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Rogue Heroes: The History of the SAS, Britain's Secret Special Forces Unit That Sabotaged the Nazis and Changed the Nature of War

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'Rogue Heroes: The History of the SAS, Britain's Secret Special Forces Unit That Sabotaged the Nazis and Changed the Nature of War' by Ben Macintyre delves into the daring and courageous exploits of the Special Air Service during World War II. Through a series of clandestine operations, the SAS, led by unconventional leaders like David Stirling, disrupted and destroyed enemy targets deep behind enemy lines. Macintyre's narrative style vividly brings to life the intense missions, the camaraderie among the soldiers, and the strategic innovations that shaped modern warfare. captures the bravery, humor, and vulnerability of the SAS members, highlighting their individual stories within the larger context of the war.

Macintyre skillfully weaves together historical accuracy with engaging storytelling, showcasing the evolution of the SAS from its unconventional beginnings in the North African desert to its pivotal role in the European campaigns. not only explores the military tactics and achievements of the SAS but also delves into the personal journeys of the men who served in this elite unit. Through a mix of humor, action, and historical insight, 'Rogue Heroes' offers a compelling account of the rogue heroes who defied the odds and made a lasting impact on the course of the war.

Writing/Prose:

The author's writing style is captivating and balances humor with historical accuracy, making the narrative both engaging and informative.

Plot/Storyline:

The story revolves around the formation and crucial operations of the SAS during World War II, highlighting their unconventional methods, struggles, and the characters involved.

Setting:

The setting primarily spans the North African desert and later moves into Europe, capturing the grim realities of World War II.

Pacing:

The pacing of the book is dynamic and engaging, allowing readers to remain intrigued and captivated by the narrative.
Five months before Operation Squatter, a tall, thin soldier lay, grumpy and immobile, in a Cairo hospital bed. The twenty-five-year-old officer had been brought into the Scottish Military Hospital on ...

Notes:

The SAS was founded in 1941 by David Stirling, a Scottish aristocrat.
Stirling convinced a general to support his idea of using small units to attack behind enemy lines.
Initially known as 'L Detachment of the Special Air Service', the SAS started with just a handful of men.
At its peak, the SAS grew to 2,500 men, operating in secret during World War II.
The SAS used unconventional tactics like parachuting into desert areas for surprise attacks.
Despite facing opposition from conventional military leaders, the SAS proved essential to the war effort.
Ben Macintyre based the book on the SAS war diary and was candid about both failures and successes.
The SAS's early successes were due in part to the lack of enemy defenses in remote areas at night.
The unit caused significant damage by destroying German and Italian machinery, supplies, and infrastructure.
One SAS unit famously revealed the horrors of the Bergen Belsen concentration camp.
Many members of the SAS came from diverse backgrounds, including a tomato farmer and an amateur boxer.
The tactics and structure of the SAS have influenced the formation of special forces units around the world, including Delta Force in the USA.
Macintyre's storytelling balances historical accuracy with the human stories of the soldiers involved.
The book is praised for its mix of humor, action, and serious themes about the war's brutality.

Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings

Content warnings for medium levels of violence, war-related trauma, and descriptions of historical atrocities.

From The Publisher:

NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER

The incredible untold story of World War II's greatest secret fighting force, as told by the modern master of wartime intrigue-coming soon as a limited series on Epix!

"Reads like a mashup of The Dirty Dozen and The Great Escape, with a sprinkling of Ocean's 11 thrown in for good measure."-Michiko Kakutani, The New York Times

ONE OF NPR'S BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR

" Rogue Heroes is a ripping good read."- Washington Post (10 Best Books of the Year)

Britain's Special Air Service-or SAS-was the brainchild of David Stirling, a young aristocrat whose aimlessness belied a remarkable strategic mind.

Where most of his colleagues looked at a World War II battlefield map and saw a protracted struggle, Stirling saw an opportunity: given a small number of elite men, he could parachute behind Nazi lines and sabotage their airplanes and supplies.

Defying his superiors' conventional wisdom, Stirling assembled a revolutionary fighting force that would upend not just the balance of the war, but the nature of combat itself.

Bringing his keen eye for detail to a riveting wartime narrative, Ben Macintyre uses his unprecedented access to the SAS archives to shine a light on a legendary unit long shrouded in secrecy.

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