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The Sum of Things
Meet James Fallon, founder, and CEO of Global Solutions International. Fallon, an ex-SAS hard man turned bounty hunter foMeetr whom nothing is off limits. From sea piracy to black ops he’s up for it. Anytime. Anywhere.
From its formation in July 1941 until April 1980, most British people had never heard of the Special Air Service Regiment. Its very existence was unknown.
Then, on April 30th, terrorists seized the Iranian Embassy in London. The London police force, the Met, had no answer. The Prime Minister, Margeret Thatcher, handed the task to the military, and they brought in the SAS.
Five days later, on May 5th, Brits, along with 300,000,000 people around the world were entertained live on television, as the Special Air Service launched Operation Nimrod and demonstrated their prowess in a 17 minute master class take down of that siege. And everyone in the world became aware that Britain had a Special Forces unit second to none.
Then along came the historians and the biographers to spread the word about the SAS, and its feats.
And seeing a golden opportunity to exploit this, the fiction writers followed.
Having read a lot of SAS adventure thrillers, I've concluded that most writers of these novels paint a false picture of things and show little respect for the great Regiment. Their heroes are invincible bullet proof hard men, with Jack Reacher like characteristics, sent on impossible missions. And in time these formulaic novels become repetitive and boring.
This is one of the reasons I wrote "The Sum of Things". Because the SAS reality is somewhat different.
Special Air Service troopers are ordinary men who, through intensive training, are capable of extraordinary feats. Training that teaches and instils endurance and resilience. Through this they learn to dare and win and achieve their objectives.
They also get to know their limitations, and that's important.
Such a man is my protagonist, James Fallon.
So I invite you to take a step into reality, it's far more enjoyable and much more satisfying.
From its formation in July 1941 until April 1980, most British people had never heard of the Special Air Service Regiment. Its very existence was unknown.
Then, on April 30th, terrorists seized the Iranian Embassy in London. The London police force, the Met, had no answer. The Prime Minister, Margeret Thatcher, handed the task to the military, and they brought in the SAS.
Five days later, on May 5th, Brits, along with 300,000,000 people around the world were entertained live on television, as the Special Air Service launched Operation Nimrod and demonstrated their prowess in a 17 minute master class take down of that siege. And everyone in the world became aware that Britain had a Special Forces unit second to none.
Then along came the historians and the biographers to spread the word about the SAS, and its feats.
And seeing a golden opportunity to exploit this, the fiction writers followed.
Having read a lot of SAS adventure thrillers, I've concluded that most writers of these novels paint a false picture of things and show little respect for the great Regiment. Their heroes are invincible bullet proof hard men, with Jack Reacher like characteristics, sent on impossible missions. And in time these formulaic novels become repetitive and boring.
This is one of the reasons I wrote "The Sum of Things". Because the SAS reality is somewhat different.
Special Air Service troopers are ordinary men who, through intensive training, are capable of extraordinary feats. Training that teaches and instils endurance and resilience. Through this they learn to dare and win and achieve their objectives.
They also get to know their limitations, and that's important.
Such a man is my protagonist, James Fallon.
So I invite you to take a step into reality, it's far more enjoyable and much more satisfying.
391 pages, Paperback
Published July 16, 2018
7 people are currently reading
11 people want to read
About the author
Tony McManus
16 books15 followersAfter graduating from Shrewsbury Public School, Tony sought a life of adventure and travel, and joined the British Merchant Marine service. Dissatisfied, he signed off in Cape Town, South Africa. After serving as a teenage Special Forces mercenary soldier in Central Africa in 1964, he returned home and joined the British Parachute Regiment (2 PARA). He saw combat in the 74 day Falklands War and was severely wounded in the 14 hour battle to take Goose Ridge. Invalided out, he moved to Canada to re-build his health. He designed and built a log-home in Quebec Province.
Tony pursues and advocates good health, via diet and exercise. An outdoors man, sailor, sea-kayaker and canoeist, he also loves scuba-diving, hiking, back-country skiing and snowshoeing.
Tony pursues and advocates good health, via diet and exercise. An outdoors man, sailor, sea-kayaker and canoeist, he also loves scuba-diving, hiking, back-country skiing and snowshoeing.
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
October 19, 2018
“The Sum of Things”, the first novel in author Tony McManus’ James Fallon series, is a rollercoaster ride of non-stop action very much in the vein of Chris Ryan and Andy McNab’s own action thrillers. It follows the last mission of the protagonist, Fallon, as a Special Air Service Special forces operator who then goes on to form his own private security company, Global Solutions, in conjunction with several of his ex-comrades from the SAS. The story then becomes far more complex as Fallon’s people take on Somali pirates, terrorists, and ruthless Chinese businessmen in a tense tale of interrelated intrigue that will keep readers glued to the page.
McManus’ writing style is very reminiscent of the aforementioned Chris Ryan, peppered with snippets of facts that add authenticity to the events and skirmishes as the pace propels the story to a climatic conclusion. Plenty of interesting characters, especially some of the villains of the piece, stand out and lend a very human element to the unceasing action scenes.
Definitely recommended for fans of well-written, solid action thrillers, this book shows all the promise of developing into a very addictive series, right up there with the aforementioned Ryan and McNab’s bestsellers.
McManus’ writing style is very reminiscent of the aforementioned Chris Ryan, peppered with snippets of facts that add authenticity to the events and skirmishes as the pace propels the story to a climatic conclusion. Plenty of interesting characters, especially some of the villains of the piece, stand out and lend a very human element to the unceasing action scenes.
Definitely recommended for fans of well-written, solid action thrillers, this book shows all the promise of developing into a very addictive series, right up there with the aforementioned Ryan and McNab’s bestsellers.
September 27, 2017
If you like your action novels fast and furious, you are going to have trouble putting down 'The Sum of Things'. Beginning with the raising of a Libyan Embassy siege in Tunisia, and ranging across the Middle East and Europe, Tony McManus' narrative encompasses terrorist outrages, an art heist, piracy, murder, and a whole lot more besides. The characters are as varied and surprising as they are sometimes ruthless: a Somalian with a heart of gold on the 'most wanted' list, a crooked Chinese billionaire, a Russian yacht-owner with a penchant for repaying debts, and ex-Special Services personnel - some of whom are not above playing both sides. In fact, the moral ambiguity which swirls around many of this book's inhabitants is a welcome change from the more simplistic 'good vs bad' offerings of this genre. And, I must confess, it made me look at Somalian pirates in a new light! Highly recommended.
September 1, 2018
Not a bad read
I wasn’t thrilled with this book but it had its good points. For one, the language was tolerable. There’s a lot to be said for a thriller with tolerable language! It sounded British so there was that bit of language barrier although I’ve read enough British authors that I hardly notice. The story was a bit over the top.
I wasn’t thrilled with this book but it had its good points. For one, the language was tolerable. There’s a lot to be said for a thriller with tolerable language! It sounded British so there was that bit of language barrier although I’ve read enough British authors that I hardly notice. The story was a bit over the top.
May 26, 2022
.
I quit reading at P 121.
Is this the only bullsht you could think of?
Sex, drugs, and more drugs?
Is that what’s important in your life?
WEED?????? Is that your bottom-line ????
Weed ????
I wish I could give this “BOOK” a lower score.
BOOK kept getting dummer and dummer. Stoopider.
YOU HAVE LEARNED NOTHING !
.
I quit reading at P 121.
Is this the only bullsht you could think of?
Sex, drugs, and more drugs?
Is that what’s important in your life?
WEED?????? Is that your bottom-line ????
Weed ????
I wish I could give this “BOOK” a lower score.
BOOK kept getting dummer and dummer. Stoopider.
YOU HAVE LEARNED NOTHING !
.
December 17, 2022
A good story
A really good tale of special forces types. The story is well told,topical and includes some really good and strong characters.
A really good tale of special forces types. The story is well told,topical and includes some really good and strong characters.
April 17, 2025
Overall I enjoyed this book though it took me a few chapters to get into the authors slightly formal style. Having said that, I’ve downloaded the follow up book 👍🏻
September 30, 2017
Just finished 'The Sum Of Things '--Took me three days to read it. It simply is unputdownable.
The style is rapid , terse , minimalist . In a sense it fits in perfectly with what I imagine military life and the people in it are like!
The narrative flows beautifully . It is the tale of an ex SAS officer who starts his own security agency, after a very successful career in his SAS regiment.
The action is non stop, the theatre of operations International. We are taken to the Middle East, to the Mediterranean,to Thailand. The characterisation is brilliant you can picture all of the characters in your minds eye as the writer skillfully sketches their strengths and weaknesses.
What makes each of them tick, what makes them vulnerable. The regimental bonhomie is beautifully evoked. It's obvious that the writer has military experience. What else can you say? The ending is open ended and without giving anything away it's obvious that powerful forces are about to be unleashed . I can't wait for the sequel ! A tour de force ! Mr McManus!
Well done .
G Riley
The style is rapid , terse , minimalist . In a sense it fits in perfectly with what I imagine military life and the people in it are like!
The narrative flows beautifully . It is the tale of an ex SAS officer who starts his own security agency, after a very successful career in his SAS regiment.
The action is non stop, the theatre of operations International. We are taken to the Middle East, to the Mediterranean,to Thailand. The characterisation is brilliant you can picture all of the characters in your minds eye as the writer skillfully sketches their strengths and weaknesses.
What makes each of them tick, what makes them vulnerable. The regimental bonhomie is beautifully evoked. It's obvious that the writer has military experience. What else can you say? The ending is open ended and without giving anything away it's obvious that powerful forces are about to be unleashed . I can't wait for the sequel ! A tour de force ! Mr McManus!
Well done .
G Riley
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews