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Through Fear and Fire: The explosive true story of a bomb squad veteran
The thrilling memoir of Special Operations Group bomb squad veteran John Taylor.
The Special Operations Group are Australia's most elite policing unit. They are who we turn to in times of shoot-outs, armed robberies, terrorism. And when the threat gets explosive, enter the Bomb Response Unit.
John 'JT' Taylor has seen it all, from backyard blow-ups to the largest bomb to ever go off in Australia. He became the force's longest serving bomb disposal expert and one of its most distinguished members.
Between handling unpredictable homemade explosive devices, daring driving manoeuvres and swapping bullets with hostage-takers, JT has stared down death. He's an adrenalin addict, having scaled some of the highest peaks in the world, including Mount Everest.
From armed robberies to counter-terrorism, bombs and booby-traps, this tell-all memoir reveals details of chilling true crime stories that have never been told before, and shows the grit and bravery of the world's toughest police unit.
The Special Operations Group are Australia's most elite policing unit. They are who we turn to in times of shoot-outs, armed robberies, terrorism. And when the threat gets explosive, enter the Bomb Response Unit.
John 'JT' Taylor has seen it all, from backyard blow-ups to the largest bomb to ever go off in Australia. He became the force's longest serving bomb disposal expert and one of its most distinguished members.
Between handling unpredictable homemade explosive devices, daring driving manoeuvres and swapping bullets with hostage-takers, JT has stared down death. He's an adrenalin addict, having scaled some of the highest peaks in the world, including Mount Everest.
From armed robberies to counter-terrorism, bombs and booby-traps, this tell-all memoir reveals details of chilling true crime stories that have never been told before, and shows the grit and bravery of the world's toughest police unit.
294 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 1, 2025
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
January 22, 2026
An interesting insight into the life of a pretty awesome, driven and inspirational man. An easy read, with some jaw dropping stories.
September 13, 2025
This book takes a closer look at the life and times of John Taylor, a long-time member of Victoria's "Special Operations Group" (SOG) and "Bomb Response Unit" (BRU).
John is a short bloke with a big heart and some amazing life stories. This book is an interesting insight into a unique mindset and lifestyle. What was particularly interesting was the feeling that the kind of obsession and exceptionalism that allowed John to be successful in his job was very similar to that of some of the crims that he was tasked with catching.
An interesting insight into a world I know little about (and I am thankful for that!)
John is a short bloke with a big heart and some amazing life stories. This book is an interesting insight into a unique mindset and lifestyle. What was particularly interesting was the feeling that the kind of obsession and exceptionalism that allowed John to be successful in his job was very similar to that of some of the crims that he was tasked with catching.
An interesting insight into a world I know little about (and I am thankful for that!)
April 11, 2026
As a true crime and documentary lover, I was very keen to start this and it absolutely delivered. One minute I’m laughing, the next I’m just sitting there like “what did I just read…”
The way the story is told, especially the detail around the events and people involved, makes it feel less like a book and more like you’re watching it all unfold in real time. It really dives into the chaos, the fear, and everything in between without holding back. The detail is insane in the best way, it plays out in your head like a full documentary and makes it hard to put down.
The way the story is told, especially the detail around the events and people involved, makes it feel less like a book and more like you’re watching it all unfold in real time. It really dives into the chaos, the fear, and everything in between without holding back. The detail is insane in the best way, it plays out in your head like a full documentary and makes it hard to put down.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews