Product Description

After nearly 20 years of SAS operations, including a never before published role in the infamous Bravo Two Zero patrol, Bob retired from the military to work as an advisor on the international commercial security circuit. Certain his most dangerous days were behind him, Bob settled into a sedate life looking after VIPs. Then 9/11 happened.

Bob found himself back in war zones on assignments far more perilous than anything he had encountered in the SAS: from ferrying journalists across firing lines in The West Bank and Gaza to travelling to the heart of Osama bin Laden’s Afghan lair. As part of a two-man team, Bob searched for ITN Correspondent Terry Lloyd’s missing crew in Basra, Iraq, while in Afghanistan he was forced to spend the night as the only Westerner in Khost – with a $25,000 bounty on his head.

As the War on Terror escalated, Bob contended with increasingly sophisticated insurgents. But the most disturbing development he witnessed was much closer to home: The Circuit’s rise from a niche business staffed by top veterans into an unregulated, billion dollar industry that too often places profits above lives. This is a pulse-racing and at times shocking testament to what is really happening, on the ground, in the major trouble spots of the world.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #3485 in Books
• Published on: 2009-04-03
• Original language: English
• Binding: Paperback
• 352 pages

About the Author

Bob Shepherd served in the SAS for almost twenty years, participating in the Iranian Embassy siege in London, the Falklands War, the First Gulf War and Bosnia. He retired in 1994 as a Warrant Officer Class One and began a new career as an international security advisor. In other words, he joined The Circuit.

Customer Reviews

AWESOME reading
This is simply a magnificent read.I could not put it down.Bob Shepherd has seen it all, twenty years in the regiment followed by assignments on the circuit in hotspots such as:The West Bank and Gaza,Iraq and Afghanistan

Bobs professionalism shines through on every page and is in stark contrast to the glaring ineptitude of the American military forces. To think that he had to advise camp commanders on such basic principles as camp security or holding of hostages is gravely disturbing.But even more disturbing is the true cost of the global war on terror is being hidden by government departments who hire highly inept private security operators in place of properly trained and equipped military specialists.

This book is a revelation and Bob Shepherd pulls no punches and doesn't disguise his disquiet at the degeneration of The Circuit.

Refreshingly Honest and Contemporary Account.
I must commend the author for putting together a series of very interesting accounts of a variety of private security operations, in various theatres, that expose the serious failings within the 'security' industry that has grown out of recent world events.

Equally commendable is the fact that this is not a detailed account of the authors career within the SAS. I have read a few of those and frankly they begin to repeat. Also, as the author alludes to, he doesn't want to give away trade secrets - which I completely agree with because, if I was serving within one of our elite units, I think I would feel that would be the worst sort of 'Compromise'.

The knowledge and skill that is depicted in the carrying out of security based tasks is exactly what I find interesting about Special Forces and how they conduct themselves - also the illustrations of how not to carry these tasks out is equally informative.

The complete lack of fearsome firefights within the book is to the authors credit - he was obviously doing a very good job! It is NOT short on drama however.

I especially Liked the thoughts presented regarding the Bravo 2 Zero Patrol of the 1st Gulf War. Brief but enlightening perspective.

This Book is an extremely good read - I would recommend this for those who would like an intelligent insight into the subject without any embellishment.

Thought Provoking
[[ASIN:0330455737 The Circuit: An Ex-SAS Soldier's True Account of One of the Most Powerful and Secretive Industries Spawned by the War on Terror]
A fascinating insight into the job of a 'Close Protection' operative.Bob Shepherd pulls no punches with his opinions about his fellow countrymen(and non fellow countrymen)who share the same profession,especially if they're not trained to his standard,which as you might guess after 23 years serving with 'The Regiment' are understandably high.If you're looking for a book crammed with boys own stories about damsels in distress and guns and explosions in true gruesome detail,then this definately is NOT the book for you.This is a story about a true professional in every sense of the word,who makes it his duty to understand the ways,traditions and historical backgrounds of the people he serves and meets on his adventures and operations in often very hostile environments.Oh yes,he also meets some very important and influential people(and the odd warlord)along the way...ENJOY.