Michael Asher

Michael Asher is a British author and explorer known for his military service, desert expeditions, and writing both fiction and non-fiction works. His extensive travels through North Africa and the Middle East, particularly the Sahara Desert, have informed much of his writing. Having served in the Parachute Regiment and SAS, Asher drew from his military background to write historical works about the British Special Forces. His books include "Get Rommel" and "The Regiment: The Real Story of the SAS," which provided detailed accounts of military operations and special forces history. As an explorer, Asher completed the first recorded east-to-west crossing of the Sahara Desert on foot and camel, covering 4,500 miles with his wife Mariantonietta. This journey and other desert expeditions formed the basis of several travel books, including "In Search of the Forty Days Road" and "Sands of Death." Beyond his military and travel works, Asher has written novels set in historical and desert contexts. His fiction includes the Kydd Series and standalone works that draw heavily from his firsthand experiences in desert environments and military operations.

Readers consistently mention Asher's authentic depictions of desert environments and military operations, noting his firsthand knowledge adds credibility to both his fiction and non-fiction. What readers liked: - Deep research and accurate historical details - Clear, straightforward writing style - Personal experiences incorporated into narratives - Thorough explanations of desert survival techniques - Balanced perspective on military history What readers disliked: - Some found his pacing slow, particularly in travel narratives - Technical military details occasionally overwhelm the storytelling - Multiple readers noted repetitive descriptions in desert scenes Ratings across platforms: Goodreads: Average 4.1/5 across all works Amazon: 4.3/5 average - "Get Rommel" - 4.4/5 - "The Regiment" - 4.5/5 - "Sands of Death" - 4.0/5 One reader on Goodreads wrote: "His military background shines through in the tactical details, but never at the expense of human interest." An Amazon reviewer noted: "The desert comes alive without romanticizing its dangers."

Death or Glory: The Last Commando - A day-by-day account of Britain's Long Range Desert Group operations in North Africa during World War II.

Get Rommel: The Secret British Mission to Kill Hitler's Greatest General - Documents the 1941 British plot to assassinate Field Marshal Erwin Rommel in Libya.

Shoot to Kill: A Soldier's Journey Through Violence - Chronicles Asher's experiences in the Parachute Regiment and SAS during the 1970s.

The Regiment: The Real Story of the SAS - Details the history of Britain's Special Air Service from 1941 to the 1980s.

Thesiger: A Biography - Examines the life of explorer Wilfred Thesiger and his journeys through Arabia and Africa.

Sands of Death: An Epic Tale of Massacre and Survival in the Sahara - Investigates the 1881 Flatters Expedition disaster in the central Sahara Desert.

The Last of the Bedu - Records Asher's journey across the Sahara with Bedouin tribes documenting their vanishing way of life.

Impossible Journey - Details Asher's solo camel trek retracing the route of explorer James Bruce through Sudan and Ethiopia.

Khartoum: The Ultimate Imperial Adventure - Analyzes the 1884-85 siege of Khartoum and the death of General Gordon.

In Search of the Forty Days Road - Chronicles Asher's camel journey along an ancient trade route through Sudan's eastern desert.

Peter Fleming wrote travel literature focused on remote expeditions in Asia during the 1930s-50s. His writing style combines military precision with detailed observations of foreign cultures, similar to Asher's approach.

Wilfred Thesiger documented his journeys across the Arabian Empty Quarter and other harsh environments through first-hand accounts. He lived among indigenous peoples and recorded their traditions with the same immersive technique used by Asher.

Benedict Allen specializes in solo expedition writing about surviving in extreme environments without modern equipment. His books focus on indigenous peoples and challenging terrain, particularly in remote parts of Africa and South America.

Robin Hanbury-Tenison chronicles his experiences living with tribal peoples and leading major expeditions through rainforests and deserts. His work combines anthropological research with personal narrative in a style that mirrors Asher's methodology.

Geoffrey Moorhouse wrote about long-distance journeys across the Sahara and Indian subcontinent with historical context. He integrated local histories and cultural observations into his travel narratives while maintaining a journalist's objectivity.