Damien Lewis se stal autorem téměř náhodou, když jej vydavatelství oslovilo s nabídkou přepracování jeho dokumentárního filmu do knižní podoby. Jeho práce se soustředí na válečné konflikty, terorismus a špionáž, často s důrazem na temné příčiny těchto událostí a jejich lidský dopad. Své rozsáhlé zkušenosti z válečných zón zúročuje v napínavých příbězích, které čtenáře vtáhnou do víru globálního dramatu, intrik a zrady. Lewisův styl je charakteristický syrovým realismem a hlubokým vhledem do lidské psychiky tváří v tvář extrémním situacím.
Jde o skutečný příběh dívky z černošského domorodého kmene Nuba ze Súddánu. Mende v něm popisuje nejen své idylické dětství v horské vesnici primitivního kmene, ale i brutální zvyky jakou je například obřízka. Její tragický osud se naplnil ve chvíli kdy vesnici přepadli nájezdníci, pochytali děti a odvlekli je na trh s otroky. Mende stráví v otroctví osm let. Rodina, u níž otročí se vrací do Anglie. Zde se Mende s pomocí súddánské komunity podaří utéct. Avšak těžkosti při získávání azylu a strasti života z daleka neodpovídají jejím snům.
Hrdinka a autorka příběhu Byla jsem otrokyní Mende Nazer po dlouhém úsilí získala politický azyl a britský pas. Konečně je svobodná, přesto nesmírně trpí odloučením od svých blízkých. Podnikne velmi riskantní výpravu do Súdánu, aby se po mnoha letech s africkou rodinou znovu setkala. Jenže oblast není bezpečná a Mende je trnem v oku súdánské vládě, neboť se otevřeně angažuje v boji za dodržování lidských práv v Africe. Její touha dostat se domů je silnější než strach...
Lékařkou v pekle na Zemi.
V době nepokojů a útlaku černošského obyvatelstva Araby a státní policií v Súdánu,se lékařka Halima snaží zůstat mimo konflikt a věnuje se raněným. Po přepadení školy, při němž je brutálně znásilněna většina dětí, se Halima už neudrží a podá zprávu zástupcům Spojených národů. Přijdou si pro ni ozbrojení muži a Halima se bojí nejhoršího. Skutečnost je ještě strašnější, než si představovala...
Damien Lewis's new bestseller tells the action-packed, riveting story of the band of mavericks and visionaries who made the SAS. Using hitherto untold stories and new archival sources, Damien Lewis follows one close-knit band of warriors from the SAS foundation through to the Italian landings - chronicling the extraordinary part they played as the tide of the Second World War truly turned in the Allied's favour. This is a narrative of wall-to-wall do-or-die action and daring, chronicling the exploits of some of the most highly-decorated soldiers of the twentieth-century.
The incredible true story of the SAS's mission to liberate Europe, featuring never-before-seen archive material FROM BESTSELLING MILITARY HISTORIAN DAMIEN LEWIS Summer, 1943: the largest invasion fleet ever assembled sailed for Europe, aiming to bulldoze its way onto Nazi shores. At its vanguard went a few hundred elite soldiers, their Royal Navy warship bearing the iconic motto 'Who Dares Wins'. The aim: Led by the legendary SAS commander Blair 'Paddy' Mayne, these war-bitten, piratical raiders were tasked to do the impossible - to bulldoze their way onto the most heavily defended Nazi shores - against all odds, outnumbered fifty-to-one. If they succeeded, it would mark the turning point in the war. If they failed, the consequences were unthinkable. Action-packed and filled with heroic endeavour, SAS Forged in Hell is breath-taking combat writing at its best, in true Damien Lewis style.
Sergeant 'Bommer' Grahame, one of the deadliest soldiers on the battlefield is an elite army JTAC (Joint Terminal Attack Controller- pronounced 'jay-tack'). This title tells the story of Bommer Grahame and his five-man Fire Support Team on their tour of Afghanistan.
'One of the most extraordinary stories of World War II . . . an eloquent and welcome tribute to their selfless, sometimes reckless courage - a howitzer of a tale that more people should know about' Daily Mail
"The true account of a German shepherd who was adopted by the Royal Air Force during World War II, joined in flight missions, and survived everything from crash-landings to parachute bailouts--ultimately saving the life of his owner and dearest friend. In the winter of 1939 in the cold snow of no-man's-land, two loners met and began an extraordinary journey that would turn them into lifelong friends. One was an orphaned puppy, abandoned by his owners as they fled Nazi forces. The other was a different kind of lost soul--a Czech airman bound for the Royal Air Force and the country that he would come to call home. Airman Robert Bozdech stumbled across the tiny German shepherd--whom he named Ant--after being shot down on a daring mission over enemy lines. Unable to desert his charge, Robert hid Ant inside his jacket as he escaped. In the months that followed the pair would save each other's lives countless times as they flew together with Bomber Command. And though Ant was eventually grounded due to injury, he refused to abandon his duty, waiting patiently beside the runway for his master's return from every sortie, and refusing food and sleep until they were reunited. By the end of the war Robert and Ant had become British war heroes, and Ant was justly awarded the Dickin Medal, the 'Animal VC'"--Provided by publisher.
This is the incredible true story of the unbreakable bond forged between Treo,
the world's most highly decorated dog, and his handler Sgt. Dave Heyhoe,
whilst doing the most dangerous job on earth - sniffing out bombs in
Afghanistan.
"The first account of the epic mission of 26 secret British elite operators versus 2,000 machine-gun wielding Sierra Leonean rebels during the bloody civil war of 2000, in the crucial battle that finally brought an end to it."--Publisher's description
The Gripping True Story of the Special Forces Heroes Who Broke the Nazi Stranglehold
416 stránek
15 hodin čtení
Set during July 1943, this gripping narrative chronicles the audacious mission of Britain's SAS forces, led by the legendary Blair 'Paddy' Mayne. Tasked with breaching heavily fortified Nazi defenses, they sailed aboard a converted passenger ferry as part of the largest invasion fleet in history. The stakes were monumental: success could turn the tide of World War II, while failure would have dire consequences. Through intense combat and personal sacrifice, the story explores themes of heroism, treachery, and the lasting impact of war on soldiers.
SAS Great Escapes tells the story of seven of the most dramatic and daring
escapes executed during WWII by what is arguably the world's most famous
military fighting force - the SAS.
December. Most of the world is preparing for Christmas. But a small fanatical group of lethal terrorists are preparing for something very different - the most devastating terror attack the world has ever witnessed. The target. Britain. A cargo ship has been hi-jacked. It is heading for the British coast. But what is the plan? And how many millions of innocent lives will be lost if it cannot be stopped. All leave cancelled, the Special Boat Squadron is sent in to action. For the small, dedicated squadron tasked with dealing with the threat, it will be the most lethal mission of their careers. And the most vital. The Ocean Strike must be stopped - and the SBS must use whatever force is necessary to foil the terror plot. And if necessary they must lay down their own lives. 'Ocean Strike' is a chillingly authentic military thriller that brilliant combines operational detail with a page-turning story. It is perfect for fans of Andy McNab and Chris Ryan. Damien Lewis has spent twenty years reporting from war, disaster and conflict zones around the world. He has written a dozen non-fiction and fiction books, topping best-seller lists worldwide, and is published in some thirty languages. Two of his books are being made into feature films.
The Race to Develop Radar, World War II's Invisible Secret Weapon
416 stránek
15 hodin čtení
Focusing on a pivotal WWII operation, the narrative recounts Operation Colossus, the Allies' first airborne raid, driven by a newfound German radar technology. Amidst Britain's struggles, a young technician persuades Churchill of the dire threat posed by the "Wurzburg Dish," leading to the daring Operation Biting. Under Major John Frost's command, the elite SAS undertakes a high-stakes mission to capture the radar installation, supported by the French Resistance. This gripping tale highlights the bravery and sacrifices of those involved during a critical moment in the war.
The Thrilling Secret Ww2 Mission to Storm a Forbidden Nazi Fortress
416 stránek
15 hodin čtení
The story revolves around a daring heist set against the backdrop of Italy, showcasing the intricacies of planning and executing a high-stakes operation. With a blend of action and suspense, the narrative explores themes of loyalty, betrayal, and the complexities of criminal endeavors. As characters navigate their motivations and the challenges they face, readers are taken on a thrilling journey that highlights both the excitement and the dangers of life on the edge.
This is the story of Operation Telic — the opening assault of the Iraq war — undertaken by crack British troops. The mission was to seize the Al Faw peninsula, the transition point for most of the country’s oil supplies, and to take it speedily, to prevent the blowing-up of oil fields.
Iraq. January 1991. The opening hours of The Gulf War. Bravo Two Zero: we all know the story thanks to Andy McNab. Deploying on foot, they were fatally compromised, five getting captured, three being killed and only one making a daring getaway.But there was Bravo Three Zero: they deployed with vehicles laden with weaponry and kit, as opposed to carrying all on their backs.They were the only SAS patrol to do so. And when they drove down the Chinook's open ramp, they saw a whole world of possibilities. While there was nowhere to hide, with vehicles they could still hunt for Saddam's SCUDS, and make a run for the border if desperate. Their story has never been told. It opens a new chapter in SAS legend ...
For three decades one of the most secretive units in the British military has been a mystery force known as X Platoon. Officially there was no X Platoon. The forty men in its elite number were specially selected from across the Armed Forces, at which point they simply ceased to exist. X Platoon had no budget, no weaponry, no vehicles and no kit - apart from what its men could beg, borrow or steal from other military units. For the first time a highly decorated veteran of this specialised force - otherwise known as the Pathfinders - reveals its unique story. Steve Heaney became one of the youngest ever to pass Selection, the gruelling trial of elite forces, and was at the cutting edge of X Platoon operations - serving on anti-narcotics operations in the Central American jungles, on missions hunting war criminals in the Balkans, and being sent to spy on and wage war against the Russians. The first non-officer in the unit's history to be award the Military Cross, Steve Heaney reveals the extraordinary work undertaken by this secret band of brothers.
They were branded as cowards and accused of being the British Special Forces Squadron that ran away from the Iraqis. But nothing could be further from the truth. Ten years on, the story of these sixty men can finally be told. In March 2003 M Squadron – an SBS unit with SAS embeds – was sent 1,000 kilometres behind enemy lines on a true mission impossible, to take the surrender of the 100,000-strong Iraqi Army 5th Corps. From the very start their tasking earned the nickname ‘Operation No Return’. Caught in a ferocious ambush by thousands of die-hard fanatics from Saddam Hussein’s Fedayeen, plus the awesome firepower of the 5th Corps’ heavy armour, and with eight of their vehicles bogged in Iraqi swamps, M Squadron launched a desperate bid to escape, inflicting massive damage on their enemies. Running low on fuel and ammunition, outnumbered, outmanoeuvred and outgunned, the elite operators destroyed sensitive kit and prepared for death or capture as the Iraqis closed their deadly trap. Zero Six Bravo recounts in vivid and compelling detail the most desperate battle fought by British and allied Special Forces trapped behind enemy lines since World War Two. It is a classic account of elite soldiering that ranks with Bravo Two Zero and the very greatest Special Forces missions of our time.
Zoya Phan was born in the remote jungles of Burma, to the Karen ethnic group. For decades the Karen have been under attack from Burma's military junta; Zoya's mother was a guerrilla soldier, her father a freedom activist. She lived in a bamboo hut on stilts by the Moei River; she hunted for edible fungi with her much-loved adopted brother, Say Say. Many Karen are Christian or Buddhist, but Zoya's parents were animist, venerating the spirits of forest, river and moon. Her early years were blissfully removed from the war. At the age of fourteen, however, Zoya's childhood was shattered as the Burmese army attacked. With their house in flames, Zoya and her family fled. So began two terrible years of running from guns, as Zoya joined thousands of refugees hiding in the jungle. Her family scattered, Zoya sought sanctuary across the border in a Thai refugee camp. Conditions in the camp were difficult, and Zoya now had to care for her ailing mother. Zoya, a gifted pupil, was eventually able to escape, first to Bangkok and then, with her enemies still pursuing her, in 2004 she fled to the UK and claimed asylum. The following year, at a 'free Burma' march, she was plucked from the crowd to appear on the BBC, the first of countless interviews with the world's media. She became the face of a nation enslaved, rubbing shoulders with presidents and film stars
1976, war-torn Beirut.An unknown band of armed men blast their way into the Imperial Bank of Beirut. Over the next 48 hours they load up three trucks with gold bullion, and the raiders and the loot disappear forever.But whilst the heist went like clockwork, they are forced to hide the loot and make their getaway. Thirty years later, they are planning their return. . .The only problem is that a powerful and ruthless enemy is hell bent on finding the gold before them. So begins a race against time to get to the gold before the deadly Black Assassins group can catch up with them.
In the summer of 1944, the SAS were charged with the most crucial D-Day missions, taking on the might of the Nazi Reich deep behind enemy lines. Facing Hitler's armoured legions - his fearsome Panzer divisions - with little more than raw courage and their nimble Willys jeeps, it would take maverick thinking and unconventional warfare in the extreme to survive and overcome. Hunted at every turn, theirs would become a bitter struggle to topple the dark power wielded from Berlin.Increasingly, the war to seize The Fatherland would descend into a bitter and bloody struggle waged between the Nazi Fuhrer, and those he believed hunted him and his most senior commanders - Blair 'Paddy' Mayne's SAS. No greater courage can be written, nor unconventional soldiering envisaged, than that evidenced by these renegade warriors as they dared all to bring the war to its final blood-soaked close.
Delving into the daring operations of the Special Air Service, this account highlights the audacious missions that defined the SAS during D-Day. It explores the innovative tactics and fearless soldiers who undertook perilous assignments behind enemy lines, showcasing their pivotal role in the success of the Allied invasion. Through gripping narratives, the book reveals the challenges faced and the ingenuity displayed by these mavericks, offering a compelling look at a crucial moment in military history.
Codename: Cobra Gold. Bei einer geheimen Mission im Libanon raubt ein Trupp britischer Elitesoldaten 1979 den gesamten Goldvorrat einer großen Bank in Beirut. Wert: fünfzig Millionen Dollar. Als sie zwanzig Jahre später das Gold holen wollen, das sie damals vor Feinden und Vorgesetzten versteckt haben, merken sie schnell, dass sie nicht die Einzigen sind, die sich dafür interessieren. Offenbar gehörte das Gold einer Terrorgruppe, die nun alles daransetzt, den Schatz wieder in ihren Besitz zu bringen. Für Lieutenant Luke Kilbride und seine Männer geht es um Leben und Tod …