Book description
Chris Terrill is a man in search of his limit. He's 55 years old. He
is not a soldier. He is being trained by the Royal Marines and he is
going to Afghanistan. The only difference is that instead of a gun,
Chris will be holding a camera and filming the whole ordeal for a
major TV series.
The Royal Marines Commando training base in Lympstone Devon, has a
famous motto: '99. 9% need not apply'. Of those who start training,
after a very tough selection process, nearly 50% fail to make it
through the most gruelling physical tests of any armed forces in the
world in an eight month training regime. The elite who do eventually
pass out are generally eighteen years old and at the peak of physical
condition. But Chris Terrill is the exception: this book will tell of
his heroic struggle to become the oldest man to win the coveted Royal
Marines Commando Green Beret and enter the record books.
And after six months of hell, what next? Chris will follow the raw
recruits on a tour to Southern Afghanistan. He will tell the story in
book and film of the fears and hopes of the youngsters as they are
plunged into one of the planet's most dangerous wars in the outlaw
mountain terrain of Helmand Province. He will tell of ferocious
battles against the Taliban, of firefights, of jaw-dropping heroism,
British sang froid and humour and tragedy as causalities are suffered
-- all from the unique perspective of a civilian who has achieved the
ultimate accolade: to be accepted as an honorary Royal Marines
Commando. Commando is a brilliant account of modern war on
the front line.
Chris Terrill is a documentary maker and writer, as well as a
photographer. He lives in London.
