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Shoot to Kill: From 2 Para to the SAS
Michael Asher's investigation into the famous SAS operation, The Real Bravo Two Zero , became a bestseller, and his biography of Lawrence of Arabia was deemed "brilliant" by reviewers. Here, in a unique military memoir, he reveals his own how he joined the elite 2nd Battalion, the Parachute Regiment, and finally the SAS. Told he would fail the arduous training, he proved them all wrong. But after years of working with various branches of the military, and being stationed in Northern Ireland, Asher abandoned it all and departed for a new life in the Sudanese desert, where he has lived for years among the Bedouins.
276 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1999
172 people are currently reading
195 people want to read
About the author
Michael Asher
56 books63 followersMichael Asher is an author, historian, deep ecologist, and notable desert explorer who has covered more than 30,000 miles on foot and camel. He spent three years living with a traditional nomadic tribe in Sudan.
Michael Asher was born in Stamford, Lincolnshire, in 1953, and attended Stamford School. At 18 he enlisted in the 2nd Battalion the Parachute Regiment, and saw active service in Northern Ireland during The Troubles there in the 1970s.
He studied English Language & Linguistics at the University of Leeds. at the same time serving in B Squadron, 23rd SAS Regiment. He also studied at Carnegie College, Leeds, where he qualified as a teacher of physical education and English.
In 1978-9, he worked for the RUC Special Patrol Group anti-terrorist patrols, but left after less than a year. He took a job as a volunteer English teacher in the Sudan in 1979.
The author of twenty-one published books, and presenter/director of six TV documentaries, Asher has lived in Africa for much of his life, and speaks Arabic and Swahili. He is married to Arabist and photographer Mariantonietta Peru, with whom he has a son and a daughter, Burton and Jade. He currently lives in Nairobi, Kenya.
Michael Asher was born in Stamford, Lincolnshire, in 1953, and attended Stamford School. At 18 he enlisted in the 2nd Battalion the Parachute Regiment, and saw active service in Northern Ireland during The Troubles there in the 1970s.
He studied English Language & Linguistics at the University of Leeds. at the same time serving in B Squadron, 23rd SAS Regiment. He also studied at Carnegie College, Leeds, where he qualified as a teacher of physical education and English.
In 1978-9, he worked for the RUC Special Patrol Group anti-terrorist patrols, but left after less than a year. He took a job as a volunteer English teacher in the Sudan in 1979.
The author of twenty-one published books, and presenter/director of six TV documentaries, Asher has lived in Africa for much of his life, and speaks Arabic and Swahili. He is married to Arabist and photographer Mariantonietta Peru, with whom he has a son and a daughter, Burton and Jade. He currently lives in Nairobi, Kenya.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews
September 12, 2019
It's a misleading title for one thing - Asher's time with the SAS forms only a small amount of the book, and its solely training and selection for part time SAS.
And a lot of it is ye standard military memoir, no better no worse.
The good part of it is the way Asher really digs at the tribal aspect of the units he joined, the way so many of them permanently warped their members' view of the world.
All in all - get it as a cheap read or from the library and rattle through it if you're interested, but that's it.
And a lot of it is ye standard military memoir, no better no worse.
The good part of it is the way Asher really digs at the tribal aspect of the units he joined, the way so many of them permanently warped their members' view of the world.
All in all - get it as a cheap read or from the library and rattle through it if you're interested, but that's it.
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March 3, 2020‘Shoot to Kill’ is a soldier’s story of a different kind. It’s a story giving a rare view into the world of the rank-and-file, sharing a young man’s experiences from the time he walks into a recruits’ barracks, passes through para training, and graduates a trained soldier only to realize training really begins on the streets of Belfast in a trouble Ireland.
Michael Asher’s autobiographical story is an exposé not only on the brutality of military training; it’s also an exposé on the transformation of young men into instruments of violence. Maybe it’s even a justification for the brutality, hardening youth for the demands of a violent profession. A profession society needs but does not necessarily want.
This story needs to be read outside the circle of soldiers.
Michael Asher’s autobiographical story is an exposé not only on the brutality of military training; it’s also an exposé on the transformation of young men into instruments of violence. Maybe it’s even a justification for the brutality, hardening youth for the demands of a violent profession. A profession society needs but does not necessarily want.
This story needs to be read outside the circle of soldiers.
January 14, 2014
This book is now marketed as a SAS memoir. Originally it was more a military and police memoir of the 1970s UK. The author was a paratrooper in Northern Ireland, then went to university. As a student he was in the SAS reserve. After college he joined the Royal Ulster Constabulary, policing Belfast, then suddenly decided to become a charity worker in the Sudan.
There is one outstanding passage in the book, his description of an Orange Order parade on a summer day, as he watched his fellow police and the marching bands. Much of it, like the 1970s, is a bit dull!
There is one outstanding passage in the book, his description of an Orange Order parade on a summer day, as he watched his fellow police and the marching bands. Much of it, like the 1970s, is a bit dull!
January 20, 2018
Not the best
This book was ok but nothing very exciting, the title doesn't really reflect the story ,the only saving grace was it as really short
This book was ok but nothing very exciting, the title doesn't really reflect the story ,the only saving grace was it as really short
May 31, 2025
Haunting: so much more than an account of warfare. Mike Asher’s eloquence as a young man shows a maturity with people, classes and systems of government when he describes his early life on a three-stage journey of soldiering. In the Paras he is little more than a cog in a war machine. On joining the SAS he displays independence and resilience. And in the RUC’s Special Patrol Group at the height of Ireland’s troubles in the 1970s, he recognised the dehumanization necessitated to fight in other mens’ wars. A quick read yet provoking a philosophy on modern society and our atomisation of traditional community, tribal culture and his search for purpose in life.
October 26, 2020
Excellent
Mr Asher has a unique way of being able to allow the reader to mentally live out his vast experiences.
It’s as if I was there myself and I became totally absorbed with this book.
Many years ago I was inclined to join the services. I decided not to for some reason. Some 30 odd years later I can now truthfully say I’m very glad I didn’t join up.
Mr Asher has a unique way of being able to allow the reader to mentally live out his vast experiences.
It’s as if I was there myself and I became totally absorbed with this book.
Many years ago I was inclined to join the services. I decided not to for some reason. Some 30 odd years later I can now truthfully say I’m very glad I didn’t join up.
November 10, 2020
The description on the good read page more or less sums the book up. It's a memoir of a career soldier which describes in detail the training regimes for the various units. It gives a picture of someone striving to find a place where they are happy and where they fit in and ultimately not succeeding.
January 29, 2022
Brilliant expression and use of words to perfectly describe events
I thoroughly enjoyed my first ever autobiography and it has changed my reading style to many more similar in the future. Michael Asher is a brilliant author and I will be reading his adventures from now on. Thank you for giving me reason to read.
I thoroughly enjoyed my first ever autobiography and it has changed my reading style to many more similar in the future. Michael Asher is a brilliant author and I will be reading his adventures from now on. Thank you for giving me reason to read.
January 20, 2023
Pretty good read and representative of the average squaddies view of the 'troubles' in the 70's. Also a pretty accurate picture of the huge hole the forces leave in the life of those who have just left. Some bits glossed over I think, but on the whole worth the read. If you can't get the shoot to kill reference reread the book.
February 11, 2023
I reserve 5* for the very greatest works but this is an unusually good book.
It starts like so many other military memoirs with the battle of training, selection etc. but goes to a place I’ve not seen visited in other books about soldiering.
A really honest look at the military, men’s motivations and relationship with violence, the Troubles and humanity itself.
It starts like so many other military memoirs with the battle of training, selection etc. but goes to a place I’ve not seen visited in other books about soldiering.
A really honest look at the military, men’s motivations and relationship with violence, the Troubles and humanity itself.
October 10, 2023
A reality check: unfiltered by outside influences.
This is a valuable work, detailing the writer's hopes and the harsh realities he faced in the military. His doggedness shone through and proved its - and his - worth despite his exposure to bullying, cruelty and mismanagement in the forces he joined.
This is a valuable work, detailing the writer's hopes and the harsh realities he faced in the military. His doggedness shone through and proved its - and his - worth despite his exposure to bullying, cruelty and mismanagement in the forces he joined.
December 29, 2024
At last the truth!
An honest account from boy to man,a very well written account of the authors military career followed by the horrors of N.I.as a member of the RUC.This book can,at times,make your feet feel uncomfortable as the author describes tabbing up the Fan.I strongly recommend this book.
An honest account from boy to man,a very well written account of the authors military career followed by the horrors of N.I.as a member of the RUC.This book can,at times,make your feet feel uncomfortable as the author describes tabbing up the Fan.I strongly recommend this book.
May 10, 2017
A good read!
I found this book quite enlightening particularly in respect of the 'Irish problem', around which much of the story revolves. Michael Asher writes well and his story is interesting.
I found this book quite enlightening particularly in respect of the 'Irish problem', around which much of the story revolves. Michael Asher writes well and his story is interesting.
February 22, 2018
It was a struggle to finish it!!
To me I found the book to be quite dull and disjointed in places. Parts of the book were interesting particularly the reserve SAS training but it was rushed at the conclusion.
To me I found the book to be quite dull and disjointed in places. Parts of the book were interesting particularly the reserve SAS training but it was rushed at the conclusion.
April 21, 2021
Very enjoyable
A well written and interesting account of one man's military career and his experiences in the aftermath. A definite recommending for those who like to read military memoirs.
A well written and interesting account of one man's military career and his experiences in the aftermath. A definite recommending for those who like to read military memoirs.
December 13, 2021
It’s an ok book!
There are many books about Northern Ireland that are well written and interesting, I Just didn’t like this, i found myself getting a tad bored, I am thankful for his service though!
There are many books about Northern Ireland that are well written and interesting, I Just didn’t like this, i found myself getting a tad bored, I am thankful for his service though!
October 29, 2022
Appreciation for Mr Asher!!
I have read a few of Asher’s works and this lives up to the rest of his writing. As a former Paratrooper, and having completed tours in NI I found his word evocative of a past career. Excellent!
I have read a few of Asher’s works and this lives up to the rest of his writing. As a former Paratrooper, and having completed tours in NI I found his word evocative of a past career. Excellent!
July 9, 2017
Darkly enjoyable
A seemingly troubled man trying to fit in somewhere, anywhere, some really bizarre choices but a good read along the way
A seemingly troubled man trying to fit in somewhere, anywhere, some really bizarre choices but a good read along the way
August 20, 2017
Gripping
Has you gripped from the very beginning. You feel as though you are with him every step of the way
Has you gripped from the very beginning. You feel as though you are with him every step of the way
February 12, 2018
Great read
Loved this book, from the onset this took me back to my own basic trg it made me smile allot then the fight to become one of the world's elite amazing
Loved this book, from the onset this took me back to my own basic trg it made me smile allot then the fight to become one of the world's elite amazing
August 28, 2018
Boring, long, too many words....
December 29, 2018
Fantastic read
May 4, 2019
The real thing
What a change to get a first hand view of military life and for it to be so entertaining,I enjoyed the story!
What a change to get a first hand view of military life and for it to be so entertaining,I enjoyed the story!
March 2, 2020
A good insight of the troubles of Northern Ireland in the 70s by somebody who was there.
May 6, 2020
Ireland
Brings home the bitterness and misery of the troubles, rushed ending spoils the read but on the whole not a bad book
Brings home the bitterness and misery of the troubles, rushed ending spoils the read but on the whole not a bad book
August 6, 2020
Interesting read of one man's development through the military mince and yo the eventual success out of the military
November 17, 2021
A book about a man with a huge shoulder and a equally huge chip. Tedious. The only thing that kept me going was the hope he might be shot.
September 25, 2022
Great read
January 15, 2025
eye opening!
Good read and certainly an awakening ! I’m ex forces but never came close to this ! Thank god !
Good read and certainly an awakening ! I’m ex forces but never came close to this ! Thank god !
March 17, 2025
A very interesting read from start to finish.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews