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Unbreakable: The Trailblazing SAS Soldier Who Never Backed Down
Familiar to many from his season on the Directing Staff of Channel 4's Who Dares Wins, Melvyn Downes served in the SAS for 12 years. He has faced physical and psychological trauma. He’s lost close friends and family members. He’s experienced bullying and racial harassment.
But no matter how tough things get, he is always convinced he’ll get out the other side.
He wasn’t born fearless, or strong, or confident. Those things grew from graft, a willingness to learn from mistakes and a constant desire to push himself out of his comfort zone.
Structured chronologically around lessons learned the hard the way, that helped him be the best version of himself, on and off the battlefield, this is a true story of a life lived at the toughest extremes. It’s also an inspiring insight into the can-do mindset of an SAS blade who lives by the ‘Improve, adapt, overcome’.
But no matter how tough things get, he is always convinced he’ll get out the other side.
He wasn’t born fearless, or strong, or confident. Those things grew from graft, a willingness to learn from mistakes and a constant desire to push himself out of his comfort zone.
Structured chronologically around lessons learned the hard the way, that helped him be the best version of himself, on and off the battlefield, this is a true story of a life lived at the toughest extremes. It’s also an inspiring insight into the can-do mindset of an SAS blade who lives by the ‘Improve, adapt, overcome’.
- GenresBiography
289 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 12, 2025
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
December 30, 2025
Inspiring
I was born in 67 Nottingham on the St Ann’s estate (if you know you know). West Indian Father white English Mother! Got chased home by racist whites and then by racist blacks! Father made me stand my ground and take a beating but never back down! Love SKA music and Sport! Father died when I was still at school 16 at the time! Joined the Royal Navy and became a Submariner ( Only black submariner Medic at the time). Best thing that ever happened to me! Met some of the oddest guys you can imagine BUT the BEST shipmate’s you could ever ask to have your back! Medically discharged after 8.5yrs. This book has made me feel so PROUD of the man from Stoke! Pity he’s not a Forest fan but you can’t be completely perfect! THE BEST READ I’VE HAD IN A LONG TIME!!! Wish MAN and his family HAPPINESS he’s HEARNED IT! ❤️🫡🙏🏾
I was born in 67 Nottingham on the St Ann’s estate (if you know you know). West Indian Father white English Mother! Got chased home by racist whites and then by racist blacks! Father made me stand my ground and take a beating but never back down! Love SKA music and Sport! Father died when I was still at school 16 at the time! Joined the Royal Navy and became a Submariner ( Only black submariner Medic at the time). Best thing that ever happened to me! Met some of the oddest guys you can imagine BUT the BEST shipmate’s you could ever ask to have your back! Medically discharged after 8.5yrs. This book has made me feel so PROUD of the man from Stoke! Pity he’s not a Forest fan but you can’t be completely perfect! THE BEST READ I’VE HAD IN A LONG TIME!!! Wish MAN and his family HAPPINESS he’s HEARNED IT! ❤️🫡🙏🏾
July 22, 2025
3.5 ⭐️
From Amazon:
“A frightened boy pursued by racist bullies who grew up to become a trailblazing soldier in the British Army and then the SAS, Melvyn Downes was one of the first British-born Black men to join the elite regiment. During his 24 years of service, he was involved in secret missions across more than 50 countries and since leaving active duty has travelled to some of the world’s most dangerous places, protecting charity workers and journalists amidst natural disasters and in brutal conflict zones.
In this gripping memoir, Melvyn takes us behind enemy lines and onto the front line of war, never shying away from the darker side of what he endured, such as losing friends, experiencing psychological traumas and facing racial harassment head-on. Yet, he believes that with the right willpower and mindset, anyone can overcome life's challenges.”
The book is well written and entertaining although it only briefly deals with Melvyn’s time in the SAS (which is understandable due to the nature of the deployments).
From Amazon:
“A frightened boy pursued by racist bullies who grew up to become a trailblazing soldier in the British Army and then the SAS, Melvyn Downes was one of the first British-born Black men to join the elite regiment. During his 24 years of service, he was involved in secret missions across more than 50 countries and since leaving active duty has travelled to some of the world’s most dangerous places, protecting charity workers and journalists amidst natural disasters and in brutal conflict zones.
In this gripping memoir, Melvyn takes us behind enemy lines and onto the front line of war, never shying away from the darker side of what he endured, such as losing friends, experiencing psychological traumas and facing racial harassment head-on. Yet, he believes that with the right willpower and mindset, anyone can overcome life's challenges.”
The book is well written and entertaining although it only briefly deals with Melvyn’s time in the SAS (which is understandable due to the nature of the deployments).
September 15, 2025
Not my usual genre, but after reading Killing Thatcher and The Siege I was curious about what it takes to be in the SAS and the selection process. Actually what I enjoyed most were the descriptions of Mel’s time in the Middle East during the Gulf War - especially desert living conditions. Flies arriving from nowhere as soon as you opened your rations…..
Mel’s resilience, motivation and pursuit of excellence in what he does shone through in the writing. It was an entertaining, quick read - with years skimmed over which couldn’t for various reasons be elaborated upon.
Mel’s resilience, motivation and pursuit of excellence in what he does shone through in the writing. It was an entertaining, quick read - with years skimmed over which couldn’t for various reasons be elaborated upon.
November 28, 2025
A humble, no-nonsense memoir of one man’s exceptional achievements in service of his country. Mel’s recounting of the racism he has had to endure through his early years and later career is shocking and upsetting in equal measure - that he rose above this, and is still able to put the abuse he received in the context of the time and place without bitterness is quite extraordinary and I’m sure a measure of the man. Quietly inspiring, a story told at pace and with plenty of understated military humour, this is a great read.
September 20, 2026
How to be human in the absence of humanity
Really well-written and authoritative account by a man who unfailingly comes across as a decent, committed and conscientious person.
There's none of the grating bravado and self-justification in other more bloviating SAS memoirs (yes, we're looking at you, Andy McNab) but an honest and positive illustration of humanity, and how to maintain it when faced with the inhumane.
This is a book that could really help change your outlook. Definitely recommended for anyone to read.
Really well-written and authoritative account by a man who unfailingly comes across as a decent, committed and conscientious person.
There's none of the grating bravado and self-justification in other more bloviating SAS memoirs (yes, we're looking at you, Andy McNab) but an honest and positive illustration of humanity, and how to maintain it when faced with the inhumane.
This is a book that could really help change your outlook. Definitely recommended for anyone to read.
January 24, 2026
Interesting book from the perspective of moving through the army ranks. Not too much information about the SAS (understandably) but I thought this part was severely lacking and glossed over.
The deployments and then later private work in Iraq was interesting to read about. it's a country that's often overlooked and misunderstood.
The deployments and then later private work in Iraq was interesting to read about. it's a country that's often overlooked and misunderstood.
September 20, 2025
A great non fiction book and an autobiography book from a former SAS soldier.
It's well written and enjoyable as it hold no barriers to his up bring in Stoke on Trent in the north of England til he joined the British Army's rifle and then SAS.
Overall a great read of a book.
Best wishes Sean
It's well written and enjoyable as it hold no barriers to his up bring in Stoke on Trent in the north of England til he joined the British Army's rifle and then SAS.
Overall a great read of a book.
Best wishes Sean
September 21, 2025
An interesting life, similar to several others I have read. Sadly missed all the SF stories which I understand. Details would make it more readable in particular times and places to give it more context. Room with his experiences for another book.
April 17, 2026
Good book; good message.
May 16, 2026
Pride
Mr Downes is an example to us all, his sincerity and love of this country shines throughout the book. Racists beware!
Mr Downes is an example to us all, his sincerity and love of this country shines throughout the book. Racists beware!
September 10, 2026
Such an incredible inspiration! I couldn’t put this book down and immediately feel the urge to start from page 1 after flipping the last page.
October 3, 2026
A colleague lent me this. Not my vibe.
March 15, 2026
An absolute corker of a biography.
How does a man of West Indian Heritage brought up in depressed circumstances by a loving family on a council estate, make it in the tough and sometimes hostile (racist) environment of the local area and the army.
A book of courage and determination to be the best.
The description of SAS assessment was mind boggling. How does anyone get through it?
How does a man of West Indian Heritage brought up in depressed circumstances by a loving family on a council estate, make it in the tough and sometimes hostile (racist) environment of the local area and the army.
A book of courage and determination to be the best.
The description of SAS assessment was mind boggling. How does anyone get through it?
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews