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Long Road to Libya: Danger, Excitement, Tenacity, Resilience, Opportunity and Success
‘RIVETING. INSPIRING. UTTERLY AUTHENTIC.’ - Damien Lewis
From boy soldier to paratrooper, private security operator to successful business entrepreneur. This is the story of a natural-born warrior.
Despite a fear of heights, Jason Woods passed into the Paras and patrolled the streets of West Belfast. Despite a lack of sea legs, he protected shipping lanes from Somali pirates. He faced the Mujahideen in Afghanistan, outwitted the insurgents in Iraq and worked alongside revolutionaries in Libya as they fought to oust Gaddafi.
Jason Woods lived and worked with diverse people from all walks of life, from local tribesmen in Sudan, to the Nigerian mobile police units in the Niger Delta. He worked the bars and night club doors of London and protected the ultra-rich and famous in their castles and mansions around the world. His career tracked many of the world's most recent conflicts and wars, and he witnessed first-hand the toppling of recent history’s most notorious dictators.
With stoicism, a large helping of military humour and a down-to-earth commitment to getting the job done, Jason Woods survived bombings, shootings and rocket bombardments, the constant threat of IEDs and capture by insurgents. This is the story of no ordinary man, and it is a must-read for anyone interested in military life and operations.
Praise for Long Road to Libya :
‘Extraordinary and gripping account of Jason’s time operating in war zones, for a part of which I worked alongside him. Highly recommended if you want a riveting and honest read’ - Ollie Ollerton, SAS WHO DARES WINS and author of Break Point & Battle Ready .
‘Jason tells the story of his life as a soldier, a paratrooper, and a security operator at the extremes of the circuit - one minute he's working in luxurious surroundings protecting high-net-worth families, in the next he's operating in austere and hostile environments around the world. Ultimately, after lots of hard work, and trial and error, Jason overcomes adversity and reaches his goal as a successful executive and entrepreneur. Jason’s story is an honest and at times thrilling account of a life lived at the sharp end’ - Goodreads review
Jason Woods was born in Basingstoke in 1972 and began his military career with the Light Infantry in 1988, transferring to the Paras two years later. Upon leaving the Paras he worked in private security as a bodyguard, and then set up his own company. He ran a successful security risk management business in Libya, which he sold in 2018, and is now a writer.
From boy soldier to paratrooper, private security operator to successful business entrepreneur. This is the story of a natural-born warrior.
Despite a fear of heights, Jason Woods passed into the Paras and patrolled the streets of West Belfast. Despite a lack of sea legs, he protected shipping lanes from Somali pirates. He faced the Mujahideen in Afghanistan, outwitted the insurgents in Iraq and worked alongside revolutionaries in Libya as they fought to oust Gaddafi.
Jason Woods lived and worked with diverse people from all walks of life, from local tribesmen in Sudan, to the Nigerian mobile police units in the Niger Delta. He worked the bars and night club doors of London and protected the ultra-rich and famous in their castles and mansions around the world. His career tracked many of the world's most recent conflicts and wars, and he witnessed first-hand the toppling of recent history’s most notorious dictators.
With stoicism, a large helping of military humour and a down-to-earth commitment to getting the job done, Jason Woods survived bombings, shootings and rocket bombardments, the constant threat of IEDs and capture by insurgents. This is the story of no ordinary man, and it is a must-read for anyone interested in military life and operations.
Praise for Long Road to Libya :
‘Extraordinary and gripping account of Jason’s time operating in war zones, for a part of which I worked alongside him. Highly recommended if you want a riveting and honest read’ - Ollie Ollerton, SAS WHO DARES WINS and author of Break Point & Battle Ready .
‘Jason tells the story of his life as a soldier, a paratrooper, and a security operator at the extremes of the circuit - one minute he's working in luxurious surroundings protecting high-net-worth families, in the next he's operating in austere and hostile environments around the world. Ultimately, after lots of hard work, and trial and error, Jason overcomes adversity and reaches his goal as a successful executive and entrepreneur. Jason’s story is an honest and at times thrilling account of a life lived at the sharp end’ - Goodreads review
Jason Woods was born in Basingstoke in 1972 and began his military career with the Light Infantry in 1988, transferring to the Paras two years later. Upon leaving the Paras he worked in private security as a bodyguard, and then set up his own company. He ran a successful security risk management business in Libya, which he sold in 2018, and is now a writer.
- GenresWar
Kindle Edition
Published August 27, 2020
33 people are currently reading
28 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
September 30, 2020
For some, this book will be interesting because it tells a story that will be strange, exciting, and unfamiliar. To others, like myself, it is interesting because a tells a story that’s familiar, that's been lived.
Jason tells the story of his life as a soldier, a paratrooper, and a security operator at the extremes of the circuit--one minute he's working in luxurious surroundings protecting high-net-worth families, in the next he's operating in austere and hostile environments around the world. Ultimately, after lots of hard work, and trial and error, Jason overcomes adversity and reaches his goal as a successful executive and entrepreneur. Jason’s story is an honest and at times thrilling account of a life lived at the sharp end.
Jason and I have known each other for over two decades. We've followed similar, and at times intersecting paths. We haven’t always seen eye to eye, but I must say I have total respect for Jason and what he has achieved. I would highly recommend this book to anyone with an interest in military history or even those who just like a good old fashioned true-life adventure yarn.
This review is based on the hardcover version.
Jason tells the story of his life as a soldier, a paratrooper, and a security operator at the extremes of the circuit--one minute he's working in luxurious surroundings protecting high-net-worth families, in the next he's operating in austere and hostile environments around the world. Ultimately, after lots of hard work, and trial and error, Jason overcomes adversity and reaches his goal as a successful executive and entrepreneur. Jason’s story is an honest and at times thrilling account of a life lived at the sharp end.
Jason and I have known each other for over two decades. We've followed similar, and at times intersecting paths. We haven’t always seen eye to eye, but I must say I have total respect for Jason and what he has achieved. I would highly recommend this book to anyone with an interest in military history or even those who just like a good old fashioned true-life adventure yarn.
This review is based on the hardcover version.
June 1, 2023
A slow atart. But, in the end, an interesting and very insightful read
The early to mid parts of this book were a little slow and not very exciting. However, from the point when the action overseas started this book became more exciting and insightful. The last third of the book was the most 8nteresting and exciting. Also, a nice look back to history I only experienced through a TV screen. Push through the early portion of the book and you will be rewarded with a story worth reading both for its historical perspective, but also for a look at how life in war battered cities and countries are kept se ure as the cities and counties are rebuilt .
The early to mid parts of this book were a little slow and not very exciting. However, from the point when the action overseas started this book became more exciting and insightful. The last third of the book was the most 8nteresting and exciting. Also, a nice look back to history I only experienced through a TV screen. Push through the early portion of the book and you will be rewarded with a story worth reading both for its historical perspective, but also for a look at how life in war battered cities and countries are kept se ure as the cities and counties are rebuilt .
May 13, 2023
Interesting, but not quite a book
This self published book detailing the author's adult history during military, private security assignments, entrepreneurship and ending with retirement was worth reading...if only author had had help determining where to use detail and where to skip, skip, skip through it. It is obvious his life had excitement in it but the delivery of the story did not. I did learn a few things and I did learn where to skip, skip, skip through it so not a waste of time. He plans to write more; I hope he has an excellent editor and listens to him/her.
This self published book detailing the author's adult history during military, private security assignments, entrepreneurship and ending with retirement was worth reading...if only author had had help determining where to use detail and where to skip, skip, skip through it. It is obvious his life had excitement in it but the delivery of the story did not. I did learn a few things and I did learn where to skip, skip, skip through it so not a waste of time. He plans to write more; I hope he has an excellent editor and listens to him/her.
July 26, 2023
In his journey to Libya, Jason Woods shares his experiences of serving in some of the most dangerous regions across the globe. His narrative offers a captivating and candid depiction of a world that is often unseen - the world of military security subcontracting. This industry has significantly grown and now plays a major role in our military and national political goals. After reading this revealing account, it is essential to conduct a thorough investigation into the benefits and drawbacks of this process. Overall, Jason Woods' "long road" is a fascinating read that merits further reflection.
July 5, 2023
A fairly interesting insight into the life of a (fairly) typical member of the Paras. Some odd facts wrong, like saying training was jumping from a hot air balloon, rather than a helium barrage balloon. In this instance, after his time with the Paras, the author went on the circuit to do private protection work, and it does make for an interesting insight into some darker areas of recent history. Could have used an edit.
June 7, 2023
remarkable man & life but a slow burner at times
Not as captivating a page turner as I had expected but the content is very real and honest. I gained a lot of knowledge and insight from reading this.
Not as captivating a page turner as I had expected but the content is very real and honest. I gained a lot of knowledge and insight from reading this.
January 24, 2021
Good read really enjoyed it
June 25, 2023
Good read enjoy it
Good book does not glorify war just his own experience, and how he found a way to navigate though life
I would like to know what happens next .
Good book does not glorify war just his own experience, and how he found a way to navigate though life
I would like to know what happens next .
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews