An absolutely insane read. Macintyre’s style of writing so well preserves the true tone of the SAS and its members. Pure shithousery. I’ve been meaning to read this for so long, ever since I watched the show based on this book a year ago. The show did a wonderful job of translating the history to screen, but nothing can replace Macintyre’s riveting style and diligent research. Wow. 

I’m so humbled by the courage and intelligence of the men of the SAS. Never mind the determination and ingenuity. Stirling changed war forever. So much occurred during the war, spanning Africa and Europe, that if a full book existed for each month of the SAS’s existence I’d read them all in a heartbeat. 

Though imbued with a sense of pride (unfounded at that) while reading of the SAS’s exploits I also found myself thinking soberly over the different perspectives of war I’ve read of late. There is nothing more true than the fact that winners define history. I do not mean to discredit the brave men of the SAS at all by saying this but I found myself thinking about how differently they would be portrayed had the Allies lost World War II. I think reading The Rape of Nanking has had further impact on my train of thought than I let on.