Andy McNab

[Trigger]

Wow, I didn't know there were so many McNab haters out there. I will try to find 'Eye of the Storm' as suggested. Any others you guys recommend?

Also, I was just wondering, how many of the other authors or 'guys you've talked to' were on that patrol with Andy? I don't know him and he doesn't write like a braggart (I'm a badass, etc.). I understand the things people do to sell books, I'm not naive, but just because someone else calls B.S. doesn't mean they are right. Unless, of course they were there.
Be gentle with your flames.

[Chops]

Trigger

I dont think any of the comments are from "McNab haters". I certainly wasn't on the same patrol nor have I served with 22. I base my statements on two books- Eye of the Storm and The Real Bravo Two Zero-and various statements from people who are in a position to know and that I respect. None of these people are currently serving with 22. I also base it on the statements of "Mark the Kiwi" who was on the B20 patrol and gives a version severely at odds with McNab's.

All I can say is read those two books and then tell me what you think of McNab and Ryan for that matter.

Rgds
Chops

[Trigger]

I plan on reading both. Do you happen to know the author of 'The Real B20'? or where I can read 'Mark's' account? I'm really interested.
Thanks

[Chops]

Michael Asher, ex 22, is the author of The Real B20. Mark has written an account of the patrol called Soldier 5 which is yet to be published although you should be able to find some details on the net.

Rgds

Chops

[front]

From:

http://www.guardian.co.uk/Archive/Article/0,4273,4400154,00.html



Mission improbable

The Gulf war heroics of Bravo Two Zero, as related by Andy McNab and Chris Ryan, are legendary. But now another SAS man is offering a very different version of events. Stephen Moss meets him

Stephen Moss Guardian Wednesday April 24, 2002

It must be one of the most written-about army actions of all time, yet it was brief and of no military significance. It was a ****-up that cost the lives of three SAS men, yet the codename of the mission - Bravo Two Zero - has become a byword for heroism in the face of insuperable odds. The British have always been adept at turning disasters into triumphs, and Bravo Two Zero has been added to a lionised list of crazy endeavours - a 20th-century Charge of the Light Brigade.

In January 1991, during the Gulf war, eight SAS men were dropped 200 miles inside Iraq to set up an observation post and/or destroy Scud missile launchers. They were discovered, lost contact with their helicopter support and had to flee through hostile territory. Three died; four were captured; one escaped into Syria. Using the pseudonyms Andy McNab and Chris Ryan - the one who got away - two of the survivors wrote accounts of the mission. An estimated three million people bought their books, and millions more watched the TV adaptations.

A third of the five who made it back, Mike Coburn (also a pseudonym), is currently in court trying to win the right to publish his account. The public's desire to read about these events is apparently inexhaustible. There is just one problem, according to Michael Asher, whose own book on the mission has just appeared: the accounts published so far are not true.

Asher, a former member of the parachute regiment and ex-SAS territorial, has embarked on a mission of his own - to debunk these British heroes, first in his book and next month in a Channel 4 documentary. They were there, and he wasn't, so his conclusions had better be sound. Rather, he was there, but 10 years after the event. Last year, with Iraqi permission, he retraced the steps of Bravo Two Zero, and talked to the Iraqis who had confronted the patrol. The accounts of these eyewitnesses varied significantly from those of McNab and Ryan.

It was the differences between the two books - Bravo Two Zero and The One That Got Away - that aroused Asher's suspicions. "I was impressed by the books initially," he says, "but then compared them and found glaring discrepancies on almost every page. For example, McNab claims they hijacked a taxi, came to a vehicle checkpoint, waited until a sentry came to the window, then shot him, jumped out of the car, shot three or four more sentries and ran off into the desert. Ryan says that they simply got out of the car before the checkpoint and disappeared into the desert. I've been to Iraq, I've talked to eyewitnesses, I've talked to somebody who was at the checkpoint on that day, and he confirmed that there was no firefight."

There was one other factor that worried Asher - the degree of blame that McNab and Ryan attached to Vince Phillips, one of the men who did not return. "Right from the outset," he says, "I couldn't believe that an experienced soldier like Vince could have behaved in the cowardly and incompetent manner that Ryan in particular describes. He was a senior NCO in 22 SAS, one of the finest regiments in the world, and you don't get in that position if you're incompetent. One of the reasons I went to Iraq was to find out the truth about Vince, and I'm satisfied that I've exonerated him."

McNab, who was leading the mission, claimed in his book that they killed or wounded 250 Iraqis before they were overwhelmed. Asher says this is nonsense, a Ramboesque account that might shift books but has no basis in fact. "I followed the footsteps of the patrol and talked to many eyewitnesses," he insists, "and I found no evidence that the patrol killed or wounded anybody. Not a scratch." One of the patrol was killed by Iraqi civilians; the other two died of hypothermia. Theirs was an extraordinary attempt at escape, but it was not the Alamo.

Asher, a bearded, wiry 48-year-old who fell in love with the desert more than 20 years ago and now lives in Morocco, is aware that his own account may in turn be rubbished. Unprompted, he says that he is not a mouthpiece for the army or the SAS, who have not been best pleased by former personnel discussing operations. Nor, he says later, is he offering a sanitised, anti-heroic, Iraqi view of the mission.

"I was aware from the beginning that this could be seen as an Iraqi propaganda exercise," he says, "and I was wary about that. When I was travelling in Iraq, I made it clear to them from the first day that if they were going to try to show me where I should go or introduce witnesses to me, then that would be the end of the story. I found my own witnesses, I went where I wanted to go in the footsteps of the patrol, and they never tried to interfere."

The Bravo Two Zero patrol, says Asher, was extraordinarily ill equipped for its mission. "They made basic mistakes. They took equipment to dig an observation post in sand, but it was a rocky desert. What they needed was a JCB. Second, they thought the desert was going to be hot. But I've seen snow in this part of the desert."

Asher has no desire to belittle what they did. They faced terrifying dangers and were heroes; this was a remarkable story which, he says, did not need the Rambo relish. "Most of the Bedouin I talked to said these guys were really tough and courageous: to come out here 200 miles from their own lines in Saudi Arabia. Ryan's escape into Syria was an epic journey of almost 300km in a week, virtually without food or water. Their story was fantastic, so why embellish it with bits about killing sentries and blowing up Land Rovers? And why did he have to denigrate a colleague who couldn't speak back?"

Asher is, in part, inclined to blame publishers looking to conform to Hollywood's image of war. "I didn't set out to debunk Bravo Two Zero," he says. "I merely set out to find the truth. If I'd discovered that what McNab and Ryan had written was the truth, I would have been the first to say it. I still admire them and I still think they were heroes, but when they came to write up their stories they did what TE Lawrence did - they exaggerated their accounts and failed to tell the truth." It seems that the desert does odd things to people - especially authors

[Merik]

I didnt even know there was any doubt about the patrol.I knew Mcnabb had his story and I knew Chris Ryan had his.I havent been able to find a copy of Ryan's book though so I don know how it varies from Mcnabbs.

But in saying all that what is the problem with the numerous versions of the incident,since I just found out there are more than two stories about it.

[a. enders]

I had Bravo Two Zero but lost it without getting a chance to read it.What I looked at (y'know,not really reading but "flipping" through) hedidn't seem to say "Oh yeah,I shot 42 guys with my grenade aluncher then had a beer and *** with five models."
As for the McNab bashing,Yanks have no place as we have Marcinko.
I have no doubt he was a SEAL,founded both ST6 and Red Cell,but I recently bought a book that has selections from others.
The selection from Rouge Warrior was immediately followed by a selection from what i cant remember but it debunked EVERYTHING Marcinko had said,not just from people targeted by Marcinko as failing in their duties but by two (i think) of his own teammates.

A. Enders

[snake6264]

I thought Ryan's book was much better read. Yes its tough to find in the USA. The truth lies somewhere out there in the desert.
Andy's book was more of a I love Andy fest for me
Ryan drifts a little kind of the reluctant Hero
Demo **** well he's just a ****

My 2 cents
that and a buck will get you a Coke
Snake6264

[Trigger]

Thanks for the input guys. So far the only problem I have with Asher is the fact that he went back there 10 years later and is getting his story from Iraqis. I really have trouble believing that their account is more accurate than the professionals involved in the action. It's like playing guns as kids "I got you" "No you didn't" "Yes I did". I also read somewhere that Chris Ryan's version was the more 'altered' version, so much so that he had to leave the Hereford area because the 22 troops were so pissed at him for slamming his own guys. I haven't actually read his work yet myself, but I heard the changes were not so much his fault but the publisher, so who knows? Either way, I'll still read the others. I hope 'Mark' gets his published. :)

[Trigger]

Demo **** well he's just a ****

Aw now why ya gotta slam the ****ster? I like his books too, they're fun.

...and I'll take the two cents and use it for a coffee instead :D

[Silverado]

I didnt even know there was any doubt about the patrol.....

There always was a fair degree of sceptisism when both these books were published. Primarily from those within the military establishment whose opinions were grounded in reality but also from those that had no military background but who could non the less smell editorial embelishment a mile off. At the end of the day that's what most people put it down to, afterall it's hardly uncommon for editors to dress up manuscripts from first time writers to make the book an easier sell. I'm sure youv'e all heard the old saying - "Don't ever let the truth get in the way of a good story."

[Chops]

Trigger

I really recommend reading those two books I mentioned. Yes Asher is there ten years after but his investigation is well reasoned and he is the only one to have investigated on the ground. He continually guards against Iraqi deception and to be honest, the kind of folks he interviewed really had nothing to gain.

Likewise with Eye of the Storm. Ratcliffe has little motivation to slate these two. Check out the books, read some of Kiwi Mark's comments and see if you can get a copy of Asher's doco (which comes highly recommended). Plus compare the two books- why is it that major plot points are so different?

Have to say I have heard similar comments about your Marcinko too.

Rgds

Chops

[a. enders]

is getting his story from Iraqis.

"Well I wouldn't say we gave up out right,we surrendered after a harrowing nine hour gun fight in which we took two casualties and inflicted four thousand."

Heh.

A. Enders

[grendel]

Wow, I didn't know there were so many McNab haters out there. I will try to find 'Eye of the Storm' as suggested. Any others you guys recommend?...


You can also try if you can get "The Shooting Gallery" by Gaz Hunter ISBN 0 575 06731 4. Gaz was supposed to be in-charge of Bravo Two Zero (instead of McNab) but he was in South America at the time...

It's a biography (IMO, the author didn't BS/exaggerate), contains some photographs, a very good read.

:D

[Chops]

I agree. Hunter's book is a very good, no nonsense read. As is Will Scully's Once A Pilgrim.

Rgds

Chops

[Sir Nob]

Anyone see the movie with Sean Bean? Was pretty good, no Hollywood crap, Mcnabb was the advisor, some great fire team rushes. There is also a movie of Ryans The One That Got Away, heard its good too, but just about impossible to get outside of the UK.

[Minjin]

I can't help but wonder how much of the "exaggerated" material was actually done solely by the writers, and how much by publishers trying to move books? I think a good middle ground account is likely to be decent in terms of proximity to the truth. People's memories fade after a decade, so later accounts may not be wholly truthful. Either way, though, they did survive inside Iraq during a ****ty winter, and most survived. I think it is wrong to blame the events on the one guy who McNab claims is "incompetent." If I recall correctly, McNab was the leader (correct me if I am way off base here) so HE should have been responsible.

But I digress, they are still a good read at any rate.

[Trigger]

Actually, I don't recall McNab blaming any of the others for what happened or calling anyone incompetent. I know he felt responsible for Vince Edwards wandering off in a state of delirium due to hypothermia. I saw the Sean Bean flick, but as is usually the case the movie didn't live up to the book.

[Minjin]

I haven't seen the film, but I heard it was rather terrible and bombed in terms of making money, so I don't know if I will watch it. I did watch one film about the SAS but I don't recall the title off the top of my head.

[BiZ]

The one very obvious flaw to McNabs whole charade and "good yarn" was the fact that not one surviving meber of the patrol, McNab included, mentioned the fighting against the APCs or other so called "major" firefights that are described in the book.

Now, when you're a debriefing as any former or serving member will tell you, you end to mention such things as "contacts" and "engagements" with the enemy, especially those of such a scale as described by Andy.

Quite simply, and with no disrespect to those that lost their lives, Andy McNab ****ed up from the beggining and failed very simple OPs from and SASR point of view.

It's a good read, and so are other books by him, but like his novels, his war stories are mostly fanciful fairy tales whose aim is to sell more books. Good luck to him to, if I could spin **** to sell books like that I'd be well chuffed too!

[Minjin]

Cameron Spence writes some good stuff on 22 SAS. But again, read it with an open mind, as parts may or may not be wholly truthful. But definitely worth reading if you like the 22.

[warchild1/27scout]

who's this **** who was'nt even thier who's gonna write this book?what?is he gonna get HIS info from saddam and jaque cherac is going to collaborate.come on now guys.

[MaxximusUSA]

If by "this ****" you are referring to Michael Asher, you should keep in mind that the "****" is an SAS veteran and an expert in Arab language and culture. He is also an experienced historian and investigator. He went to Iraq to do an unbiased investigation of what really happened with Bravo Two Zero. Read his work before you decide to criticize him. He didn't take McNabb's word and he didn't take Ryan's word. He based his project on hard evidence, expert opinions, and numerous eyewitness accounts.

McNabb and Ryan deserve credit for what they went through, but that does not give them the right to deceive the public and dishonor the memory of their dead comrades. McNabb has proven himself to be a shameless opportunist and Chris Ryan kicked serious dirt onto the grave of one of his fallen teammates. That in my opinion is dishonorable and unforgiveable. Anyone with a basic understanding of spec ops and an ounce of common sense could tell you that McNabb is full of $hit. As good as the SAS is, an 8 man foot patrol does not charge at a massive enemy force reinforced by an armored convoy, that is if they intend to live for more than five seconds! McNabb tried to make himself out to be Great Britain's very own Rambo, and a lot of people bought it. I don't know anyone from Hereford, but my guess is that McNabb has probably become a laughing stock in the SAS community. Chris Ryan's book is also full of strange details that defy any sense of military logic. On top of that, the two accounts are almost completely inconsistent in every major detail...even down to the very purpose of the mission in the first place. If you read Michael Asher's book, you will find that his reconstruction of events makes much more sense than both McNabb's and Ryan's...and its based on all available evidence rather than pure assumption.

[Royal]

They're both lying scumag's, 'McNab' a lying incompitent scumbag and 'Ryan' a selfish and dangerous non-team player as well (his biggest crime in his time with 23 and 22).

'Ryan's' E&E was an amazing feat, deserving of his decoration, but he should never have been in the position where he needed to make it in the first place.

Both have rightly been excomunicated from the SF community, along with 'Cameron Spence' and a few others...

[DeltaWhisky58]

Hi All

Having read McNab's "Bravo Two Zero" and Ryan's "The One That Got Away" when they were first published, I have been prompted to read them again recently as the result of reading both Mr Asher's "The Rela Bravo Two Zero" and Ratcliffe's "The Eye of The Storm". This story gets more and more complex as you add other accounts into the scenario - Ratcliffe certainly sheds a lot of new light in my opinion. What also has been interesting lately have been two TV programs - one relating Asher's story, and the other - a recent screening of "Behind Iraqi Lines, The Story of Bravo Two Zero" by the discovery channel.

Discovery's offering included interviews with both McNab (still darkened from view) and Ryan (full view). The semi-dramatised program certainly described some firefights with Iraqi troops, but not the high level of action and taking out of APCs etc. mentioned by McNab in "Bravo Two Zero".

What has to be taken into consideration is that McNab's book was the first of this current Special Forces story genre to be published - in the UK since then there have been dozens. The amazing thing in my opinion, having read many of them, is the obvious cross-overs and clashes which are bound to take place with accounts of the exploits of a community as small us the UK Special Forces.

Ratcliffe's book - one of the latest, and most believable accounts - casts doubts on several books, including McNabs and Ryans, but also "Sabre Squadron" by Cameron Spence and "Victor Two" by Peter "Yorky" Crossland - these both include accounts of D Squadron/22 SAS's exploits in the Iraqi desert. There is then criticism of Ratcliffe in another new publication - "Black Water" by Don Camsell - a former SBS soldier.

Thank goodness that these guys were on the same side in war - all of these literary conflicts would have given us more firefights than GW2! Now, that'll be another few dozen books without doubt.................

[oDn]

Hi there guys,

i was just shuffling through Google trying to get a little info on the recent whereabouts of "Andy McNabb" when i landed on this thread.

I read through all your comments concerning "Andy" and Chris and I just wanted to point out a few things...

- McNabb, as you or might not know, has never actually "written" any novels... His books are the works of a ghost writer of whom I've forgotten the name. This ghost author happens to be an Andy McNabb hardcore fan.
Therefore, books by the likes of B20 have been spoofed up by this fanatic. "Andy" provided the facts, they were then reinterpreted more or less by this bloody ghost writer.
The most recent books have Andy McNabb stamped on them as a trademark but are the fruit of this other author.
Basically, what I'm trying to point out is... that Andy might be a "commercial bastard" but should not be blamed for lying. All his books were written to please a fanatic public. And being written by a fanatic, what do you expect. So try and have a more objective point of view on what you read!

- on a similar basis, Chris Ryan's book was also written by a ghost author and had to have an "angle" compared to Bravo Two Zero to ensure commercial success. None of both books are 100% truth. They are books made to be sold. Andy started off writing B20 because he was earning enough money from his pension. Same for Chris.

- most important point I guess... Chris and "Andy" get on well together, there isn't some kind of blood feud between the two of them. However, poor old Chris was beaten up in a Pub in Hereford after having published his book. That's the cost of selling the strories and lives of others.

Basically try and admit that the media manipulate you and that you are your own victim. It just amazes me to see how much people can talk on and on about "lying conspiracies".

Anyway, it's getting late and you might be bored reading my banter...
But to round it off, "Andy" (yes, it's a pseudonym) is a nice guy and not some kind of Rambo kind guy although he can be macho-man at times ;)
He still remains very affected by what he went through and it does wear out on him in forms of paranoïa. I guess he still is an SAS in the heart even when he's taking a calm stroll outside.

...

it's definately getting very late...

DON'T TAKE WHAT YOU READ FOR GRANTED FOLKS!

I will reply to your reactions if you have any, for now good night.

[Trigger]

@oDn, I have always been a 'fan' of the McNab books regardless of their authenticity, which I have to admit I didn't really question until I started visiting this site. Either way I still find them highly entertianing. If it's true that they are ghost-written, where did you come across this info?
As for being a 'commercial bastard', I think he deserves every penny. There are a lot of less worthy people who make more. ;)
Thanks for the input.

[oDn]

I fully agree with you Trigger, sometimes info comes to you without even looking for it ;)

But beware of fanatism, lol

oDn

[Chops]

So to repeat the question oDn; what's the source?

rgds

Chops

[oDn]

the man himself...

[Chops]

So you're a former member?

rgds

Chops

[oDn]

OK Chops, I understand your curiosity so I'll shed some light on this.
To cut it short, "Andy McNabb" was for a short period of time a member of my family. I've got absolutely nothing to do with the military, I just happen to know the guy and I have spend consequent amounts of time with talking about his past and present, etc...
However, I have lost track of him since he's become a Hollywood film supervisor.
And coming on this forum made me want to respond to certain reactions on his behalf and on behalf of Chris Ryan.

That's about it really...

oDn

[Chops]

Fair enough oDn. Thanks for the clarification. Never met either guy myself but both have been heavily criticised by folks in the know. In my opinion, whether they were ghost written or not, their 'non fiction' accounts of the B20 patrol showed immense disrespect to the dead and to the Regiment. But heh, i'm just a cranky old fella... ;)

rgds

Chops

[Argyll]

Hmmmm,I mu=ight sound a bit cynical here,If this is true about the ghost writers,whay has either men ever came out and said this was not their own words?
They have never explained in detail,about Vince Phillips's death,do you think his family take comfort knowing it wasnt either of these 2 guys who put pen to paper!I doubt it very much!
Whats more alarming is that they have then passed classified info to these "ghosts"to enable these accounts to be told!! so someone is talking ****e here!!
I'm also a bit sceptical of odns claims too,sorry but anyone in the whole world can make the same claims that "McNabb" himself told him,I came out in 88 and have mates in the know,some are still serving with SF,and they distanced themselves from both these accounts,and they wouldn't reveal a single thing about what happened in 91,or anywhere else for that matter,and I served with them,so they're not going to talk about classified ops to "civvies"Both men Ryan and MacNabb let their fellow regiment members down in their accounts of what happened in 91.

[Argyll]

Just as an after thought,didn't McNabbs ex wife also write a book "Married to the SAS" I believe her name is Jenny?So was it a "ghost writer" who penned her story too?Lets also remember Andy Mac Nabb is a sudonym!
I'm also not being disrespectful to these guys,I admire them for just being where they were and who they were with!!

[oDn]

Right...
I've got a few things to answer to these new posts.
Both Andy and Chris have been heavily criticised and rightly so I guess, they did provide more or less erroneous accounts of what happened.
Personally, I wasn't there, none of you were there, so you know what I mean... Just gather as much information on your side, shuffle through it and make your own point of view.

Concerning the thing with ghost authors, I'm not saying that Andy didn't write a single word. He's just not an author, he gave in notes, talked a lot, etc... The ghost author managed to catch his style and wrote full length books from there.


Whats more alarming is that they have then passed classified info to these "ghosts"to enable these accounts to be told!! so someone is talking ****e here!!

concerning your comment Argyll, i really wonder who's talking ****e here...
In the case of B20, you probably have as much "classified" information as the author himself. Don't worry, the actual classified information won't ever come to your ears ;)

And Argyll, if you don't actually believe my accounts, well ... I don't care. Plus, I'd like to point out that I don't know anything more than you do on classified operations. I just happen to have had a talk with the guy about his books. Full stop. Books, not "classified informaton".
Concerning "Married To The SAS", I really don't know what the story is behind that book. All I know is that Jenny or whatever was just another of Andy's wives, and like everyone, she tryed to cash in on the affair. Ghost author or not, I don't know and don't really care.

Anyway, just respect what's respectable and don't try and break out scandals when ever two bits of information differ.

Anyway, see you around guys.

[Argyll]

Odn,
with regards to the talking crap part,nobody outside of the SAS knew what happened with B20,there were 8 guys in that patrol.2 died apparantly from Hypothermia,and 1 KIA,as stated by Peter Radcliffe after the repatriation of the POW's,and in the subsequent debrief,a lot of these accounts were simply "ommited"from the debrief.
A fanatical public,sure thing,if any member of the regiment decided to write a book,it should be interesting,cause the general public,know Jack **** about Spec Ops
Andy is as guilty of writting the book solo,as is the ghost,cause you simply do not sit down and diverse that amount of info,without the intent of it being published,he knew full well what he was doing,and what the implications were,same as Chris,the intent was there.
Don't get me wrong,if you were related to Andy that's cool with me!I just find it encredibly strange that,he would Tell you "everything" about his career,as I said previous,my buddies,still deny all ,and not say a word,you hear things at Regimental Re unions about who's where and who's what,and who's done stuff!!,and I was a serving soldier(8yrs).
The mates I've met up with,all distanced themselves with the 2 guys.

Perhaps "Andy" is looking for some solace,but what's to stop YOU from cashing in too,if he's told you all about himself,are you the "Ghost writer"?
His 1st 2 books were based on his lifetime within the regiment,and were supposed to be factual,complete with photo's,which were obviously given to,the Author,if he's telling the truth.It is not that easy to write a book,it takes months,sometimes years,there's agents to deal with,publishers,editors etc.
What I'm getting at is Andy must've sat down,with a lot of people and said basically"This is what happened to B20...."and spilled the goodies,he collaborated with the intent of achieving commercial and financial gain for himself,so "Ghost" or not ,he is equally guilty.!
Oh and if Andy told you the real truth then he's a bigger fool for doing so,relation or not!!I was eagerly awaiting the book "Soldier 5" by the NZ guy who was going to blow the myth right out of the water until the MOD said,they wanted ALL the proceeds from the book,there have been too many ex SAS men,or some who claimed to be SAS(Carew) who wrote about their exploits,and the MOD clamped down hard on these guys,there have been numerous court cases,about the official secrets acts etc,and counter claims that this was signed under duress,and other legal stuff!!
I asked an ex buddy who done 22yrs,if he fancied writing a book,and he told me "Why ?,so some 14yr old spotty teenager can get a hardon reading about my life!!....no thanks mate ,I want the quiet life!!"

All I can say Odn is best of luck to all concerned!

[oDn]

Thanks for your reply Argyll,
all I can tell you is that I fully agree with you. I also want to insist on the fact that I do NOT know anything more on B20 than you all do. The discussions I had with Andy mainly concerned his work as an "author".
What you pointed out above about the pressure put down on ex-SAS wanted to write their own life stories only confirms what I was trying to point out. ie, the information we all have access to has been filtered and is far from being the full truth. Andy's novels should be considered as of the "based on" category and therefore, considered more as fiction than historical biographies.
I'm not denying the fact that the content of these books are to a certain extent immoral and that in the case of Andy, a purely commercial thing to do. But then again, that's how most things work nowadays.
I fortunately or unfortunately won't be ableto cash in on this or become the ghost author himself because as I said earlier I know f*** all about spec ops. Andy did not tell me anything classified about any of his operations, I might only have a little more insight about the "social" aspects of his life that emmerged following the release of his books. Full stop.
I guess all has been said, it was nice having this little exchange anyway and wish you all the best.

See you around.

[Argyll]

Odn,
Thanks man,it's also been a pleasure,and I hopre you can pin him down sometime!!