Product Description

Afghanistan, 2008. After their eighteen-month epic tour of Helmand Province, the troops of 3 Para are back. This time, the weight of experience weighs heavily on their shoulders. In April 2006 the elite 3 Para Battle Group was despatched to Helmand Province, Afghanistan, on a tour that has become a legend. All that summer the Paras were subjected to relentless Taliban attacks in one of the most gruelling campaigns fought by British troops in modern times. Two years later the Paras are back in the pounding heat of the Afghanistan front lines. The conflict has changed. The enemy has been forced to adopt new weaponry and tactics. But how much progress are we really making in the war against the insurgents? And is there an end in sight? In this searing account of 3 Para's return, bestselling author Patrick Bishop combines gripping, first-person accounts of front line action with an unflinching look at the hard realities of our involvement in Afghanistan. Writing from a position of exclusive access alongside the Paras, he reveals the 'ground truth' of the mission our soldiers have been given. It's a sombre picture. But shining out from it are stories of courage, comradeship and humour, as well as a gripping account of an epic humanitarian operation through Taliban-infested country to deliver a vitally needed turbine to the Kajaki Dam. Frank, action-packed and absorbing, "Ground Truth" is a timely and important book that will set the agenda for discussion of the Afghan conflict for years to come.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #74017 in Books
• Published on: 2009-05-14
• Original language: English
• Binding: Hardcover
• 352 pages

Review
'Are we winning or losing the war in Afghanistan? !Bishop offers no easy answers. The portrait he paints is one of selfless young men and women performing magnificently under near-intolerable conditions ! "Ground Truth" is one of the best accounts you will ever read about contemporary warfare: shrewdly observed, action-packed and written with great sensitivity.' James Delingpole, Mail on Sunday 'A beguiling and often bewildering account of how this strange war seems to the fighting man and woman!Bishop gets to the core of their thoughts and fears. As a view from the ground, often with the author present at key points, Bishop's books are invaluable' Evening Standard 'What makes this sequel stand out as a record of the war in Afghanistan is the author's ability to encapsulate the personalities of the various officers and men involved, while simultaneously unravelling the complex strategy behind this most confusing of campaigns.!Those involved are fortunate to have found such a fluent advocate of their cause and exponent of their valour.' TLS More praise for 'Ground Truth': 'Well paced and well told. It is also very well informed! It is his sense of personal involvement in the testing physical and moral hardships of contemporary soldiering that gives the narrative such a sharp and poignant edge!inspiring' Country Life Praise for '3 Para': 'Wonderfully compelling ! a fast-paced story of incredible bravery that at times reads like a thriller.' Christina Lamb, Sunday Times 'Bishop gives a gripping insight into the deployment in Afghanistan last year of 3 Para!written with the fluent, rich and engaging fashion typical of the author's work as a journalist.' Times 'An inspiring story of courage, discipline and!selfless comradeship!the frenzy of close-quarters combat!is captured particularly vividly!fast-paced and absorbing.' Daily Mail

About the Author
Patrick Bishop has been a foreign correspondent for over twenty years, reporting from conflicts all over the world. He is the author of the critically acclaimed and bestselling 'Fighter Boys', 'Bomber Boys' and '3 Para'.

Customer Reviews

Once More Unto The Breach
Patrick Bishop returns to Afghanistan with 3 Para to report on their recent tour of duty. His first book read like the plot of ZULU with the Toms surrounded on all sides and taking incoming fire. This time they get out and about on a wide range of missions; including the Kajaki Dam Convoy. The stories will continue to interest readers and the differences in direction between the two tours are an interesting commentary on the more distant world of politics and strategy. I was pleased to see a chapter on the Taliban. The realities of counter-insurgency are well explained by thoughtful officers and squaddies. The book is upbeat without being gung-ho.

Bishop gets better and better
Having read the first account 3 Para ,which I found extremely well written and informative, I did think It lacked the ability to keep the reader riveted. This account of the 3 Para's second tour of duty has it all. It is well written and packed with educated anecdotes and information. It keeps the reader in there with the troops and I enjoyed every frightening moment of this tour that our boys went through. I do believe it is important to read the first book as this gives a thorough insight into the whole debacle our soldiers have been put through.
Patrick Bishop has written some very informative books which I have indeed read including fighter boys. He is a history writer and not a dramatist, ( Ed Macey, Andy Mcnab please note). His written narrative has become much better and I believe this book tops the lot.

Highly recommended!
Thoughtful and stylishly written. I dare say that Ground Truth is an even better book than 3 Para. No other writer captures the sense of honour and sense of duty of the modern British soldier. Essential reading for anyone interested in Afghanistan and modern warfare. I cannot recommend this superb book enough.