Customer Reviews
Brilliant!!! - By: T. Glover, 03 Apr 2008 
a truly great book theres not a dull point in this book & it spills alot of truths on other books written about the SAS in the gulf but this is no made up fairy tale its true from beggining to end with no mucking about i hope we see more books from 'billy' ratcliffe
You make your own Luck! Who Dares Wins. - By: Matthew Richardson, 03 Oct 2007 Absolutely compelling, frank & honest account of a truly inspirational tenure with the United Kingdom's elite soldiers.
Also shows how a glittering career could have faltered at any number of hurdles & also that these men come from ordinary places to do extraordinary things.
A very human & personal account of becoming, & remaining, one of the elite.
I cannot recommend this more highly.
one of the best books on the market - By: SwordSwingin, 03 Jul 2007 i got this book been interested in the sas & the british military didnt know what to expect & i was amazed to learn that he's from salford my home town & a man united supporter which makes me some what biassed should have a statue of him in salford. the book though is brilliant documenting his 25 years in service & his growing up in salford in the first chapter. as others have said theres no egocentric ramblings in here he tells it like it is, the humour that pops up is good for example his hearing going abit dodgy in iraq one morning & somebody comes upto him saying something he thought was good morning turns out it was "bomb warning" it never strays from the seriousness of the situations though anyone interested in the sas or the british military will read this book a fair few times also makes you realise some of the falsehoods excadurations & plain lies that some other books say regarding the iranian embassy siege & bravo 2 zero. its a gripping no nonsense read that makes you wanna shake the mans hand.
Totally Honest - By: L. Hay, 25 Mar 2007 A man who keeps his feet firmly on the ground (he doesn't like parachutes) & gives a great account of his life in the military. There is no over embellishment or gloss, just facts.
This book is a thoroughly good read - an absolute must for those who enjoy military history.
ChrisD - By: Christopher Dickson, 13 Oct 2006 
I have recently read Peter Ratcliffe's book.
I have read one or two other books over a period of years about life in the SAS. Having served in the Army for 25 years myself & also having held the appointment of RSM, i was interested to read Mr Ratcliffe's attitudes & feelings concerning the plethora of 'stories' that have emerged about the Regiment that used to be the Army's best kept secret!
I was also 'recommended' this book by another ex soldier who had informed me that it was a very good read indeed. I found the story to be fairly well balanced but would have liked a little more insight into what he did / was involved with in between deployments.
The author provides a captivating story stretched over his 25 year service in the Army. More importantly, he highlights on many occasions the courage of his convictions. Ratcliffe the soldier was certainly not affraid to confront people head on regarding issues of competency or professionalism! This is also apparent with regards to his synopsis of the writings of many of those who have gone before him.
In alll, the book was excellent value for money, & i like others found it difficult to put down. No sensationalism, No BS, & also a frank honesty over failures, mistakes & shortcomings within the Military, Army & his Regiment.
I particularly found the chapters deicated to the SAS involvement in the Falklands Campaign to be very interesting & informative. Again, the balance of detail, humour, fact & summary provides one mans thoughts & observations based on raw experience in War Fighting without the 'Rambo' & 007 element appearing!
Pure & simply, reading some of the other 'SAS' books & reading Peter Ratcliffe's book is the divide between glorified fiction & honest fact. I fully recommend this book to alll who have an interest in military life & the Special Air Service. Well done Mr Ratcliffe, CD
