What are the best books to buy about the formation, training and first actions of the SAS in N-Africa to buy ?
I had recently read SAS Zero Hour... and was rather disapointed about it. Cannot say if what is written is fact or not, although I had the impression that there were lots of assumptions - however; when it came to the Incident at Jebel Sherif (had actually bothing to do with the SAS), the story was not given very accurate...
Commando, The classic work is The Phantom Major- can't remember the author though, sorry. There is also Red Beret by Hilary St. George Saunders. It's more Paras inclined, but does cover the early SAS. For later in the war, there's Winged Dagger and These Men are Dangerous. Roy Farrar wrote one, but I can't remember which. This might interest you; it's a bronze statue of David Stirling in 'Phantom Major' pose, erected on the edges of his family's former estate near Dunblane. http://s2.photobucket.com/albums/y20/Historian/DavidStirlingMemorial002.jpg
I would second 'The Phantom Major' by Virginia Cowles and add in to the mix 'Born of the Desert' by Malcolm James. Malcolm James Pleydell joined L detachment SAS Brigade in 1942 as medical officer. He gives a very exciting and readable account of the early days of the unit 1942-3. Bod
There is another one, a bio about Blair Mayne. Forgot the name of the book but it's very good reading - not only the early days of the SAS.
I cant remember the author but I have seen this book in book stores here in Australia called, "SAS, Australians At War", I also have a book called, "Combat Techniques- The SAS & Elite Forces Guide" By Chris McNAB. If that helps
"Winged Dagger" was written by Major Roy Farran DSO and Three Mc's - unfortunately he joined the second battalion in Algiers after recovering from wounds - so it does not relate too strongly of the beginnings of the SAS by Stirling and Mayne Cheers
I have "One Of The Originals" by Johnny Cooper. He was one of the first 50. What I remember good reading, but it spans his whole career. I think only the first few dozen pages deal with the early days, if that.
I suggest Stirling's Men by Gavin Mortimer, The Originals, the secret history of the birth of the SAS in their own words by Gordon Stephens orThe Regiment by Michael Asher in that order.
I recomend Stirling's Men by Gavin Mortimer, The Originals, the secret history of the birth of the SAS by Gordon Stephens and The Regiment By M.Asher, in that order.
I just came on to the board (still setting up my profile) but one of the best books I have ever read (this is a bit off topic, my apologies) was D. I. Harrison's THESE MEN ARE DANGEROUS. Graphic detail, similar to other books just mentioned. Mick Blank
The SAS triggers me ever since I've posted a thread on 'Op Amherst' on WW2Talk. I therefore ordered this book in the hope to learn somewhat more about the operations of this special unit: I hope I made the right choice of book. But it looks to me to be a good 'primer'. Another one will arrive next August: There seem to be two volumes of this book (?).
Good on you Stolpi! Just a word of warning, once you've started you will not be able to stop!! Just a few recommendations for further reading for you here, Nederlander stuff first (of course!), followed by some France related and general coverage publications, and apologies should you already have them in your book collection.
Thanks for the warning Jim. Do you know if there are two volumes of Mortimers' "SAS in Occupied France". I only found the one (second volume?) in my post and searched for the first volume in vain.
