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Maverick One: The True Story of a Para, Pathfinder, Renegade
The explosive sequel to the bestselling PATHFINDER.For the first time ever an elite British operator tells the gruelling story of his selection into the Pathfinders - Britain's secret soldiers. Pathfinder selection is a brutal physical and psychological trial lasting many weeks. It rivals that of the SAS and takes place over the same spine-crushing terrain, in the rain-and-snow-lashed wastes of the Welsh Mountains. For two decades no one has been able to relate the extraordinary trials of British elite forces selection - until now.Captain David Blakeley goes on from completing selection to serve with the Pathfinders in Afghanistan post 9/11, where he had a gun held to his head by Al Qaeda fighters. From there he deploys to Iraq, on a series of dramatic behind- enemy-lines missions - wherein he and his tiny elite patrol are outnumbered, outgunned and trapped. Maverick One is unique and extraordinary, chronicling the making of a warrior. It culminates in Blakeley fighting back to full recovery from horrific injuries suffered whilst on operations in Iraq, to go on to face SAS selection.
320 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 1, 2013
67 people are currently reading
184 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
August 8, 2017
Short review for a short read. It's a good slice of life about what it's like to go through one of the hardest military training courses around and what sort of things might bring a man to that point but there's nothing deeper and the pen portraits of his comrades aren't the most compelling. Plus there's only so many ways to talk about the agonies of tabbing. The part talking about Kosovo is the best bit.
Anyway, good read, nothing more nothing less.
Anyway, good read, nothing more nothing less.
July 20, 2013
Best book I've read all year!
July 16, 2019
a very powerful story of one guys determination to get into one of the UKs elite Military regiments
its a great read,and it made me want to read more about David Blakeley
the stories he tells about the selection process , the training and being in the theatre of war are amazing
its a great read,and it made me want to read more about David Blakeley
the stories he tells about the selection process , the training and being in the theatre of war are amazing
July 5, 2020
Easy and fast paced read. I like the way the chapters oscillate between training and operations but cunningly link together. There are a few unbelievables, especially early on when describing welbeck- I think he might have got some dates/places confused - but this doesn't greatly distract from the story.
November 29, 2014
This was pretty good. Really disturbing in parts. It has pictures at the end. I appreciated the pictures and all but, its obvious that he isn't bothered about his anonymity, despite being a special forces guy. I would still read more by this author. At the end of this story he mentions wanting to train for the SAS, so I'm interested to find out if he went ahead and did that.
July 12, 2014
Somewhere between the Bang Bang Club and Pathfinder, very good!!
August 7, 2015
One epic read, the selection process into the Pathfinders. True grit and determination with all the grittiness of someone battling against all odds! Couldn't put the book down
June 22, 2023
having the self discipline to succeed
In this book, the author tells of his life and influences and what he went through to join the Pathfinders. He shows that it is possible to achieve what you desire in life if you are prepared to work at it and for it, often going beyond what seems physically possible; the mind is stronger than the body.
It also hints at what numerous army tales mention - the fact the the UK government does not spend its military budget on the ground and does not really incentivise soldiers to join specialist units - the draw is the self-reward these men and women get from passing selection and performing at the highest levels. It is expected as a UK tax payer that we would value these soldiers more highly and provide them with the bare minimum kit that they need to survive and thrive when on operations.
A really good read and one that makes you wish the authors hadn’t been asked to sign the Jon disclosure documents.
In this book, the author tells of his life and influences and what he went through to join the Pathfinders. He shows that it is possible to achieve what you desire in life if you are prepared to work at it and for it, often going beyond what seems physically possible; the mind is stronger than the body.
It also hints at what numerous army tales mention - the fact the the UK government does not spend its military budget on the ground and does not really incentivise soldiers to join specialist units - the draw is the self-reward these men and women get from passing selection and performing at the highest levels. It is expected as a UK tax payer that we would value these soldiers more highly and provide them with the bare minimum kit that they need to survive and thrive when on operations.
A really good read and one that makes you wish the authors hadn’t been asked to sign the Jon disclosure documents.
June 5, 2023
Respect
This is a book concerning comradeship, leadership and as in the song "when the going gets tough, the tough get going". The author I am sure would be the first to admit that his parents and grandfather gave him the very best start in life, one that all children should have.
Throughout his career we see him 'pushing on' while others decided it was not for them or, although very fit and brave, they were unable to meet the extremely tough standards demanded of those wishing to join Britain's special forces.
No matter what life has thrown at him, his will to succeed shines throughout the book.
I hope the facilities for those injured while on duty have improved as they deserve the best available.
This is a book concerning comradeship, leadership and as in the song "when the going gets tough, the tough get going". The author I am sure would be the first to admit that his parents and grandfather gave him the very best start in life, one that all children should have.
Throughout his career we see him 'pushing on' while others decided it was not for them or, although very fit and brave, they were unable to meet the extremely tough standards demanded of those wishing to join Britain's special forces.
No matter what life has thrown at him, his will to succeed shines throughout the book.
I hope the facilities for those injured while on duty have improved as they deserve the best available.
March 26, 2020
Magnificent.
As an ex-Para this brought back many memories and the comradeship of those days, and the dedication required to become part of that elite force.
I too suffered serious injury, mine being due to a mid-air collision and a collapsed 'chute too close to the ground to deploy my reserve. At least in those days we had dedicated military hospitals, where the comradeship - and piss taking was an absolute joy.
Having broken my spine and pelvis, plus internal injuries, I was medically discharged, but I'll never forget the support and comradeship of my airborne brothers.
As an ex-Para this brought back many memories and the comradeship of those days, and the dedication required to become part of that elite force.
I too suffered serious injury, mine being due to a mid-air collision and a collapsed 'chute too close to the ground to deploy my reserve. At least in those days we had dedicated military hospitals, where the comradeship - and piss taking was an absolute joy.
Having broken my spine and pelvis, plus internal injuries, I was medically discharged, but I'll never forget the support and comradeship of my airborne brothers.
May 31, 2020
This was a fast paced, exciting read. I have never read anything about any modern military before and I particularly found the sections on the pathfinder selection interesting. I found the author himself very unlikeable and big headed and I have no doubt that this is a very one sided account of events written to make him and his teams look good in every situation. It is written very casually which suits the book but there are spelling/grammar mistakes and dialogue like writing which is sometimes annoying. Overall, I definitely enjoyed reading the book and might try to find some other perspectives of similar events to read so I get a more balanced view.
September 17, 2020
This book reads very well, build up and switching between timelines was great. However I found it a little anti climatic in the end. I appreciate the narrative sticks to the truth, as it should. But the marketing and description of the book would leave one thinking, its abit more action packed. Also several chapters toward the end are a condensed version of David's previous book, 'Pathfinder' which i had read before this. Found my self skipping over pages as a result. I felt the book was slightly mis-sold but Overall I enjoyed it, especially found the accounts of Kosovo & Afghanistan interesting.
September 19, 2018
Doesn't pull punches - honestly written and totally gripe
Reading this account makes you wonder why anyone would put themselves through such agony and inhuman treatment one the one hand but I the next breath be thankful that they are. An often brutal but honest account of a young man's ambition to be the best he could be. It's these sort of accounts that should be made compulsory reading in schools so that young people are made aware of the sacrifice that is made on their behalf - which in turn may encourage them to apply themselves to the maximum. In one word inspiring.
Reading this account makes you wonder why anyone would put themselves through such agony and inhuman treatment one the one hand but I the next breath be thankful that they are. An often brutal but honest account of a young man's ambition to be the best he could be. It's these sort of accounts that should be made compulsory reading in schools so that young people are made aware of the sacrifice that is made on their behalf - which in turn may encourage them to apply themselves to the maximum. In one word inspiring.
September 12, 2025
What a ride
It's an on the shoulders of giants read.
The old adage blow by blow comes to mind but this has you breathing hard reading the will needed to pass these pathfinder selection. It's nicely broken up with pre history and post selection to allow the reader to recover.
Having suffered polio at aged four i was prevented from any of this type of thing but this book along with Damien Lewis put one right in the centre of a world I would have loved to have inhabited.
Brilliant
It's an on the shoulders of giants read.
The old adage blow by blow comes to mind but this has you breathing hard reading the will needed to pass these pathfinder selection. It's nicely broken up with pre history and post selection to allow the reader to recover.
Having suffered polio at aged four i was prevented from any of this type of thing but this book along with Damien Lewis put one right in the centre of a world I would have loved to have inhabited.
Brilliant
May 28, 2020
Well presented account of SF selection from an officers point of view.
August 21, 2020
This was a fantastic sequal to his first book filled with history and adventure, your constantly amazed at the strength it takes to be the best.
January 3, 2020
Very enjoyable book, I read this some years after reading Captain Blakeley's other book titled Pathfinder. I'd recommend this to anyone with an interest in the British Army and the wider Special Forces community. It made me want to relive my own journey into that world, even the difficult parts which Captain Blakeley captures well in this very book.
The Pathfinder Platoon is a superb capability; typically British, it is much greater than the some of its parts. This book gives insight into its selection process without embellishment.
The Pathfinder Platoon is a superb capability; typically British, it is much greater than the some of its parts. This book gives insight into its selection process without embellishment.
January 19, 2018
Best book I've read for a while!
This is the true account of David Blakely from his life at school, going to Welbeck, army selection and Pathfinder selection.
The book jumps about a little in the first few chapters, in some books I find this quite annoying but strangely in this book it works well and leaves you on the edge of the seat, wanting more - desperate to read the next chapter!
In between the different selections there are active duty in places like Sierra Leone, Afghanistan and Iraq.
David's got another book out called Pathfinder, I think I'll need to get this next!
If you like your true military stories, well written and with humour this book is highly recommended.
This is the true account of David Blakely from his life at school, going to Welbeck, army selection and Pathfinder selection.
The book jumps about a little in the first few chapters, in some books I find this quite annoying but strangely in this book it works well and leaves you on the edge of the seat, wanting more - desperate to read the next chapter!
In between the different selections there are active duty in places like Sierra Leone, Afghanistan and Iraq.
David's got another book out called Pathfinder, I think I'll need to get this next!
If you like your true military stories, well written and with humour this book is highly recommended.
February 7, 2023
David Blakely has written 2 books about the Pathfinders, if you like books about non-fiction military. They are both interesting books.
I was amazed between this and "Pathfinder". Britain's special forces are about a few hundred soldiers, unlike the thousands in the US military. At first I just thought the author was reusing names, when I recognized some from the other book. These two books are worth reading if you like military non-fiction.
I was amazed between this and "Pathfinder". Britain's special forces are about a few hundred soldiers, unlike the thousands in the US military. At first I just thought the author was reusing names, when I recognized some from the other book. These two books are worth reading if you like military non-fiction.
April 10, 2015
Great easy and quick read.
April 5, 2016
Amazing book, although I thought the last third of the book was just a fraction slow. Still a very good read.
August 14, 2017
Excellent book. Blakely writes a detailed realistic book about overcoming adversity to pursue your goals in life.
March 5, 2024
One of the best written about an under appreciated and un recognised unit within the public eye due to the sas, must read.
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews