Books by ABN Members

Dr/Col. Philip (‘Tom’) Cobley MBE late PARA, now retired and living in USA, has most generously donated the royalties from his three books: The Final Tally, Combat Command and The British Infantry to the Airborne Charity Support our PARAs ‘in perpetuity’. This is a very generous gift and should any other ABN author wish to consider doing the same, advice as to how proceed is available from plansdir@supportourparas.org

 

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From the Frontline Family Letters and Diaries: 1914 to the Falklands and Afghanistan
In the Shadow of the Mountain

In the Shadow of the Mountain

Author:

This book follows two newly commissioned lieutenants learning how to command in Northern Ireland during the run up to the 1997 General Election

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Into the Killing Zone

Into the Killing Zone

Author:

Leading commentator, Sean Rayment, has followed the conflict in Afghanistan from the first moment and tells the story of the rise and fall of the British effort in Afghanistan. The current conflict in Afghanistan is unlike any other war in the world. Since 2006 British soldiers have been living in impossible conditions, under the searing desert sun (on occasions reaching 50°C) and facing continual fire from elusive Taliban forces. With access to many members of the Parachute Regiment, the Royal Marines, and The Royal Anglian Regiment as well as the undercover operations of special forces, Sean Rayment recounts the lives and battles of the British forces at the centre of the most difficult conflict of our times.

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Tales from the Special Forces Club: Hidden from the modern world, the untold stories of Britain’s elite warriors of WWII

Tales from the Special Forces Club: Hidden from the modern world, the untold stories of Britain’s elite warriors of WWII

Author:

Stories of real-life bravery and courage-under-fire contribute to a unique and poignant record of a club created for heroes.

There are just a handful of men and women alive today who served and fought with the Special Forces during the Second World War. They are a dwindling bunch of veterans in their twilight years whose tales of heroism and daring-do will soon be lost in time forever – yet they still regularly get together in a gentleman’s club, right in the heart of London – The Special Forces Club.

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Tank Action: An Armoured Troop Commander’s War 1944-45

Tank Action: An Armoured Troop Commander’s War 1944-45

A gripping account of the Second World War, from the perspective of a young tank commander.

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Afghanistan – Britain’s War in Helmand: A Historical Account of the UK’s Fight Against the Taliban
Fishing in Time: The History of the Leintwardine Fishing Club
Britain in a Perilous World: The Strategic Defence and Security Review We Need

Britain in a Perilous World: The Strategic Defence and Security Review We Need

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The British government periodically publishes a Strategic Defence and Security Review, an appraisal of the armed forces that seeks to understand and prepare for the defense challenges that lie ahead. This report is often controversial—the 2010 review, for example, made headlines for all the wrong reasons, as major defense projects such as the NIMROD aircraft were discontinued at huge cost, while other projects were maintained only because they were too expensive to abandon.

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Even the birds stopped singing: Fifty years of fun in the clouds

Even the birds stopped singing: Fifty years of fun in the clouds

A very readable and amusing history of the origins and growth of sport parachuting from a pioneer of the sport and the photographer responsible for some of the earliest pictures taken while free falling himself.

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Along the Swift River

Along the Swift River

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The sequel to In the Shadow of the Mountain and Sunrise in the Valley. This novel brilliantly captures the moral and intellectual collapse of New Labour leaving power.

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Marooned
Sunrise in the Valley

Sunrise in the Valley

Author:

This novel is the second in a trilogy following two characters through the wars of the Blair/Brown period of government. It is 2001, and Major Paul Illingworth is sent to the troubled Balkan region of Kosovo as a media spokesman. Once there he must win the hearts and minds of the local population, but all factions are volatile, and veteran war reporters are deeply cynical of anything he says. Can he trust Roza, his young Albanian interpreter? And which version of the truth does he believe?

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Utility of Force: The Art Of War In The Modern World

Utility of Force: The Art Of War In The Modern World

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Why do we try to use military force to solve our political problems? And why, when our forces win the military battles does this still fail to solve those problems? It is because the force lacks utility.

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Call to Arms: Officer Cadet Training at Eaton Hall 1943-1958

Call to Arms: Officer Cadet Training at Eaton Hall 1943-1958

The story of Officer Cadet Training at Eaton Hall near Chester from 1943 - 1958.

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Whither the Fates Call: A Personal Account of National Service in the British Army 1950-1952

Whither the Fates Call: A Personal Account of National Service in the British Army 1950-1952

Author:

This is a true adventure story which in today s parlance might be described as a 2 year gap year. From the day he entered the Guards Depot at Caterham, Surrey, to the day he disembarked from the troopship Empire Pride in Liverpool from the Far East, the author wrote 208 letters home. These letters, meticulously kept in chronological order, together with numerous photographs, provide a unique record of one person s National Service experience in The British Army. This beautifully produced hardback of 400 pages is a fascinating story.

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Danger Close: The True Story of Helmand from the Leader of 3 PARA

Danger Close: The True Story of Helmand from the Leader of 3 PARA

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.

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The Manner of Men: 9 PARA’s Heroic D-day Mission

The Manner of Men: 9 PARA’s Heroic D-day Mission

In June 1944, an elite unit of British paratroopers was sent on a daring and highly risky behind-the-lines mission, which was deemed vital to the success of D-Day.

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Airborne to Battle – A History of Airborne Warfare, 1918-1971
Walking the Himalayas: An adventure of survival and endurance

Walking the Himalayas: An adventure of survival and endurance

Author:

WINNER OF THE 2016 EDWARD STANFORD ADVENTURE TRAVEL BOOK OF THE YEAR AWARD

'Levison Wood has breathed new life into adventure travel.' Michael Palin

'Levison Wood is a great adventurer and a wonderful storyteller.' Sir Ranulph Fiennes

'Britain's best-loved adventurer... he looks like a man who will stare danger in the face and soak up a lot of pain without complaint.' The Times

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Distant Battlefields
Every Day is Different

Every Day is Different

Author:

Every Day is Different - all profits are donated to Blesma. https://blesma.org

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The Tortuous Birth of a Nation

The Tortuous Birth of a Nation

Author:

The tour guide is designed specifically for the enthusiast wanting to explore and discover more about Israel's military history. But instead of simply reading about historical events this guide takes the traveller to the battle sites themselves throughout Israel.

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SAS: Sea King Down

SAS: Sea King Down

The unputdownable, edge-of-the-seat insight into still classified Special Forces operations in the Falklands War.

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Long Way Home: Love, life, death, and everything in between
Sharpening The Weapons of Peace