Listen free for 30 days
-
Undercover War
- Narrated by: Colin Mace
- Length: 7 hrs and 58 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 £34.99
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...
-
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
-
Fishers of Men
- The Gripping True Story of a British Undercover Agent in Northern Ireland
- By: Rob Lewis
- Narrated by: Peter Noble
- Length: 8 hrs and 17 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Fishers of Men is the true account of secret operations in Northern Ireland carried out by the British Army's most clandestine unit. It tells the unique story, through Rob Lewis' own extraordinary experiences, of an essential instrument in the fight against terrorism, that of covert intelligence gathering. The men and women who work in this field are a special breed who undertake hazardous risks with unflinching tenacity and professionalism - the price of negligence is high and the need for secrecy must be preserved even at the expense of personal relationships.
-
-
nonsense
- By Conchur C. on 21-04-21
-
Killing Zone
- By: Harry McCallion
- Narrated by: David McCallion
- Length: 13 hrs and 7 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Born ‘a ragged-arsed kid from the backstreets of Glasgow’, McCallion joined the Paras to escape a miserable home life and find the family he longed for. After six tense tours in Ulster, McCallion gave up everything to move to South Africa in the hope of qualifying for the highly elite South African Special Forces. Having succeeded in joining the Recces, McCallion was involved in plots to assassinate Robert Mugabe and Joshua Nkomo.
-
-
BS doesn’t baffle brains.
- By Mark B. on 20-03-20
-
Double Agent
- My Secret Life Undercover in the IRA
- By: Kevin Fulton
- Narrated by: Stephen Armstrong
- Length: 8 hrs and 6 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Kevin Fulton was one of the British Army's most successful intelligence agents. Having been recruited to infiltrate the Provisional IRA at the height of the Troubles, he rose its ranks to an unprecedented level. Living and working undercover, he had no option other than to take part in heinous criminal activities, including the production of bombs which he knew would later kill. So highly was he valued by IRA leaders that he was promoted to serve in its infamous internal police - ironically, his job was now to root out and kill informers.
-
-
Gripping
- By Ste Whittingham on 27-02-20
-
Thatcher's Spy
- My Life as an MI5 Agent Inside Sinn Féin
- By: Willie Carlin
- Narrated by: Matthew Forsythe
- Length: 9 hrs and 43 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
In Thatcher's Spy, the Cold War meets Northern Ireland's Dirty War in the remarkable real-life story of a deep under-cover British intelligence agent, a man now doomed forever to look over his shoulder. In March 1985, as he climbed the six steps of Margaret Thatcher's prime-ministerial jet on the runway of RAF Aldergrove, little did Willie Carlin know the role Freddie Scappaticci played in saving his life.
-
-
Hard to Listen to
- By cc.dee on 08-10-20
-
The Operators
- On the Streets with Britain's Most Secret Service
- By: James Rennie
- Narrated by: Alex Hyde-White
- Length: 9 hrs and 37 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Few outside the security services have heard of 14 Company. As deadly as the SAS yet more secret, the operators of 14 Company are Britain's most effective weapon against international terrorism. For every bomb that goes off, 14 Company prevent 12. The selection process is the most physically, intellectually, and emotionally demanding anywhere in the world. This is the true story of one operator and of some of the most hair-raising military operations ever conducted on the streets of Britain.
-
-
A good listen but...
- By podge elliott on 23-01-21
-
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
-
Fishers of Men
- The Gripping True Story of a British Undercover Agent in Northern Ireland
- By: Rob Lewis
- Narrated by: Peter Noble
- Length: 8 hrs and 17 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Fishers of Men is the true account of secret operations in Northern Ireland carried out by the British Army's most clandestine unit. It tells the unique story, through Rob Lewis' own extraordinary experiences, of an essential instrument in the fight against terrorism, that of covert intelligence gathering. The men and women who work in this field are a special breed who undertake hazardous risks with unflinching tenacity and professionalism - the price of negligence is high and the need for secrecy must be preserved even at the expense of personal relationships.
-
-
nonsense
- By Conchur C. on 21-04-21
-
Killing Zone
- By: Harry McCallion
- Narrated by: David McCallion
- Length: 13 hrs and 7 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Born ‘a ragged-arsed kid from the backstreets of Glasgow’, McCallion joined the Paras to escape a miserable home life and find the family he longed for. After six tense tours in Ulster, McCallion gave up everything to move to South Africa in the hope of qualifying for the highly elite South African Special Forces. Having succeeded in joining the Recces, McCallion was involved in plots to assassinate Robert Mugabe and Joshua Nkomo.
-
-
BS doesn’t baffle brains.
- By Mark B. on 20-03-20
-
Double Agent
- My Secret Life Undercover in the IRA
- By: Kevin Fulton
- Narrated by: Stephen Armstrong
- Length: 8 hrs and 6 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Kevin Fulton was one of the British Army's most successful intelligence agents. Having been recruited to infiltrate the Provisional IRA at the height of the Troubles, he rose its ranks to an unprecedented level. Living and working undercover, he had no option other than to take part in heinous criminal activities, including the production of bombs which he knew would later kill. So highly was he valued by IRA leaders that he was promoted to serve in its infamous internal police - ironically, his job was now to root out and kill informers.
-
-
Gripping
- By Ste Whittingham on 27-02-20
-
Thatcher's Spy
- My Life as an MI5 Agent Inside Sinn Féin
- By: Willie Carlin
- Narrated by: Matthew Forsythe
- Length: 9 hrs and 43 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
In Thatcher's Spy, the Cold War meets Northern Ireland's Dirty War in the remarkable real-life story of a deep under-cover British intelligence agent, a man now doomed forever to look over his shoulder. In March 1985, as he climbed the six steps of Margaret Thatcher's prime-ministerial jet on the runway of RAF Aldergrove, little did Willie Carlin know the role Freddie Scappaticci played in saving his life.
-
-
Hard to Listen to
- By cc.dee on 08-10-20
-
The Operators
- On the Streets with Britain's Most Secret Service
- By: James Rennie
- Narrated by: Alex Hyde-White
- Length: 9 hrs and 37 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Few outside the security services have heard of 14 Company. As deadly as the SAS yet more secret, the operators of 14 Company are Britain's most effective weapon against international terrorism. For every bomb that goes off, 14 Company prevent 12. The selection process is the most physically, intellectually, and emotionally demanding anywhere in the world. This is the true story of one operator and of some of the most hair-raising military operations ever conducted on the streets of Britain.
-
-
A good listen but...
- By podge elliott on 23-01-21
-
Benghazi
- The Definitive Report
- By: Brandon Webb, Jack Murphy
- Narrated by: Melinda Fleming, Salomon Maya
- Length: 2 hrs and 37 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
On September 12th, 2012, Brandon Webb learned Glen Doherty, one of his closest friends and his former Navy SEAL teammate, was killed alongside Ambassador J. Christopher Stevens and two other Americans when the U.S. State Department and CIA headquarters in Benghazi, Libya, were sieged in a shocking terrorist attack.
-
Charlie One
- The Story of an Irishman in the British Army and His Role in Covert Counter-Terrorism Operations
- By: Sean Hartnett
- Narrated by: Aidan Kelly
- Length: 6 hrs and 13 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Filled with roller coaster emotions and explosive revelations of covert operations, Charlie One provides a unique, detailed and unbiased account of the secret war fought in Northern Ireland. Seán Hartnett grew up in Cork in the 1970s where he observed the worst of the northern Troubles. Despite his family’s republican ties and his own attempt to join the IRA, Hartnett shocked family and friends when he joined the British Armed Forces.
-
-
super interesting
- By dan n. on 04-08-22
-
The Regiment
- 15 Years in the SAS
- By: Rusty Firmin
- Narrated by: Dean Williamson
- Length: 9 hrs and 39 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
From its early beginnings in World War II, the Special Air Service (SAS) has won renown in some of the most dramatic, dangerous and controversial military special operations of the 20th century. It is a secretive and mysterious unit, whose operations and internal structures are hidden from the public eye. Now, one of its longest-serving veterans offers a glimpse into the shadowy world of the SAS. Rusty Firmin spent an incredible 15 years with 'The Regiment' and was a key figure in the assault of the Iranian Embassy in London in May 1980.
-
-
WHAT A LOAD OF SELF LOATHING GUFF
- By Ryan on 15-08-20
-
Sniper Fire in Belfast (SAS Operation)
- By: Shaun Clarke
- Narrated by: Paul Thornley
- Length: 7 hrs and 3 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Ultimate soldier. Ultimate mission. But can the SAS survive working deep undercover among the terrorists of Northern Ireland? It is the 1970s, and a mean and dirty war is being waged on British soil. Sectarian violence is an almost daily occurrence, and the terrorist groups, who finance their operations through robbery, fraud and extortion, engage in torture, assassination and wholesale slaughter.
-
-
Riveting Story but too short
- By Alec on 27-03-17
-
Black Flag Journals
- One Soldier's Experience in America's Longest War
- By: Dennis John Woods
- Narrated by: Lee David Foreman
- Length: 13 hrs and 12 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
The story of America's longest war is complicated and difficult to convey, unless you were there. Dennis Woods was there. By following his stories in Iraq and Afghanistan, we can sense the enormity of his combat experiences. Originally written for his daughter, Black Flag Journals is taken from the author's nine battle book journals. It covers his time from the fall of the Twin Towers through his last combat tour.
-
-
Relentless
- By Peter R Cannon on 16-11-20
-
Mosul
- Australia's Secret War Inside the ISIS Caliphate
- By: Ben Mckelvey
- Narrated by: Nick Farnell
- Length: 10 hrs and 5 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Taking us from the suburbs of Western Sydney and Australia's military army bases, to the battlefields of Afghanistan and Iraq, this is a remarkable audiobook that reveals the as-yet untold story of the battle for Mosul and the secret involvement of Australians on both sides of the war - both our commandos and Australian ISIS fighters. Mosul details the rise of ISIS influence in Australia, the Iran and Australia allegiance to fight Daesh and shows what led up to the battle and the ramifications that are still being felt at home - by our soldiers and the victims of that war.
-
Across an Angry Sea
- By: Cedric Delves
- Narrated by: Benedick Blythe
- Length: 13 hrs and 53 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
In early summer 1982 - winter in the South Atlantic - Argentina's military junta invades the Falklands. Within days, a Royal Navy Task Force is assembled and dispatched. This is the story of D Squadron, 22 SAS, commanded by Cedric Delves. The relentless tempo of events defies belief. Raging seas, inhospitable glaciers, hurricane-force winds, helicopter crashes, raids behind enemy lines - the Squadron prevailed against them all, but the cost was high.
-
-
A great account but let down by the production
- By richard rochester on 12-06-19
-
Secret Victory
- The Intelligence War That Beat the IRA
- By: Dr William Matchett
- Narrated by: Nick Cracknell
- Length: 9 hrs and 10 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Terrorist leaders are not benevolent men inclined to make peace but vicious bullies. The IRA was the Islamic State of its day. Northern Ireland, Iraq, and Afghanistan are similar wars. In these, an insurgency like the IRA/Sinn Fein mix is the main problem. A proven solution is the rule of law, where police intelligence dominates because investigative practices fail. The approach - widely misrepresented and commonly misunderstood - devastated the IRA. Some terrorists were killed, most were in prison, and many were on the run.
-
-
Flawed history
- By Derrick on 30-12-17
-
MRF Shadow Troop
- The Untold True Story of Top Secret British Military Intelligence Undercover Operations in Belfast, Northern Ireland, 1972-1974
- By: Simon Cursey
- Narrated by: Johnathan Rufus Welsh
- Length: 9 hrs and 38 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
For decades there has been argument in the media and amongst politicians about the possible existence and extent of a shoot-to-kill policy in Northern Ireland. MRF Shadow Troop confirms there was such an agenda in the early, chaotic days of British military intervention across the Irish Sea. But amongst the mountain of speculation there is little of any accuracy or authority relating to this period.
-
-
Fascinating story, not so keen on the narrator.
- By I on 14-12-21
-
Awakening Victory
- How Iraqi Tribes and American Troops Reclaimed Al Anbar and Defeated Al Qaeda in Iraq
- By: Michael Silverman
- Narrated by: Brian Holsopple
- Length: 13 hrs and 24 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
In August 2006, many senior U.S. officials thought America had lost the war in Iraq, as the senior U.S. Marine Corps intelligence officer there wrote that control of al Anbar Province, the seat of the raging Sunni insurgency, was irrevocably lost to the insurgents. In January 2007, the 3rd Battalion, 69th Armored Regiment deployed to Ramadi as part of the 3rd Infantry Division, the first regular Army unit to deploy to Iraq for a third time. The battalion and its went to work in a campaign that will be seen as the D-Day of the Global War on Terror.
-
Eye of the Storm
- Twenty-Five Years in Action with the SAS
- By: Peter Ratcliffe, Noel Botham, Brian Hitchen
- Narrated by: Peter Kenny
- Length: 12 hrs and 18 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Peter Ratcliffe served in the SAS for 25 years. Blooded in Oman in the 1970s, he also saw action in Northern Ireland, in the Falklands War, and in the Gulf campaign. From his early days in the Paras to his time as Regimental Sergeant-Major in the Gulf, he has lived and fought by the motto 'who dares wins'. Eye of the Storm is his insider's account of that exceptional career.
-
-
Narration is dreadful
- By Timothy Davies on 17-05-19
-
The Accidental Spy
- By: Sean O'Driscoll
- Narrated by: Gerry O'Brien
- Length: 10 hrs and 8 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
David Rupert, a complete outsider with no connection to Ireland, rose to the very top of the Real IRA, all while working for the FBI and British intelligence. But the story is really about just how a bored, frustrated New York trucking manager becomes one of Britain’s most valued spies, brings down the entire IRA structure and makes $10 million in the process.
-
-
What a fantastic book
- By jackie quinn on 06-07-19
Summary
When British troops first deployed to Northern Ireland in 1969 to keep apart rioting factions of loyalists and nationalists, they could not have known that they were being drawn into the longest campaign in the British Army's history, a battle against the threat of a new rising force - the Provisional Irish Republican Army.
While patrols, vehicle bombs and incendiary speeches are the defining memories of the Troubles, the real war was fought out of sight and out of mind. For 30 years, Britain's Special Forces waged a ferocious, secretive struggle against a ruthless and implacable enemy.
Harry McCallion's deep experience across the theatre of Northern Ireland offers a unique insight into nearly every major military action and operation in the Province. Having served seven tours with the Parachute Regiment, undergone selection for the 14 Intelligence Company, completed six years with the SAS - including two tours with their anti-terrorism team - and received two commendations for bravery during service with the Royal Ulster Constabulary, there are few more qualified to tell this astonishing story.
This book is his blistering account of the history of Britain's war against the IRA between 1970 and 1998. From new insights into high-profile killings and riveting accounts of enemy contact, to revelations about clandestine missions and the strategies used in combating a merciless enemy, Undercover War is the definitive inside story of the battle against the IRA, one of the most dangerous and effective terrorist organisations in recent history.
More from the same
Narrator
What listeners say about Undercover War
Average customer ratingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Neil Anderson
- 17-08-20
Fantastic
As an ex serving soldier both in the Scottish and parachute regiments serving in the early seventies I found Harry‘a accounts interesting and credible, thank you Harry on behalf of ex serving soldiers.
15 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Jimmc D.
- 03-06-21
A well written fanciful tale
Well written, however the author obviously has an agenda. He goes to great lengths in trying to justify the SAS and British governments shot to kill policy in N Ireland. Would be better served in the fairy tale section
12 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Olly
- 09-10-20
Terrible
This book is a list of 'events' with no evidence references provided to back up a single statement, the author makes wider reference to public sources but academically this book is bad.
12 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- ross pygall
- 21-01-21
The IRA are scum
A good insight into the disgusting behaviour of the irish terrorists. A very good listen
9 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- MartyP
- 15-06-21
Great book
Only gave 3 stars for performance due to the narrators pronunciation of some of the surnames, not hard to learn them correctly, otherwise a great book.
2 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Mr. C. A. Rixen
- 02-06-21
Who Dares Gets Sold Out by Bliar
good read explains the history of the troubles n how Bliar sold out the British.
2 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Saeed Khan
- 27-07-21
insightful and accurate
A very honest insight to undercover operations in NI during the troubles, having served in NI myself.
1 person found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- brian
- 04-03-21
an informative listen
eye opening account of the military role in Northern Ireland and the effect this had.
1 person found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Clive B
- 23-09-20
A Well-Researched History Of The Troubles
Harry McCallion has drawn together a fine collection of sources to orovide an insight into how the British and Irish forces fought against IRA terrorists.
A welll-constructed book, well-read.
1 person found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Pete Page
- 24-08-20
Covert OPs, an insightful overview.
A most informative and revealing account of covert operatons during the troubles. The authors' ability to drscribe events in a manner in which civilians would understand is testimony to his laying out in chapters of interesting but factual information.
1 person found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- WCHBlok
- 22-12-21
I liked it
This was great. I’m an American with limited prior understanding of the Troubles (other than the basic gist) and no real connection to or particular fondness for any of the parties involved. I found this very entertaining, easy to follow and I think the narrator has a great voice and did a good job.
The one thing that got old was the number of times the author responded to critics and explained the actions taken by SAS or Det operators in specific “contacts”. Maybe others will find that useful but to me it was unnecessary and redundant. I already understood and agreed with the use of force in those situations based on the initial telling of events. I didn’t need a rehashing of those decisions and an explanation of why they were right. In my opinion, if people are already sympathetic to the IRA no amount of explanation is going to change their minds. There’s always a conspiracy they can use to explain it away anyway. Other than that minor quibble, it was awesome!
2 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- Thomas Le Min
- 27-03-22
An excellent history of special forces actions in N Ireland
This book provides an excellent overview of the actions of the Special Air Service (SAS) and reconnaissance detachments in Northern Ireland during the “Troubles.” Written by an actual member, the author is uniquely placed to provide a first hand vantage point for the day to day duties these men and women performed and it clears up many of the specious claims made by those members (and supporters) of the various republican and loyalist terrorist groups.
Finally, the narrator does a superb job of reading this audiobook.
1 person found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- B. Hines
- 29-06-22
Informative
Good history of the troubles from the British action conducted by special forces. The reader is easy to listen too.
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- S. A. James
- 01-02-22
Thorough and interesting history
Great book to go into detail about the undercover war, especially in regards to the SAS, 14 Intelligence Detachment, the Provisional IRA and to a lesser extent some Loyalist groups (UDA mostly, some UVF) and other branches of the Republican movement (OIRA & ILNA mostly). Author even provided some information about the INLA splinter group the IPLO, although not in very much detail. It did seem like the author was trying to make excuses for military action in some areas but I’m glad it didn’t overpower the story. It’s fairly understandable he would have a strong bias in that direction considering the amount of time he spent in special operations forces so it’s nice that he didn’t let it go to the extremes that some other books do. Would definitely recommend and this book will be going into my listen again playlist on Audible
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- Tim Schnese
- 21-01-22
In-depth telling of the Troubles in Northern Ireland
Tells the story of Det 14th intelligence company and SAS troops and there fight against the Provisional IRA is very illuminating on what occurred.