Chris Ryan vs Andy Mcnab

Andr3w · 31 Oct 2010 at 17:59

I've been thinking about getting Bravo Two Zero to read as I haven't read it yet - however I was wondering who out of the two people mentioned base their books on more 'fact'?

I know they write about missions they were on etc but I remember somebody telling me that one of them kept it as close to the real thing as they could, while the other just massively exaggerated it!

Any ideas?

Speed · 31 Oct 2010 at 18:07

I think there was a documentry on Bravo Two Zero, called something like The Real Bravo Two Zero, which seemed to prove that most of the book is highly exaggerated. Channel 4 maybe? Got a feeling it was done by ex-SAS and explorer Michael Asher.

Andr3w · 31 Oct 2010 at 18:17

There was a BBC film done in 99 I think it was, staring sean bean.

Repta · 31 Oct 2010 at 18:55

Both have parts with are disputed in it. I think its safe to say that some of it is made up. I would fully believe Michael Ashers book either, after all Saddam kept him on quite a short leash on what he could investigate so the information he got isn't going to be 100% correct either.

Having red them both, i think the have a equal amount of BS in them. Doesnt stop them from being good books though

tom91x91 · 31 Oct 2010 at 18:57

chris ryans the one that got away (i think is his version of it), was a fantastic read and much better than mcnabs imo.

ElvisFan · 31 Oct 2010 at 19:33

But McNab is the better novel writer though.

Nursie · 31 Oct 2010 at 22:24

I would say that Bravo two zero is a far better read than The one that got away.

There is also a book by the kiwi on the mission, who also ended up captured with mcnab called Soldier Five

Zip · 1 Nov 2010 at 08:54

Or you could go with the Australian SASR route and get these

Warrior Training
Warrior Brothers

Both by Keith Fennel

hyperzed · 1 Nov 2010 at 09:09

I have read and enjoyed them both, but I think Mcnab is a better writer. His novels are certainly far better than Ryan's.

Would also recommend Soldier Five as mentioned above.

Hank_Marvin · 1 Nov 2010 at 10:45

Im in the Ryan camp but I like em both really, both do great books, and both have some great TV out.

jakeke · 1 Nov 2010 at 13:06

They're both balls, I read one by Mike Coburn (Soldier 5) which was supposedly much more credible. I enjoyed it a lot. If you want even a remotely realistic account on what happened as opposed to some made up fairy tale, do not get Ryan or McNab's

Also, A Quiet Soldier by Adam Ballinger is an excellent book.

Vonhelmet · 1 Nov 2010 at 13:10

Bravo Two Zero by Andy McNab actually improves with every read.

jamesblade · 1 Nov 2010 at 13:14

Read both books by both guys McNab and Ryan and see what you think, they are both a different type of read but based largely on the same events.

If you want a realy good fact based war read then try "Sniper one" by Sgt Dan Mills, it's a brilliant book..

RedDanDoc · 1 Nov 2010 at 17:09

Speed said:
I think there was a documentry on Bravo Two Zero, called something like The Real Bravo Two Zero, which seemed to prove that most of the book is highly exaggerated. Channel 4 maybe? Got a feeling it was done by ex-SAS and explorer Michael Asher.

I saw this it was very good.

Didnt it turn out that Andy Mcnab and Chris Ryan lied blaming the failure of the mission on the soldier called Vince Consiglio (spelling ?) who died during the mission ?

They should be stripped of their pensions, you cant get lower than this in my opinion ! Dishonoring a dead Comrade.

Von Smallhausen · 1 Nov 2010 at 18:12

Reminds me of a letter in Viz Letterbocks some years back.

With reference to that series "Manhunt" where ex-Special Forces soldiers try to hunt down Andy McNab. Why don't the producers include a couple of Iraqis in the hunting team? They found the **** quickly enough the last time he played hide and seek with them.

Von Smallhausen · 1 Nov 2010 at 18:16

RedDanDoc said:
I saw this it was very good.

Didnt it turn out that Andy Mcnab and Chris Ryan lied blaming the failure of the mission on the soldier called Vince Consiglio (spelling ?) who died during the mission ?

They should be stripped of their pensions, you cant get lower than this in my opinion ! Dishonoring a dead Comrade.

Do you mean Bob Consiglio ?

Vince Phillips was another member of Bravo Two Zero who was killed in Iraq and the publication The Real Bravo Two Zero came about as the author disputed McNab's suggestion that Phillips was a weak link in the mission.

RedDanDoc · 1 Nov 2010 at 18:32

Von Smallhausen said:
Do you mean Bob Consiglio ?

Vince Phillips was another member of Bravo Two Zero who was killed in Iraq and the publication The Real Bravo Two Zero came about as the author disputed McNab's suggestion that Phillips was a weak link in the mission.

Yes thats right I got the names mixed up.

Andy Mcnab never came back to refute that accusation did he.

Von Smallhausen · 1 Nov 2010 at 20:27

I don't know mate tbh.

I haven't heard or read anything to say he has.

Civhb · 1 Nov 2010 at 21:14

jamesblade said:
try "Sniper one" by Sgt Dan Mills, it's a brilliant book..

Earth[Tera].bin · 1 Nov 2010 at 21:30

Well I know someone who is employed by the MOD as an electrical engineer down at Hereford, does a lot of tech work for the UKSF. On a night out we got talking about the pair of them and apparently McNab is not exactly welcome down that neck of the woods, some dodgy artistic license in his books. Ryan on the other hand visits quite regularly.

Then again I enjoyed a lot of Ranulph Fiennes books but apparently a lot of the events depicted are ******** too.So I would say approach them all with a bit of salt.