Kindle readers, check out today’s shocking autobiographical HOT NEW Release, CONTACT by AFN Clarke. A startling look at military combat from a British Paratrooper who experienced it first-hand. “Contact is the best account of military service in North Ireland during the latest eruption of terrorism.” -John McLennon
A Brief Synopsis of CONTACT:
Acclaimed best-seller from Captain Clarke British Parachute Regiment, on the blood soaked 70’s in Northern Ireland (new edition). A raw, visceral, “no-holds-barred” account of life in combat from one of the men we pay to kill. Eerily similar to Afghanistan now, soldiers live with senses on high alert waiting to be ripped apart by the accuracy of a sniper or a well-hidden bomb. Learn their thoughts and emotions, fear, courage, humor and bravado and the challenges of returning to a “normal life”.
About the Author:
AFN Clarke is the bestselling author of the nonfiction book CONTACT and of numerous fiction books. He has lived all over the world, served in the British army, had a near death experience, lost half his insides and recovered from the physical and emotional traumas of war. He’s had four daughters, has 5 grandchildren, still loves to sail, listen to opera, rock music, cook gourmet meals, drink wine, read good books, have heated discussions and travel off the beaten path. His books are rich with his own past and present experiences, giving them a greater immediacy, depth and realism even in his flights of fantasy. He loves to write humorous satire, politically charged thrillers, books about human relationships, mystery and intrigue. An optimist at heart, despite setbacks, he believes in the overwhelming power of love and of the human spirit.
What People Are Saying About CONTACT:
“…the best account we have had of what it is like to serve in Northern Ireland…” Richard West, The Times Literary Supplement
” … it is impossible to turn its pages without a profound sense of shock.” David Hewson, The Times
” …. an unashamedly personal account … a fascinating view of fighting a war from a perspective which we may very rarely experience or hear about.” Michael Keene, Irish Evening Press
Don’t forget to pick up your copy of CONTACT today.
A Chilling & True Account of Terrorism in Northern Ireland through the Eyes of a Soldier http://ow.ly/fBJmX ~CONTACT by AFN Clarke RT
CONTACT: a timeless and classic account of terrorist warfare
A few years ago I was a guest speaker at a `Peace & Reconciliation’ conference hosted by the Tim Parry Peace Centre in Warrington. Various figures from the military were there to speak about our experiences of serving in Northern Ireland at different stages of the conflict; I was there to discuss how it felt in the very end stages, when ‘The Troubles’ had all but petered out. But by far our most illuminating guest and powerful speaker was a former Parachute Regiment Captain and author, AFN Clarke – which brings me to the purpose of this review.
In 1983 Tony wrote Contact, a blisteringly honest and deeply controversial account of his two tours in NI at the very height of the troubles in the 1970s. Contact rapidly achieved cult status amongst the rank & file of the army, won critical acclaim from prestigious reviewers and at the same time drew stinging criticism from the retired Brigadiers & Colonels establishment brigade – which usually means you’re doing something right because you’ve got them rattled. As the saying goes: “You judge a man by the strength of his enemies.” Well Tony gained plenty; not least of all in the highest ranks of the MOD and politics – so much so that a smear campaign was launched against him and he was forced to defend his name with aggression and grit. The attacks only strengthened him and Contact was immediately made into an award-winning BBC film.
Tony went on to live in America where he built a new career as a Pilot, Yacht Charter Captain for hire and general all-round adventurer. If ever you have the privilege of meeting him you’ll instantly recognise the classic `rebellious officer’ streak that runs right through him and so irritated his former paymasters. But maddeningly for them he was undeniably a gifted soldier; he joined 3 Para as a Private `Tom’, made Lance Corporal within a year and was commissioned from the ranks after just two; a difficult task in today’s army but damn near impossible in the class ridden 70s – unless you were very, very good. And he was.
Contact deals with his first tour in Belfast in 1973 and his second tour in South Armagh in 1976, before culminating in his tragic and premature medical discharge from the army as a 28yr old Captain with his entire brilliant future cruelly ripped away from him. During his first tour the temporarily `friendly’ locals spiked his tea with ground glass as he drank it on hearts & minds patrols, which resulted in internal organ failure, the removal of his entire bowel region and the almost complete ruination of his health. He soldiered on for six long years passing glass shards and undergoing a dozen operations, before his body finally gave in and literally half of his belly was removed. It was only his previous dogged fitness and determination that kept him in the army and on his feet for so long. Of course, he fought back and went on to climb mountains and fly planes, but all the time since he’s carried a permanent pain and dreadful scars.
But the pride, fierce glint in the eyes and inner steel remains…
It felt a little odd at the Warrington peace talks because some anti-war types and `Troops Out’ members were there and they clearly had strong feelings about British soldiers. And there was Tony, sat there with injuries that they couldn’t imagine, this hard-as-nails former Para, and he was cool as a cucumber, effortlessly batting away their attacks with genuine warmth, humour and compassion. He’d seen more action than everyone in that room put together and paid the highest price, yet he was the calmest, most graceful and forgiving one there. It was inspiring stuff and a lesson in how to handle yourself when you’re getting it from all sides.
Tony has fully updated Contact to take in the aftermath of his own service, that of his former colleagues and his own assessment and true feelings about the peace process – something that I know he’s a great supporter of, however painful NI was and continues to be for him. I can’t recommend his book highly enough to you – truly it’s a superb, timely read – especially in light of the recent deaths in NI and roadblocks that seem to constantly block the path to peace. I think too that it’s an important and hugely relevant book in that we seem to be bogged down in an eerily similar `terrorist War’ in Afghanistan, and there are lessons and parallel conclusions to be drawn for our military involvement `out there’.
Certainly I reckon that any young Squaddie going on his first tour abroad would get a hell of a lot from this book, because for me it was an object lesson in how to treat and interact with the locals; they’re never going to be your friends and they’ll never accept your presence, but if you at least treat them with a modicum of tact, diplomacy and discretion (whenever you safely can), then a wary tolerance and fragile mutual respect can sprout. Which is a damn sight better than the alternative…
Contact is one of the best military stories that I have ever read and I recommend it to you in the highest terms; it’s a book from a past conflict that has timely and resonant lessons for a present one.
Steven McLaughlin,
Author of Squaddie: A Soldier’s Story
Mainstream Publishing