First Into Action

First Into Action is a memoir by Duncan Falconer detailing his experiences in British Special Forces, specifically the Special Boat Service (SBS). The book follows his journey from early military training through selection and operations with the elite maritime special operations unit. The narrative covers Falconer's missions across multiple theaters including Northern Ireland during The Troubles and the Falklands War. Training sequences provide insight into the selection and preparation of SBS operators, while operational accounts demonstrate the unit's specialized capabilities in maritime warfare. The book offers perspective on the evolution of special operations through the 1970s and 1980s, particularly the SBS's development of counter-terrorism tactics. Falconer's firsthand accounts establish the distinct role of the SBS compared to its better-known counterpart, the SAS. Through direct, unembellished prose, First Into Action examines themes of sacrifice, duty, and the psychological impact of serving in special operations forces. The work stands as both a military memoir and a document of a pivotal period in special operations history.

Readers appreciate the detailed accounts of SBS (Special Boat Service) selection and training procedures, with many noting the book provides more operational insights than other special forces memoirs. Multiple reviews highlight Falconer's straightforward writing style and his coverage of lesser-known military operations like those in Northern Ireland. Common criticisms focus on the first third of the book covering Falconer's childhood, which some readers found unnecessary. A few reviewers questioned certain operational details, suggesting some events may be embellished. Ratings: Goodreads: 4.19/5 from 1,246 ratings Amazon UK: 4.5/5 from 897 ratings Amazon US: 4.4/5 from 312 ratings Sample reader comments: "More technical and operational than Andy McNab's books" - Amazon UK reviewer "Too much early life story before getting to the military content" - Goodreads review "Best description of SBS selection I've read" - Amazon US review

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🔰 Duncan Falconer is a pseudonym; the author's real identity remains classified due to his extensive work in counter-terrorism and special operations. 🔰 The book details operations with the Special Boat Service (SBS), which predates the more famous SAS and was formed in 1940 during WWII as the Special Boat Section. 🔰 Before joining the SBS, Falconer grew up in an orphanage and joined the Royal Marines at just 16 years old, becoming one of their youngest-ever recruits. 🔰 The SBS training described in the book includes the infamous "Resistance to Interrogation" phase, where candidates are subjected to mock captivity and questioning for 36 hours straight. 🔰 The maritime counter-terrorism tactics developed by the SBS and described in the book became the foundation for many of today's special operations units worldwide, including the U.S. Navy SEALs.