Close Quarter Battle: The Explosive True Story of 15 Years Under Fire

Having read Andy Mcnab and Chris Ryan.I settled down to read Mikes book (I was in A company 2 Para around the same time as Mike).The book is very well written and Mike has the knack of writing as if he was writing to you alone.The characters mentioned came back to me and I found myself write in the middle of them again, I laughed out loud 6 times and I cried 4.This is a book that you cannot put down (in both senses).Spike Greenwell

After having read the Andy McNab books, I can say that these are far better as they have a more mature writing style while still making the reader feel like they are being spoken to personally. It gives a good insight into the many theatres of operations that Curtis has been into, inclusing the Falklands as a Paratrooper and the Goose Green experience, the Gulf War and the Bosnian UN operation. This book is so intense that I was able read it cover to cover in 3 days while still going to university! Very much a recommended read.

One review stated that this book was on a par with Andy McNab's Bravo Two Zero, I believe this book is far better than that. Once you start it you will not be able to put it down, friends of mine who do not share the same interest as myself in military books, have passed on the same comments. The book tells of a clique of soldiers called 2 Para who had there own culture of aggressive elitism that was put through its paces in the Falklands campaign. And then a move to a unit that is looked open by most fighting forces in the world as one of the most professional and proficient Special Forces in service today. The difference between this book and Bravo Two Zero, is that this book discribes a military career of many actions that were successful in there outcome, not of a patrol that ended in failure. If you want to read about the fighting qualities and professionalism instilled into a British airborne soldier, who then went onto further his career within the SAS, read this book.

This is a gripping book. Well paced and written. It is an honest account of the mans experiences in the paras and SAS. He mixes fact, description and personal feelings well, making it very real. The falklands war, the battle for Goose Green, SAS training and operations in the Gulf and Bosnia. You will never manage to put this book down once you start reading it. I have lent this book to several people, who have all gone out and bought a copy.

A very compelling account and exciting book that I was unable to put it down. In the same league as Andy McNab's books. It clearly shows the rigorous SAS Selection and training process. Particularly realistic were his accounts of the grueling experiences in the Falklands and the scud destroying missions in Iraq. Reading this book makes you realize the tough conditions that these elite troops survive in. Thanks Mike, for doing a tough job well and for writing an excellent book about it all!