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S.A.S. #9
Soldier 'I' - The story of an SAS Hero: From Mirbat to the Iranian Embassy Siege and beyond
No publicity, no media. We move in silently, do our job, and melt away into the background. If you have the stamina, the willpower and the guts, we’ll welcome you with open arms and you one of us. And if you haven’t, then it’s been very nice knowing you.
Eighteen years in the SAS saw Pete Winner, codenamed Soldier ‘I’, survive the savage battle of Mirbat, parachute into the icy depths of the South Atlantic at the height of the Falklands War, and storm the Iranian Embassy during the most famous hostage crisis in the modern world.
For the first time Pete also details his close-protection work around the world, from the lawless streets of Moscow to escorting aid convoys into war-torn Bosnia. He also unveils the problems of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder faced by many Special Forces veterans, and how he battled his own demons to continue his roller-coaster career. This is his story, written with a breathtaking take-no-prisoners attitude that brings each death-defying episode vividly to life.
Eighteen years in the SAS saw Pete Winner, codenamed Soldier ‘I’, survive the savage battle of Mirbat, parachute into the icy depths of the South Atlantic at the height of the Falklands War, and storm the Iranian Embassy during the most famous hostage crisis in the modern world.
For the first time Pete also details his close-protection work around the world, from the lawless streets of Moscow to escorting aid convoys into war-torn Bosnia. He also unveils the problems of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder faced by many Special Forces veterans, and how he battled his own demons to continue his roller-coaster career. This is his story, written with a breathtaking take-no-prisoners attitude that brings each death-defying episode vividly to life.
408 pages, Paperback
First published November 9, 1989
30 people are currently reading
233 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
September 13, 2016
The SAS has a reputation as a discrete, elite fighting force which, despite a few books over the years from those who have served among it's number, has retained much of it's mystique and cachet. I've read a few military memoirs in the past so when I stumbled upon Pete Winner at an airshow selling this book, with a donation to a military charity with each sale I was never going to walk on past. This book details Pete's amazing 18 years in the SAS plus the new demands placed on him as he adjusted to life on civvy street and his later work.
For me the best known part of Pete's career was his role in the team that stormed the Iranian Embassy in London during the infamous siege. I was young when it happened but I remember seeing dramatic photos of the assault and was keen to read more about what actually happened. The title of the book comes from Pete's pseudonym when he was called to testify about the event in court. The book includes a number of photos and an illustration of the embassy to help explains how events unfolded which I found a great addition. Other missions recounted in the book include the battle of Mirbat and his time in the Falklands. Once he left the army he moved on to various close protection roles which gave him a taste of a champagne lifestyle but also took him to conflict-hit Bosnia.
I found that it took me a while to get into the book, which may have been partly my fault for having to read the beginning in short snatches, but once I did I was drawn in by the pace, the writing with some great imagery as well as some brutal detail and the more emotional side of his story. There were some very moving parts when Pete reflected on the loss of so many colleagues, and also while he was dealing with the massive impact of leaving the regiment and considering the effects of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. The little anecdotes about minor details served to add real colour to the stories recounted, and the reading about what it takes to join the regiment only served to further increase my admiration for Pete and his colleagues.
This book recounts a roller-coaster career with adrenaline filled highs matched only by lows that could have changed the entire course of Pete's life. His career has seen him present at pivotal moments in history, some of which I had been virtually ignorant of until now. This was a fascinating read, and despite the largely serious subject matter it was a really enjoyable read.
For me the best known part of Pete's career was his role in the team that stormed the Iranian Embassy in London during the infamous siege. I was young when it happened but I remember seeing dramatic photos of the assault and was keen to read more about what actually happened. The title of the book comes from Pete's pseudonym when he was called to testify about the event in court. The book includes a number of photos and an illustration of the embassy to help explains how events unfolded which I found a great addition. Other missions recounted in the book include the battle of Mirbat and his time in the Falklands. Once he left the army he moved on to various close protection roles which gave him a taste of a champagne lifestyle but also took him to conflict-hit Bosnia.
I found that it took me a while to get into the book, which may have been partly my fault for having to read the beginning in short snatches, but once I did I was drawn in by the pace, the writing with some great imagery as well as some brutal detail and the more emotional side of his story. There were some very moving parts when Pete reflected on the loss of so many colleagues, and also while he was dealing with the massive impact of leaving the regiment and considering the effects of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. The little anecdotes about minor details served to add real colour to the stories recounted, and the reading about what it takes to join the regiment only served to further increase my admiration for Pete and his colleagues.
This book recounts a roller-coaster career with adrenaline filled highs matched only by lows that could have changed the entire course of Pete's life. His career has seen him present at pivotal moments in history, some of which I had been virtually ignorant of until now. This was a fascinating read, and despite the largely serious subject matter it was a really enjoyable read.
September 28, 2019
Amazing life but hard to read
It’s ok, a bit trite at times and the author hardly conceals his arrogance. But he is clearly a hard soldier who gave his all to his country and fought with honour. It was an interesting but frustrating book to read, kind of like his life.
It’s ok, a bit trite at times and the author hardly conceals his arrogance. But he is clearly a hard soldier who gave his all to his country and fought with honour. It was an interesting but frustrating book to read, kind of like his life.
December 31, 2023
Pete Winner was an SAS operator who participated in numerous iconic deployments for which the Regiment became known, each extensively written about in literature - from the battle of Mirbat, through the siege of London’s Iranian Embassy, to the Falklands War, with Northern Ireland thrown in. A hero by most standards, though apparently not necessarily a nice person to come across, when all is said and done – short-tempered with a penchant for brawls and strong feeling of entitlement. Evidently features which made one a top SAS trooper did not necessarily predestine one to live a harmonious private life. It was this short temper which caused the author to be dismissed from the Regiment, and downgraded, only to be readmitted at a lower rank. His subsequent actions also caused him to be struck off veterans’ official invitation list and, more generally, shunned by the Regiment. Not to mention a divorce, however common among special forces operators.
It is not the author’s character, however, which caused me to assign a 3* rating. Each of the prominent operations in which Winner actively participated was written about extensively, and many of these books were simply better at describing the operations, than Soldier “I”. It is feasible that the dearth of detail in the book was brought about by the usual censorship applied to accounts of SAS’s operations, but this would appear inconsistent with the other books, where the detail was not missing. Perhaps, because of his earlier missteps, the author decided to apply greater self-restraint in how much detail he portrayed...? Whatever the reason, the book is rather lacking in detail.
Another thing not 100% to my liking is the literary language used, which appears too sophisticated for an SAS trooper, clearly the function of using a ghost writer. While the use of language is playful and skilled, it is not the language one would expect to be used by a soldier. There are many books written by ex-special forces operators where this aspect is better dealt with.
One aspect of the book makes it unique. To the best of my knowledge, it is the only book written by a special forces operator which deals openly with PTSD and, more generally, lack of adequate care for these soldiers, when out of the harm’s way. Training them to be effective killing machines, inserting them into extreme situations, which involve watching their friends die in most undignified ways and remote places, and subsequently leaving them to deal with it all without any serious psychological support, and expecting them to lead ordinary lives, once out of the Regiment, seems a tall order.
All the above said, it is still an entertaining book and definitely worth reading. Pete Winner’s line-up of deployments is impressive and there are very few people who, having gone into the harm’s way so many times, survived to tell their tale.
It is not the author’s character, however, which caused me to assign a 3* rating. Each of the prominent operations in which Winner actively participated was written about extensively, and many of these books were simply better at describing the operations, than Soldier “I”. It is feasible that the dearth of detail in the book was brought about by the usual censorship applied to accounts of SAS’s operations, but this would appear inconsistent with the other books, where the detail was not missing. Perhaps, because of his earlier missteps, the author decided to apply greater self-restraint in how much detail he portrayed...? Whatever the reason, the book is rather lacking in detail.
Another thing not 100% to my liking is the literary language used, which appears too sophisticated for an SAS trooper, clearly the function of using a ghost writer. While the use of language is playful and skilled, it is not the language one would expect to be used by a soldier. There are many books written by ex-special forces operators where this aspect is better dealt with.
One aspect of the book makes it unique. To the best of my knowledge, it is the only book written by a special forces operator which deals openly with PTSD and, more generally, lack of adequate care for these soldiers, when out of the harm’s way. Training them to be effective killing machines, inserting them into extreme situations, which involve watching their friends die in most undignified ways and remote places, and subsequently leaving them to deal with it all without any serious psychological support, and expecting them to lead ordinary lives, once out of the Regiment, seems a tall order.
All the above said, it is still an entertaining book and definitely worth reading. Pete Winner’s line-up of deployments is impressive and there are very few people who, having gone into the harm’s way so many times, survived to tell their tale.
May 3, 2024
Good book, felt bit rushed in places but gives good account about how former members of the regiment can feel lost and struggle to adapt to civilian life once their time in 22 Reg is over. It's good to hear account of the SAS before they become known as they are today, and to read about the generation of troopers before Andy McNab & Chris Ryan etc.
September 27, 2023
Bloody brilliant book!! Well written, great author, great laughs, and great adventures. Can you ask for more? This man has been around and seen some things, absolutely epic read for anyone and everyone!! Enjoy!!
March 5, 2023
Found the first part more difficult to follow the second part list leaving the SAS more interesting
August 24, 2023
Extraordinary memoirs.
July 1, 2022
Wow
A life lived at top speed by a man among men . Treated badly by those who should know better
A life lived at top speed by a man among men . Treated badly by those who should know better
September 8, 2010
If you're looking for the story of a real hero, then look no further!
Soldier I is the true account of one man's awesome career in the UK's elite fighting force - The Special Air Service - and an insight into the challenges he faced when he left the Regiment behind.
The SAS came to the attention of the nation as the fearsome black-clad figures who stormed the Iranian Embassy in 1980 and successfully rescued over 20 hostages. Soldier I was there, at the heart of the action, and in his book recounts the drama from build-up to completion.
But several years before this Soldier I was involved in the most astounding battle I have heard of; the Battle of Mirbat. 9 SAS soldiers faced seemingly impossible odds when they were attacked by hundreds of Communist insurgents during a secret war in Oman. For this awe-inspiring account alone the book is worth every penny.
I read Soldier I in a matter of days - the sign of a truly gripping read. Thrilling, frightening, humorous, heartrending, inspiring...
Incidentally I was fortunate to meet Mr Winner (aka Soldier I - www.soldieri.com) earlier this year when he gave a passionate and absorbing guest lecture at the National Army Museum. It was a real pleasure to meet him and he was kind enough to talk to everyone and sign copies of his book. If you ever get a chance to attend one of his presentations I'd highly recommend it.
Soldier I is the true account of one man's awesome career in the UK's elite fighting force - The Special Air Service - and an insight into the challenges he faced when he left the Regiment behind.
The SAS came to the attention of the nation as the fearsome black-clad figures who stormed the Iranian Embassy in 1980 and successfully rescued over 20 hostages. Soldier I was there, at the heart of the action, and in his book recounts the drama from build-up to completion.
But several years before this Soldier I was involved in the most astounding battle I have heard of; the Battle of Mirbat. 9 SAS soldiers faced seemingly impossible odds when they were attacked by hundreds of Communist insurgents during a secret war in Oman. For this awe-inspiring account alone the book is worth every penny.
I read Soldier I in a matter of days - the sign of a truly gripping read. Thrilling, frightening, humorous, heartrending, inspiring...
Incidentally I was fortunate to meet Mr Winner (aka Soldier I - www.soldieri.com) earlier this year when he gave a passionate and absorbing guest lecture at the National Army Museum. It was a real pleasure to meet him and he was kind enough to talk to everyone and sign copies of his book. If you ever get a chance to attend one of his presentations I'd highly recommend it.
February 22, 2021
I seem to remember the first edition of Soldier ‘I’ appearing on the shelves around '92 prior to the publication of Bravo Two Zero (written by fellow former B squadron member 'Andy McNab',) This which lead to the boom of similar releases (and generic flaming letters cover designs) and the disclosure contracts presented to those still serving in '97.
Soldier ‘I’ didn't make anything like the same waves then or since, but in my opinion this the 'Boss' of the genre, a memoir covering key engagements in Oman, the Falklands, a tear-up and capital punishment in Hong Kong and the difficulties and challenges of life as an ex-SAS contractor, bound by the rules and etiquette of civvie street. They don't make them like him anymore, but the wit and humour are second to none, with a well imagined sequence of flashbacks from a CM/ hospital stay. Soldier ‘I’ will no doubt remain, unobtrusive tucked away on the shelves, like the best in all things. It won't scream for attention, but if the SF memoir floats your boat, then you will not be disappointed with this author's contribution.
Soldier ‘I’ didn't make anything like the same waves then or since, but in my opinion this the 'Boss' of the genre, a memoir covering key engagements in Oman, the Falklands, a tear-up and capital punishment in Hong Kong and the difficulties and challenges of life as an ex-SAS contractor, bound by the rules and etiquette of civvie street. They don't make them like him anymore, but the wit and humour are second to none, with a well imagined sequence of flashbacks from a CM/ hospital stay. Soldier ‘I’ will no doubt remain, unobtrusive tucked away on the shelves, like the best in all things. It won't scream for attention, but if the SF memoir floats your boat, then you will not be disappointed with this author's contribution.
May 24, 2011
A well written book, that covers the career of a long time member of the SAS (22nd Regiment), and what happened to him after he left the service. This book fits in well with other books written by his mates in the regiment, Andy McNabb and others.
If you had read these other books, you will recognize the style of writing and it is of interest in how it all seems to fit together when you read the accounts of battle scenes from these different perspectives.
Pete Winner-Soldier 'I' is presented in raw form, not especially likable, though a guy you want around when trouble develops. The only thing is, he may be part of the trouble. A fact that Pete recognizes, but does have excuses for, and no regrets. Can't blame him though, just that he does ask whether it was worth it?
If you had read these other books, you will recognize the style of writing and it is of interest in how it all seems to fit together when you read the accounts of battle scenes from these different perspectives.
Pete Winner-Soldier 'I' is presented in raw form, not especially likable, though a guy you want around when trouble develops. The only thing is, he may be part of the trouble. A fact that Pete recognizes, but does have excuses for, and no regrets. Can't blame him though, just that he does ask whether it was worth it?
March 4, 2014
This book was very entertaining and enlightening, which is precisely why I chose to read it. I wanted to learn the ins and outs of the daily life of my friend who is an SAS soldier without having to ask, so I could avoid the always uncomfortable answer of "sorry, I can't tell you". The enlightening portion of it was also the worst part, because it seems as though the author has gleefully betrayed a secret oath found among the SAS brotherhood. I was very torn between being angry at the author's actions and being happily informed.
April 1, 2012
Only half the book was about his time in the SAS; the other half was about what he did after...not really what I thought the book would be about. I thought it would only talk about his time in the military. But oh well. It was still an interesting book.
April 22, 2016
OK. So its full of cliches. OK, so we know most of the salient points of regimental history from before. Its still great to get the memoirs of one of the guys who made that history. This is probably a must-read for anyone interested in the history of the SAS.
June 3, 2019
A real eye-opener into the life of a special person... This book really made me think about the sacrifice that these men and women make so that the majority of us can live our lives blissfully unaware of the reality that is this world... We owe them so much. Deepest gratitude Pete Winner. Xxx
October 25, 2010
Great book, excellent forward by Andy Mcnab. The authors take on PTSD is worth reading in itself.
July 11, 2011
this book was pretty interesting. however, some of the battles were a bit boring,and the end was kind of boring too. but i still think it's a good book.
November 2, 2012
A little slow. I'm having a hard time finishing it.
August 28, 2012
Thoroughly entertaining.
September 20, 2016
Fantastic insight into a man's experiences during and after the SAS.
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews