No Escape Zone: One Man's True Story of a Journey to Hell

You expect the first few chapters of any book to set the story and be a tad slow - the author did this for well over 50% of the book and after 20% I got really, really bored and skipped to the crash and escape part. When you get to the good stuff - you can't put it down - the crash chapter is probably one of the best written descriptive chapters I have ever read - the author really makes you feel what it must have been like. It's an amazing escape and very exciting but you just get the impression that some editor somewhere has been looking over the authors shoulder saying 'that's far too short - fill it out a bit with a few chapters of warble!'.

slow start, exellent end (6/6 people found this helpful)

This is a excellent book. I gave 4 star because of few reasons. If the title of this book was, "my life in RN", or "how to fly the Sea Harrier"... it would definitely win all 5 stars. But the title is "No escape zone", and on the cover of the book is also written, "one of the most gripping escape stories of the modern era".

It has a slow start, on 180 pages Mr. Richardson describe how to fly the Sea Harrier, he explains ways of dropping bombs, how to fly against more superior at that time MIG-29, combat training... but this is not the book about that. In my opinion, this book is about how he was shot down over the city of Gorazde, and how he and the SAS team got trough enemy lines to safety. The story about that is written on only 120 pages comparing with the 180 pages of introduction.

In this 120 pages, he describes who was who in this war, who did what, how people of Gorazde under siege lived and fought against superior enemy, and he describes it well, although this was not his war (his statement).

Despite of my remarks, this book is worth reading, and I highly recommend it. You will read it in one breath especially the last 100 pages. I did.

Unique in many ways (3/3 people found this helpful)

This is a unique book as it explores two aspects of life that are very hard to find books on- that of a British Naval Harrier pilot as well as an autobiography of a military serviceman under NATO command during the Bosnian crisis of the mid 90's. While the cover claims it as being "one of the most gripping, untold escape stories of the modern era," I feel that its claim to fame lies in the aforementioned aspects of life, as books on either of these subjects are extremely difficult to come by. While more autobiographies are being written on the Bosnian campaign, I can't help but feel that there are nowhere near enough and not from a diverse enough range of views. To look at the book itself, explanation of the Harrier FRS1 flying abilities, tactics against aircraft and other roles are well explained from an expert's point of view (the author ended his full time career as senior pilot for 899 Training Squadron) in simple language for anyone to understand. While his views on the Bosnian campaign reflect much of what was though by other military personnel, these are not explained as well. The reader has to read about the death and destruction, then reading his simple reasoning that "it was no longer our war," creating a somewhat anti-climax. I was hoping for something maybe a little more insightful or philosophical in his argument, rather than what seems like such a simple explanation. For those who have read Mike Curtis' CQB, mention of Richardson's shoot down is mentioned, providing a cross reference that is very hard to find in many military books! All in all, a worthwhile read.

Impossible to put down ! (1/1 people found this helpful)

I bought this on Saturday afternoon and finished it in the early hours of Monday craving for more! I just could not put it down.

Facinating, exciting, funny, and ultimately thought provoking insight into the life of a navy pilot and life on board a carrier.

It also made me appreciate a bit more the people on the frontline who put their lives on the line - so easily glossed over when watching the TV news footage. Deepest respect for all of you.

If I have one critism, it would be that the majority of the book builds up to the shooting down of the author over Bosnia, and not enough to the events that followed and the ultimate conclusion.

That said, it doesn't stop it from being the best read of the year for me so far ...

GRIPPING (6/6 people found this helpful)

I found this book to have a slow start,but with relevent pieces of information to keep you interested for the reality of the situation to come.Nick must have wondered what and where the hell he was after ejecting out of a multi-millon pound jet fighter into the unknown wilderness that was war torn Bosnia.The ending is so gripping i was late back from my dinner hour at work!!!!!whoops....

No Escape Zone: One Man's True Story of a Journey to Hell

Nick Richardson

Reader Reviews:

Skip the first half of the book & it's great! (1/1 people found this helpful)

slow start, exellent end (6/6 people found this helpful)

Unique in many ways (3/3 people found this helpful)

Impossible to put down ! (1/1 people found this helpful)

GRIPPING (6/6 people found this helpful)

Similar Products

Categories