The Regiment

The Regiment chronicles the birth and evolution of Britain's Special Air Service (SAS) during World War II. Following a small group of unconventional soldiers, the book details their missions behind enemy lines in North Africa and Europe. Author Michael Asher draws on interviews, military records, and personal accounts to reconstruct key operations and the development of special forces tactics. The narrative moves between strategic overviews and ground-level experiences of individual SAS operators. The book examines both successful missions and costly failures, showing how the unit learned and adapted through trial and error. Readers witness the transformation from an experimental commando force into an elite special operations regiment that would influence military doctrine worldwide. Beyond the tactical innovations, The Regiment explores themes of institutional resistance to change, the psychology of unconventional warfare, and the tension between individual initiative and military discipline. The story reveals how wartime necessity drove innovation in military organization and strategy.

Readers describe this book as a straightforward account of the SAS that balances military history with personal stories. The 300+ reviews across platforms average 4.2/5 stars. Readers appreciated: - Clear explanation of SAS tactics and operations - Details about training and selection processes - First-hand accounts from SAS veterans - Balanced coverage of both successes and failures - The focus on soldiers' experiences over political context Common criticisms: - Too much focus on early SAS history vs modern operations - Some sections get bogged down in military jargon - Lack of maps and photos - Repetitive descriptions of training procedures Ratings: Amazon UK: 4.3/5 (187 reviews) Goodreads: 4.1/5 (142 reviews) Sample reader quote: "Asher lets the veterans tell their own stories without sensationalism. The matter-of-fact style actually makes their achievements more impressive." - Goodreads reviewer

Bravo Two Zero by Andy McNab A first-hand account of an SAS patrol behind enemy lines during the Gulf War details the same elite military unit and operational challenges featured in The Regiment.

The Operators by Michael Hastings The inside story of special forces operations in Afghanistan provides readers with insights into modern military command structures and special operations.

Task Force Black by Mark Urban Chronicles the missions of British and American special forces hunting high-value targets in Iraq, offering perspectives on SAS operations in the contemporary era.

First Into Action by Duncan Falconer A former Special Boat Service operative shares experiences from selection through operations, paralleling the training and missions described in The Regiment.

Soldier 'I' by Pete Winner A career SAS soldier's account spans multiple conflicts and operations, delivering the same combination of selection, training, and combat narratives found in The Regiment.

🎖️ The SAS (Special Air Service) was founded in 1941 by David Stirling as a desert raiding force, operating behind enemy lines in North Africa during WWII. 📚 Author Michael Asher served in the Parachute Regiment and SAS, giving him unique insider perspective for writing this comprehensive history of Britain's elite special forces unit. ⚔️ The book reveals how the SAS nearly faced dissolution after WWII, but was saved by its vital role in the Malayan Emergency (1948-1960), where they pioneered jungle warfare tactics. 🏃‍♂️ The SAS selection process, detailed in the book, has a failure rate of approximately 90%, making it one of the most demanding military training programs in the world. 🎭 The Regiment's famous motto "Who Dares Wins" was suggested by the first SAS Commanding Officer David Stirling's brother, Bill Stirling, and has become one of the most recognized military mottos worldwide.