Customer Reviews
Thought Provoking - By: A. Cullen, 16 Aug 2008 
[[ASIN:0330455737 The Circuit: An Ex-SAS Soldier's True Account of One of the Most Powerful & Secretive Industries Spawned by the War on Terror]
A fascinating insight into the job of a 'Close Protection' operative.Bob Shepherd pulls no punches with his opinions about his fellow countrymen(and non fellow countrymen)who share the same profession,especiallly if they're not trained to his standard,which as you might guess after 23 years serving with 'The Regiment' are understandably high.If you're looking for a book crammed with boys own stories about damsels in distress & guns & explosions in true gruesome detail,then this definately is NOT the book for you.This is a story about a true professional in every sense of the word,who makes it his duty to understand the ways,traditions & historical backgrounds of the people he serves & meets on his adventures & operations in often very hostile environments.Oh yes,he also meets some very important & influential people(and the odd warlord)along the way...ENJOY.
A good book written by a decent bloke. - By: Meredon, 12 Aug 2008 Bob Shepherd has the courage to point out that we have lost the plot as the politicians & accountants take over. Clear eyed, funny & modest this book takes us where most of us would not survive. We need people like Bob Shepherd - I hope that we realise it before it is too late.
Dull and very disappointing - By: Matthew R. Ainsworth, 10 Aug 2008 
I bought this book after reading the raving reviews put forward by others here, however, I found myself wondering whether I'd bought the correct book. The book was incredibly dull & disappointing. The most exciting part of the book was the first two pages, where the author comes into verbal conflict with a member of the Isreali Defense Force. The book covers the author's experiences in various conflict zones around the world as a bodyguard. This sounds exciting, but don't be mislead like I was. Its more a book of opinions & interpretations of one person. I've read many books in this category over many years, this is the first Amazon review I have written, but I felt compelled to write this to warn others against the poor quality content of this book.
An eye-opener - By: D. A. Lewis, 23 Jul 2008 
This is a great insight into life on the front-line of private security - in the world's most dangerous locations! The author gives a gripping & detailed account of how to stay alive & more importantly keep your clients alive. There are some great anecdotes where the author is visiting US military outposts & drawing on his years of service in the Regiment, has to point out basic failings in US security arrangements. It is a great read which shines a light onto the politics & realities of the murky world of the Circuit.
Honest down to earth comments - By: Professor Platt, 21 Jul 2008 I met Bob in 1975 at RAF Colerne when Bob & my brother-in-law Stefan were on 2 Squadron(Paras) RAF Regiment. A nice quiet sort of bloke. Jack Palmer was the W/O then & another recruit Andy Ramsey who got in 1975 became a long serving W/O of the squadron later on.
I had heard that he had joined the SAS & had become the W/O in charge of SAS training later on. I enjoyed that bit about Bravo Two Zero, just about summed up Andy McNab(not a real name). Andy's book was nearly alll fiction & I am surprised the senior SAS Officers alllowed it to be written. Bravo Two Zero was a disaster from start to finish, alll to do with arrogance & lack of leadership & experience.
Honest, down to earth book, with lots of common sense in it.
