The Flaming Sword

Death or Glory #2

by Michael Asher

EGYPT, OCTOBER 1942:

The battle for North Africa rages along the coast... Punching their way deep behind enemy lines, the newly formed SAS carries out daring raids against the Germans.

Lieutenant Tom Caine leads a squad of SAS men on a desperate mission into hostile territory. His brief - to sabotage a terrible weapon being secretly developed by the Nazis in the desolate Libyan Hills. If he fails, the Axis forces will be unstoppable.

Caine faces the full force of German military might, but what he doesn't know is that there is a traitor amongst his own men. Ultimately his fate will rest in the hands of one woman, Special Ops agent Betty Nolan.

Only one thing is certain in this war - who dares wins...

Genres: Fiction, War

496 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2010

About the author

Michael Asher is an author, historian, deep ecologist, and notable desert explorer who has covered more than 30,000 miles on foot and camel. He spent three years living with a traditional nomadic tribe in Sudan.

Michael Asher was born in Stamford, Lincolnshire, in 1953, and attended Stamford School. At 18 he enlisted in the 2nd Battalion the Parachute Regiment, and saw active service in Northern Ireland during The Troubles there in the 1970s.

He studied English Language & Linguistics at the University of Leeds. at the same time serving in B Squadron, 23rd SAS Regiment. He also studied at Carnegie College, Leeds, where he qualified as a teacher of physical education and English.

In 1978-9, he worked for the RUC Special Patrol Group anti-terrorist patrols, but left after less than a year. He took a job as a volunteer English teacher in the Sudan in 1979.

The author of twenty-one published books, and presenter/director of six TV documentaries, Asher has lived in Africa for much of his life, and speaks Arabic and Swahili. He is married to Arabist and photographer Mariantonietta Peru, with whom he has a son and a daughter, Burton and Jade. He currently lives in Nairobi, Kenya.

Reviews

[Allan Stein · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was a very difficult read. The use of words and phrases that may have been normal in certain aspects of the British Army (although I haven't seen it in other books that I have read involving British military). For example, when one of the characters used the term "clock" it took awhile to understand that it meant look or looked at someone or something. This is just one of many words or phrases that required looking back to try to understand what it meant. Some, I don't know if I even got a correct interpretation.

[Andy Field · Rating 3 out of 5]

Blood and guts WW2 book based on the SAS. I liked it!

[Chris Payne · Rating 3 out of 5]

I don't do book reviews

I don't do book reviews like you keep seeing, as I find that some give too much of the plot away and I personally hate that, as it makes the book not worth reading. I much prefer to take the authors back cover write up as a review as it can either intrigue you enough to read the book of provide you enough information to make you decide that the book is not for you.
My review rules are: The more stars, the more I liked it.
If there are too many typos or errors the less stars I give
If the storyline or plot is poor or contains too many errors, the characters are too weak, the ending lacking something, then the less stars I give.
Simple, uncomplicated and to the point without giving anything away.
Some of the books I read have been given to me by the author as a pre-release copy and this does not bias my reviews in any way.

[Mr Michael R Stevens · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the second in a four book set, enjoyable escapism with very little historical accuracy.
For readers of my age, (70’s), think Victor or Commando heroes and escapades.
Light reading before more heavyweight ‘stuff’.

[Carol Holder · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good story ; good reading enjoyable

[Dick Montgomery · Rating 5 out of 5]

More action, deception and fighting to the death.

[Rob · Rating 4 out of 5]

In this book, Michael Asher has used his descriptive powers to the full. Well plotted, and with a double twist at the end. It is very obvious to readers of this genre that Asher writes with authority. Very gory in parts, but very necessary to the story. Now looking for other books from this author!

[Richard · Rating 3 out of 5]

An enjoyable read which carries the reader along. The pace of the story helps gloss over some of the more far-fetched sections of the story. While not so intense and absorbing as Death and Glory part one this novel has enough twists and turns to make it a rewarding read.

[david · Rating 2 out of 5]

Like an extended essay by a gifted teenager, simplistic writing and lack of depth of characters. Plot laughable in places, suspension of disbelief notwithstanding.