The One That Got Away

by Chris Ryan

Book Overview

The British Army's Special Air Service is one of the world's premier special operations units. During the Gulf War, deep behind Iraqi lines, an SAS team was compromised. A fierce firefight ensued, and... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0712676163
• ISBN13: 9780712676168
• Release Date: August 1995
• Publisher: Random House (UK)
• Length: 251 Pages
• Weight: 1.03 lbs.

Customer Reviews

A definite page turner

If you are a fan of Bravo Two Zero by Andy McNab then I highly recommend that you pick this one. This is the story that Bravo Two Zero didn't go into. This is the story of raw courage and great determination as told by the one man who went through misery and hell to finish his mission. Chris Ryan's story is something that you have never read before. Use your imagination here. This man walks from Iraq to Syria after his mission falls apart during the Gulf War. Mr. Ryan covered details that I was hoping he would. His feelings during his hellish trek. His thoughts when he was hiding and came within inches of capture. The feelings of the rest of the team that also made it home and how the special operations world benefited from his experience. He also touched base on how it affected life at home. That is something that every service man faces. Thanks Chris for sharing that portion of your life. This is a book that you want to read, especially if you served in the Gulf. I put it on the shelf next to my copy of Bravo Two Zero. This is no Rambo story, so if you are looking for blood and guts look for another book. This is a story of courage and determination.

a truly amazing story of triumph over extreme adversity

Those who are interested in military operations and war history should not miss The One That Got Away. Chris Ryan's escape from Iraq is without a doubt one of the most notable events of the Gulf War. Even people who are not particularly interested in military matters will be touched and inspired by Ryan's account of his harrowing trek through the desert. The ultimate theme that TOTGA leaves with readers is that with strength of spirit, steadfast endurance, and sheer determination a person can overcome seemingly insurmountable odds. It is a lesson that people from all walks of life can benefit from. Chris Ryan survived a hopeless battle against enemy forces. He walked through the desert for over a week, covering 180 miles in a region full of people who would kill him. And he did it in freezing cold weather, going without food or water for many days. After he made it out, he still had to contend with the trauma of his ordeal and the deep feelings of guilt over certain decisions he had to make. Although he never explicitly states it, one might get the impression that Ryan feels a great deal of personal responsibility for the death of Vince Phillips, a fellow member of the Bravo Two Zero patrol who Ryan was forced to leave behind. Certain issues have been raised regarding the authenticity of the accounts of the Bravo Two Zero mission that have been presented by Chris Ryan and patrol leader Andy McNab (who presented his account in his book, Bravo Two Zero). A comparison of the two accounts reveal a number of inconsistencies. There have been accusations of exaggeration and distortion of the facts made against McNab and Ryan. Those interested in an outside opinion of what truly happened might want to pick up a book entitled "The Real Bravo Two Zero", written by Michael Asher (an ex-SAS member/expert in Arab culture) who went to Iraq years after the war to research the Bravo Two Zero mission on location. Although his research is very thorough, he seems much too willing to accept the accounts of Iraqi witnesses as completely honest while holding McNab and Ryan's accounts in constant suspicion. It is interesting to note that the evidence he uncovered does debunk some aspects of Andy McNab's account. One example is McNab's farfetched claim that Bravo Two Zero managed to kill between 200 and 250 enemy soldiers throughout the ordeal. Chris Ryan never makes such an outrageous assumption in his book, and even Michael Asher has to lend more credibility to Ryan's account at the end of the day. In all fairness, those who were not there can only speculate to a certain extent. There's really no use further arguing about it unless someone out there is capable of reading the minds of the surviving members of Bravo Two Zero. My curiosity was caught by all the sensationalism surrounding the BTZ mission, and in my personal opinion, the truth probably lies somewhere between Chris Ryan's account and Michael Asher's conclusions (leaning closer to Chris R

Courage and determination Personified

Chris Ryan's book is an inspirational piece about survival. The detractors can say what they wish, the bottom line is that this man evaded Iraqi patrols and walked across the desert into Syria with no food, little water but with the skill, courage and determination that has made the UK into a great nation.While his writing may not be the caliber of Hemmingway, Shakespeare, etc; it rings with the truth that only a memoir can have. The only book that tries to debunk it is written by an Islamic British exile who takes the word of Baathists and shepherds over decorated SAS Soldiers. Ignore the detractors, although they are few in number. Some folks can only make themselves feel big by tearing down others.I gather the majority of those writing negative reviews lack the ability to do what Chris did, let alone the equiptment! Read this book, it's an inspiration. There were many times when I was a Marine and found myself going through a rough spot and I'd draw on the knowledge that someone else had gone through what I was going through, and worse...and they made it, so could I! This book will provide that for future generations. I'd call it required reading for anyone considering a career in Spec ops!Semper Fi!

A must read book

Chris Ryan was a member of the legendary SAS Bravo Two Zero patrol that got trapped behind enemy lines during the Gulf War. This is the story of his trek back to Syria. It is an amazing first hand account of courage and endurance against extreme odds. It is also a very human story as he recounts his fears and doubts and the mental impact of being on the run for 7 days with almost no food or water. I was so engrossed by his story that I read the book straight through. I also really enjoyed the brief flashbacks to other times in his life. Perhaps the biggest shocker for me was that the whole Bravo 2 Zero compromise was really the result of poor planning at the highest levels - improper understanding of the extreme weather conditions, out dated maps, inaccurate emergency radio frequencies and no real cover at the insertion point. You also get the impression that Chris Ryan is not a big fan of Andy McNab (squad leader and author of "Bravo Two Zero"). It is what he doesn't say that is most telling. A must read book.

Evading the enemy behind enemy lines in Iraq - Incredible!

I have read two books by Andy McNabb, the patrol leader in this book, one of which, Bravo Two Zero, was about the same action. I also served 10 years in the US Army Special Forces as a communications specialist. I enjoyed both books. I saw no serious conflict of information between the two accounts what happened during this patrol. One person said Ryan was blaming everyone but himself. Baloney! He did blame himself for not tying Vince to him so he couldn't fall behind and get lost! That's just one thing that disturbed him. Secondly, how could he assume responsiblity for poor or complete lack of intelligence on the enemy, the weather and the terrain? How could he be responsible for being given the wrong radio frequencies and the wrong effective range of the emergency radios? These things are what caused the patrol to suffer such problems. Poor planning was the problem and all Ryan is guilty of is pointing it out so hopefully it won't happen to his buddies. I did not read one word against McNabb in this book. The worst Ryan said about McNabb was tht he seemed to have a problem socializing with the members of the regiment afterwards and especially with Ryan. This is an incredible story about survival and evasion behind enemy lines by three, then two, and finally just one very lonely brave soldier.