18 Hours: The True Story of an SAS War Hero

by Sandra Lee

Jock Wallace was pumped. It was the start of Operation Anaconda, the US-led military offensive to flush out al Qaeda and Taliban from their last stronghold in the Shahi Kot Valley in Afghanistan.If intelligence reports were correct, there were between 100 and 250 enemy fighters holed up in the extensive cave systems in the mountain ridges around the beautiful valley. But reports can be wrong.Minutes after the combat-ready troops stormed down the back ramps of the Chinook helicopters, Jock′s company was under fire. Eighteen hours of hell was just beginning. With machine-gun bullets dancing about the soldiers′ feet, and mortars and rocket-propelled grenades raining down on them, it seemed the al Qaeda terorrists and Taliban fighters had them trapped. But there was no way Jock was going down without a fight. Nor were the men he was with. Holding off the enemy, rescuing the injured, reporting to base, calling in air support - Jock gave it all that he had. He was not going to die on foreign soil, not at the hands of al Qaeda.

Genres: War, Military Fiction, Nonfiction, History

Hardcover

First published May 28, 2006

About the author

Sandra Lee is an Australian journalist and author with more than two decades experience in the daily newspaper and magazine publishing industry in Australia and the United States.

She has also worked in radio. Sandra is a former Assistant Editor, Opinion page editor, foreign correspondent and columnist for The Daily Telegraph, and more recently was the back-page columnist of The Sunday Telegraph and special features writer for Sunday magazine. Before that, she spent three years as editor-at-large at Australia’s biggest selling and best read fashion monthly, marie claire

In the United States, Sandra’s work has appeared in the New York Post and USA Today Weekend, TV Guide and People magazines.

She is now freelancing while working a new book projects, and her work appears in various magazines and newspapers including marie claire and Vogue among others.

Sandra is the author of four non-fiction books: the best-selling Saving Private Sarbi, The True Story of Australia’s Canine War Hero (Allen and Unwin, 2011), and 18 Hours, The True Story of an SAS War Hero, (HarperCollins, 2006) Beyond Bad; The Life And Crimes Of Katherine Knight, Australia’s Hannibal and The Promise, An Iraqi Mother’s Desperate Flight to Freedom, both of which were published by Random House in 2002 and 2003, respectively. Her books also have been published in the United Kingdom and Europe where they have been translated into foreign languages.

Sandra is a regular guest on radio and television programs discussing current events and pop culture issues. She is available for public speaking and literary events.

She is married and lives in Sydney with her husband and a black rescue mutt.

Reviews

[Any Length · Rating 5 out of 5]

Why did I like a book that was all about 80 soldiers being caught up in a valley in Afghanistan when I have often wondered why we even send soldiers over there?
Because it gave me a whole new insight into the issue and the reasons why we are there. But most of all it gave me total compassion and great insight into the workings and minds of soldiers, the amazing commitment these guys have to their job and to fighting for the cause. It gave me an understanding I didn't think was possible to convey and I applaud Sandra Lee for a job well done in writing this book. I am so grateful now that we have these brave soldiers and know just how much of a sacrifice it is for them to do their jobs.

[Timo · Rating 3 out of 5]

I found the Australian insight and the operation description to be more interesting than the actual fight in the valley. There were some factual errors and exaggeration that were a bit of a turn off for me but I enjoyed the book anyway.

[Lyn Richards · Rating 5 out of 5]

Signalman Martin (Jock) Wallace is a Tamworth boy who joined Australia's special elite force (twice) earning a degree in between sign ups. Wallace earns the prestigious medal of gallantry in his service for Australia in the war on terror in Afghanistan. I don't believe a civilian can even begin to remotely comprehend how our defence forces undertake their duties in their service for our country. 18 hours goes a small way to giving us, the reader, an insight into what it was like and introduces us in the process to Wallace's mates such as Tink and Grippy from differing services.

Most of all this book demonstrates how well trained and highly regarded the Australian special force personnel are. We are reminded of the importance of training, mateship, teamwork, sheer tenacity, bravery, commitment and never leaving a team member behind. We can all learn a thing or two from these are leadership traits.

I really enjoyed this book and it only served to heighten my gratitude and thanks for the work of the Australian Defence personnel and all armed services around the world for their commitment and service. Thank you

[Ben · Rating 3 out of 5]

This turned me on to a few things I didn't know about our international coordination in war, details of the international reaction to 9/11, and a bit about Afghanistan. Simple, but leaves an impression.

[Ietrio · Rating 1 out of 5]

If somebody kills two people in his neighborhood, Sandra Lee will talk to the camera of how he feels unsafe at night on the street and how he thinks he might move to a safer suburb. Now, if someone kills an unaccounted number of people, that's is A HERO!

[John Coote · Rating 5 out of 5]

18 hours! The true story of an Australian war hero. Jock Wallace.

An account of an 18 hour siege against the al Qaeda terorrists and Taliban fighters that had them trapped.

There was no way Jock was going down without a fight. Here is that story.

Read this. Worth the time investment

[Bruce Campbell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Terrific military read.

[Giorgio · Rating 4 out of 5]

18 Hours is a great book for people who like a bit of fighting and shooting.
I follows the story of SAS soldier Martin Wallace nicknamed Jock who was fighting in hells halfpipe on operation anaconda.
The book also talks about Jocks childhood, teen years and family. I also liked how the book went from the battle to talking about his life in the next chapter then back to the battle.

This book may not intrest some people but I did enjoy it alot.

[Michael · Rating 3 out of 5]

Would be better if it weren't written in "journalese" but the story is compelling enough to move the story along at a comfortable pace. Interesting, particularly as Jock is a signaler not a dedicated combat trooper (from a "sabre" squadron). He's remarkably gutsy. [I will never forget his description of booby trapping himself, as he was fully expecting to be KIA] I wondered, if he's this tough, how tough must the "sabre" squadron be?

[HAVOK_UNITED // Kane · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think this is a really good book that gives you a really clear description of Martin "Jock" Wallace. It explains the attacks of 9/11 and I learnt some facts I did not know before this. Like that the pentagon was also attacked. I found this book really interesting and amazing what happened over in Hells half pipe. I loved the book and anyone who loves a bit of war and non-fiction will love it! I have the greatest upmost respect for the men who served in those treacherous 18 hours.

[Sher · Rating 2 out of 5]

I listened to this as an audio book, and I just couldn't get into it. My mind kept wandering. It makes me feel unpatriotic because I didn't like it. Is that crazy? The best part about it was the narrator, though. He was Aussie, and I loved his accent. It was so fun to hear him try to talk with a Texas accent at times. That was the best part for me.

[Mark · Rating 3 out of 5]

Find it a bit fragmented as far as story telling goes. Not exactly seat grabbing suspense filled book. I guess for all it's worth , gives a good insight and behind the seance activities of how a battle evolves.

[Julie · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was written from an Australian point of view, which was interesting. I think it's important to remember and recognize the contributions of so many brave men and women to the war on terror.

[Chris Sachnik · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great story about an Australian sas soldier in the early days of Afghanistan.

[Kim Wilson · Rating 4 out of 5]

An amazing story, well told, and largely unrecognised by the Australian public.

[Nigel · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good read detailing events well giving the reader a true sense of the tension of close warfare. I enjoyed it!

[Beau Johnston · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was great. Well written and easy to read. Always remember that one man can make a difference.

[Criticalmick · Rating 2 out of 5]

Two stars, for all that blood and pain?

Damn straight, sugar. No gung-ho war story that disrespects Mr. Wayne Newton deserves more than two stars!

[Robert Oag · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good reading

[Geoff · Rating 2 out of 5]

Okay, but a bit lacking in technical knowledge on the part of the author...all up, a bit bland!

[Christine Fullam · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story is amazing!! It was good to read this from the perspective of the soldier. It makes me appreciate what all the forces do to make our country and other countries safe. good read