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The Circuit: An Ex-SAS Soldier's True Account of One of the Most Powerful and Secretive Industries Spawned by the War on Terror

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Author: Bob Shepherd
Publisher: Macmillan
Category: Book

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Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars

12 reviews
Sales Rank: 3902

Media: Hardcover
Pages: 368
Shipping Weight (lbs): 1.4
Dimensions (in): 9.2 x 6.1 x 1.5

ISBN: 0330455737
EAN: 9780330455732
ASIN: 0330455737

Publication Date: April 18, 2008
Availability: Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days
Condition: Brand new. Mint condition! Unwanted gift. Never read.

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Customer Reviews: Read 7 more reviews...

4 out of 5 stars

Interesting June 27, 2008
Bob Shepherd, ex-SAS, tell us the story of his time as a PMC from the days when it was a small, closed market, to today's free-for-all in Iraq. Clearly, Bob knows his stuff. His story is not gung-ho; though clearly a man who knows how to handle himself in dangerous situations, he is often smart enough to know how far to push the envelope. But he understands the job inside and out. In one very revealing chapter, he tells us of a time he was escorting a journalist in Iraq, and ended up advising local American commanders on doing basic counter-insurgency - some of it really simple stuff - it was scary how little they knew about it, and how much of a lack of common sense they had. If this experience of Bob's is any reflection of most of the American units, it certainly explain why such a dog's ear has been made in Iraq. Bob's experience of dealing with modern PMC's in Iraq and Afghanistan also makes for sobering reading - if anything it was scarier than his dealings with the American forces. PMC's are in competition, with an eye on the bottom line. If Bobs' account is anything to go by, safety has been compromised to meet this bottom line. Many of the PMC's he encountered were people completely unsuited to the job.

The one thing I think this book lacks is a little scholarship. We don't really get any figures - how much of a problem this is. Bob's experiences are well worth reading, but you come away oddly unsatisified, wanting to know more. I am glad he was encouraged to put his experiences on paper, but we could do with a bit more background. Bob doesn't feel comfortable discussing his years in the SAS, and you have to respect that. So perhaps some expansion on the PMC industry would make it more interesting, and accomodate this research in the book. Facts and figures would be made so much more interesting by these great accounts Bob gives us.

5 out of 5 stars

A True account of a misperceived industry. June 6, 2008
A first class and honest account of what is going on in the overseas security world today, in which the author highlights all the wrong doings and mistakes which is happening on the Circuit,to date and in the past.
Interesting paragraph also on Bravo Two Zero and the author who obviously has a wealth of experience of operating,mixing and living with the people of the Middle East writes nothing but of great respect for its people and its culture.
No blood guts and glory tales, just an honest story with some very good highlighted points on profit margins, deaths and contracts undertaken which should never be taken or accepted by private security companies.
A thoroughly enjoyable read.

2 out of 5 stars

Worthy but Dull May 24, 2008
1 out of 2 found this review helpful

I wouldn't recommend this book if you want excitement or depth of writing. It's a mix of opinion (footnotes?!) and autobiography essentially describing a job that pays well, and where success is defined by nothing unplanned and nasty happening. Given that the author is seemingly very good at his job, this makes for a dull read, its not a page turner. It sort of works as an up-to-date travelogue of dangerous places around the Middle East, but even then is not over-burdened with description of place, culture or peoples. Though at one point a character called Will Scully appears, and I would most definately recommend his book about his time in Sierra Leone called "Once a Pilgrim" - 5 stars and for me everything that this book isn't.

5 out of 5 stars

Refreshingly Honest and Contemporary Account. May 14, 2008
I must commend the author for putting together a series of very interesting accounts of a variety of private security operations, in various theatres, that expose the serious failings within the 'security' industry that has grown out of recent world events.

Equally commendable is the fact that this is not a detailed account of the authors career within the SAS. I have read a few of those and frankly they begin to repeat. Also, as the author alludes to, he doesn't want to give away trade secrets - which I completely agree with because, if I was serving within one of our elite units, I think I would feel that would be the worst sort of 'Compromise'.

The knowledge and skill that is depicted in the carrying out of security based tasks is exactly what I find interesting about Special Forces and how they conduct themselves - also the illustrations of how not to carry these tasks out is equally informative.

The complete lack of fearsome firefights within the book is to the authors credit - he was obviously doing a very good job! It is NOT short on drama however.

I especially Liked the thoughts presented regarding the Bravo 2 Zero Patrol of the 1st Gulf War. Brief but enlightening perspective.

This Book is an extremely good read - I would recommend this for those who would like an intelligent insight into the subject without any embellishment.

5 out of 5 stars

The Truth, at Last May 12, 2008
1 out of 1 found this review helpful

When a twenty year veteran of the SAS and a highly experienced private security contractor takes the trouble to shatter a few misconceptions we should all pay close attention and prepare to have our illusions dissolved. Yes, it's that bad out there. We can never again view the supposed bad guys and good guys with our long held assumptions. He has harsh words to say about the situations and personnel in Israel/Palestine, Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Afghanistan, and surprisingly, some new insight into the Bravo Two Zero mission with which he was involved (the book is dedicated to Vince Phillips, A Soldier). However, his most scathing criticism is reserved for the private security industry and shocking it is too. A very disturbing book revealing that nothing out there in the hostile parts of the world are quite as we assume, or are led to assume. A must read publication if ever there was one.