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Sniper One: The Blistering True Story of a British Battle Group Under Siege | 
 enlarge | Author: Dan Mills
Publisher: Penguin Books Ltd
Category: Book
List Price: £6.99
Buy New: £2.50
You Save: £4.49 (64%)
New (24) Used (7) from £2.13
Rating:  25 reviews
Sales Rank: 97
Media: Paperback
Pages: 384
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.6
Dimensions (in): 7.6 x 5 x 1.1
ISBN: 0141029013
EAN: 9780141029016
ASIN: 0141029013
Publication Date: May 15, 2008
Availability: Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days
Shipping: International shipping available
Condition: Brand-new and in stock. Same-day dispatch. UK Seller. Overseas delivery via priority airmail. Our worldwide delivery rates are very fast; please view our feedback for proof of a quality service.
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| Customer Reviews: Read 20 more reviews...
 Was Not For Me July 12, 2008
A. C. Saunders (UK)
0 out of 2 found this review helpful
Firstly, I'd like to state I have nothing but the utmost respect for anyone who has served in Iraq/Afghanistan in recent years. Particularly those who have seen combat.
I read this book last week whilst on holiday. To be truthful I was expecting something written a little better - with some more thought. Sgt Dan Mills is obviously a very brave man but I couldn't help thinking he was at times gloryfying war. Specifically, I got the impression he was almost bragging when telling the reader about his first "kill" during a contact early in his tour. He claims it was a case of either him or me! Maybe so and without meaning to grag politics into this review, I cannot help but think "of course this chap was trying to kill you; in his eyes you have invaded his country" During another descriptive account, he likened another contact to the bank heist shoot out scene in the film "Heat" starring DeNiro and Pacino. I'm sorry, but this comparison in my opinion glorifies war.
Sgt Mills is a professional soldier and ultimately all soldiers are expected to fight when called upon and he carried out his duties to the best of his ability. Still, his account of his time in Afghanistan, in my opinion, presented a gung ho, war is cool impression.
 Mills and Boom....!! July 10, 2008
tallpete33 (London, UK)
I brought this book on the recommendation of a friend and finished it in a just a few short days as it was difficult to put down.
It is very readable, informative and opens up your eyes to what really goes on in Iraq (and no doubt Afghanistan et al). Sgt Dan Mills gives a good honest insight into the life of a sniper, the elite of the Princess of Wales Regiment, and the hardships and camaraderie of soldiers in foreign war zones.
Posted to Al Amarah, Mills' platoon were essentially on a peace-keeping mission to win the hearts and minds of the locals and assist the local police. A lot of their basic training involved smiling....however, berets and "snatch" landrovers were soon swapped for helmets and Warrior armoured vehicles as the local insurgents attacked his CIMIC base on a daily and then hourly basis. Arms supplied to local police often found their way into the hands of the men they were fighting. When US soldiers damaged the turrets of Iraq's holiest mosque, the ante was upped massively. Basic defence became a siege with water and bullets fast running out, the compound in pieces and live mortars scattered everywhere. This was a feat of endurance, professionalism and bravery on a massive scale. Think Zulu with 82mm mortars and you're getting there.
Mills tells it as it was, the heroics, the cowardice (thankfully rare), the adrenaline, the humour...every human emotion is there and gives us a taste of a soldier's life under enormous pressure. He names names here and some of his platoon may not thank him for it, but many of them will be getting drinks for life on the back of it!
There is bloodlust in here, he admits that. The excitement at calling in a rare air-strike was well described but in the context very understandable. This can be distasteful in parts but so is war and these were disciplined and professional soldiers, trained for action and a credit to their country (or adopted country in some cases).
Read it before you make up your mind about it.
Astonishingly candid and fast-paced account of combat July 8, 2008
ianjt67 (Devon, England)
This must be one of the most refreshingly candid and fast paced accounts of military action I have ever read. From the moment I picked it up I was hooked by a text which was both engaging and eye-opening. Devoid of any political posturing, it concentrates on what life is like at the fighting end of military orders - and it makes for intensive reading at times. If you are unsure what active service in Iraq or Afghanistan really means, you could do no wrong by starting with this account.
Truly life at the sharp end July 7, 2008
A. Meehan (UK)
From what you read in the newspapers, saw on the news, I bet you thought life in Iraq was a doddle.
Ever wondered what was meant by the simple phrase "heavy fighting", ever wondered how YOU would fare.
Take Rourkes Drift and stretch it from 2 days to 4 months - get the idea? Peace keeping was never supposed to be like this. Sgt Dan Mills tells it how it is, no trying to analyse why they were there, just that they were and had a job to do.
Those of a 'politically correct' and nervous disposition should not read this book. It is a no holds barred tale of what "heavy fighting" actually means and makes you proud of our armed forces.
If Sgt Mills is at a loss of what to do in civvy street - more writing like this please. Only someone who has been in the exclusive 'front line' club can inject that realism into fiction.
I read this book cover to cover in only a few days and then......I really, really wanted to read it again but this time with the map in front of me. I am trying to read my next book - but the idea of reading Sniper One again just won't go away.
How often does that happen?
Despite books having better pictures, this book would make a blockbuster film, if only to show that there were others than Yanks out there: but only if it is true to the written word.
BUY IT NOW!!!!!!!!!!!! July 6, 2008
Stephen Erdis (N/Ireland)
Absolutely faarking fantastic. Could not leave this book down. 100% guaranteed satisfaction. Take it from me. Don't hesitate. Read this book now.Get yr eyes open. Needs to be made into a film. Total blockbuster. Medals all round. Allamo has nothing on this.
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