Product Description

In "Bravo Two Zero", Andy McNab gave an account of his experiences as commander of an SAS patrol behind enemy lines in Iraq. Now he tells the story of his life, from the day he was found in a Harrod's carrier bag on the steps of Guy's Hospital to the day he went to fight in the Gulf War. As a delinquent youth, McNab kicked against society; as a young soldier he waged war against the IRA in the streets and fields of South Armagh; and as a member of 22 SAS Regiment he was at the centre of covert operations for nine years, on five continents. In this book he details his activities in a world of surveillance and intelligence-gathering, counter-terrorism and hostage rescue.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #78834 in Books
• Published on: 1996-10-03
• Original language: English
• Binding: Paperback
• 507 pages

From the Back Cover
The most astonishing true story you will ever read - by the author of the million-copy bestseller, Bravo Two Zero.

Millions of readers first came into contact with Andy McNab through Bravo Two Zero, his incredible account of the SAS patrol that went behind enemy lines during the Gulf War. But for Andy McNab, Bravo Two Zero was only part of the story.

Immediate Action is a no-holds-barred account of an extraordinary life, from the day McNab was found in a carrier bag on the steps of Guy's Hospital to the day he went to fight in the Gulf War.

As a delinquent youth he kicked against society. As a young soldier he waged war against the IRA in the streets and fields of South Armagh. As a member of 22 SAS Regiment he was at the centre of covert operations for nine years - on five continents.

Recounting with grim humour and in riveting, often horrifying, detail his activities in the world's most highly trained and efficient Special Forces unit, McNab sweeps us into a world of surveillance and intelligence-gathering, counter-terrorism and hostage rescue. There are casualties: the best men are so often the first to be killed, because they are in front.

By turns chilling, astonishing, violent, funny and moving, this blistering first-hand account of life at the forward edge of battle confirms Andy McNab's standing in the front rank of writers on modern war.

About the Author
joined the infantry as a boy soldier. In 1984 he was 'badged' as a member of 22 SAS Regiment and was involved in both covert and overt special operations worldwide. During the Gulf War he commanded Bravo Two Zero, a patrol that, in the words of his commanding officer, 'will remain in regimental history for ever'. Awarded both the Distinguished Conduct Medal (DCM) and Military Medal (MM) during his military career, McNab was the British Army's most highly decorated serving soldier when he finally left the SAS in February 1993. He wrote about his experiences in two phenomenal bestsellers, Bravo Two Zero, which was filmed in 1998 starring Sean Bean, and Immediate Action. He is the author of the bestselling Nick Stone thriller series. Besides his writing work, he lectures to security and intelligence agencies in both the USA and UK.

Customer Reviews

Immediate Action by Andy Mcnab
This book is a masterpiece! I have only just recieved delivery of it 3 days ago and am half way through- but felt compelled to write a review with Immediate Action...! (poor I know, sorry!)

Seriously though, this is a must read for anyone who is vaguely interested in the forces, guns and brutal story telling, even someone who has any interest in fitness stamina etc it has the British Armys finest survival and fitness techniques described and explained so would be a shame to miss out on them.. This book has it all in and is written with fantastic detail and an extremely honest, witty sense of humour.

McNab describes his real life story's with such detail and skill that you feel as though you are there, right next to him in Northen Ireland being fired upon by the IRA and the training selection process for the Regiment (22 Squadron, the SAS); from the Brecon Beacons to the Jungle in Mayaila and feeling the pain from the Interrogation process that completes the training. This has the makings for yet another film on the regiment and would be a complete waste if this didn't happen.

I wont say any more- mainly because I cant! I havnt got far enough but once again, McNab comes out on top. Simply Awesome- a must buy...

Excellent read by a truely great military writer.
I read the book after reading Bravo Two Zero.This book competes with the other but Immediate Action goes into much more detail.Sometimes the book contains technical jargon which some readers may find perplexing, but for a military nut like me it was sheer class.There are also great pictures inside which help understand some of the conditions that this elite - group fight in.The best part of the book , in my humble opinion, was when Andy had to pass selection.It will make you wince in pain and gawp at the book as some of the things done are unbelievable. Immediate action is in my personal top three and i would strongly reccomend this book to anyone slightly interested in that sort of thing. Finally may i congratulate Andy Mcnab(if that is his real name !)on a superb read which gives an amazing insight into The SAS.The only problem with this book is that it finished to soon and kept me up to 3 am as i couldn't put the book down.This book MUST BE READ!!!

The best factual book i have had the pleasure to read.
This book right from the first chapter had me gripped.Its not just that having been in the services i had developed an interest,i was taken into a new world for me and an interesting one for those who haven't had the pleasure.Just reading about the selection process was enough to show me just how comfortable my life is!For those who dont know Immediate Action is the autobiography of Andy Mcnab DCM,MM.It starts with him joining the army as a boy soldier to keep out of trouble,and takes you right through to him becoming a sergeant in the SAS and of course the now legendary Bravo Two Zero patrol in Iraq.Superb