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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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Avg. Customer Rating:  (based on 7 reviews)
Sales Rank: 467
Category: Book
Author: Bob Shepherd
Publisher: Macmillan
Studio: Macmillan
Manufacturer: Macmillan
Label: Macmillan
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 (New: Last 30 Days)
Availability: Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days
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| Customer Reviews: Read 2 more reviews...
 Well overdue May 3, 2008
2 out of 3 found this review helpful
We have all seen them, read them or partially read them. The highly unlikely tales of major contacts in the third world or some islamic state. Faceless terrorists being put down with a single round to the head by some tough ex soldier from such and such a unit, etc, etc...
Well finally Bob Sheperd has stepped forward and offered us an honest and articulate perspective to the ins and outs of work carried out by former soldiers in the phenominaly lucrative private military industry. Its clear that this is an industry that has resulted in the West abandoning its armed forces with under funding after losing sight of the big picture. Bob concentrates on the actus reus of working in tempramental and very hazardous locations, with no real support or strength in depth. Consequently he has to get it right first time as you only get unlucky once. Bob's proactive approach is very likely the reason he is in a position to write a book as opposed to many that have not returned from the work offered by the private military industry. And there has been many.
Bob Sheperd does not discuss his time in the SAS and his reasons for doing so are explained and need to be digested. However as a former Warrant officer with 20 years special forces experience ( anybody who has some knowledge of the Army's operations in the last 20 years can work some stuff out for themselves ) he is in a strong position to inform of us how things need to operate as opposed to how they do. Whilst many Private Military companies or CSCs try to operate well with some degree of diligence and professionalism there have been far too many who have adopted an extremely suspect approach to their working environments, paying clients and personel. Bob points these irrefutable facts out in a language the reader can understand. I imagine a few suits somewhere with an SW1 postcode could feel slightly uncomfortable.
If you want to read about the desperate and the ignorant getting slotted in the sand you will be dissapointed. If you have a brain in you head you wont be. Good read. CSCs be aware, accountability is coming to a boardroom near you.
Good read!
A book of very high standard by a man in the same league! May 1, 2008
2 out of 3 found this review helpful
In trying for decades to follow events in the major trouble spots of the world, I would say that I've been fairly obtuse. Over three beautiful evenings in April, I read this book and in a sort of parallel universe was transported around the West Bank, Iraq and Afghanistan, safely escorted by this man, who in articulate & simplistic form brought me to enlightenment.
Passionate about what he does, Bob Shepherd writes with the same exceptional skills as he employs on the ground. You are right there with him!
This book is about guardianship-the duty of care-the greatest of responsibilties. The Circuit is failing and with startling clarity of vision, this man tells us why.
The best in the business April 28, 2008
2 out of 3 found this review helpful
Unputdown-able! A brutally honest expose of this brutal industry. Told with a soldiers sense of humour, Shepherd is a straight-talker - modest about his achievements, frank about the failings of this multi-million dollar business that doesn't give a damn. For any one who has ever worked in a 'hostile environment' this rings alarmingly true. Don't go to one without reading this book!
 Disapppointing April 26, 2008
1 out of 3 found this review helpful
If you are expecting tales of derring - do and gunfights with unsavoury characters around the world, forget it. Our hero is undoubtedly very good at his job, and is clearly one of the best in the business, sadly this doesnt make for an interesting read!
The tale starts with him having a gun pointed at him by Israeli forces, now this isnt something that I would wish on anybody, but sadly is a common occurence in Gaza and the West Bank; and that is about as exciting as it gets!
His story then takes us to Iraq, where some insurgents look at him in a menacing way; Afghanistan, where some terrible things can happen, but nothing actaully does; Saudi Arabia, ditto and Pakistan, ditto.
On the cover it tells us of a previously unknown role in Bravo Two Zero mission, this amounts to him saying its a bad idea, and getting taken off the job.
The book then launches into a tirade about how Commercial Security organizations are blatantly getting rich from men like him (although he does mention that he only works for premium rates himself, so they're obviously not the only ones making a good living!), and how they are cutting corners to make profits - welcome to the world of free enterprise Bob!
Mr Shepherd is clearly quite an arrogant charachter, and doesn't shy away from giving people his opinion, and the book is full of anecdotes about how everybody else is getting things wrong, and how he would do it better if he was in charge.
Mr Shepherd is clearly a very brave, if a somewhat self important man, who is obviously takes pride in his job, the problem with that is, that by being good at his job, nothing really happens to him or the people he is guarding, which all in all is a jolly good thing, but sadly makes for a rather boring read.
One of the best I've read April 21, 2008
2 out of 3 found this review helpful
This is a thoughtful and insightful account from the frontlines of the industry. Along with John Geddes' book on the same subject, one can read the true stories from the experienced, seasoned operators. I wish American contractors would take some tips from these guys, lay off the steroids and become grey men, instead of charging around like wankers (to use your term) with weapons blazing. Also appreciate the dedication to Vince Phillips. Exciting and enjoyable read. Would certainly make a terrific film. Thanks "Bob".
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