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The Accidental Soldier: The hilarious, must-listen account of serving in Iraq - as recommended by Marina Hyde on THE REST IS ENTERTAINMENT
A Times Best Audiobook of the Year 2025
The instant Sunday Times bestselling true story of how one man found himself (quite near) the frontline in Iraq - and what happened next . . .
'Reads like a non-fiction Catch-22. Compelling, enlightening and bleakly funny. A jaw-dropping read.' - MATT HAIG
Owain Mulligan was never what you'd call a career soldier. Nor even a particularly good one. At weekends he trained with the Territorial Army and dreamt of swapping the mayhem of teaching in a tough school for the adventure of service in Iraq. At least they'd let him wear a helmet in Iraq.
But when the job in headquarters he's been expecting doesn't materialise, he finds himself on the streets of Basra during one of the most violent periods of the conflict. Between homicidal militias, a chain of command who seem determined to get him killed, and equipment which might well do it for them, he and his men have their work cut out. It certainly puts double geography with 9E into perspective.
The Accidental Soldier is a searingly honest and darkly funny account of what it was really like being in the British Army in Iraq (including all the bits they probably hoped you'd never find out). We share all the hardships, fears, and occasional lunacy of military life as Owain and his men try to navigate a war gone badly wrong. One thing's for sure; you'll never look at the phrase 'military precision' in quite the same way again...
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'One of the funniest books you will ever read' - READER REVIEW ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
'I absolutely loved it - it's so very funny but also very poignant in parts. I can't recommend it enough' - READER REVIEW ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
'Very funny, thought-provoking and a fantastic read. I thoroughly enjoyed it' - READER REVIEW ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
'I've spent 15 years waiting for a book which entertainingly brings to life the humour, mundanity & absurdity of serving in Iraq . . . Thankfully this is that book and it is excellent' - READER REVIEW ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
'Absolutely brilliant from start to finish . . . Just when you feel the situation is about to drop off a cliff (again!), Mulligan turns it around with a jab of wit as amusing yet as honest as the chance of surviving in a Snatch Land Rover in Basra. Read it in three evenings' - READER REVIEW ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
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Acclaim for The Accidental Soldier
'This book is absolutely incredible. It made me laugh more than any book in so many years. I found the writing just so unbelievably brilliant and hilarious and affecting . . . I am crazy about it!' - Marina Hyde
'I loved it . . . relentlessly funny and really well written' - John Oliver
'Authentic and compulsive' - Richard E. Grant
The instant Sunday Times bestselling true story of how one man found himself (quite near) the frontline in Iraq - and what happened next . . .
'Reads like a non-fiction Catch-22. Compelling, enlightening and bleakly funny. A jaw-dropping read.' - MATT HAIG
Owain Mulligan was never what you'd call a career soldier. Nor even a particularly good one. At weekends he trained with the Territorial Army and dreamt of swapping the mayhem of teaching in a tough school for the adventure of service in Iraq. At least they'd let him wear a helmet in Iraq.
But when the job in headquarters he's been expecting doesn't materialise, he finds himself on the streets of Basra during one of the most violent periods of the conflict. Between homicidal militias, a chain of command who seem determined to get him killed, and equipment which might well do it for them, he and his men have their work cut out. It certainly puts double geography with 9E into perspective.
The Accidental Soldier is a searingly honest and darkly funny account of what it was really like being in the British Army in Iraq (including all the bits they probably hoped you'd never find out). We share all the hardships, fears, and occasional lunacy of military life as Owain and his men try to navigate a war gone badly wrong. One thing's for sure; you'll never look at the phrase 'military precision' in quite the same way again...
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'One of the funniest books you will ever read' - READER REVIEW ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
'I absolutely loved it - it's so very funny but also very poignant in parts. I can't recommend it enough' - READER REVIEW ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
'Very funny, thought-provoking and a fantastic read. I thoroughly enjoyed it' - READER REVIEW ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
'I've spent 15 years waiting for a book which entertainingly brings to life the humour, mundanity & absurdity of serving in Iraq . . . Thankfully this is that book and it is excellent' - READER REVIEW ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
'Absolutely brilliant from start to finish . . . Just when you feel the situation is about to drop off a cliff (again!), Mulligan turns it around with a jab of wit as amusing yet as honest as the chance of surviving in a Snatch Land Rover in Basra. Read it in three evenings' - READER REVIEW ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
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Acclaim for The Accidental Soldier
'This book is absolutely incredible. It made me laugh more than any book in so many years. I found the writing just so unbelievably brilliant and hilarious and affecting . . . I am crazy about it!' - Marina Hyde
'I loved it . . . relentlessly funny and really well written' - John Oliver
'Authentic and compulsive' - Richard E. Grant
Audible Audio
First published April 1, 2025
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 104 reviews
June 1, 2025
I usually speed audiobooks up a bit, but I just wanted to slow this one down as much as possible to listen longer.
Owain Mulligan has written a brutally honest but hilarious account of his time in Iraq in 2006.
You will not hear gruesome retellings of horrific deaths, but you will laugh out loud at Owain's mistakes, and at the British Army...
You will also, however, hear the words of a man who really cared about the men with whom he served; and the ordinary Iraqis whose lives were turned upside down by their presence. Owain's frustration really comes through at times, and some events described were shameful, but these need to be known.
I cannot recommend this book enough - but do listen to the audiobook if you are able to.
Owain Mulligan has written a brutally honest but hilarious account of his time in Iraq in 2006.
You will not hear gruesome retellings of horrific deaths, but you will laugh out loud at Owain's mistakes, and at the British Army...
You will also, however, hear the words of a man who really cared about the men with whom he served; and the ordinary Iraqis whose lives were turned upside down by their presence. Owain's frustration really comes through at times, and some events described were shameful, but these need to be known.
I cannot recommend this book enough - but do listen to the audiobook if you are able to.
August 12, 2026
The whole way through he kept referencing places I knew really well and was like wow so weird we’re so similar. Turns out he’s Carey Mulligans brother and his parents live in Chalfont St Peter so that’ll be why then.
August 14, 2026
Gun-ho, hilarious and a classic.
I can even forgive him for being an officer (well, just about).
I can even forgive him for being an officer (well, just about).
June 3, 2025
Fabulous book, in turns shocking and laugh out loud funny, gives a real insight into the folly that was our time in Iraq, and paints a very poor picture of our military leaders at the same time.
August 24, 2025
Funniest book I’ve read!
September 3, 2025
(Audiobook). This was great. Honest, thoughtful and very very funny. Bonus points for the author narrating his own book for the audiobook and doing the writing justice.
June 14, 2026
Fantastic read. Very much a military version of an Adam Kay book. It's brilliant and really interesting to see the day to day boots on the ground perspective of the war in Iraq.
May 20, 2025
A Darkly Hilarious and Unflinchingly Honest War Memoir
Owain Mulligan’s The Accidental Soldier is a masterclass in blending biting humor with the sobering realities of war. Based on his own experiences as a Territorial Army officer unexpectedly deployed to Basra during one of the most volatile periods of the Iraq War, Mulligan delivers a memoir that is as laugh-out-loud funny as it is deeply affecting. 
Mulligan’s writing is sharp, self-deprecating, and refreshingly candid. He recounts the absurdities of military bureaucracy, the chaos of combat, and the camaraderie among soldiers with a wit that has drawn comparisons to Catch-22. As Matt Haig aptly describes, it reads like a “non-fiction Catch-22” .  
What sets this memoir apart is its balance of humor and heart. Mulligan doesn’t shy away from the grim aspects of war but presents them through a lens that highlights the resilience and humanity of those involved. His narrative is both entertaining and enlightening, offering a unique perspective on the British Army’s role in Iraq. 
The book has garnered praise from notable figures: Richard Curtis calls it “an instant classic,” while Marina Hyde lauds it as “absolutely incredible” . Moreover, Mulligan’s decision to donate all his UK and Commonwealth royalties to War Child adds a commendable layer of purpose to his work .  
In summary, The Accidental Soldier is a compelling read that offers both hearty laughs and poignant insights. It’s a standout addition to contemporary war literature and a testament to Mulligan’s storytelling prowess.
Owain Mulligan’s The Accidental Soldier is a masterclass in blending biting humor with the sobering realities of war. Based on his own experiences as a Territorial Army officer unexpectedly deployed to Basra during one of the most volatile periods of the Iraq War, Mulligan delivers a memoir that is as laugh-out-loud funny as it is deeply affecting. 
Mulligan’s writing is sharp, self-deprecating, and refreshingly candid. He recounts the absurdities of military bureaucracy, the chaos of combat, and the camaraderie among soldiers with a wit that has drawn comparisons to Catch-22. As Matt Haig aptly describes, it reads like a “non-fiction Catch-22” .  
What sets this memoir apart is its balance of humor and heart. Mulligan doesn’t shy away from the grim aspects of war but presents them through a lens that highlights the resilience and humanity of those involved. His narrative is both entertaining and enlightening, offering a unique perspective on the British Army’s role in Iraq. 
The book has garnered praise from notable figures: Richard Curtis calls it “an instant classic,” while Marina Hyde lauds it as “absolutely incredible” . Moreover, Mulligan’s decision to donate all his UK and Commonwealth royalties to War Child adds a commendable layer of purpose to his work .  
In summary, The Accidental Soldier is a compelling read that offers both hearty laughs and poignant insights. It’s a standout addition to contemporary war literature and a testament to Mulligan’s storytelling prowess.
July 22, 2026
The “accidental soldier” is a thrilling insight strung together by hilarious narration, before side-slamming you with the surrealist reality of post-invasion Iraq. Perhaps most endearing of all is the raw truth in Mulligan’s retelling; it’s not often that ex-military men admit when they were truly terrified, whether that be on the receiving end of a mortar strike or a beasting from his CO. That doesn’t mean to say that Mulligan doesn’t occasionally slip back into the blasé macabre so often associated with soldiers so used to thinking that today may be their last. Mulligan allows you to be a sandfly on the bonnet of a snatch, watching the troop grow from “wtf we are getting mortared”, to “ugh we’re getting mortared again”. Mulligan grants us the insight into his own attitude shift, from struggling with teasing thoughts of morbid possibility to accepting that all of this was “just a job”. It’s also incredibly interesting to read a retelling from a man who has done it both. Growing from part-time academic reservist to a respected young officer in a cauldron of misgivings, Mulligan serves as a perfect case study for the importance of the reservist element of the British Army. Mulligan also saves no blushes, not on his part nor the wider army, and concludes with an earnest and sincere judgement of his tour and the Iraq war in general.
April 23, 2025
I listened to this read by the author, and as with all biography, I think that's the best way to do it.
I was predisposed to skepticism, but it's an interesting insight into the kind of person who volunteers for this kinda thing.
It's clear-eyed on the madness of it all and he's surprisingly class conscious for an Oxbridge part-time officer turned Bain consultant.
It's fairly diaristic but well written, overall I enjoyed it, and leaving aside that all the proceeds of the book go to charity, he comes across as genuinely caring.
I was predisposed to skepticism, but it's an interesting insight into the kind of person who volunteers for this kinda thing.
It's clear-eyed on the madness of it all and he's surprisingly class conscious for an Oxbridge part-time officer turned Bain consultant.
It's fairly diaristic but well written, overall I enjoyed it, and leaving aside that all the proceeds of the book go to charity, he comes across as genuinely caring.
October 16, 2025
Incredibly funny, vulnerable and honest. I loved this, particularly on audiobook. Mulligan doesn’t shy away from the monumental error of the Iraq war whilst simultaneously managing to honour every service person.
May 14, 2026
My favourite nonfiction book of the year so far. Very funny, very interesting, and very moving, all in equal measure.
January 8, 2026
Still trying to figure out what those lads were doing with all their spare time. War bad.
January 9, 2026
Loved this, laughed out loud many times.
August 13, 2026
Hilarious. Made me laugh out loud. Brilliant!
September 2, 2025
Would give 6 stars if possible. Very good
May 18, 2025
This memoir by Owain Mulligan offers a fascinating look at the author's unexpected active service in the Iraq War. The Accidental Soldier is right. Mulligan never imagined he’d be serving in a war, but anything was better than another day teaching.
This isn't a heroic narrative but rather an account of an ordinary individual navigating the extraordinary and chaotic reality of war which takes the reader into the day-to-day life of a soldier in Iraq: the stifling heat, the constant tension, the camaraderie forged in the face of danger, and the moments of unexpected humour that punctuate the grim reality. The descriptions of the landscape, interactions with the locals are authentic and insightful. He is forthright about his confusion, fear, and the sheer absurdity that permeates war.
The Accidental Soldier is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit and a poignant reminder of the personal cost of conflict. If you're looking for an honest, unvarnished, and human account of the Iraq War, this memoir is a compelling read.
4/5
Owain Mulligan was never what you'd call a career soldier. Nor even a particularly good one. At weekends he trained with the Territorial Army and dreamt of swapping the mayhem of teaching in a tough school for the adventure of service in Iraq. At least they'd let him wear a helmet in Iraq.
But when the job in headquarters he's been expecting doesn't materialise, he finds himself on the streets of Basra during one of the most violent periods of the conflict. Between homicidal militias, a chain of command who seem determined to get him killed, and equipment which might well do it for them, he and his men have their work cut out. It certainly puts double geography with 9E into perspective.
The Accidental Soldier is a searingly honest and darkly funny account of what it was really like being in the British Army in Iraq (including all the bits they probably hoped you'd never find out). We share all the hardships, fears, and occasional lunacy of military life as Owain and his men try to navigate a war gone badly wrong. One thing's for sure; you'll never look at the phrase 'military precision' in quite the same way again...
This isn't a heroic narrative but rather an account of an ordinary individual navigating the extraordinary and chaotic reality of war which takes the reader into the day-to-day life of a soldier in Iraq: the stifling heat, the constant tension, the camaraderie forged in the face of danger, and the moments of unexpected humour that punctuate the grim reality. The descriptions of the landscape, interactions with the locals are authentic and insightful. He is forthright about his confusion, fear, and the sheer absurdity that permeates war.
The Accidental Soldier is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit and a poignant reminder of the personal cost of conflict. If you're looking for an honest, unvarnished, and human account of the Iraq War, this memoir is a compelling read.
4/5
Owain Mulligan was never what you'd call a career soldier. Nor even a particularly good one. At weekends he trained with the Territorial Army and dreamt of swapping the mayhem of teaching in a tough school for the adventure of service in Iraq. At least they'd let him wear a helmet in Iraq.
But when the job in headquarters he's been expecting doesn't materialise, he finds himself on the streets of Basra during one of the most violent periods of the conflict. Between homicidal militias, a chain of command who seem determined to get him killed, and equipment which might well do it for them, he and his men have their work cut out. It certainly puts double geography with 9E into perspective.
The Accidental Soldier is a searingly honest and darkly funny account of what it was really like being in the British Army in Iraq (including all the bits they probably hoped you'd never find out). We share all the hardships, fears, and occasional lunacy of military life as Owain and his men try to navigate a war gone badly wrong. One thing's for sure; you'll never look at the phrase 'military precision' in quite the same way again...
March 24, 2026
Reading Accidental Soldier felt a bit like sitting in the block with a brew, listening to a lad tell his story without dressing it up or trying to impress anyone. Owen Mulligan doesn’t pretend to be a hero, and that’s exactly why the book hits so hard. It’s funny, it’s raw, it’s sad in places, and it’s honest in a way only someone who’s lived the life can manage.
Funny in the Way Only Soldiers Understand
There’s a particular kind of humour you only get in uniform — the sort that bubbles up when everything’s gone sideways and you either laugh or lose your mind. Mulligan nails that perfectly. The daft moments, the characters you meet, the sheer absurdity of military logic… it all comes through with the kind of accuracy that makes you laugh because you’ve lived it, not because it’s written to be funny.
True to the Bone
What struck me most was how true it all felt. Not the Hollywood version of soldiering — the real thing. The boredom, the chaos, the camaraderie, the frustration, the pride, the mistakes, the moments you don’t talk about unless you trust the person listening. Mulligan doesn’t hide any of it. He just tells it straight, and that honesty carries more weight than any amount of polished storytelling.
Sad and Quietly Moving
There are parts of the book that stop you in your tracks. Not because they’re dramatic, but because they’re real. The kind of moments every soldier carries somewhere deep, even years after leaving. Mulligan doesn’t sensationalise anything — he just lays it out, and that simplicity makes it all the more powerful. You feel the cost, the confusion, the loss, and the strange mix of pride and pain that comes with service.
Well Put Without Trying to Be Clever
The writing is clean, direct, and unpretentious — exactly how soldiers talk when they’re being honest. No fluff, no theatrics, no over‑the‑top heroics. Just a bloke telling his story in a way that makes sense to anyone who’s worn the uniform. It’s well put because it’s real, not because it’s polished.
From One Ex‑Soldier’s Perspective
What I appreciated most was how recognisable it all was. The people, the feelings, the contradictions, the humour that gets you through, the moments that stay with you long after you’ve handed in your kit. Mulligan captures the lived experience of soldiering better than most books I’ve read — not the myth, not the legend, but the truth.
Accidental Soldier is funny, true, sad, moving, and absolutely worth reading — especially if you’ve served. It reminds you of who you were back then, what you carried, and why those years never quite leave you.
Funny in the Way Only Soldiers Understand
There’s a particular kind of humour you only get in uniform — the sort that bubbles up when everything’s gone sideways and you either laugh or lose your mind. Mulligan nails that perfectly. The daft moments, the characters you meet, the sheer absurdity of military logic… it all comes through with the kind of accuracy that makes you laugh because you’ve lived it, not because it’s written to be funny.
True to the Bone
What struck me most was how true it all felt. Not the Hollywood version of soldiering — the real thing. The boredom, the chaos, the camaraderie, the frustration, the pride, the mistakes, the moments you don’t talk about unless you trust the person listening. Mulligan doesn’t hide any of it. He just tells it straight, and that honesty carries more weight than any amount of polished storytelling.
Sad and Quietly Moving
There are parts of the book that stop you in your tracks. Not because they’re dramatic, but because they’re real. The kind of moments every soldier carries somewhere deep, even years after leaving. Mulligan doesn’t sensationalise anything — he just lays it out, and that simplicity makes it all the more powerful. You feel the cost, the confusion, the loss, and the strange mix of pride and pain that comes with service.
Well Put Without Trying to Be Clever
The writing is clean, direct, and unpretentious — exactly how soldiers talk when they’re being honest. No fluff, no theatrics, no over‑the‑top heroics. Just a bloke telling his story in a way that makes sense to anyone who’s worn the uniform. It’s well put because it’s real, not because it’s polished.
From One Ex‑Soldier’s Perspective
What I appreciated most was how recognisable it all was. The people, the feelings, the contradictions, the humour that gets you through, the moments that stay with you long after you’ve handed in your kit. Mulligan captures the lived experience of soldiering better than most books I’ve read — not the myth, not the legend, but the truth.
Accidental Soldier is funny, true, sad, moving, and absolutely worth reading — especially if you’ve served. It reminds you of who you were back then, what you carried, and why those years never quite leave you.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 7, 2025
A book about a British officer's tour of duty in post-invasion Iraq has no right being this hilarious. I picked it up (surprised somewhat, given it's 2025) expecting a companion piece to Rory Stewart's view from the governor's office in his Iraq memoir Occupational Hazards, but it turned out to be rather different. This is the chaotic, raw, and hilarious truth from inside a cramped armoured vehicle.
Mulligan is brutally honest about one aspect: almost nobody has a clue what they were doing. That confusion is channelled into a dark barrack room humour that is probably necessary as a coping mechanism. It also highlights the absurdity of it all.
One sees how the antagonism from the side of the occupiers/liberators (delete appropriately) had developed. One empathises, even to the point of finding an officer's exasperated comment about the local Iraqi population in Basra, "I mean the heat is bad, but good grief, the people", rather funny. This frank offhand comment broadcast over the regiment's radio might be worth a chapter of political analysis.
But that same honesty turns terrifying when in one of the following chapters a strike op is taking place, the narrator's major and embarrassing screw-up jeopardises the lives of his fellow soldiers, in one of the most intense scenes I have ever read.
I like this because unlike in a polished novel nothing ever wraps up neatly. Patrols fizzle out and situations are left unresolved, giving the book an "untidy" authenticity.
All in all, it is the messy, funny, and the terrifying truth of the war from the ground up.
Mulligan is brutally honest about one aspect: almost nobody has a clue what they were doing. That confusion is channelled into a dark barrack room humour that is probably necessary as a coping mechanism. It also highlights the absurdity of it all.
One sees how the antagonism from the side of the occupiers/liberators (delete appropriately) had developed. One empathises, even to the point of finding an officer's exasperated comment about the local Iraqi population in Basra, "I mean the heat is bad, but good grief, the people", rather funny. This frank offhand comment broadcast over the regiment's radio might be worth a chapter of political analysis.
But that same honesty turns terrifying when in one of the following chapters a strike op is taking place, the narrator's major and embarrassing screw-up jeopardises the lives of his fellow soldiers, in one of the most intense scenes I have ever read.
I like this because unlike in a polished novel nothing ever wraps up neatly. Patrols fizzle out and situations are left unresolved, giving the book an "untidy" authenticity.
All in all, it is the messy, funny, and the terrifying truth of the war from the ground up.
November 23, 2025
The Accidental Soldier by Owain Mulligan
I picked up this book hoping to gain insight into what life was like for a soldier in Basra, as I haven’t read much about this part of the war. At first, the author’s humour made me smile and even amused me. However, as the chapters went on, I found the tone increasingly facetious and, frankly, tiring. I wasn’t looking for a book that trivialised everything—I wanted a serious account of army life, not something that felt like a script for a stand-up act. Perhaps this is simply how Owain Mulligan and others cope with intense situations.
The book reads very much like a diary, moving through dates and detailing what happened each day. It begins with Mulligan as a schoolteacher in Enfield and offers some insight into why he left teaching to join the army. From there, it covers his training, his first encounters with his squadron, and their journey navigating the challenges in Basra. He also touches on equipment and vehicles, highlighting how inadequate much of it was.
I found the book difficult to engage with and probably would have abandoned it if it hadn’t been chosen for our book club. That said, I genuinely enjoyed the last three chapters and the epilogue—they were the most insightful and thought-provoking parts of the book.
Perhaps the book isn’t as bad as I’ve made it sound, but it wasn’t what I hoped or expected. Interestingly, I could see this story working well as a TV series in the style of MASH—and in that format, it might be excellent.
I picked up this book hoping to gain insight into what life was like for a soldier in Basra, as I haven’t read much about this part of the war. At first, the author’s humour made me smile and even amused me. However, as the chapters went on, I found the tone increasingly facetious and, frankly, tiring. I wasn’t looking for a book that trivialised everything—I wanted a serious account of army life, not something that felt like a script for a stand-up act. Perhaps this is simply how Owain Mulligan and others cope with intense situations.
The book reads very much like a diary, moving through dates and detailing what happened each day. It begins with Mulligan as a schoolteacher in Enfield and offers some insight into why he left teaching to join the army. From there, it covers his training, his first encounters with his squadron, and their journey navigating the challenges in Basra. He also touches on equipment and vehicles, highlighting how inadequate much of it was.
I found the book difficult to engage with and probably would have abandoned it if it hadn’t been chosen for our book club. That said, I genuinely enjoyed the last three chapters and the epilogue—they were the most insightful and thought-provoking parts of the book.
Perhaps the book isn’t as bad as I’ve made it sound, but it wasn’t what I hoped or expected. Interestingly, I could see this story working well as a TV series in the style of MASH—and in that format, it might be excellent.
July 1, 2025
This was an excellent listen on Audible. I choose it after hearing Richard Osman (author of The Thursday Murder Club) recommend it on his podcast The Rest Is Entertainment.
I thoroughly enjoyed this memoir and fully endorse Mr Osman’s recommendation. It provides an insightful, funny, and poignant portrayal of life in the British forces during the occupation of Iraq post-9/11. The narrative flows effortlessly, punctuated by continous, genuine humour. Definitely worth a read, you’ll be entertained, informed, and enlightened.
Review by Scott Lee Evans
Author of The Time Diary
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Time-Diary.....
The Time Diary is a British sci-fi comedy adventure about the terrible misfortunes of discovering time travel. The hapless gang at the centre of the story not only find themselves in a mess of tangled timelines, absurd moral dilemmas, universe altering decisions, and ruined relationships, but they also learn the true meaning of selfloathing. Are you actually a good person, or have you just never been given the chance to be an utter bar steward?
If you’re a fan of The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy, Red Dwarf, or Black Mirror and enjoy cringey British humour, roguish misfits, and the occasional dollop of heart (not too much, mind, they are Brits, after all), then this might just be the next book for you.
I thoroughly enjoyed this memoir and fully endorse Mr Osman’s recommendation. It provides an insightful, funny, and poignant portrayal of life in the British forces during the occupation of Iraq post-9/11. The narrative flows effortlessly, punctuated by continous, genuine humour. Definitely worth a read, you’ll be entertained, informed, and enlightened.
Review by Scott Lee Evans
Author of The Time Diary
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Time-Diary.....
The Time Diary is a British sci-fi comedy adventure about the terrible misfortunes of discovering time travel. The hapless gang at the centre of the story not only find themselves in a mess of tangled timelines, absurd moral dilemmas, universe altering decisions, and ruined relationships, but they also learn the true meaning of selfloathing. Are you actually a good person, or have you just never been given the chance to be an utter bar steward?
If you’re a fan of The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy, Red Dwarf, or Black Mirror and enjoy cringey British humour, roguish misfits, and the occasional dollop of heart (not too much, mind, they are Brits, after all), then this might just be the next book for you.
September 3, 2026
Honest and moving. This should be required reading for all politicians and senior military officers.
The Accidental Soldier is much more than a story about war. It is a deeply moving account of an ordinary person whose life is suddenly changed by circumstances beyond his control.
As I read it, I found myself thinking about the courage, fear and sacrifices of those who are sent into situations they could never have imagined.
What touched me most was the human side of the story. Behind every uniform is a person with hopes, fears, family and dreams. The book reminds us that soldiers are not simply names in history books — they are ordinary people who can be placed in extraordinary and often heartbreaking circumstances.
I found myself becoming emotionally involved in the journey, particularly during the moments of uncertainty and danger. There is a real sense of vulnerability throughout the story, but also an incredible strength and determination that makes the experience unforgettable.
I would personally recommend The Accidental Soldier because it stays with you after reading it - it made me appreciate the sacrifices made by people during wartime and reminded me never to take peace for granted. If you enjoy powerful stories that touch the heart as well as the mind, I believe this is a book that is well worth reading.
The Accidental Soldier is much more than a story about war. It is a deeply moving account of an ordinary person whose life is suddenly changed by circumstances beyond his control.
As I read it, I found myself thinking about the courage, fear and sacrifices of those who are sent into situations they could never have imagined.
What touched me most was the human side of the story. Behind every uniform is a person with hopes, fears, family and dreams. The book reminds us that soldiers are not simply names in history books — they are ordinary people who can be placed in extraordinary and often heartbreaking circumstances.
I found myself becoming emotionally involved in the journey, particularly during the moments of uncertainty and danger. There is a real sense of vulnerability throughout the story, but also an incredible strength and determination that makes the experience unforgettable.
I would personally recommend The Accidental Soldier because it stays with you after reading it - it made me appreciate the sacrifices made by people during wartime and reminded me never to take peace for granted. If you enjoy powerful stories that touch the heart as well as the mind, I believe this is a book that is well worth reading.
October 18, 2025
Listened to as an audiobook as I'm getting back to the long runs. I chose it in about 2 minutes when I realized I'd finished my previous book and was very pleasantly surprised at how much I enjoyed it.
Really brilliantly written, as a memoir from his time in the Iraq war a reservist officer, it really clearly details his whole attitude from signing up due to hating his day job as a teacher, to the near permeant feeling of being under prepared, scared and having a responsibility beyond him, it is, as always, reassuring to see that people who appear put together, well organized and comfortable across situations can be chaotic on the inside. The author frequently recognizes his junior position throughout, never claiming to be what he's not, and relying heavily on humour. The ending sentiment about his squadron, his attachment to them and the strong bond built in only 6 months, before never seeing any of them again was moving and shows what he was there to do, turn up, do a job, and move on.
10/10 really enjoyed and makes you think
Really brilliantly written, as a memoir from his time in the Iraq war a reservist officer, it really clearly details his whole attitude from signing up due to hating his day job as a teacher, to the near permeant feeling of being under prepared, scared and having a responsibility beyond him, it is, as always, reassuring to see that people who appear put together, well organized and comfortable across situations can be chaotic on the inside. The author frequently recognizes his junior position throughout, never claiming to be what he's not, and relying heavily on humour. The ending sentiment about his squadron, his attachment to them and the strong bond built in only 6 months, before never seeing any of them again was moving and shows what he was there to do, turn up, do a job, and move on.
10/10 really enjoyed and makes you think
July 29, 2026
An insightful account of the Iraq war by an infantry platoon commander. He joined after a spell as a teacher, so you can follow the transformation of a civilian in the Territorial Army into a soldier — always alert, always aware, and scarred by the war.
It's an account of a conflict whose purpose neither the local population nor the invaders could fully see.
The book also lets you compare the state of the British military with its American counterpart: on one side a slow, thinly armoured Snatch and the occasional hot chocolate; on the other an opulent US base with chocolate stacked to the roof of the warehouse and six Hercules transports parked on the airfield, where most locations are given clichéd American names.
The military jargon is thick enough that you start thinking in it, which is part of the joke — the same vocabulary that makes an operation sound precise is the one being used to describe a chain of command that seems determined to get its own men killed. The absurdity and the danger arrive in the same sentence, and the humour is what makes the life-or-death moments land rather than blunting them.
It's an account of a conflict whose purpose neither the local population nor the invaders could fully see.
The book also lets you compare the state of the British military with its American counterpart: on one side a slow, thinly armoured Snatch and the occasional hot chocolate; on the other an opulent US base with chocolate stacked to the roof of the warehouse and six Hercules transports parked on the airfield, where most locations are given clichéd American names.
The military jargon is thick enough that you start thinking in it, which is part of the joke — the same vocabulary that makes an operation sound precise is the one being used to describe a chain of command that seems determined to get its own men killed. The absurdity and the danger arrive in the same sentence, and the humour is what makes the life-or-death moments land rather than blunting them.
May 7, 2025
War. Huh. What is is good for? Absolutely nothing.
And ain't that the truth.
In this excellent humorous and revealing account of life on the fronline for soldier Owain Mulligan, the futility of war is exposed. Our troops who were sent to Iraq to stabilise the country after the removal of Saddam Hussain, face daily threats to life from Iraqis who do not want British soldiers there. The disorganisation of the military is exposed, with failing equipment and days wasted on seemingly pointless missions.
The bravery our soldiers is exemplary and Mulligan has admirably given 100% of his royalties to War Child.
This book is army equivalent of Adam Kay's This Is Going to Hurt - darkly funny, honest, well written and thoroughly engaging and entertaining.
And ain't that the truth.
In this excellent humorous and revealing account of life on the fronline for soldier Owain Mulligan, the futility of war is exposed. Our troops who were sent to Iraq to stabilise the country after the removal of Saddam Hussain, face daily threats to life from Iraqis who do not want British soldiers there. The disorganisation of the military is exposed, with failing equipment and days wasted on seemingly pointless missions.
The bravery our soldiers is exemplary and Mulligan has admirably given 100% of his royalties to War Child.
This book is army equivalent of Adam Kay's This Is Going to Hurt - darkly funny, honest, well written and thoroughly engaging and entertaining.
December 23, 2025
Honest account on the front line of modern conflict.
Having been brought up on the boys own stuff of the British army this book brought me back down to earth with a bang. An honest reflection of taking part in a pointless and un winable conflict , in which the army came across as a cross between dad's army and Benny hill. Having said this does not take away the bravery and selflessness of those young men and women who were there and sadly those that didn't come home, or were disabled in the process. The final kick in the guts was the politicians those that started the debacle throwing in the towel. Nevertheless i take my hat of to the grunts and thank them for there service and special praise to the author who didnt even have to be there.
Having been brought up on the boys own stuff of the British army this book brought me back down to earth with a bang. An honest reflection of taking part in a pointless and un winable conflict , in which the army came across as a cross between dad's army and Benny hill. Having said this does not take away the bravery and selflessness of those young men and women who were there and sadly those that didn't come home, or were disabled in the process. The final kick in the guts was the politicians those that started the debacle throwing in the towel. Nevertheless i take my hat of to the grunts and thank them for there service and special praise to the author who didnt even have to be there.
May 27, 2026
I must have read a dozen different first hand accounts from British servicemen from the Iraq and the Afghanistan conflicts. This stands out as the best of them for me.
Mulligan's style of prose reminds me of Gervase Phinn or Bill Bryson. His comic take on the horrific situations he's in and his obvious love for the men he commands make him an incredibly affable author.
I listened to the audio book and hearing his diaries in his own voice was a wonderful experience. The particular highlight was the epilogue. Hearing the authors voice break as he talks about his men really got to me.
If you read one book about a soldiers experience of Iraq, make it this one.
Mulligan's style of prose reminds me of Gervase Phinn or Bill Bryson. His comic take on the horrific situations he's in and his obvious love for the men he commands make him an incredibly affable author.
I listened to the audio book and hearing his diaries in his own voice was a wonderful experience. The particular highlight was the epilogue. Hearing the authors voice break as he talks about his men really got to me.
If you read one book about a soldiers experience of Iraq, make it this one.
July 26, 2025
For some reason, this just didn't resonate with me as it seems to have for many others. After reading the reviews, I think it might be because I didn't find the humor particularly funny. Although I could tell the author was trying hard, many of the jokes felt like typical boys' banter that became tiresome rather quickly.
The stories were interesting, with some touching moments. I appreciated getting a unique and nuanced perspective from behind the scenes during what was a terrible war.
I'll forget the book rather quickly
The stories were interesting, with some touching moments. I appreciated getting a unique and nuanced perspective from behind the scenes during what was a terrible war.
I'll forget the book rather quickly
December 20, 2025
Funny, insightful and sad all at once.
You wouldn't think a soldier's story could be funny but this is told with genuine humour whilst still making you think about the bigger picture and the horrors of war, not to mention the idiots who start pointless wars without taking part in them themselves.
It also makes you angry when you realise how many billions of pounds of taxpayers money was actually wasted or simply given away to people who wouldn't care less if we dropped dead.
It's a funny book but a sobering read too.
You wouldn't think a soldier's story could be funny but this is told with genuine humour whilst still making you think about the bigger picture and the horrors of war, not to mention the idiots who start pointless wars without taking part in them themselves.
It also makes you angry when you realise how many billions of pounds of taxpayers money was actually wasted or simply given away to people who wouldn't care less if we dropped dead.
It's a funny book but a sobering read too.
January 20, 2026
Definitely has funny bones and the most comic turn of phrase. Gallows humour. Not sure how or why he gets himself into the position he does, leading men in war torn Iraq in the early 2000s. But he did and managed to avoid various calamities. Snapshot of how tedium and hapless middle management nearly ruins everything. Soldiers and their limitless ability to keep on doing. Teaching must be really bad for him to choose this over that. Carey Mulligan's brother I read in the acknowledgements.
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