FORGED IN FIRE takes us inside the secretive world of the Australian commandos.
Garry made a report on the radio: 'I see around 200 women and children heading north up the valley.' Less than 400 metres below us, a steady stream of women and kids were hurrying away in single file. 'Where are all the men?' I asked Garry. 'Waiting for us,' he responded, with a look of concern I had not seen on his face before. My heart skipped a beat - we were on.
From the age of 12, Scott Ryder knew he wanted to join the army, and he signed up as soon as he could. After serving as a paratrooper and in East Timor with 3 RAR, he wanted more. He trained all summer and took the gruelling selection course for the commandos, earning the prized green beret on his second attempt.
Forged in Fire takes us inside the secretive world of the commandos. Ryder shares battlefield stories from his tours to Afghanistan, where his regiment saw some of the heaviest fighting Australian forces have experienced since the Vietnam War. After being seriously injured in a shocking Black Hawk helicopter crash in Kandahar, he was the only survivor to return to active service.
Frankly written, with self-deprecating humour, FORGED IN FIRE reveals the qualities of strength and mental resilience that characterise special forces operators.
'Prepare to be riveted by this extraordinary account from one of Australia's elite warriors. His firsthand experiences vividly recounted offer an unparalleled glimpse into the courage, strategy, and sacrifice required to be the best.' - Daniel Keighran VC
'A visceral and all too vivid account of war's chaos and destruction. You will never want to be in the fire that has so painfully forged Scott Ryder.' - Jack Thompson AM
'Scott is not famous; his chest is not bedecked with the grandest tin and ribbon. His voice is from among us rather than up on high. And his account of the DNA of the commando, the lesser sung super-soldier, is all the better for it.' - from the foreword by Chris Masters, author of Flawed Hero
By:
Scott Ryder
Imprint: Allen & Unwin
Country of Publication: Australia
Dimensions:
Height: 234mm,
Width: 153mm,
Weight: 497g
ISBN: 9781761471414
ISBN 10: 1761471414
Pages: 432
Publication Date: 30 July 2024
Audience:
General/trade
,
ELT Advanced
Format: Paperback
Publisher's Status: Active
Abbreviations Foreword from Chris Masters Prologue 1 Boy Soldier 2 Sign Here 3 Old Faithful 4 World War Timor 5 A Pack of Bastards 6 Jamie and Jake 7 The Eyes and Ears 8 Operation Astute 9 The Bodyguards 10 Candidate 19 11 The Reo 12 The Vikings 13 Operation McDougall 14 Helmand 15 Mirabad Valley 16 Tethered Goats 17 DA Days 18 Ten Shots, One Kill 19 Sierra One-Five 20 To Kill or Not to Kill 21 The Back Deck 22 Battle of Shah Wali Kot 23 Lone Ranger 24 Fallen Angel 25 Germany 26 Paying the Piper 27 The Long Road Back 28 SLOTH Life 29 The Return 30 Retrograde 31 When the War Is Over 32 Fatherhood 33 The Lions of Mesopotamia 34 Foras Admonitio 35 The Winds of Change 36 Zero Regrets Commando Roll of Honour (2007-2003) Endnotes References Acknowledgements The Zero79 Foundation
Scott Ryder served for 22 years with the Australian Army, including 16 years as an operator with the 2nd Commando Regiment. He served in East Timor and multiple tours of Afghanistan and Iraq. He holds numerous commendations and a Masters of Business, and he works in veteran charities to improve the life of veterans and their families.
Reviews for Forged in Fire: An Australian Commando's Story of Life and Death on the Frontline
'His professionalism, enthusiasm and devotion to his career certainly shine through in this lively, forthright and engaging account of 21st century army life...[A] fascinating and often moving depiction of the SF at work...' - Sabretache 'A no-ego, honest look into the secret world of special forces soldiers...taking readers to the centre of some of the fiercest battles Australia has experienced' - Navy News
