Campion
- Length: 9 hrs and 7 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Former SAS soldier Big Phil Campion tells it like is in this brutally honest account of his insanely dangerous life as a private military operator. From playing chicken with a suicide bomber in backstreet Kabul to taking on pirates with his bare hands, this is true-life action-packed drama at its best.
-
-
Snowflakes beware!
- By Jimmy on 24-10-19
-
Soldier
- Respect Is Earned
- By: Jay Morton
- Narrated by: Jay Morton
- Length: 7 hrs and 2 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
With four years in the Parachute Regiment, 10 years in the SAS and two Everest summits to his name, no one is better equipped than Jay Morton to reveal what it takes to become the best of the best. Soldier is Jay Morton’s masterclass in mindset, strategy and excellence. Drawing on his extraordinary personal experience, it provides in-depth, comprehensive lessons and practical takeaways.
-
-
7 hours you’ll never get back!!
- By nicki on 16-11-20
-
Commando
- The Inside Story of Britain’s Royal Marines
- By: Monty Halls
- Narrated by: Monty Halls
- Length: 10 hrs and 18 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
The Royal Marine Commandos have become a byword for elite raiding skills and cutting-edge military operations. They are globally renowned, yet shrouded in mystery. With unique insight and authority, Commando captures the essence and heart of this revered military unit then and now, exploring their role patrolling the high seas and policing coastlines around the globe, and revealing their rich history and what it means to win and wear the legendary green beret.
-
-
Hoofing
- By Amazon Customer on 26-05-22
-
Guy Martin
- My Autobiography
- By: Guy Martin
- Narrated by: Dean Williamson
- Length: 9 hrs and 34 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
The Phenomenal Sunday Times Number-One Best Seller. It was the start of the third lap of the 2010 Senior TT, the last race of the fortnight. The last chance to get a TT win for another year, and I was pushing hard. Ballagarey. The kind of corner that makes me continue road racing. A proper man’s corner. You go through the right-hander at something like 170 miles per hour, leant right over, eyes fixed as far down the road as I can see. But this time something happened. This time the front end tucked....
-
-
Fascinating
- By Amazon Customer on 25-05-15
-
Mind over Muscle
- The Four Pillar Plan
- By: Ant Middleton
- Narrated by: Ant Middleton
- Length: 6 hrs and 45 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
In this Audio Original, Ant Middleton shows you how to build up the most important source of strength you have: the power of your mind. Condensing his philosophy into four simple-to-grasp pillars, he then challenges you to go out there and live it. Using the tools of the four pillars, you’re ready to take on the Mindset Challenge. A revolutionary new concept, only possible in audio, the Mindset Challenge is a 28-day training plan for the mind. Each day, Ant will challenge you to embrace fear, be positive, take ownership of situations, learn to lead and have integrity.
-
-
Veterans - you need this!
- By MJ on 28-06-20
-
SAS Bravo Three Zero
- The Explosive Untold Story
- By: Damien Lewis, Des Powell
- Narrated by: Des Powell
- Length: 10 hrs and 46 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
There were three patrols that fateful January 1991 morning: Bravo One Zero, Bravo Two Zero and Bravo Three Zero. It was the opening hours of the Gulf War, and the SAS were flown deep behind enemy lines to hunt down Saddam's Scud missiles. The men of Bravo One Zero stepped off the chopper, took one look at the flat desert devoid of any cover and decided no way were they deploying into all of that. But Andy NcNab's famed Bravo Two Zero patrol did deploy, with fatal results - all bar one being captured or killed. And then there was Bravo Three Zero. These men were different.
-
-
B20
- By conan smythe on 10-11-21
-
Relentless
- By: Dean Stott
- Narrated by: Dean Stott
- Length: 7 hrs
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Everybody has heard the SAS motto that who dares wins, but Special Forces warrior Dean Stott also lives his life by another powerful mantra - that of the relentless pursuit of excellence. In 16 years of service, Dean rose to the top of Britain's fighting force, taking part of some of the most daring and dangerous operations in the war on terror. But then, following a horrific parachuting accident, Dean's dream career was cut short, and his ethos was put to its toughest test.
-
-
Not for me
- By adam davies on 27-11-19
-
The Longest Kill
- The Story of Maverick 41, One of the World's Greatest Snipers
- By: Craig Harrison
- Narrated by: Joe Jameson
- Length: 9 hrs and 32 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
It takes a tough mind-set to be a successful sniper, to be able to dig in for days on your own as you wait for your target, to stay calm on a battlefield when you yourself have become the target the enemy most wants to take out. Craig Harrison has what it takes, and in November 2009 in Afghanistan, under intense pressure, he saved the lives of his comrades with the longest confirmed sniper kill - 2,475 metres, the length of 25 football pitches.
-
-
amazing read
- By Andrew on 07-03-17
-
Break Point
- By: Ollie Ollerton
- Narrated by: Ollie Ollerton
- Length: 8 hrs
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
We all have break points to face - at the gym, in the office, in our personal lives - those moments of self-doubt where we have to dig deep and find something within to grab hold of and push us through. Ex-Special Forces soldier Ollie Ollerton has faced his own break points, and now he tells us the lessons he has learnt along the way. From survivor of a freak childhood attack to elite fighter, Ollie's incredible story features high-speed shoot-outs, counter-terrorism and humanitarian heroics.
-
-
Do not read if you are happily married
- By Sally Fisk on 08-07-19
Summary
Billy Billingham grew up tough - a grim future ahead of him offering little respite from the hostile streets he walked. Leaving school at 11 years of age, the threat of borstal hanging over his head, running with gangs in Birmingham, and almost being killed in a knife fight eventually led to Billy discovering the British armed forces at 16 years of age. It would be the making of him.
Billingham would graduate from the Royal Marine cadets to enlist with the Parachute Regiment in 1983, where he would serve with distinction as a Patrol Commander and expert sniper. In 1991 he took on an even bigger challenge - taking the SAS course - the fearsome and secretive elite special forces unit with a well-won reputation for excellence in operating in extreme and hazardous conditions. He excelled in this life, rising to the rank of sergeant major for the regiment, and undertaking dozens of classified and extremely dangerous missions. He would ultimately serve 17 years with the SAS, serving in countless war zones, winning a commendation for bravery and being awarded the MBE. After leaving the army he would embrace the life of a bodyguard to Hollywood stars such as Angelina Jolie, Brad Pitt, Sir Michael Caine, Tom Cruise and Russell Crowe before being recruited as one of the lead instructors on SAS - Who Dares Wins for television.
Billy is a highly decorated veteran, with a reputation for excellence, honesty and integrity not only supporting his comrades Ant Middleton, Jason Fox and Ollie Ollerton but equally intimidating and inspiring the contestants who take on the gruelling challenges each week. The Hard Way details Billy’s story thus far but will also educate and enthral those wishing to seek a challenge and conquer it - the SAS way.
What listeners say about The Hard Way
Average customer ratingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Anonymous User
- 16-12-19
misleading
the story was great but mark billingham only reads the prologue and epilogue which I was very disappointed about as I dont like listening to stories not read by the writer
52 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- mr s k hargreaves
- 31-10-19
A truly inspirational book!!
A no frills and tell it as it is book. The only way is the hard way!! And the message this book tells you is a no nonsense, honest and tough reality check we all can learn from. Well done Mark, you should be proud!!!
Shaun Hargreaves
16 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Amazon Customer
- 26-11-19
shame Billy never narrated the book
good story however dissapointing to find that Billy doesn't narrate , i find it easier to visualise the story when the written narrates thier own story ,
24 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- jonny
- 10-11-19
Superb
Absolutely brilliant book. What a total legend. Listen this book, You won't be dissapointed!
9 people found this helpful
-
Overall
- andy baker
- 05-11-19
Billy
The only issue I had with the book was the guy reading it doesn't get the anounciation of swear words and the way the sentences string together like a working class lad from Walsall but what an amazing story and life to hear about
8 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Owain Thomas
- 07-11-19
Brilliant stories, humble, great listen.
Thoroughly enjoyed this book. Highly recommend. Great sense of humour but at the same time very gripping.
7 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Ujay
- 05-11-19
Good one
Wish he had more stories about selection but good compact writing. He certainly had a great career with SAS and exciting life that. Really enjoyed listening to it.
6 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Dave Blundell
- 04-11-19
An inspiring story.
Although Billy for whatever reason only narrated the forward and epilogue. This book was an inspiring story from start to finish, about a poor young lad from the West Midlands. A right little fighter who everyone thought would fail! But a few souls gave him a life line in the form of guidance and he took it big time. Billy show's you that anyone from any background can succeed if you apply yourself, adapt and overcome. Thanks Billy 10/10
6 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- martin
- 19-05-20
Enjoyable but felt like a lot was missing.
Mark Billingham comes over as a really nice guy who wants to help others but I felt let down by the lack of content and substance in the book. I understand due to the official secrets act there was a lot of stuff he could not repeat but it just seemed to jump from his early days to joining the army to SAS selection and then his private bodyguard and tv work outside of the military. I was a bit disappointed really.
5 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Clare Marmont
- 04-11-19
The hard way
Absolutely inspirational man, true gentleman and a true hero in every aspect of the word.
4 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- SerieLis
- 20-06-20
Strong Story, lessons learned, now take action
Inspiring, audio bit blank, but behind it all great lessons that can come from experience
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- Ingemar Roos
- 28-04-20
Great!
Really liked it. Great story and very inspiring! A real insight to his life and career.
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- Dave
- 12-04-20
Superb
One of the most interesting people out there, 100% give it a listen. Great story.