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Citadel
An inspiring and gritty real-life adventure for readers of Soldier Spy and A Captain's Duty by Captain Phillips. 'One of the best first hand accounts of fighting piracy off Somalia, from a man who isno stranger to danger' Phil Campion Ex-SAS, best-selling author and Sky News presenter
Jordan Wylie, a young man from a tough area of Blackpool where kids like him often went off the rails, chose a life in the army.
He saw service in Iraq and learned to cope with the horrors he'd witnessed, then suffered an injury that blocked any chance of climbing up the military ladder. But an old army colleague suggested he join a security team on a tanker in Yemen.
Ex-servicemen were offered dazzling salaries and 'James Bond' lifestyles between jobs protecting the super-tankers carrying consumer goods to Europe and the US. However, for the men tempted to go, the price they paid was the claustrophobia and isolation of life on board and the ever-present possibility of death skimming towards them across the vast, lonely blue sea. Jordan was one of these men.
In Citadel, he writes the first account of these dangerous years from someone 'at the front'. A young soldier from the backstreets of Blackpool, he was determined to make the most of his life, but unsure of the way forward. To his surprise, he found his answers in the perilous waters of 'Pirate Alley'.
'An action packed and fascinating read from a fellow Blackpool lad and good friend -highly recommended' Brian 'The Lion' Rose, Former WBO Intercontinental & British Champion
Jordan Wylie, a young man from a tough area of Blackpool where kids like him often went off the rails, chose a life in the army.
He saw service in Iraq and learned to cope with the horrors he'd witnessed, then suffered an injury that blocked any chance of climbing up the military ladder. But an old army colleague suggested he join a security team on a tanker in Yemen.
Ex-servicemen were offered dazzling salaries and 'James Bond' lifestyles between jobs protecting the super-tankers carrying consumer goods to Europe and the US. However, for the men tempted to go, the price they paid was the claustrophobia and isolation of life on board and the ever-present possibility of death skimming towards them across the vast, lonely blue sea. Jordan was one of these men.
In Citadel, he writes the first account of these dangerous years from someone 'at the front'. A young soldier from the backstreets of Blackpool, he was determined to make the most of his life, but unsure of the way forward. To his surprise, he found his answers in the perilous waters of 'Pirate Alley'.
'An action packed and fascinating read from a fellow Blackpool lad and good friend -highly recommended' Brian 'The Lion' Rose, Former WBO Intercontinental & British Champion
245 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 29, 2017
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
January 10, 2018
Jordan Wylie comes through as an amazing man with an amazing true story to tell. Having almost gone down the wrong road in his teens, he followed the great example of his father and realised there was more for him than the streets of Blackpool could offer.
This book details his career in the services, the time spent fighting off pirates at sea and the work since then.
It really is a fascinating story and he tells it so very, very well.
Thank you to NetGalley for a Kindle copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
This book details his career in the services, the time spent fighting off pirates at sea and the work since then.
It really is a fascinating story and he tells it so very, very well.
Thank you to NetGalley for a Kindle copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
April 5, 2018
Very enjoyable read. Great insight as to what went on to protect against pirates.
February 2, 2018
I received this book for free through Goodreads First Reads.
Citadel is a personal account of one man’s war against the pirates of Somalia. Jordan Wylie grew up in Blackpool and joined the King’s Royal Hussars as soon as he left school. Unfortunately, a back injury restricted the tasks he was able to perform meaning he had to leave the army behind him. However, his skills as a non-commissioned officer came in handy in his new position in maritime security. Jordan became a security guard for merchant ships that had to make the dangerous journey through Pirate Alley, i.e. Somalia. In this book, Jordan tries to encapsulate his experience aboard these ships and his encounter with the licentious pirates.
Somali pirates are not the typical figures from pantomimes, dressed in tricorn hats and frock coats, complete with pet parrot on the shoulder yelling “Avast me hearties!” Instead, they are young African men of a bellicose nature, some barely out of their teens, wielding guns with the intention of taking over ships and demanding extortionate ransoms.
Jordan was rather fortunate with his brush with pirates and never experienced being captured or attacked. Nevertheless, the occasions when Somalis attempted to take over were extremely nerve-racking, especially because Jordan and the crew had horror stories of other ships’ fates fresh in their minds. In these instances, Jordan had to remain calm and professional, relying on his army background and personal bravery to keep everyone safe.
The title, Citadel, refers to the name of the safe room the crew were required to lock themselves in should pirate attack become imminent. In some instances, entire ship crews would be locked in these rooms for days or longer, desperately awaiting rescue. Jordan’s brief exposure to the citadel was enough for him to realise how truly awful being locked below decks for a lengthy period of time would be.
Citadel lacks synchronicity and often jumps from Jordan’s own experiences to stories he has heard of other ships. He also talks about his family back home in England, including his wife and young daughter. Being away from home for months at a time is very difficult but the pay cheque of a maritime security guard is too appealing to turn down.
Unfortunately, Jordan’s narrative is ruined through his use of unnecessary expletives. Ironically, Jordan writes about telling off other security guards for swearing because it upsets the native sailors, yet, he does not think about the readers he may be irritating.
Overall, Jordan’s book Citadel brings to attention the dangers sailors face whilst shipping our everyday commodities. Most of us are unaware of the events occurring in the Middle East and the state of the lives of Somali families that force children to grow up to become pirates. Citadel is eye-opening in more ways than one and will interest readers with interest in the armed forces, security management and so forth.
Citadel is a personal account of one man’s war against the pirates of Somalia. Jordan Wylie grew up in Blackpool and joined the King’s Royal Hussars as soon as he left school. Unfortunately, a back injury restricted the tasks he was able to perform meaning he had to leave the army behind him. However, his skills as a non-commissioned officer came in handy in his new position in maritime security. Jordan became a security guard for merchant ships that had to make the dangerous journey through Pirate Alley, i.e. Somalia. In this book, Jordan tries to encapsulate his experience aboard these ships and his encounter with the licentious pirates.
Somali pirates are not the typical figures from pantomimes, dressed in tricorn hats and frock coats, complete with pet parrot on the shoulder yelling “Avast me hearties!” Instead, they are young African men of a bellicose nature, some barely out of their teens, wielding guns with the intention of taking over ships and demanding extortionate ransoms.
Jordan was rather fortunate with his brush with pirates and never experienced being captured or attacked. Nevertheless, the occasions when Somalis attempted to take over were extremely nerve-racking, especially because Jordan and the crew had horror stories of other ships’ fates fresh in their minds. In these instances, Jordan had to remain calm and professional, relying on his army background and personal bravery to keep everyone safe.
The title, Citadel, refers to the name of the safe room the crew were required to lock themselves in should pirate attack become imminent. In some instances, entire ship crews would be locked in these rooms for days or longer, desperately awaiting rescue. Jordan’s brief exposure to the citadel was enough for him to realise how truly awful being locked below decks for a lengthy period of time would be.
Citadel lacks synchronicity and often jumps from Jordan’s own experiences to stories he has heard of other ships. He also talks about his family back home in England, including his wife and young daughter. Being away from home for months at a time is very difficult but the pay cheque of a maritime security guard is too appealing to turn down.
Unfortunately, Jordan’s narrative is ruined through his use of unnecessary expletives. Ironically, Jordan writes about telling off other security guards for swearing because it upsets the native sailors, yet, he does not think about the readers he may be irritating.
Overall, Jordan’s book Citadel brings to attention the dangers sailors face whilst shipping our everyday commodities. Most of us are unaware of the events occurring in the Middle East and the state of the lives of Somali families that force children to grow up to become pirates. Citadel is eye-opening in more ways than one and will interest readers with interest in the armed forces, security management and so forth.
February 17, 2018
Thanks to Goodreads for continuing to broaden my reading horizons with this giveaway. I would probably never have picked this book up in a shop, filing it in my mind along with the Bravo 2 Zero macho man genre that really has nothing to do with me.
However, this is a tale told by an undeniably macho man, but somehow told in an unmacho way. The relevance of Somali piracy to the veryday person is evident very early on when Wylie explains how almost everything we consume passes through the waterways known as Pirates' Alley. This made me more interested in Wylie's story as I realised that this was a problem which did, in fact, touch my world.
Starting his life in the army, Wylie doesn't linger too long on his escapades in service. Rather, he spends most of his time telling tales of his life at sea in the dangerous waters around Eastern Africa. Although perilous, Wylie keeps a keen sense of humour which peppers the novel with real human character.
I'm not sure if there would be enough action for those who like the 'macho man' type of book, but I found it to be fascinating and quite gripping.
However, this is a tale told by an undeniably macho man, but somehow told in an unmacho way. The relevance of Somali piracy to the veryday person is evident very early on when Wylie explains how almost everything we consume passes through the waterways known as Pirates' Alley. This made me more interested in Wylie's story as I realised that this was a problem which did, in fact, touch my world.
Starting his life in the army, Wylie doesn't linger too long on his escapades in service. Rather, he spends most of his time telling tales of his life at sea in the dangerous waters around Eastern Africa. Although perilous, Wylie keeps a keen sense of humour which peppers the novel with real human character.
I'm not sure if there would be enough action for those who like the 'macho man' type of book, but I found it to be fascinating and quite gripping.
February 1, 2018
Thank you Goodreads for sending me this book. This book provides an overview of the battle against Somali pirates. It is a well told story of the authors life, that not only describes the piracy aspects, but also how the author working life progressed, as he takes the opportunities to move from one job to another as his knowledge and expertise grows. The book does not go into the fine detail of life on board a ship which is a target for Somali pirates, but you get to know enough to understand what hazardous journeys are taken and what the risks are. With the high value goods being carried, the risks for hijacking are extremely high. The author does not just have to rely on bravery, but also bravado and brains to be able to cope with the stresses and danger, of being in charge of security, whilst having to instantly assess extremely dangerous situations and take appropriate action. A great read.
February 18, 2018
Difficult one this. The life story as a life story is impressive and this is clearly told from the heart. It’s an interesting personal tale that is quite well written albeit in a raw and individual way. What I didn’t enjoy was the superfluous swearing within descriptive passages “fucking this”, “bloody that” etc which are fine in quoted dialogue but adds nothing to descriptive narrative. Some of the over-embellished adjectives, cliches and metaphors too were a little uncomfortable -eg “like a tramp round a plate of sausage and chips” or a “dickhead landlubber”. Hmmm.
But, if you can see through the style and see the man telling it his way in his own unusual style then this is an fascinating account full of drama and adventure. Worth a read in my view.
But, if you can see through the style and see the man telling it his way in his own unusual style then this is an fascinating account full of drama and adventure. Worth a read in my view.
April 15, 2018
If you have read the headlines about piracy
You will be fascinated to learn of the untold story,written by a man who was there ,and did what he could to protect ordinary seaman.
I found the story of the man and his life inspiring, I could not put the book down.
You will be fascinated to learn of the untold story,written by a man who was there ,and did what he could to protect ordinary seaman.
I found the story of the man and his life inspiring, I could not put the book down.
May 26, 2019
Fascinating
Not a subject I'd given much thought to, but Wylie's later career as an armed security guard, shepherding massive and vulnerable vessels in the seas of the Horn of Africa, makes for compulsive reading and is salted with his ex-soldier's humour and language.
Not a subject I'd given much thought to, but Wylie's later career as an armed security guard, shepherding massive and vulnerable vessels in the seas of the Horn of Africa, makes for compulsive reading and is salted with his ex-soldier's humour and language.
February 13, 2018
Good, quite harrowing.
August 6, 2018
Enlightening.
an eye opener about a subject we give little thought. Terrifying scenarios and outcomes. The squadie from up North did alright for himself.
an eye opener about a subject we give little thought. Terrifying scenarios and outcomes. The squadie from up North did alright for himself.
August 22, 2018
This is not a novel as such but a factual telling of how shipping companies had to employ security personnel to combat the Somali pirates. Interesting read.
June 13, 2021
Learnt a lot from this book. An amazing story for Jordan to tell and an insight into a world I knew nothing about. Looking forward to the next life instalment!
January 26, 2018
Thanks to Netgalley, the publisher. and the author for allowing me to read and review a digital copy of this book. This book details his career in the services, the time spent fighting off pirates at sea and the work since then.
It really is a fascinating story and he tells it so very, very well.
It really is a fascinating story and he tells it so very, very well.
February 28, 2018
I surprised my self! I just loved reading Citadel by Jordan Wylie. Its not a book I would usually read however, I found this book amazing I was hooked from the first few pages. I found it gripping, very interesting throughout and I just wanted more. So when I finished the book I had to get my Hubby to read it. He is enjoying it at the mo. This book is down to earth and just excellent.
5 star read........
5 star read........
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews