Marine "A" by

Sgt Alexander Blackman

Having followed this case from day one as a second year law student, I was captivated by Marine A's actual account of what had happened. I had only recently left the military myself and I bought this book with great interest to hear Marine "A"s perspective.

It is interesting to read about some of the legalities briefly mentioned in this book, but I was surpirsed to not see more about the actual trial itself and the matters discussed - obvioulsy within reason as I appreciate parts will have to be redacted or non-disclosable, due to the Secrets Act. 

I have over time, discussed this case with many people, espcially as at one time it was the height of conversation due to the media coverage this case attracted, along with great controversy. I was amazed though on how the juduicial system during his initial trial had acted - such as vital reports not being disclosed Afterall, in the interests of justice, everyone is entitled to a fair trial meaning that all evidence must be disclosed. It seems that Marine A had initially fallen victim to an already overstrained and under resourced criminal justice system. Thankfully, due to his wife fiercely protecting his interests at all times, Marine A managed to finally have a fair re-trial. I doubt that without his wife and such an effective counsel, he would be where he is today.

Double Crossed by

Brian Wood

For those interested in reading about IHAT (which has since been closed down), this is a good insight into the exploitation and hounding of British Soldiers returning from Iraq.

Again, another controversal book as many people have very strong opinions on what may or may not have happened out in conflict (despite not having been out there at the time) and how these soldiers returning home should or should not be treated according to the law.

A common theme throughout military memoirs is that the men on the ground in theatre / out on operations are more often than not working in heat 50 degrees heat, eaten minimal food, have been awake over 24 hrs, or in many cases days at a time and are just completely and physically drained of all resources and are running on empty.

Brian takes us into this world, explaining about being under direct and constant fire, having to make snap decisions on an already tired and fatigued mind. He shares with us, the reader, the situations he was placed in and how he dealt with them as best he could. But like many men returning from war, he'd return home a changed man.

Man Down by

Mark Ormrod

This is a powerful and very moving book. Mark was out on his first operational deployment as a Royal Marine in Afghanistan, 2007 when he stepped on an Improvised Explosive Device on Christmas Eve, losing both his legs and an arm. He was the UK's first triple amputee of the Afghan conflict.

The way how the book is written it feels as if you are literally stood next to Mark as he describes everything going on around him. You can hear his voice coming off the page, as if he is talking directly to you, which makes you more engaged with the book.

I personally know Mark and he has gone on to be such an inspiring role model to many people around the world, especially as he is also a motivational speaker. He has completely transformed his life showing the world that anything can be achieved, including winning a medal at the Olympics; all you have to do is simply put your mind to it and believe in yourself.

Mark also shares his life with us via his podcasts and YouTube channel. If you're ever having a bad day, read or listen to any of Mark's work and you'll instantly be uplifted with the strength he shares with others.

Mark has not let anything stand in his way since he sustained life changing injuries and his determination to achieve anything resonates with us all.

If you would like to know more about Mark and his courageous efforts in what he has achieved since leaving the Royal Marines, please look on my 'Links tab' for Mark's webpage.

Battle Scars by

Jason Fox

I really liked this book as it portrays PTSD as it really is, not the usual cliches of 'hears a loud bang and then throws oneself on the ground'. I found this a nice easy read that kept me interested throughout the book.

It also describes how military personnel are terrified to seek help for mental health issues due to fear of being discharged from the Services. I couldn't help but feel like I wanted to jump into the book and give Jason Fox a big hug for the psychological warfare he was going through at the time, before seeking help.

For anyone interested in an acurate portrayl of PTSD and how it affects someone, then this is the book to read. He gives the reader inspiration in that things can get better and you don't have to suffer in silence.

First Man In by

Ant Middleton

After I read this book, I couldn't help but feel as if Ant Middleton is a machine than a human. What he has gone on to achieve is absolutely incredible. His level of fitness that he talks about is one I would say of athletic standard. Half way through telling us his story, he describes the moment he was arrested and sent to prison. Ant takes us on his journey of learning to change oneself for the better, no matter how tough or challenging it is. I expect in his vocabularly somewhere he says "there's no such thing as 'no', or 'impossible'". I am full of awe for him in the things he has gone on to achieve, especially from the childhood he had. He sets himself a goal and achieves it every single time. Nothing stands in the way of this man, he is ready to take on the world. I have every respect for him as he has been to hell and back to achieve the things he has today.

The Fear Bubble by

Ant Middleton

I really enjoyed this book. Initially I thought this would either be a book written for the sake of it, due to the huge success of his first book, or one of those 'self-help' books that is neither here nor there. But it is actually a very good read. At times I even struggled to put this down as you really want to know what happens next. 

Ant shares with us his expedition he went on up Mount Everest. This account was also filmed by Channel 4 and aired on TV a while back which I had also watched. He makes reference to the programme throughout his book as his cameraman filming was with him at all times until they were suddenly hit by a snow storm directly on top of Mount Everest and got seperated. The books account is just as dramatic as the programmes.

The purpose of this book though is to teach the reader that they are capable of anything and if Ant can climb Mount Everest without being a professional mountain climber, then we too can achieve our own ambitions in life.

The Hard Way by

Mark 'Billy' Billingham

I've always had a soft spot for Billy from having watched him on SAS Who Dares Wins. He is a true shining example of a good and effective military instructor or DS.

His story though lets us into his life, showing us how he became the person he is today. 

He had a tough life growing up in the Black Country and after being caught stealing, was introduced to boxing. From there he learnt that he wanted to do something with his life and therefore joined HM Armed Forces.

Billy shows us that we can choose what path to take in life, but if its initially the wrong one, you do have one chance to change it all and get your life back on track. And impressively, he has since gone on to be awarded an MBE

Break Point by

Ollie Ollerton

The book begins with an ordeal that Ollie went through as a very young child and the book takes you through his life and how this moment kept coming back to haunt him, especially during difficult and troubling times. He goes on to talk about how he overcame this fear and achieved a very prosperous career in serving in the military and the SBS.

Ollie also tells us about life after leaving the Special Forces and his work with numerous charities, including the setting up and orchestrating of his own company - Battle Ready 360, which he runs in collaboration with Jason Fox.

He always has something postiive to give in any situation and makes you believe that you too can contribute something positive to any environment you're in.

Battle Ready by

Ollie Ollerton

The opening chapters are pretty much those of his first book "Break Point", to remind us of the horriffic incident Ollie endured as a child.

This introduction is needed in case you haven't read his first book, as Ollie takes us through the strategies he has learnt and created, in order for him to have had a successful military career and become a TV star and best selling author.

Battle Ready is a good book to help those who need to find a way of focusing on their life, or a certain area and working out what it is they actually want. It is written especially for those who may have an extremely busy and chaotic life, are good procrastinators, cannot focus on things and become easily distracted - therefore, this book gets the bull by the horns and helps you to address your weaknesses, achieve your goals and  fulfill those ambitions. 

It is similar to Ant Middleton's "Fear Bubble", except both of these books have a different place on the shelf and are each a great self-help book. They both guide you through learnt strategies to help achieve your desired outcome, but in different ways and from different perspectives. Fundamentally, they show that it is possible to teach yourself to adapt to any situation and overcome any obstacle thrown into your path.

My opinion, buy both Ant's and Ollie's self-help books because I think they do each other a lot of justice and bounce off each other really well.

One Up

A Woman In Action With The SAS by

Sarah Ford

This was my first adult book that I read after I had moved on from children's books. My mother gave me her copy of "One Up" after she had read it - in 1998, just before I joined the military.

I found it really good to read about the military life from a female perspective. I have always been keen on military memoirs, but there doesn't seem to be many written by women. After I read "One Up", it helped to preapre me both mentally and physically by giving me the mind set that if she can go through what she did, working alongside the SAS, then I can get through basic training!

May I point out here the date again....1998 and that this is a woman working with the SAS! This book proves that women have been on the front line for many years......!

Sarah shares with us her time in Northern Ireland and also the phenomenal training required to work with the SAS.

She really has a way of building up the suspense, especially when describing her time walking around Belfast. Will she get attacked? Will she be okay?

For any woman who needs an uplifting and inspiring story, then this is your book.

This book helped push me during my basic training because when I was struggling with my fitness, I thought back to what she had to endure for her required fitness standard, which was was ten times harder than mine, so I dug deep, cracked on, put my head down and got on with it. I passed my basic training in December 1998. Sarah bore a huge significance upon my military career, always giving me the positive mind frame to go on and achieve what I wanted.

Sniper One by

Sgt Dan Mills

I discovered this book in the centre spread of one of the main Sunday newspapers back in 2008. There was an excerpt of several pages taken from "Sniper One" and I was hooked straight away.

This was my first ever encounter of being told what the conditions were like 'outside the wire' in Iraq. It was scary, very scary. I'd had similar experiences during my military career, but nothing to this severity.

You feel as if you are there stood next to him, feeling the blazing hot sun beating down on you, exhausted, tired, fatigued and just wanting to so desperately go home. This was meant to have been a peace keeping mission, except that was never the case, being under constant fire during the entirety of their operational tour.

And as we know all know, these conditions never improved throughout either the Iraq or Afghanistan war.

If someone is thinking of joining the armed forces, these three books, "One Up", "Sniper One" and "Barefoot Soldier" will open your eyes into what life is like in the military and in the centre of conflict. These aren't television reality shows, these books are the real deal and tell you everything, no holds barred of what life really is like wearing that camouflage uniform!

Barefoot Soldier by

Johnson Beharry VC

I eagerly bought this book in 2008 and read it cover to cover. What inspired me to read this book, seeing that it's just another account of someone's experience out on the ground, in the middle of an operational tour, is that "Barefoot Soldier" takes us on Johnson Beharry's journey when he had been shot in the head and aeromeded back to the UK via the Royal Air Force's Critical Care Air Support Team (CCAST for short).

It is absolutely incredible to see the damage that had been caused to his Kevlar helmet and just how much benefit wearing proper head protection can do.

This book is more of an autobiography as it takes us through Johnson's life, right through to being injured on the battlefield. It also includes Johnson meeting Her Majesty The Queen to be awarded the Victoria Cross. He shares with us what happened out in combat and what he did to receive the VC. He is a true hero and one who demonstrates courage over fear. Yet another inspirational story of survival.

Orphan of Islam by

Alexander Khan

Wow! What an incredible book. This is a memoir of a baby boy who was snatched from his mother and then told when he grew up that she had died when he was a baby. Undeterred, he never truly believed this and persisted his whole life in trying to find her, never once giving up hope.

There's only ever been two books I have cried at the end and this is one of them.

This is a definite read. I flew through this book and is one of the few I have read in only a matter of days.

Ugly by

Constance Briscoe

Having read many memoirs on child abuse over the decades, I started giving them a wide birth. I struggled to comprehend that another human being could do such grotesque things to a poor, innocent and vulnerable baby/child. But Ugly was a book that had come highly recommended from someone at work - and I was just about to start law school. "Why" I can hear you ask, has starting law school got to do with reading a book on child abuse - other than the obvious fact of it being a criminal offence? 

It's because the writer of this book came from absolutely nothing, had been so emotionally and physically scarred from an abusive childhood full of evil, but managed to go on to be called to the bar and become a practicing barrister.

When people talk about inspirational stories, this is by far one that always springs to mind. Constance did not let anything get in her way of achieving her dreams.

Beyond Ugly by

Constance Briscoe

This is the follow up book to Ugly.

Constance's mother decided to sue her for libel from what was written in the first book.

Beyond Ugly takes you through Constance's journey and litigation process.

If it wasnt bad enough growing up with the abuse, Constance was made to re-live it all over again in court.

Memoirs of a Radical Lawyer by

Michael Mansfield

I read this as a first year law student and found it most engaging indeed.

After I read this and no sooner had I put it down, still thinking about the stories told, Michael Mansfield Q.C was invited to come to our university one evening for a meet the author event and talk. I went along and found the talk facinating to listen to, especially as he was elaborating on some of the stories told in his book.

For anyone thinking of a career in law, this is a must read - Michael Mansfield Q.C. has represented clients to do with the Hillsborough Disaster, through to Stephen Lawrence, Princess Diana, Jill Dando and Jean Charles de Menezes, to name a few. His drive and determination to stamp out corruption and injustice has gained him a world renowned reputation for fiercely promoting justice and fairness.

Whistle in the Wind by

Peter Duffy

This is a memoir about whistleblowing in the NHS and the consequences of doing so, despite there being laws in place to protect the whistleblower. 

This book needs to be far more widely publicised and sitting on the shelves of every bookstore up and down the country. 

Peter Duffy is an NHS surgeon with many prestigious years worth of experience. However, this experience was constantly questioned and undermined, despite having a completely untarnished career. He was then used as a scape goat for mistakes made by other people and framed for their incompetencies. 

The amount of strength and courage he must have had to get him through this time is unfathomable.

How ironic that such a thing exists - whistleblowing - to protect patients and safety, but the stark reality is those who whistleblow when safety has been compromised are made to feel like criminals and are punished for doing so. This book highlights the fact that more protection is needed in employment law for those who whistleblow.

Mayhem by

Sigrid Rausing

This book came highly recommended during a workshop I did last year at the Stratford upon Avon Literary Festival. 

It is a memoir about the impact of addiction and how it destroys families, usually resulting in fatal consequences.

The book is written with so much care, each word carefully chosen. It explores Eva's death and the moment her dead body was found. Sigrid then shares with us what life was like after Eva died, letting us into that world of emotion and turmoil.

This is an extremely powerful and moving memoir.

Everybody should read this book at some stage during their life, to understand the ways in which addiction takes hold and completely destroys families.

Survivor by

Sam Pivnik

Out of all the books I have read so far about the Holocaust, I have to say this is the most powerful and emotive yet.

Throughout the book I felt as if I was literally walking alongside Sam Pivnik and seeing, hearing and smelling the things he was describing. The things he talks about in his memoir haunted me for a long time afterwards as I felt as if in some way, I too had also experienced or witnessed the events he shares with us.

For a no holds barred account of the Holocaust, then this is the book to read. I found this a real page turner wanting to know more each time I got to the bottom of the page.

This is another book that needs to be far more widely publicised as I only happened to stumble upon this book by accident, of which I am so glad I did.

The Boy Who Followed His Father into Auschwitz by

Jeremy Dronfield

Whilst this book may not technically be deemed as a memoir, I thought it was very fitting to place it here, in amongst my Holocaust books.

This is another book that is so articulately written and pulls you straight into the world of horror, tragedy and death.

Parts of this book have never left me since reading it.

The harrowing account of families torn apart  and nothing they can do can prevent the turmoil about to unfold.

There are no words that can ever adequately describe what these people went through. The heartache of having your child torn out of your arms, being marched into gas chambers with your children on each arm thinking you are going for a shower......never to return again.....

The Choice by

Edith Eger

As I was watching the rememberance service live on television on 27th January 2020, I didn't realise that one of the people talking and telling us her account was Edith Eger and that her book lay next to my bed, as I was due to start it that evening.

This is her account of what happened during the Holocaust and how she managed to survive and live a new life in the USA. She also tells us about her current life and the work she went into and why.

It is completely unimanginable what Edith describes in her book, especially trying to comprehend how another human being can be so evil, espeically to innocent children.

This is a truly inspirational story of how she lived through this gut wrenching time and went on to have a life, never forgetting those she left behind, or perished.

Screwed by

Ronnie Thompson

This is quite an old(ish) book, which I read ten years ago. It is a brilliant insight into life in prison from the eyes of a prison officer. It also matches a lot of the things that are discussed in "A Bit of a Stretch" by Chris Atkins (listed on my "Books of the Month" page).

If you don't like bad language, violence, or aggression then this book isn't for you. Ronnie Thompson does not hold back at all in telling us what life inside prison is really like. He tells us about the corruption amongst the prison guards, trafficking in drugs into prison and turning a blind eye to things that should not be taking place.

I personally really enjoyed reading this book as there wasn't any waffling, or padding out. It's written succinctly and to the point, making you hungry in wanting to know more about the life of a prison officer. 

Orange is the new Black by

Piper Kerman

Initially I watched the Netflix series before even being aware such a memoir existed. 

*Spolier alert* dont read on if you haven't watched the Netflix series.

Having read Piper's book, I can now see that Season 1 (out of 7 seasons), is the only one based upon this memoir.

"Out of Orange" by Cleary Walters (listed on my "Books of the Month" page), focus's on life before prison, working as a drug mule with Piper and the lifestyle they had before being sentenced.

Piper's memoir focus's on that of life inside prison, including the friendships and relationships amongst the women.

I personally found the Netflix series quite far fetched after Season 2, but I persisted and watched them all to see if anymore of Piper's memoir appeared, which it briefly did, creating a scene no longer than a couple of minutes in duration.

The book is a far more compacted version of the TV series, but interestingly, if you have only watched OITNB, I suggest you also read the book as this has a completely different ending to that of the TV version.

Inside Vogue by

Alexandra Shulman

Keeping in with my theme of 'inside' I read this book with great interest as I watched a TV documentary several years ago, following Alexandra Shulman around for an entire year. I was facinated about the fast tempo of work and the pressures associated with being an editor of such a superior magazine.

I couldn't help but think how true to life the film "The Devil Wears Prada" is. Everyone hungry for a piece of the fashion world, except this is the real life version and not a film.

This book covers a 12 month period of the perparation of and execution of the events and celebrations surrounding Vogues 100th birthday, including the suprise front cover reveal of a very famous royal.

Alexandra's job is one of the most highly sought after jobs, for one of the biggest magazines in the world. Every woman at least once in their life imagines what life would be like working in fashion and this is a brilliant insight into just that.

All That Remains by

Sue Black

Sue Black is a Professor in Anatomy and Forensic Anthropology and shares with us the life of a pathologist.

I found All That Remains facinating to read as she teaches us about the human body, decompostion, suicide, archeaology and burried bodies..... everything and anything to do with a death of a person and establishing whether it was foul play or not.

I always find anything forensic based extremely interesting because its having this ability to be able to piece together a jigsaw puzzle, including filling in the missing parts, to tell us the full story and Sue explains to us how this is achieved.

To be able to write about death in such a dignified and respectful way, choosing each word so carefully and with precision, is an artform just in itself.

This book is beautifully written with the deceased always being at the forefront of Sue's mind. Her mannerisms towards the bodies she works on and demonstrating this respect to her pupils really does shine through.

Chernobyl by

Serhii Plokhy

Last year everyone was raving about HBO's latest box set called "Chernobyl".

Having grown up remembering this catastrophe happening, I was intrigued with both reading the book which HBO's series was based upon, as well as watching the box set itself.

This book is factual based and quite heavy going at times. There are lots of long names to contend with, trying to pronounce them in your head at the same speed of reading, which can make the story fragmented at times and difficult to follow, espeically as there are many people who are discussed. However, I found this book helped answer questions that lay unanswered with the TV series.

There is a lot of nuclear science in this book which I found really interesting to read about, but as my background is not that of a scientist, I did struggle at times to get through certain parts.

I have to say though, that both this book and the TV series are not only extremely thought provoking, but also take you straight back to that to that devestating night back in April 1986.

I have always had a facination with the Chernobyl disaster as a handful of children  from Pripyat came over to the UK for several weeks and attended my middle school (early 1990's), staying with children at our school. I rememeber seeing the terror and fright in their eyes, many having lost parents in this tragedy.

I think this book should be on the school curriculum as it teaches so much about life including politics, science, sociology, human behaviour..... so much can be learnt from reading this story.

Last Man Down by

Richard Picciotto

I think we all know exactly what we were doing on the day 9/11 happened. Being transported straight back to where we were, remembering who we were with, even what the weather was like that day, forever etched in our memories.

Richard Picciotto was a fireman on duty that day, who attended the terrorist attack on the World Trade Centres.

There are not many books I have read, where I am permanently covered in goose pimples, my heart racing, I need to turn that page despite knowing the ending......

If anyone wants a true inside account of what happened once inside the crumbling Towers after they had both been struck, then this book is a must. It is highly emotive and extremely powerful, making you think of all those families and people who were affected, even to this day. 

This fireman sure had one hell of a determination to save as many people as he could that day and boy did he do just that! This is an amazing story of courage, faith and persistance and is an example of what a real hero looks like.

Watching the English by

Kate Fox

I originally read Kate Fox's first edition of this book in 2004 - this version is a revised and updated one.

"Watching the English" is an absolute MUST if you want to know and learn the unwritten rules and culture of being English (she explains why she only concentrates on 'English', than 'British').

It tells you all about social class, etiquette, rules on behaviour and how to act in particular situations such as at a formal meal, or work party; even how to dress and style your hair!

I really enjoyed reading this as I have always had an interest in anthropology and sociology. Kate also quahses the misconception and belief that driving a Mercedes is actually a display of higher social class, when actually it's quite the opposite. She describes how driving a particular vehicle can associate you with a certain social class, regardless of how expensive, or cheap your vehicle is/was.

If you want to know how to act English, including how to drink a cup of tea and what words to use, then I can strongly recommend this book. It will have you laughing out loud.

Debrett's Handbook

This book should sit on the shelf of every house up and down the country. 

A situation arose when I needed the answer to a specific question and this book could answer it perfectly. I have read it from cover to cover and been facinated by what it covers.

Debrett's teaches us everyday important things such as how to dress for a formal meal, what to wear for an interview, how to greet guests at dinners, how to write official correspondance.... the list is endless.

Kate Fox in "Watching the English" refers to this book all throughout hers, as this is one of the sources she used to obtain information in order to her own book.

Reading these books is sure to avoid any faux pas.

Debrett's

A - Z of Modern Manners

This is another book that every home should have so that manners aren't completely eroded from British society.

It teaches us everything from wearing beards, Christenings, discussing weight, through to being a vegetarian and how to correctly write a letter. 

It is easy to read and nicely put across.

"A-Z of Modern Manners" is a compacted version of the "Debrett's Handbook". I feel it is vital that at least one book on etiquette is owned by everyone, or at the very least, has been read during each person's lifetime. This can then prevent any embarrassment in a stressful or unfamiliar situation.

3. Real Life Accounts

Hotel Babylon by

Imogen Edwards-Jones (2004)

It is a very strange story of how I was introduced to the Babylon Series.

Over 15 years ago, the buffet cart manager on a Virgin train I was travelling on could see I had a brand new suitcase with me. We got talking about how I had bought it for my recent trip to NYC at Christmas. He said that he used to work as an Air Steward for a major airline and advised me to buy "Air Babylon". He explained that the book tells true stories about what really happens in the airport and the goings on at 32,000ft. He said the "Babylon" books describe in detail how to go about 'blagging' or 'acquiring' an upgrade for free. He also very kindly gave me little snippets of wisdom, giving me handy tips and tricks of the trade that would make my life more luxurious, but at no extra added cost. So I went and bought "Hotel Babylon" and "Air Babylon". 

"Hotel Babylon" is the first book in the series and also had it's own show, which ran on the BBC for four seasons, over ten years ago. Imogen Edwards-Jones has managed to cleverly accumulate lots of true stories of things that have happened or commonly occur within the hotel industury. This book has managed to compact over ten years worth of anonymous disclosures into 352 pages. It is a real eye opener into what goes on behind those closed doors.

Air Babylon by

Imogen Edwards-Jones (2005)

This is the second book in the Babylon Series.

I can actually vouch for some of the stories mentioned and that they do work. My kind buffet cart friend (mentioned above), had told me some of the tricks of the trade - these same tips are also suggested in this book. For example, asking for a free upgrade (but knowing that you need to be wearing the right type of clothes  and dressed in a specific way and most importantly, to ask politely), as flattery can get you a long way! I decided to try this out for myself on my long-haul flight to NYC - afterall I do tend to deem myself a bit of a savvy shopper - why pay more if you can get it for less, or even better, for free? And it worked!

If you really want to know how people behave at 32,000ft, or wondering if the 'mile high club' really does exist, then this is the book for you. If you dress well, compliment the staff and be nice and politeful, this book proves that this kind of behaviour does actually go a long way.

Out of all the Babylon Series, I rate this book as my most favourite.

Restaurant Babylon by

Imogen Edwards-Jones (2013)

There are 8 books in the Babylon Series and "Restaurant Babylon" is the last book.

Here, we are let into the world of what goes on in the restaurant industury and why things are performed the way they are, why things look the way they do and ways in how they, the restaurants, make you part with your money.

There's a television programme on Channel 4 called "Tricks of the Restaurant Trade" and this pretty much echoes what is written in this book.

This book equips you with the knowledge and tools to recognise the tactics restaurants use to make customers part with their money - therefore, knowing this key information, will help prevent you from spending more unnecessarily.

Another book for the savvy shopper!