What do you think?
Rate this book
Danger Close: Commanding 3 PARA in Afghanistan
Colonel Stuart Tootal is the first senior commander to provide an account of the fighting in Afghanistan. A gritty portrayal of unforgiving conflict, Danger Close captures the essence of combat, the risks involved and the aftermath. 3 PARA was the first unit into Helmand in 2006. Sent on a peace mission, it became engaged in a level of combat that has not been experienced by the British Army since the end of the Korean War. Undermanned and suffering from equipment shortages, 3 PARA fought doggedly to win the break in battle. Numerous gallantry decorations were awarded, but they were not without cost. On returning from Afghanistan, Tootal fought to get proper treatment for his wounded and feeling frustrated with the Government's treatment of its soldiers, he resigned from the Army. This is a dramatic, and often moving insight into the leadership of soldiers and the sharp end of war.
320 pages, Hardcover
First published July 27, 2009
114 people are currently reading
210 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
October 18, 2009
Danger Close is a candid commander's point of view of 3 Para's deployment in Afghanistan in the early phases of the British commitment. This is an entirely subjective account, so don't expect insight into the great game - but do expect a rare insight into the relationship between a commander and his men, in the dirt among the sangars under rocket and mortar fire. The loneliness at the top comes through very clearly.
I was stunned to discover how little means were available and how rapidly those means have been stretched almost to breaking point. As a result, during most of its time in Afghanistan, 3 Para was reduced to holding hastily fortified besieged positions in politically important towns - which is not how might expect this sort of unit to be employed.
This books is a quick read but it provides a valuable vignette of the Afghanistan conflict. It is also a story of the fortitude of the British troops in the face of highly challenging odds. 479 000 rounds fired in six months is a level of sustained combat not seen by the British Army since the end of the Korean war.
I was stunned to discover how little means were available and how rapidly those means have been stretched almost to breaking point. As a result, during most of its time in Afghanistan, 3 Para was reduced to holding hastily fortified besieged positions in politically important towns - which is not how might expect this sort of unit to be employed.
This books is a quick read but it provides a valuable vignette of the Afghanistan conflict. It is also a story of the fortitude of the British troops in the face of highly challenging odds. 479 000 rounds fired in six months is a level of sustained combat not seen by the British Army since the end of the Korean war.
August 23, 2021
Afghanistan :The unconquerable land.
A very important book to learn about the realities of the place and the situation, which with recent events is an important place to understand.
I suggest reading the book as oppose to what the media want you to think and act like. Make up your own mind on the place
A very important book to learn about the realities of the place and the situation, which with recent events is an important place to understand.
I suggest reading the book as oppose to what the media want you to think and act like. Make up your own mind on the place
August 12, 2023
This is a very intense look at modern warfare and the battle for a nation between the outsiders and locals. It is truly an amazing account from the perspective of a commander constrained by political interference fighting an imbedded local populace who are fighting for their homeland in a inhospitable environment.
It is quite detailed and at times overly so with minutiae that does not enhance the story. However, it does tell a very strong story of what young men can accomplish under stress and what it eventually does to their mental stability.
It is quite detailed and at times overly so with minutiae that does not enhance the story. However, it does tell a very strong story of what young men can accomplish under stress and what it eventually does to their mental stability.
June 25, 2020
Truly inspiring.
I've read this book during covid 19 lockdown. I read it in two days. It was such a mixture of things, humorous , soul destroying, inspiring and humbling. I've never served but this is the sort of book all in leadership should read. The author had a really amazing talent and I hope he writes more books.
I've read this book during covid 19 lockdown. I read it in two days. It was such a mixture of things, humorous , soul destroying, inspiring and humbling. I've never served but this is the sort of book all in leadership should read. The author had a really amazing talent and I hope he writes more books.
August 2, 2022
Well written and intense. Describes the start of British and NATO activity in Afghanistan and it's not comfortable reading for those who didn't understand what we were asking our soldiers to do. Recommend from me.
October 21, 2019
Must read
A frank and stirring account of what 3 Para went through in Helmand Province on our behalf. It makes you proud to be British and gives you the beginning of an understanding of what these guys went through.
A frank and stirring account of what 3 Para went through in Helmand Province on our behalf. It makes you proud to be British and gives you the beginning of an understanding of what these guys went through.
June 11, 2022
This book will take you to the war in Afghan without you ever going and let you into the minds of very brave men and women that this country relies on to keep it safe
October 9, 2022
337 pages
January 2, 2024
A real account of war. Heart wrenching in parts the book underpins the comradeship of our servicemen. And yhe brutal failings of our inept politicians and after care for our brave troops.
June 12, 2010
This memoir from the commander of 3 PARA, the 3rd Battalion of The Parachute Regiment, details his experiences in Afghanistan during their tour of duty there in 2006, and their eventual return to the UK and his subsequent promotion up and away from 3 PARA. You may remember the name Stuart Tootal from newspapers in 2007, as he resigned from the Army (Sky News and The Sun articles) in response to the mistreatment of soldiers. This book is that story, but conveyed with pride of a job well done, not self-pity.
Unlike most war memoirs, this is written by not only an officer, but the battalion commander. As such, it gives both low level experiences that you would get from an on-the-ground soldier -- such as that found in Sniper One -- and the higher level picture of trying to do the right thing by your men while dealing with the politics and cost-cutting from above. It's an unenviable task, clearly executed brilliantly, and written in a very engaging style.
The final chapter, "Fighting the Peace," is the incredibly moving story of the return of 3 PARA to the UK, particularly the MOD's treatment of the injured (now that the MOD shares existing NHS facilities rather than using dedicated military hospitals), and fighting to ensure that soldiers who have been disabled or mutilated in the service of their country aren't just kicked out of the Army. Lastly, and perhaps more amazingly, although we have been aware of post-traumatic stress disorder for decades now, the chapter outlines that the facilities and procedures in place for dealing with it are laughable at best. If even half of it is accurate, it makes me ashamed to think that my votes and taxes are used to treat these people so badly.
In closing, it is worth mentioning that the book's epilogue states that a number of situations and problems described in it and various newspapers have been, or are being, rectified.
Unlike most war memoirs, this is written by not only an officer, but the battalion commander. As such, it gives both low level experiences that you would get from an on-the-ground soldier -- such as that found in Sniper One -- and the higher level picture of trying to do the right thing by your men while dealing with the politics and cost-cutting from above. It's an unenviable task, clearly executed brilliantly, and written in a very engaging style.
The final chapter, "Fighting the Peace," is the incredibly moving story of the return of 3 PARA to the UK, particularly the MOD's treatment of the injured (now that the MOD shares existing NHS facilities rather than using dedicated military hospitals), and fighting to ensure that soldiers who have been disabled or mutilated in the service of their country aren't just kicked out of the Army. Lastly, and perhaps more amazingly, although we have been aware of post-traumatic stress disorder for decades now, the chapter outlines that the facilities and procedures in place for dealing with it are laughable at best. If even half of it is accurate, it makes me ashamed to think that my votes and taxes are used to treat these people so badly.
In closing, it is worth mentioning that the book's epilogue states that a number of situations and problems described in it and various newspapers have been, or are being, rectified.
September 13, 2013
Not the best book I've read on the exploits of the paras in Afghanistan but still worth a read if you want to get the perspective of the officer instead of the toms.
I think there have now been a lot of books written by different regiments services and arms on this area and they just seem to be blending into 1 another slightly so will be giving this genre a miss for while until something different comes about!
I think there have now been a lot of books written by different regiments services and arms on this area and they just seem to be blending into 1 another slightly so will be giving this genre a miss for while until something different comes about!
May 9, 2014
A look at 3Para on their tour of duty in Afghanistan.
This is a well thought out book with details of particular battles but the author goes a little further than some and details the injuries of his colleagues and what became of the ones that survived.
Not the most exciting "war on terror" read but that's not to say it isn't worth reading, because it is and that's reflected in the 4 stars I've given it.
This is a well thought out book with details of particular battles but the author goes a little further than some and details the injuries of his colleagues and what became of the ones that survived.
Not the most exciting "war on terror" read but that's not to say it isn't worth reading, because it is and that's reflected in the 4 stars I've given it.
July 27, 2020
Fascinating account of the British effort in Afghanistan
Overlooked by the magnitude of books on the American experience, Danger Close provides a unique perspective of the British efforts to support the Global War on Terror and their impact in Helmund Province in 2006.
Overlooked by the magnitude of books on the American experience, Danger Close provides a unique perspective of the British efforts to support the Global War on Terror and their impact in Helmund Province in 2006.
July 9, 2011
This is a gripping account from a battle group commander of actual combat in Afghanistan. Written well it gives you a insight into what its like to face and battle the Taliban. Fascinating.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews