Sample from Spy Fiction

From Andy McNab
Remote Control

Andy McNab (c1960 - ) is a pseudonym.  The writer uses it for security reasons, because his previous experience is as an under-cover SAS soldier.  While there is some information available about him, pictures of him and details about where he lives are not made public.McNab was born in London, and left, he says, in a carrier bag on the steps of Guy’s hospital.  He was fostered out, then adopted by a kind, but poor family, and lived in various council estates in East London.  In his teenage years, he says he was a ‘complete shit’, avoiding school (leaving with a reading age of 11) and getting involved in vandalism and petty crime.  After a brush with the police and a period in juvenile detention, he decided to join the army, and entered the Royal Green Jackets, an infantry battalion, in 1976.  He served in Northern Ireland, then in 1984 he became a member of 22 SAS Regiment.

He was trained as a specialist in counter terrorism, prime target elimination, demolitions, weapons and tactics, covert surveillance, information gathering in hostile environments and VIP protection.  He served in B Squadron 22 SAS for nine years and worked on both covert and overt special operations worldwide including anti-terrorist and anti-drug operations in the Middle and Far East, South and Central America and North Ireland.  He also worked on co-operative operations with police forces, prison services, anti-drug forces and western backed guerrilla movements as well as on conventional special operations. In Northern Ireland he spent two years working as an undercover operator with 14th Intelligence Group, going on to become an instructor.  He also worked as an instructor on the SAS selection and training team and instructed foreign special forces in counter terrorism, hostage rescue and survival training.