Product Description

Colonel Stuart Tootal is the first senior commander to provide an account of the fighting in Afghanistan. A gritty portrayal of unforgiving conflict, Danger Close captures the essence of combat, the risks involved and the aftermath.

3 PARA was the first unit into Helmand in 2006. Sent on a peace mission, it became engaged in a level of combat that has not been experienced by the British Army since the end of the Korean War. Undermanned and suffering from equipment shortages, 3 PARA fought doggedly to win the break in battle.

Numerous gallantry decorations were awarded, but they were not without cost. On returning from Afghanistan, Tootal fought to get proper treatment for his wounded and feeling frustrated with the Government’s treatment of its soldiers, he resigned from the Army.

This is a dramatic, and often moving, insight into the leadership of soldiers and the sharp end of war. 

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Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #11449 in Books
• Published on: 2009-07-27
• Released on: 2009-07-27
• Original language: English
• Binding: Hardcover
• 320 pages

Review

'At last, a commander telling us the cold, harsh truth about this war. An excellent and compelling read'

(Andy McNab )

'A gripping first-hand account of the realities of frontline command at the start of the bitterest war that Britain has fought for generations'

(Patrick Bishop, author of 3 PARA )

'The first senior commander to provide an account of the fighting, Tootal’s book is refreshingly free of the gung-ho machismo and sentimentality that afflicts other lesser entries of the genre'

(The Sunday Tribune )

'Tootal offers the perspective of a man in charge ... he tells the story well ... passionate admiration for his men is matched by disdain for others'

(Sunday Times )

About the Author

Colonel Stuart Tootal has served in Germany, Northern Ireland, the Gulf War and during the invasion of Iraq. He also served in the MOD, for which he was awarded the OBE. In 2006, he commanded 3 PARA in Afghanistan and was awarded a DSO for outstanding leadership and gallantry. He subsequently set up the 3 PARA Afghan Trust charity, on leaving the army. He now works in the City and is a defence commentator for a major national TV network, numerous papers and radio programmes. He regularly lectures on leadership in challenging environments and his experiences in Afghanistan to forums. Danger Close is his first book.

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Customer Reviews

An outstanding book.
Having read most books about the war in Afghanistan written by soldiers, it made a change to see things from the commanders point of view. Colonel Tootal has written an excellent account of his time in command of 3 Para during their first deploment in 2006. One can almost feel his frustration as political mission creep imposes more and more difficulties on him and his overtasked Battalion. One can feel his pain as his men are killed and wounded as the Battalion becomes embroiled in ceaseless combat with the Taliban.He is scathing about the way the wounded are treated once back in UK (what has changed in 3 years). Overall a thoroughly well balanced book which gives an excellent account of the burden of command. Highly recommended.

Pulls no punches - puts blame and praise where due
I served some 22 years in the Army and was lucky to do a couple of attachments to the Paras. This book is an excellent stripped down account of what soldiers and airmen face in Afghanistan. One of the most concise and complelling collection of stories about the conflict but more importantly the human dimension, the costs in lives and injuries - which are far greater than the politicans acknowledge. More damning as no politician has sons/daughters out there letting them know what parents and loved ones at home must live through, before and especially after serving in such a combat zone. Saddened by lack of support to our troops especially when they come home injured and have a long and slow support system. Col Tootal has done his boys & ladies proud, a shame he is no longer serving, the type of commander any soldier would wish for. Please read this book to understand what the other end of a British political decision means to those who have to uphold policy abroad - with the wrong equipment and restricted support. The young men who usually bear the brunt of scoieties complaints should be proud of what they achieve in Afghanistan, especially as the politicans at home, including the PM take for granted what and how they achieve success against heavy odds.

Inspirational
For those of us with no experience of the realities of war this book is both challenging and thought provoking.

Can't recommend it highly enough. Should be required reading for politicians!