The Quiet Soldier

by Adam Ballinger

At twenty-six, Adam Ballinger had a good degree, a fiancée, and a well-paid job. So what made him risk it all for the gruelling, year-long SAS selection course, with a better than ninety per cent chance of failing to win the toughest badge in the British Army at the end of it? Over the months of combat patrols, press-ups, punishing runs and Gas! Gas! Gas!, the ordeals of The Long Drag and hostile interrogation, Ballinger learnt that who you think you are and what the Army wants you to be are two very different things, and that the end product of selection bears little relation to either. This vivid, often funny account of the varied characters who commit so much to training for the 'misfits regiment' is remarkable both for its unromantic authenticity, and for its objective attempt to find out why. A question, Ballinger discovered, that few, if any, in the SAS could answer. Adam Ballinger was twenty-six when he joined the Territorial Army. Following publication of The Quiet Soldier, he left the City of London, where he worked in finance and management consultancy, and began a long career in education. He has taught in four secondary schools and has led over twenty school-based expeditions. He founded a Service Project, renovating a school in Central Africa and has written for the OUP, HMSO, Sunday Times and Saturday Telegraph. He is currently a Headmaster in England.

Genres: Military Fiction, Biography

262 pages, Kindle Edition

First published August 21, 1992

Reviews

[Sean Peters (A Good Thriller) · Rating 2 out of 5]

At twenty-six, Adam Ballinger had a good degree, a fiancée, and a well-paid job. So what made him risk it all for the gruelling, year-long SAS Selection course, with a better than ninety per cent chance of failing to win the toughest badge in the British Army at the end of it?

Over the months of combat patrols, press-ups, punishing runs and Gas! , the ordeals of Long Drag and hostile interrogation, Ballinger learnt that who you think you are and what the Army wants you to be are very different things, and the end product of selection bears little relation to either.

This vivid, detailed often slow account of the varied characters who commit so much to training for the 'misfits regiment' is remarkable in the authenticity, and for its objective attempt to find out why. A question, Ballinger discovered, that few, if any, in the SAS could answer.

So, a detailed story, yes, how tough it is to become SAS soldier, especially 21 SAS, but sorry I expected a lot from this book. Often over detailed, slow and heavy reading.

Maybe my own fault expecting the story to move to a true, gritty, action filled story, alas it did not.

Yes I have a full understanding of the training, but many books have these details of the training.

Struggled through this book, I also just made it to the end, just !

Two stars

[Alistair Robinson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book, overall it is a gripping insight into the extremely tough selection process and training for the SAS, it was tiring just reading about it...the author describes vividly his experiences and the mixed motivations of some of the recruits he encounters, very few of whom finally make it. I was a little disappointed not to find out what happened later to the author, did he stay? The book was written in the 1990s but really time and place are not a big factor in this account.
I did find the authors interspersing sections of his travels in Asia to be somewhat odd, in some places I had to re read to see what on earth was going on. They don't really add much and it is as if the author wanted to do a travel book but didn't have enough material so just threw it in. These sections do peter out a bit and overall the flow is good as the intensity of the process ramps up but it does knock off a star. There are no photos but then I guess there may have been security / safety concerns as this was written pre the Good Friday agreement.
Recommended

[Carl Upshon · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent book that really hits home just how much commitment you need to join the SAS Reserves. Pounding your way through the mountains night and day with heavier loads on your back in all kinds of weather, then having to go work in your full-time job as normal is a crazy workload.

I would have liked to see a bit more about the training he was doing in his personal time between the military exercises. He did touch on it in the last couple of pages but a bit earlier on would have been great.

There are some strange flashbacks to when he was out in India that didn't really add to the story. I tended to skip those as I got further through the book although it was usually only half a page or so each time.

Overall, excellent, and a book I think I will probably revisit in the future.

[M T · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thanks to Netgalley for my copy.

Excellent and accurate detail which brought back many memories for my husband( a former Para) who also read it. It was refreshing to have a book witnessing the achievement of an end goal rather than the usual gung ho rehashing of testosterone fuelled over embellishments. A true portrayal of the hardships armed forces endure. A good insight for those contemplating entering special forces.

[Darren Keighley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting

I really enjoyed this book as it gives a great insight as to how the reserve section of the SAS work.
It’s got some great & funny stories.

I have to admit as to being confused, especially at the start of the book as the story drifts over different times & it isn’t always about selection.

I was also slightly disappointed to not find out what happened later in the book but won’t mention anything so not to spoilt it for others.

[T Michaelson · Rating 4 out of 5]

A true representation of selection for 21 sas (TA) Adam tells his story unlike many other selection books whereas he does so with no bravado. Just a "normal" civilian thrust into the world of territorial SAS.
During the chapters he writes sporadically about hassan which I did not quite follow and this isn't explained at the end of the book either.

[Rosie Simmons · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting both as TA SAS tr QA ining and the personal growth of the author.

Interesting guide to the authors sublimation into the TA SAS and how much it is possible to live with and though whilst a civilian and the SAS selection. Intertwined with memories of his travels through Asia and two men with whom he changes his life...

[Ally Fox · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting tale

I enjoyed this memoir, particularly as it is almost two stories intertwined in a way that mashes you understand some of the author's motivation for attempting selection. It also made me feel quite sad that he went on to not make the sas his career

[James Barron · Rating 4 out of 5]

Puzzled by the motivations of some of these guys.

[Rebecca Hughes · Rating 3 out of 5]

Enjoyed it. Explores the selection process for 21 SAS.

[phillip barnard · Rating 5 out of 5]

A good read

A well written book that kept you reading at a good pace to see what would happen next. The only bad part was it left wanting to know what happened next

[barbara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really enjoyed the read and the dedication and hard work, dedication that goes into the making of a SAS soldier .Seemed such a waste that they didn't continue the process but at least they completed the course .
Just decided a real life is what he wanted .

[David · Rating 5 out of 5]

A really good take on The Regiment

In ways like doing a part-time MB
A this demonstrates that these TA guys might be even tougher that 22 Selection candidates.

[Matthew Okuhara · Rating 3 out of 5]

The second book I’ve read about SAS reserves. This is good, full of details and interesting but it feels disjointed with the unnecessary additional narrative.

[Alastair · Rating 4 out of 5]

Definitely worth the read, Ballinger is an interesting character and the general insight to 23 SAS is a good one. I am not sure it would be a read for anyone who didn't have an interest in the selection and training of an elite unit. Ballinger is affable chap and if you want the exploration go for it - you'll no doubt the read.

[Marcus Cosgrove · Rating 5 out of 5]

this is one of the best books I have read about a physical and spiritual journey. the description of the training, his feelings during it, his reasons for continuing with it and what it means to him resonate with the struggles that we all experience in life. a truly magnificent read.

[Clouisefowler · Rating 4 out of 5]

Got this for the other half and he said it was a good read!

[Lizanne Whitlow · Rating 4 out of 5]

Britain's highly-respected special forces: the SAS. This book covers the year-long SAS selection process. These folks fascinate me.

[Damien Richards · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good read for sure. The guy had no military background. quite an amazing story. .fair play.

[Gareth · Rating 5 out of 5]

A truly inspiring story and beautifully written

[Richard Novak · Rating 5 out of 5]

A really good book about an Eagle Scout who joins the 22nd(?) (Reserves) SAS. He writes about the training and his thoughts while undergoing it.

[Dean David]

Repetitive. I would have liked to know what happened next.

[Cameron Faulds]

I love this book. Must have read it three times.