Against All Odds : Escape from Sierra Leone

Rating:
Summary: A MUST READ!!
Review: "Against All Odds" is really two books in one. The first half of the book focuses on John Ashby's personal adventures and training as a Royal Marine Commando. The second half of the book takes place in Sierra Leonne, where John's UN peace-keeping mission takes a horrible turn for the worse.

Since I (and presumably most readers) know nothing about Royal Marine Commando training or the civil war in Sierra Leonne, you will find this fighting Brit and his experiences very interesting and suspenseful. You really get to know "John Ashby" well...in spirit as well as skill. John does a good job of "setting the stage" for the reader, by describing the different warring factions and the horrible atrocities performed in Sierra Leonne.

This is a true story by the way.

John's writing style isn't as eloquent as let's say... Stephen King, but his limitations in writing give the book a more personal and realistic feel.

Rating:
Summary: Modern Day Adventure Story
Review: This book is very interesting and enveloping. The book isn't good because it captures the reader's imagination through exquisite detail of events and scenes;instead you get to know the main character "Phil Ashby" very well and the interesting adventures he's been through.

The first half of the book covers Phil's adventures and Marine Commando training. The second half of the book takes place in Sierra Leonne where Phil is assigned as a UN Peacekeeper. Phil does a good job at getting the reader "oriented" about the civil war in Sierra Leonne and the unthinkable brutality of the combatants.

The book all comes together as this Marine has to use all his skills and bravery to escape a nightmarish turn of events in Sierra Leonne. A must read!!