Andy McNab

Andy McNab DCM MM (born December 28, 1959) is a British former soldier turned novelist. McNab came to public prominence in 1993 when he wrote an account about the failed SAS mission Bravo Two Zero during the Gulf War. He has subsequently authored an autobiography and a number of works of fiction, including a specially commissioned story for the "Quick Reads Project". Andy McNab is a pseudonym; his real name is unknown, although Michael Asher states that his first name is Steven in his book "The Real Bravo Two Zero".

Background
McNab came originally from London, an adopted son. He wanted to be a pilot, but after failing the entrance test, he instead joined the Royal Green Jackets. He served in a variety of places including Northern Ireland and eventually tried for selection to the SAS, succeeding at the second attempt.

McNab's real name is not known to the public. He assumed the pseudonym Andy McNab when writing Bravo Two Zero. When he appears on television to promote his books or to act as a special services expert, his face is shadowed to prevent viewers from identifying him. As Larry King put it when McNab appeared on the Larry King Live show on CNN: "He's in shadow for his security, as he is wanted dead by some terrorist groups."

According to the book "The Big Breach" (ISBN 1-903813-01-8), by Richard Tomlinson, a renegade MI6 spy, after the Iraq war McNab was part of a special training team, readying new MI6 recruits in sabotage and guerrilla warfare techniques.

According to the biography published in Last Light (Pocket Books printing March 2003, ISBN 0-7434-0629-X):

Andy McNab is a former member of the British SAS, one of the world's toughest and most respected elite special-forces commando units. Involved in covert and overt operations on five continents, McNab worked alongside Delta Force, the FBI, and the DEA. When he left the regiment in 1993, he was the most highly decorated serving soldier in the British Army. He is now a sought-after lecturer on security and remains closely tied to the intelligence communities on both sides of the Atlantic....
Due to the extremely sensitive nature of his work with the SAS, Andy McNab is the only author who has to submit his fiction to the British Ministry of Defence for review, and he is still wanted by a number of the world's terrorist organizations. He is therefore forbidden to reveal either his face or his current location.
In his autobiography Immediate Action, McNab describes his involvement in a number of operations in Northern Ireland prior to his SAS selection, during which time he was in the Royal Green Jackets. During one such episode, he reveals his part in the shooting and killing of IRA operatives during a foot patrol.

McNab also developed and runs a specialist training course for news crews, journalists and members of non-governmental organizations working in hostile environments and he spent time in Hollywood as technical weapons advisor and trainer on the Michael Mann film Heat, and fight technical advisor on the 2005 crime film Dirty.

In February 2007, McNab returned to Iraq in his position as The Sun newspaper Security Advisor with his old regiment the Royal Green Jackets for seven days[1].


[edit] Multimedia
In conjunction with Spoken Group Ltd [1], Andy McNab is pioneering spoken drama for download from the internet and to mobile phones. These stories include real battle field sound effects. The latest story is set to be released on 18th June 2007. This will be the second story available for download.


[edit] Books

[edit] Non-fiction
Bravo Two Zero (1993)
Immediate Action (1995)

[edit] Fiction
Nick Stone Missions

Remote Control (February 17, 1998)
Crisis Four (August 22, 2000)
Firewall (October 5, 2000)
Last Light (October 1, 2001)
Liberation Day (October 1, 2002)
Dark Winter (November 3, 2003)
Deep Black (November 1, 2004)
Aggressor (November 1, 2005)
Recoil (November 6, 2006)
Crossfire (November 1, 2007)
Boy Soldier series (written with Robert Rigby)

Boy Soldier (US title *Traitor, May 5, 2005)
Boy Soldier 2: Payback (October 6, 2005)
Boy Soldier 3: Avenger (May 4, 2006)
Boy Soldier 4: Meltdown (May 3, 2007)
Quick Reads project

The Grey Man (May 8, 2006)
Audio Stories

Iraq Ambush (May 2007)
Royal Kidnap (June 2007)
Roadside Bomb (September 2007)
Sniper (TBA 2007)

[edit] References
^ http://www.thesun.co.uk/article/0,,2-2007110295,00.html
Peter, Ratcliffe (2000). Eye of the Storm: Twenty-Five Years in Action with the SAS. Michael O'Mara Books. ISBN 978-1854798091.
Asher, Michael (2002). The Real Bravo Two Zero: The Truth Behind Bravo Two Zero. Cassell Military. ISBN 978-0304365548.
Coburn, Mike (2004). Soldier Five: The Real Truth About The Bravo Two Zero Mission. Mainstream Publishing. ISBN 978-1840189070.