Product Description

As an 18-year-old, John Urwin was posted to Cyprus, where he was recruited into a top-secret unit called the Sixteen, whose task was to assassinate key figures throughout the Middle East. Now he breaks his silence to tell their story. Their training was said to have surpassed that of the SAS in unarmed combat and weaponry. His description of their four key missions is explosive and a riveting account of the turbulent 1950s in the Middle East. The Cold War was approaching its height and when there was a mission to be undertaken that no government could be seen to endorse, the Sixteen would do the job. No previous depiction of a military group, in book or movie, has remotely compared to the secrecy, skills and sheer professionalism of the Sixteen.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #692329 in Books
• Published on: 2004-09-24
• Original language: English
• Binding: Paperback
• 288 pages

About the Author
Long after he left the Sixteen, John Urwin continued to use his skills in the unarmed combat courses he ran. An expert in many different aspects of military life, he has also been a stock-car racer and used his special skills to overcome a series of disasters in his personal life, including a major fall in a work-related accident. He is currently working on the follow-up to The Sixteen.

Customer Reviews

This book just does not ring true.
I was really looking forward to reading this book. From the synopsis it sounded very interesting. As the book went on it became increasingly more difficult to believe as i found too many 'holes' in the story. (For instance, given the time lapse after the events in the book, one would think that he would be able to give the correct names for the helicopters and small arms used, as these would now have been superceeded by newer technology, and therefore be in the public domain). If you want adventure/007 type story and are not too worried about reality, this is for you. Otherwise stear clear.

The sixteen
Really enjoyed the book and it was easy to read not to mention attention grabbing. Seems to be only a small look of what was achieved and capable!. Can't wait for another book.Definately worth a look.

The Sixteen - Review
The Sixteen is a brilliant book, it follows a very interesting and very active life of John Urwin who from reading just The Sixteen you would assume he had wrote down an account of about 5 years+ of his life yet the book only scratches the surface. The covert missions he went on with The Sixteen were gripping and once picking up the book and reading a small bit I found myself reading on until I found out what happened next.

It is quite scary that without us knowing a team just like The Sixteen may still operate and be carrying out covert missions without any of us knowing today.

Overall the book touches on some very top secret information and if you are a fan of this genre then this book is a must, if not then you still might find this an interesting fiction book.