Fighting for Queen and Country: One man's true story of blood and violence in the paras and the SAS

by Nigel Ely

'Nigel 'Spud' Ely writes with passion, pace and the knowledge of someone who's seen it and done it; because he has. In every chapter the reader can smell and taste the action. His style is gritty and no-nonsense, indicative of his background in the Parachute Regiment and SAS. His book exude authenticity as he writes from first-hand experience of some of the most ferocious battles of modern British military history.’
Mark Nicol, Military Author

'Spud Ely tells it like it was, from first-hand experience. No glory, just guts. You can almost smell the dirt and the blood. The true gauge of his fast-paced, in-your-face style is that men who have been to the dark places Spud has been to recognise its authenticity.'
The Sun

Spud Ely’s soldering career in the Parachute Regiment, the SAS, as a Military Consultant and as a War Photojournalist has taken him in to some of the most deadly, high-octane, violent battles of the modern era. From the Falklands, to Africa, Afghanistan and Iraq. Spud has been in the thick of the most ferocious and disturbing fighting of modern times.

Much of the combat he was involved in was so brutal and violent that it brought with it terrible and enduring psychological scars for the men on the front line. Since the end of the Falklands War more men have committed suicide that were actually killed in action. Spud has collected shocking testimonials from his fellow Paras and SAS soldiers and, sparing none of the gritty operational details, reveals exactly what these men when through and contributed to some of them taking their own lives.

Ely is renowned as a man who will, quite literally, stop at nothing to get the job done.

Genres: Military Fiction, Nonfiction, Biography

268 pages, Paperback

First published February 1, 2003

Reviews

[Josephine Jarman · Rating 5 out of 5]

High quality audio of the reality of the life of a soilder during some of the worst conflicts. Told with such detail and honesty this was in places a hatd listen. The narrator did a good job of putting emotion into a fairly factual listen. The length was off putting to start with but i was quickly drawn into this true life story. It started from recruitment through training and changes. It really made me appreciate how much being a soulder in different squads really takes rspecially the sas. I found it a grippingv 5 star listen. Thank you so much to netgallery and publisher and narrator for this 5 star listen.

[Martin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very good

A great read, the Falklands conflict was probably one of the best accounts I've read. A very good and true account overall of how he felt during many conflicts, and the pressures in his personal life the Army has. Worth a read.

[Steve clarke · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent

Good read . Covers a lot of ground . Especially enjoyed the Falklands section . Gave you an idea of the horror of war

[Gareth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book. Life in the parachute regiment in the 1970s during the Troubles. 2 Para in the Falklands War. Then a bit of life in the SAS later on in the 1980s. Some great stories. An authentic view from a soldier who seemed to experience a great deal of enemy engagement across a number of conflicts over many years. A very matter of fact style of storytelling which I liked. I listened to the audiobook which was read by the author which enhanced the story. One small gripe - I thought the introduction about the author doing press security during Gulf War 2 was boring and unnecessary. If they had started the book with a dit that was interesting and also related to the rest of the book then this would have made it even better. Overall a very good book which was educational and very interesting.

[Roy Turp · Rating 3 out of 5]

I got this on audible and it’s narrated by the author. This book has a particular interest to me because the author writes about his experiences in the Falklands War and dedicates the book to Falklands War veterans: which I am a veteran of this conflict.
The description of the cold reminded me of the horrendous seas and cold.
The description of how barren the Falklands are, triggered memories of this long ago shirt and brutal war. His training and experience of being a member of the elite SAS is encouraging to prospective joiners.
The author describes how his freefall training nearly ended his life, but he had the courage to continue and qualify.
It is a reminder of the high price that these people pay in terms of separation from families and divorce.

[Genevieve · Rating 4 out of 5]

I listened to this as an audiobook and found it to be a real surprise package. Life in the Paras and SAS was really brought to life by Nigel Ely, and what a gripping tale it was. He did not hold back in his assessment of his time in the service and how it stunted every chance at a normal nine-to-five life. To me, this was one of the best inside narratives of both The Northern Ireland Troubles and the Falklands War that I have ever read. In summary, if you’re looking for a glossy look at the service with a fairy tale ending, you won’t find it here. It’s brutally honest, gritty and tough. Excellent.

[Mr David A Hodson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Felt like you were there

Although the book isn’t a literary great and the timelines got a little confused it did give a great sense of authenticity. It really showed the unglamorous but real and hard life of getting into and being a SF soldier. Very well done and thank you to the author!

[Patrick Higgins · Rating 2 out of 5]

Well written but not my cup of tea

Although well written for the most part, recounts of battles are sketchy at best and it is easy for the reader to lose his place.

[Jacob Stelling · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting book that gives a real insight into life in the British Army and general conflict scenarios

[Mark Grove · Rating 5 out of 5]

A good read. I enjoy first-hand accounts, especially by ex-military personnel. Thanks, Spud, for killing some of the bad guys. Cheers!

[alan george strachan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great read

It outlines what serving personnel go through. Also what there family's have to endure while they are serving there country.

[Rhemaboy · Rating 2 out of 5]

Hmmm

I have read many books on the SAS and I found this one to be my least favourite. I’m thankful for the writers service.

[Shaun Taylor · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyable

Nice read for anyone interested in The troubles, The Parachute Regiment or the SAS.
Nice style of writing which makes it real

[Kas · Rating 5 out of 5]

Interesting story of courage and being a good soldier

[THOMAS MALLAN · Rating 5 out of 5]

Superb read

Absolutely loved this book, so refreshingly honest. Particularly enjoyed the authors move from one area to the next. Highly recommended

[Andy Blanche · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cracking stuff. A very straightforward and frank memoir of experience in 2Para and the SAS.

Very engaging from start to finish. Highly recommended (and I’ve read a lot of these).

[Nick Morton · Rating 1 out of 5]

A fairly basic read of a well rehearsed history but also an intriguing insight especially to the Falkland War

[Mat Greener · Rating 3 out of 5]

Enjoyable listen. Makes you realise how hard army & specifically special forces work is

[Snakeman · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting read of a soldiers career in the British Army and Army life.

[Mark Speed · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the memoir of a British soldier who joined the Parachute Regiment, fought in Northern Island, the Falklands, joined the SAS and then left to work in the private sector as a security consultant and journalist, witnessing at first hand the Second Gulf War.

Whilst I was expecting it to be graphic, I wasn't expecting it to be quite as gripping as it was. In places, the events described are quite extraordinary. It's fascinating to read a soldier's account of the battle for Goose Green (Falklands), rather than the accounts I've read from journalists and historians. He dismisses those who would call his actions 'brave' or 'heroic', and I can understand that. From his point of view he was fighting for his mates. But it's a travesty that over-paid footballers are called heroes when men like these work for a pittance doing what they do.

"People sleep peaceably in their beds at night only because rough men stand ready to do violence on their behalf." (Attr. George Orwell)

Be grateful that men like Nigel Ely are willing to train and fight harder than those who would do us harm.

To address other reviewers' complaints, yes there's the odd bit of misspelling, but I was more than happy to overlook that. In a way, it made it more authentic.

[The Maverick · Rating 2 out of 5]

I think this book represents a first for me.

As I was reading it, I kept recognizing certain events. At first I figured this was because I had read another Para/SAS biography by someone who had served with the author. Finally I figured out which book I was thinking of and discovered that my suspicion was correct - sort of. It turns out that the other book I was thinking of was an SAS biography by the SAME author -- except that the original book had a different title and the author used a different name.

The original book was "Terminal Velocity" where the author is listed as Steve Devereux.

So what does the Queen and Country reprint offer? A new "blood and guts" preface (which recounts a scene I don't recall being in the original book), some clumsy editorial changes, and muddy pictures printed on the flimsy pages of the book rather than on glossy paper. Other than these changes, the current printing appears virtually identical to the original.

I read Terminal Velocity first, which may be one of the reasons why I prefer it over the reprint -- and perhaps also because I don't like being sold the same book twice due to someone deciding to reprint it with a different title and author, but absolutely no mention of the prior edition!

[Hazel Edwards · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not usually keen on 'war' nor violent books but this candid insight into the Paras and SAS effectively creates this elite trained military world. The multiplicity of abbreviations take a little unpacking, especially if you are not experienced in military worlds or the terminology. The sheer physical demands and the way the narrator copes with extreme training is interesting, but the pointlessness of lost lives for political gains is obvious too. Northern Ireland and the Falklands included as tours of duty. Leaves the reader with the question of 'what makes a good soldier?' How does that vary from an elite athlete? Regimental pride and mates, but not really for Queen and Country. Fine line between physical bravery, callousness and stupidity. Or being used as political pawns. Some of the soldiers were initially unaware of the geography or the politics of the countries in which they were fighting. The real enemy was death, and survival was dependent upon elite physical skills and not being in the wrong place. Well written.

[Chris Steeden · Rating 3 out of 5]

Goose Green, Falklands 1982:

'The passion and the aggression which we all had for getting on and finishing the job did not come from a loyalty to Queen and country or to the politicians who had sent us here, or from the thought of another power taking over a part of the United Kingdom. The officers might have thought about this Queen and country bollocks, but we blokes didn't. We were doing this for ourselves and for the Regiment.'

Ely was point man going in to fight 1500 Argentinians at Goose Green. The book takes us back to him joining the Parachute Regiment at the age of 18 and then a tour of Northern Ireland in the late 70's / early 80's to training for the SAS and then deployment to the Falklands. After that it was back to the SAS.

I found the book very interesting and was always looking forward to getting to read it when I could. The stand-out section of the book is the Falklands as the missions that Ely had with the SAS were mostly damp squibs to be honest.

[Patrick Carroll · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was a little episodic in the way it was written, I guess taking the key battles and events from the author's military career. I didn't really get much impression of what Spud was like, but perhaps this reflects that the people who succeed in the SAS are in fact "grey men", no real member of the regiment is likely to admit it in the pub and I guess those who have served can recognise the subtle signs.

[MR D · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m not a critic nor an academic, I read a book for what it’s about, you don’t need to be an academic to write a good read, and this is definitely a good read. Sometimes almost too hard to believe that one individual can have been through so much relatively unscathed.
It covers the guts and the glory, but also takes into account the impact on others by unintended acts of omission.
Definitely a good read

[Timo Toivonen · Rating 1 out of 5]

Ex-military grunt talks about his experiences. Low quality writing. Some interesting tidbits about the Para training. This book doesn't reveal any real moral growth or personal value reflection on main character's (the author's) side. At least he's honest.

[Mike Rawson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Takes you on a first hand walk through the Falklands War from the point of view of "Spud". He conveys the sentiments well while maintaining that all important perspective. A very worthwhile read for anyone into recent military history.

[SEAN BRADY · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good read.

Really enjoyed the book and couldn't put it down. Story of one Man's marriage to the army to the exclusion of everything else, sad in a way, definitely violent at times but a great read.

[lyle tadlock · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read really enjoyed it


Great read really enjoyed it read it in two days could not put put it down. Very informative about the SAs

[Ernest Carter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good Read

Enjoyed this book from start to finish Well worth it and very believable in all the different places of conflict