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Today Everything Changes
Abandoned as a baby, Andy McNab's start in life was tough. He grew up in South London with foster parents, and poverty around him on all sides.
Andy attended seven schools in as many years, disillusioned and in remedial classes. It wasn't long before his life was one of petty crime. By the age of sixteen, he was in juvenile detention.
Recruited into the Army from there, it soon became clear that he had the reading age of an eleven year old. The next six months in the Army education system changed the course of his life forever. Today Everything Changes is the inspiring story of when life changed for the better for now best-selling author Andy McNab
Andy attended seven schools in as many years, disillusioned and in remedial classes. It wasn't long before his life was one of petty crime. By the age of sixteen, he was in juvenile detention.
Recruited into the Army from there, it soon became clear that he had the reading age of an eleven year old. The next six months in the Army education system changed the course of his life forever. Today Everything Changes is the inspiring story of when life changed for the better for now best-selling author Andy McNab
114 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2013
15 people are currently reading
231 people want to read
About the author
Andy McNab
205 books1,164 followersAndy McNab joined the infantry in 1976 as a boy soldier. In 1984 he was badged as a member of 22 SAS Regiment. He served in B Squadron 22 SAS for ten years and worked on both covert and overt special operations worldwide, including anti-terrorist and anti-drug operations in the Middle and Far East, South and Central America and Northern Ireland.
Trained as a specialist in counter terrorism, prime target elimination, demolitions, weapons and tactics, covert surveillance and information gathering in hostile environments, and VIP protection, McNab worked on cooperative operations with police forces, prison services, anti-drug forces and western backed guerrilla movements as well as on conventional special operations. In Northern Ireland he spent two years working as an undercover operator with 14th Intelligence Group, going on to become an instructor.
McNab also worked as an instructor on the SAS selection and training team and instructed foreign special forces in counter terrorism, hostage rescue and survival training.
Andy McNab has written about his experiences in the SAS in two bestselling books, Bravo Two Zero (1993) and Immediate Action (1995). Bravo Two Zero is the highest selling war book of all time and has sold over 1.7 million copies in the UK. To date it has been published in 17 countries and translated into 16 languages. The CD spoken word version of Bravo Two Zero, narrated by McNab, sold over 60,000 copies and earned a silver disc. The BBC's film of Bravo Two Zero, starring Sean Bean, was shown on primetime BBC 1 television in 1999 and released on DVD in 2000.
Immediate Action, McNab's autobiography, spent 18 weeks at the top of the bestseller lists following the lifting on an ex-parte injunction granted to the Ministry of Defence in September 1995. To date, Immediate Action has now sold over 1.4 million copies in the UK.
McNab is the author of seven fast action thrillers, highly acclaimed for their authenticity and all Sunday Times bestsellers. Published in 1997, Remote Control was hailed as the most authentic thriller ever written and has sold over half a million copies in the UK. McNab's subsequent thrillers, Crisis Four, Firewall, Last Light , Liberation Day , Dark Winter , Deep Black and Aggressor have all gone on to sell equally well. The central character in all the books is Nick Stone, a tough ex-SAS operative working as a 'K' on deniable operations for British Intelligence.
McNab's fiction draws extensively on his experiences and knowledge of Special Forces soldiering. He has been officially registered by Neilsen Bookscan as the bestselling British thriller writer of the last year.
Trained as a specialist in counter terrorism, prime target elimination, demolitions, weapons and tactics, covert surveillance and information gathering in hostile environments, and VIP protection, McNab worked on cooperative operations with police forces, prison services, anti-drug forces and western backed guerrilla movements as well as on conventional special operations. In Northern Ireland he spent two years working as an undercover operator with 14th Intelligence Group, going on to become an instructor.
McNab also worked as an instructor on the SAS selection and training team and instructed foreign special forces in counter terrorism, hostage rescue and survival training.
Andy McNab has written about his experiences in the SAS in two bestselling books, Bravo Two Zero (1993) and Immediate Action (1995). Bravo Two Zero is the highest selling war book of all time and has sold over 1.7 million copies in the UK. To date it has been published in 17 countries and translated into 16 languages. The CD spoken word version of Bravo Two Zero, narrated by McNab, sold over 60,000 copies and earned a silver disc. The BBC's film of Bravo Two Zero, starring Sean Bean, was shown on primetime BBC 1 television in 1999 and released on DVD in 2000.
Immediate Action, McNab's autobiography, spent 18 weeks at the top of the bestseller lists following the lifting on an ex-parte injunction granted to the Ministry of Defence in September 1995. To date, Immediate Action has now sold over 1.4 million copies in the UK.
McNab is the author of seven fast action thrillers, highly acclaimed for their authenticity and all Sunday Times bestsellers. Published in 1997, Remote Control was hailed as the most authentic thriller ever written and has sold over half a million copies in the UK. McNab's subsequent thrillers, Crisis Four, Firewall, Last Light , Liberation Day , Dark Winter , Deep Black and Aggressor have all gone on to sell equally well. The central character in all the books is Nick Stone, a tough ex-SAS operative working as a 'K' on deniable operations for British Intelligence.
McNab's fiction draws extensively on his experiences and knowledge of Special Forces soldiering. He has been officially registered by Neilsen Bookscan as the bestselling British thriller writer of the last year.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews
May 31, 2019
I'm glad to have read this particular Quick Read after McNab's On The Rock. While On The Rock showcases the man's writing talent, Today Everything Changes reveals his origins.
McNab had a tough beginning. Abandoned at an A&E by his birth mother, adopted by parents unable to keep him well fed and being drawn into gangs of young thieves: it's a story that is sadly all too common these days. The book even opens with a tragic accident which led to the death of one of his friends.
Then McNab signs up for the infantry where he discovers a sense of belonging, neat habits and, eventually, a passion for reading. Within a relatively short space of time, McNab goes from barely literate to a confident reader to a bestselling writer.
This is the kind of biography that could win over plenty of lads coming from similar backgrounds and may even advise on a viable career path. However you may feel about the army, this book remains uplifting.
I recommend Today Everything Changes to fans curious about McNab's formative years as well as young people who are feeling directionless and wouldn't mind reading a very short but inspiring book.
McNab had a tough beginning. Abandoned at an A&E by his birth mother, adopted by parents unable to keep him well fed and being drawn into gangs of young thieves: it's a story that is sadly all too common these days. The book even opens with a tragic accident which led to the death of one of his friends.
Then McNab signs up for the infantry where he discovers a sense of belonging, neat habits and, eventually, a passion for reading. Within a relatively short space of time, McNab goes from barely literate to a confident reader to a bestselling writer.
This is the kind of biography that could win over plenty of lads coming from similar backgrounds and may even advise on a viable career path. However you may feel about the army, this book remains uplifting.
I recommend Today Everything Changes to fans curious about McNab's formative years as well as young people who are feeling directionless and wouldn't mind reading a very short but inspiring book.
June 27, 2022
Although it was very short it was a really interesting insight into how Andy became a soldier first and formerly and then a writer. A great piece of inspiration.
February 15, 2013
This is an autobiography. I was pleased to see that Quick Reads do more than fiction.
I’d not read any Andy McNab books before. I’m not really sure why as I do like a thriller occasionally. I liked this book a lot and I would like to read more of his work. But more than his fiction I’d like to read more about his life and his time in The Forces. There were one or two bits in the book where he mentioned something in his past and I was like “you can’t leave it there, I need to know more than that!”
I knew nothing about the man besides the fact Andy McNab is a pen name for a man who used to be in the army and then the SAS. I’d sort of assumed his writing would be boring to me and that there wouldn’t be anything in his book apart from the tales of the army. I was wrong. He’s very definitely a good writer and obviously one who has struggled along that path. When he joined the army he couldn’t read. The day they taught him, that was the day everything changed and he started living his amazing life.
(Originally reviewed on my blog http://writerinawheelchair.co.uk/2013... )
I’d not read any Andy McNab books before. I’m not really sure why as I do like a thriller occasionally. I liked this book a lot and I would like to read more of his work. But more than his fiction I’d like to read more about his life and his time in The Forces. There were one or two bits in the book where he mentioned something in his past and I was like “you can’t leave it there, I need to know more than that!”
I knew nothing about the man besides the fact Andy McNab is a pen name for a man who used to be in the army and then the SAS. I’d sort of assumed his writing would be boring to me and that there wouldn’t be anything in his book apart from the tales of the army. I was wrong. He’s very definitely a good writer and obviously one who has struggled along that path. When he joined the army he couldn’t read. The day they taught him, that was the day everything changed and he started living his amazing life.
(Originally reviewed on my blog http://writerinawheelchair.co.uk/2013... )
April 2, 2014
Here's another Quick Read that's on the World Book Night reading list and that I've read as part of my reading challenge.
It's a good insight into army recruitment, training and daily life and reads true rather than propoganda. I always wondered why the training was so brutal, down to the cleanlines of boots and tidiness of lockers but reading this made it all make sense.
I'm not really into army type books whether they be fiction or non fiction but this book is the perfect read to get a brief introduction into army life from someone on the inside. The narrative is simply written and easy to understand so I pretty much got through it in an hour or so.
I liked the words McNab's Captain used and he now uses himself - "you're not thick, you're just not educated yet" and even after a rubbish start in life he's still made something of his life and is really an inspiration to others. Army life isn't suited to everyone but this book really shows how you can turn your life around and have a positive outcome.
Overall, it's an interesting read and you may be surprised that you'll enjoy it, as was I!
It's a good insight into army recruitment, training and daily life and reads true rather than propoganda. I always wondered why the training was so brutal, down to the cleanlines of boots and tidiness of lockers but reading this made it all make sense.
I'm not really into army type books whether they be fiction or non fiction but this book is the perfect read to get a brief introduction into army life from someone on the inside. The narrative is simply written and easy to understand so I pretty much got through it in an hour or so.
I liked the words McNab's Captain used and he now uses himself - "you're not thick, you're just not educated yet" and even after a rubbish start in life he's still made something of his life and is really an inspiration to others. Army life isn't suited to everyone but this book really shows how you can turn your life around and have a positive outcome.
Overall, it's an interesting read and you may be surprised that you'll enjoy it, as was I!
October 27, 2020
I wasn't sure what to expect from TODAY EVERYTHING CHANGES, a short autobiographical effort from Andy McNab written as part of the 'Quick Reads' series. He'd already covered his early background quite extensively in IMMEDIATE ACTION, his second non-fiction work after BRAVO TWO ZERO, so I wasn't sure what else there was to say. Not much, as it turns out, but as this is a brief work that doesn't really matter. McNab briefly relives his disorderly childhood before focusing on his time joining the army and the rigours of that career. At the end, the author really champions the cause of reading, and given that this book is aimed at a section of men and women for whom reading is perhaps less important in their lives - as with McNab himself - I can't fault that.
Read
June 30, 2022A very short book, only an hour and a half in the audio version. I never read Andy McNab's novels so I don't know his usual writing style but in this quick read, it's fast paced story telling, dotted with witty remarks characteristic for a South London tough lad.
It's a good read for young kid who needs some inspiration in life, stressing the importance of education and the benefit of drilling and practicing.
It's a good read for young kid who needs some inspiration in life, stressing the importance of education and the benefit of drilling and practicing.
February 4, 2020
Adding this because I read it over the past couple months during guided reading with one of my students, and that TOTALLY counts as reading it. Giving it three stars cos I didn't love it but my learner did and it had a really good impact on him, as it revolved around being 16 and learning to read ect, which he really related top and I agree. It's a great message.
January 8, 2018
Although I appreciate Andy's books, I prefer Stephen Leather and Martina Cole. Andy is generally a great read and this book is a great option - especially if you are after a quick read. I am currently reading an autobiography of Andy's and it's a great read too. I am glad I made the investment.
August 24, 2019
Another Library Quick Read, very interesting, how one man can change so much and turn his life around and can succeed through his own determination. From being unable to read, to writing books and having such an interesting career as a soldier.
Well done to you Andy McNab for achieving so much
Well done to you Andy McNab for achieving so much
April 26, 2020
I was pleasantly surprised with this book. I’ve not read a book like this before but I thoroughly enjoyed it. It’s about Andy McNabs early life and later military life. He is proof if you want it it can be attained. No one is stupid just uneducated.
May 5, 2025
This book must be taken in the manner it was written: to be a short high-low book for adults. It achieves that and tells the brief story of a man who changed his life thanks to the military and their education.
December 9, 2025
never read any of his books but this tiny book, a fast read, zips through his life like one of those painters who in six swirls makes a giraffe appear on the page. fascinating to go through and indeed "today everything changes".
perfect for mid juniors or better still y9-y11 reluctant readers
perfect for mid juniors or better still y9-y11 reluctant readers
May 18, 2017
A truly amazing and inspiring book. I look forward to reading a new authors (for me) books
September 10, 2018
Little book about Andy McNab .. his biography
December 16, 2019
A must read
Read
October 10, 2020Couldn't really get into this
July 8, 2024
OK read
January 9, 2020
Short book and straight to the point. Not much is left to imagination but mid book description of early army life resonates with my experience and I was surprised to be reminded how it was.
July 17, 2020
The story of a rough childhood, and ending up in the army because options were limited.
Nice short story about the making of a best selling author.
Nice short story about the making of a best selling author.
December 3, 2014
It's true! - Today everything changes.
I chose this book simply because it was a "Quick Read" and it's about war, and I personally enjoy reading war books. It's based on a true story - in fact, it's all about Andy McNab himself - the best selling author for war books in Great Britain.
The book's image isn't full of colour. It's colours are quite neutral, but then again, it's a war book not a romance book so there's no need for Barbie pink and flowers. The image is a soldier sitting on a few steps at the side of the wall reading a book (one of Andy McNab's I've noticed, and it fits well with the story - how clever). The Quick Read logo with the Galaxy sponsor is on the lower right hand side and doesn't ruin the image or down grades the book at all.
This story is about Andy McNab's life growing up with a rough patch here and a rough patch there. Life was pretty tough for this lad as he strongly believes that people in the world doesn't seem to care and that's why he doesn't care.
But when he ends up in juvenile detention, or detention for youths, things start to change. Seeds were planted as soon as the Army arrived and asked the lads if any one of them fancied joining them.
But with the reading ability of an eleven year old, that was not to drag him down. No. After training hard by running around in fields, marching, practicing drills and getting perfection for inspection, Andy soon starts to realize everything is done for a reason. And he starts to enjoy the Army life. Then one day his corporal had led his group to the Army Educational Centre where they learn the most inspirational quote to encourage people like Andy at this time of his life -
" You're not thick, you're just not educated yet. The only reason you can't read is because you don't read. But from today everything changes. "
This is where the journey truly begins as life as a soldier for Andy and this motto encourages him to aim high in life. This is where he starts to feel proud and appreciate his learning he's been given. And how and what roles in the army he takes is up for you to read and join the journey, and explore yourself.
This book is a Quick Reads book so it's suitable for majority of reading abilities, it doesn't drag on and like it's stated, it's readable in a reasonable amount of time. I personally brought it for my love of war books, but I have brought this book as a gift for those who are taking exams and for those who don't feel confidence and feel hurt for being what they call "a failure". This book has inspired many people I have given it to, to take a maths course, to get back into reading, and most importantly, not to give up on their main goals and ambitions they have in life. It makes a great gift.
This book only costs £1 and the amount of times I've read it and learned something new every time I read it, I believe it's worth the money. I brought mine from WHSmiths, but you should be able to buy from Waterstones too. If you can't find it in store you can always buy it from Quick Reads directly at www.quickreads.org.uk.
Title: Today Everything Changes
Author: Andy McNab
Published: 2013
Published by: Corgi Books
ISBN: 978-0-552-16898-4
I have also written this review on http://mylittlelibrary.weebly.com/
I chose this book simply because it was a "Quick Read" and it's about war, and I personally enjoy reading war books. It's based on a true story - in fact, it's all about Andy McNab himself - the best selling author for war books in Great Britain.
The book's image isn't full of colour. It's colours are quite neutral, but then again, it's a war book not a romance book so there's no need for Barbie pink and flowers. The image is a soldier sitting on a few steps at the side of the wall reading a book (one of Andy McNab's I've noticed, and it fits well with the story - how clever). The Quick Read logo with the Galaxy sponsor is on the lower right hand side and doesn't ruin the image or down grades the book at all.
This story is about Andy McNab's life growing up with a rough patch here and a rough patch there. Life was pretty tough for this lad as he strongly believes that people in the world doesn't seem to care and that's why he doesn't care.
But when he ends up in juvenile detention, or detention for youths, things start to change. Seeds were planted as soon as the Army arrived and asked the lads if any one of them fancied joining them.
But with the reading ability of an eleven year old, that was not to drag him down. No. After training hard by running around in fields, marching, practicing drills and getting perfection for inspection, Andy soon starts to realize everything is done for a reason. And he starts to enjoy the Army life. Then one day his corporal had led his group to the Army Educational Centre where they learn the most inspirational quote to encourage people like Andy at this time of his life -
" You're not thick, you're just not educated yet. The only reason you can't read is because you don't read. But from today everything changes. "
This is where the journey truly begins as life as a soldier for Andy and this motto encourages him to aim high in life. This is where he starts to feel proud and appreciate his learning he's been given. And how and what roles in the army he takes is up for you to read and join the journey, and explore yourself.
This book is a Quick Reads book so it's suitable for majority of reading abilities, it doesn't drag on and like it's stated, it's readable in a reasonable amount of time. I personally brought it for my love of war books, but I have brought this book as a gift for those who are taking exams and for those who don't feel confidence and feel hurt for being what they call "a failure". This book has inspired many people I have given it to, to take a maths course, to get back into reading, and most importantly, not to give up on their main goals and ambitions they have in life. It makes a great gift.
This book only costs £1 and the amount of times I've read it and learned something new every time I read it, I believe it's worth the money. I brought mine from WHSmiths, but you should be able to buy from Waterstones too. If you can't find it in store you can always buy it from Quick Reads directly at www.quickreads.org.uk.
Title: Today Everything Changes
Author: Andy McNab
Published: 2013
Published by: Corgi Books
ISBN: 978-0-552-16898-4
I have also written this review on http://mylittlelibrary.weebly.com/
May 3, 2025
I have Bravo Two Zero on my to read list and i have read two of authors short stories however this is his own story and quite enjoyable.
June 9, 2013
What I liked the most was the beginning of the book, as he helped me to understand how some kids that I would consider vandals live, feel and think about their society. The part of his life in the army perhaps did not impress me that much because I heard histories from friends, however, it did surprise me how the army can help to change someone's life putting him on the right pathway. The book is certainly quite inspirational in many aspects, it shows the importance of reading as a key to gain knowledge and understanding of things, and as a passport to achieve success.This is a book that I would like some people to read.
May 4, 2016
I read this book as I was given it for World Book Night 2014 but have never got around to reading it. The Quick Reads autobiography tells McNab's story of poverty at home in south London before being selected for the army at 16. It was interesting to read about a life so different from my own and the tough aspects of training. However the book briefly talks about him entering the SAS but does not go into any detail about his life in the army beyond training. I would have liked more detail with regards to this. It is a good book for those needing an introduction to reading in a short book, with larger print but I feel it could have been a lot more powerful.
December 3, 2014
This is another example of a book that isn't really aimed at me.
If you are interested in the military then this might be right up your street. It's a personal account of Andy McNab and how he went from being a juvenile delinquent to playing a major role in the Gulf War and the SAS. His account is both fascinating and a real eye opener. Although I'm not interested in anything military in any shape of form, this book is quite educational and I can appreciate it from that perspective.
March 8, 2013
I really enjoyed this book. It was short and to the point about his life from a child to a man and didn't waffle like some books do. The book showed any thing is possible no matter where you come from and how to be positive.
Perhaps if kids are tort that 'you're not thick, just not educated yet' it would be more positive.
I was introduced to his books by a friend have read a number of his books now and enjoyed them, with all their details and descriptions of everything.
Perhaps if kids are tort that 'you're not thick, just not educated yet' it would be more positive.
I was introduced to his books by a friend have read a number of his books now and enjoyed them, with all their details and descriptions of everything.
March 25, 2014
A great one for boys in particular who don't read. Perfect level of engagement, with simple vocab. Andy is a success story. My only hesitation is that to me it felt a little preachy, but if this story can turn some kids on to reading, I am all fir it. About to test drive it on a bunch of Y8 kids. Will let you know how they like it. They are more brutally honest than me.
April 17, 2014
Well this was a bit unexpected! Another World Book Night "Quick Reads" offering that I was not looking forward to but actually it was surprisingly enjoyable and had a great pro-reading message. And you get a free chapter of Catch 22 and a poem.
April 25, 2014
The book that I am giving away as part of World Book Night. A very good read. The early days of Andy McNab's military career and how reading played an important part in his career. An insight into the day to day of trainee soldiers. Short and sweet. A very good read
May 3, 2014
World Book Night - boy, was that a quick read. It has made me want to read one of his other books and I have NEVER had interest in his books before. Really great read for the theme of promoting the joy of reading and how "Everything Changes" once you can read.
August 18, 2017
Interesting to read about how this mans life changed with such clarity it was not boring. In fact it enlightened me into people's lives in our armed forces and the discipline it nurtures. It was an enjoyable read
Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews