**'Captivating, a John le Carre-esque yarn' Telegraph'A thoroughly good read' Michael Portillo, author of Portillo's Hidden History of Britain and presenter of Great British Railway Journeys'A compelling story of courage, determination and skill' Terry Waite CBE, author of Taken on Trust**The true story of a retired British army officer's private Somali-hostage rescue missionDuring the peak of the Somali ...

A Telegraph Best Book 2025'Elegant and terrifying, the story of those who gave up life in the West for Ukraine's frontlines – some to save democracy, some to save themselves. A modern-day Homage to Catalonia – and Fight Club on steroids.' – Oliver Poole, London Standard‘A great read’ – Mark Galeotti'Brilliant' – The Daily ExpressW...

The true story of a retired British army officer’s private Somali-hostage rescue mission.During the peak of the Somali piracy crisis, three ships – from Malaysia, Thailand and Taiwan – were hijacked and then abandoned to their fate by their employers, who lacked the money to pay ransoms.All would still be there, were it not for Colonel John Steed, a retired British military attaché, who launched his own private mission to free them.At 65, Colonel Steed was hardly an ...

A Telegraph Best Book 2025'Elegant and terrifying, the story of those who gave up life in the West for Ukraine's frontlines – some to save democracy, some to save themselves. A modern-day Homage to Catalonia – and Fight Club on steroids.' – Oliver Poole, London Standard‘A great read’ – Mark Galeotti'Brilliant' – The Daily ExpressW...