Freefall

by Tom Read

'This is BRAVO TWO ZERO meets ONE FLEW OVER THE CUCKOO'S NEST . Tom Read's story had me on the edge of my seat. It also made me cry.'Andy McNabA former member of the British Parachute Regiment, Tom Read was preparing to freefall from more than 23 miles above the earth to become the first man to punch a hole through the sound barrier unassisted.It didn't work out that way.From his hospital bed in a French sanatorium, Tom began to review his life in an attempt to trace the roots of his the tough childhood, moving from place to place; joining the Parachute Regiment at seventeen and confronting riots, IRA snipers and booby-traps; doing more than 1,000 jumps with the Red Devils and the first ever Parachute drop onto the Falklands; and the high-altitude work that may have created a chemical imbalance in his brain.Weaving backwards and forwards between a haunting present and a remarkable past FREEFALL is an unrelentingly suspenseful account of an amazing life.'Extraordinary'Mail on Sunday'A courageous book'The Times

Genres: Memoir, Biography, Nonfiction

Paperback

First published August 6, 1998

Reviews

[Nigel Calvert · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. The writing is simple and direct and draws you in so that you feel so much empathy with the author. This is real life, with no hiding paces. Clearly being in elite army units is not something most of us will realise, so not THAT real then from one point of view, but the reaction to extraordinary circumstances, to losing friends and loved ones, to trauma and physical pain as well as mental anguish, is all too real. An extraordinary book, that ultimately left me full of optimism and the feeling that, whatever life throws at you, we as humans have the strength and compassion to get through it together.

[Shane · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of the best books I have ever read. I just liked the straightforwardness and bluntness the author uses and the way he describes his descent into madness, especially the first-hand accounts of his delusional perceptions. Just a great pity that the author eventually succumbed to his illness.

[Joe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Laugh out loud funny in some parts, very sad in others. I read about 'Nish' in Andy McNab's 7 troop which I recommend. It's a great book and memoir of a special forces soldier, and tells more about Nish's escapades in the SAS. What a courageous man.

Note: Tom Read is the pseudonym of Charles Bruce, also known as 'Nish'.

[Louise Gs · Rating 5 out of 5]

I couldn’t put this down, the story is absolutely fascinating, there is so much interesting content. It’s a really honest account of life and all it’s ups and downs.

[Matt Whitby · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Thirty-four years ago, in the time before I went mad, a man looked down from the edge of space."

I really wish this amazing book was still in print. Gripping - as you can see - from the first line, and through to the last.

I just cannot recommend this book highly enough.


Edit: Now re-issued! https://www.amazon.co.uk/Freefall/dp/...

[Alex M · Rating 5 out of 5]

Shame it isnt in print anymore. If you can get a copy, its well worth the read. Not just a book about the forces either. Best book ive read in a while.

[Jason Bruce · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is now back in print - paperback and e-book. Re-published in August 2021 for the first time since the author’s death in 2002. Updated by his son, he penned a foreword and afterword to conclude his father’s life story in his own words.

[Bob Penfold · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sad end to an exciting career

[Luke · Rating 4 out of 5]

Amazing book.

Tom Read really tells us how it is. He doesn't hide anything, but tells us exactly how he felt and what he went through during his descent into madness and his recover from it. It's a book I'd definitly read again.

It's only a shame it's out of print.

Note: Tom Read is the pseudonym of Charles Bruce

[Leigh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read good read and amazing honesty about a difficult subject.

[Wan Peter · Rating 1 out of 5]

Nothing great or exciting about this book.