The Operators: On The Street with Britain's Most Secret Service

by James Rennie

A rare look inside the British Army’s elite special forces unit and its counter-terrorism surveillance operations—from one of its own. Few outside the security services have heard of 14 Company. As deadly as the SAS yet more secret, the Operators of 14 Company are Britain’s most effective weapon against international terrorism. For every bomb that goes off 14 Company prevent twelve. The selection process is the most physically, intellectually and emotionally demanding anywhere in the world. Trained to operate under cover, Operators have at their disposal an arsenal of techniques and weapons unmatched by any other UK government or military agency. This is the true story of one Operator and of some of the most hair-raising military operations ever conducted on the streets of Britain.

Genres: Military Fiction, Nonfiction, Military History, Biography, Espionage, War, Audiobook

343 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 5, 1996

Reviews

[Jacob Stelling · Rating 3 out of 5]

An enjoyable and interesting read focusing on the author’s time with 14 Intelligence Company, an elite special forces unit working closely with the SAS in Northern Ireland during the Troubles.

The author paints an enjoyable picture, with a mixture of background to the training and high-paced missions. Some of the mission accounts went on for quite some time, offering literally a blow-by-blow account.

Sometimes I found the writing to be a little repetitive or unclear, but on the whole I enjoyed this book.

[Rick Brindle · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent book, telling the story of 14 Intelligence Company, through the eyes of someone who served. It details a particularly British way of going about things militarily, with no dramas, lots of attention to detail and an utter ruthlessness when it was needed.

[Michael Hames · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was better than I was expecting. I mostly picked it up because if was pretty cheap but i was an interesting read about the training and day to day duties of a special ops officer in Ireland back in the 80’s.

[G. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Was bought a nook for Xmas so thought I'd get a cheap book to see if I liked it. Bought this book and couldn't put it down after getting through the 1st chapter which may put some people off. Seems a good and honest opinion of what happened without giving away too many issues. Things have changed since the 70s 80s & 90s but the dangers are still there in many parts of the world.

Looked for other books by this author but none found other than a fictional one by an author with the same name about WW1. They say we all have at least one book in us and this was a good one.

[Sandra · Rating 5 out of 5]

The beginning of the book goes through an operation and the code words are difficult to follow. However, stick with it. I have also read books about the SAS selection process and found this one to be the most enjoyable, perhaps due to the fact that it was one of the few elite special forces groups in the world to admit women. I found it hard to put this one down, reading it on lunch breaks and train rides, whenever I could catch a few minutes of reading time.

[Alan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Together with Fisher of men by Rob Lewis, The Rigger by Jack Williams & She who Dared by Jackie George this book delves behind the scenes of life within 14th Intelligence, or the Det as it was also known.
Funded from the SAS budget these men & women served on the streets of Northern Ireland & risked all to gain intelligence & a upper hand against both sides of the conflict.
Well worth a read.

[Ray Brown · Rating 4 out of 5]

In short, a year in the life of the D14 undercover surveillance detachment in Northern Ireland and an enjoyable read at that. These guys but the stealth in stealth and could shoot their way out of trouble single-handedly when they had to. Having read some other reviews, a few points come to mind. Yes, perhaps there is too much focus on the training but it was interesting learning in detail how much they had to go through. The criticism that there is too little on the missions is fair but I’m not buying that that is down to Mr Rennie having only had a light stint on the job. He clearly had a busy year but I’m guessing that most of his day to day jobs were probably too boring for print and a few others may have been barred by the Ministry of Defence.

I understand that the detachment now forms part of the Special Reconnaissance Regiment and that operators are now used to carry out surveillance around the world.

[James Cay · Rating 4 out of 5]

I listened to the audio version and enjoyed the book overall. There is a heavy emphasis on the selection and training process - which I actually quite enjoy - rather than the operations themselves. The major operations which are described are actually not first hand accounts based on the authors own involvement but rather a couple of well-known operations which may be familiar to readers from other accounts in the press and books. The authors own operational stories are not quite as incendiary, which doesn’t detract at all from his achievement in being selected and serving with the unit. A good listen.

[Emma Glanfield · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fascinating Insight

Thoroughly enjoyed this book!

Whilst this was set in the heart of the issues with the IRA in Northern Ireland, I'd assume that the training programme each operator undergoes is vastly similar in today's times.

You can't help but be impressed at the level of training each operator is put through and be proud that they are an elite unite within our own Special Forces.

A world I have never set foot in myself but wonder if I had tried the military which branch would I have gone to ...

[Scott · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good read on the life of a operator from 14 company. this company was tasked with intercepting and helping to imprison terrorists in Northern Ireland in the 80's.

It was a fascinating insight into how they operated and the selection process. There was a lot of time spent -in fact over half the book was spent on the selection process- and not enough time spent on the operations. They were added as an afterthought in my opinion.

Still it is a good way to pass a couple of days.

[DaveRed · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very much enjoyed this book , the only reason it’s not a 5 star review is because of the large section on cameras and how they utilised them , I found that a bit uninteresting .
It would be nice if the author would release an updated version of this book with more information on some of the operations he was on . I’m sure in the 20 plus years since it was first published there are details which could now be talked about in more detail .

[Marcus Wynne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant detailed history of 14th MI company, the elite undercover counter-terror unit that worked in conjunction with the SAS in Ireland. Details on selection, training and deployment never before discussed (accurately) in print. I had the honor of meeting some of these people — truly formidable shadow warriors.

[Dave Bailey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great Insight

It's a great read, even if a little difficult to follow the military language during operations... It offers a great insight into the way the different outfits linked together to get missions completed... Something quite different to the plethora of SAS books out there...

[Kevin Collett · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book. It’s not quite what I expected - I thought it would be a novel rather than a memoir - but it was still a good read.

My main complaint is that it ended very abruptly and didn’t mention how the training / skills / experience benefited him in later life after he left the service but still a good book.

[Randall · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good story

Now it's interesting reading about all the low tech ways they carried out operations until the advancement of technology changed how the game was played? I would be of interest to see how operations where conducted in the late 80-to early 90s as computers came to common usage.

[M Hewitt · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good story, if a little pompous at times.

Very good descriptions of training. More of a “how to” than a “have done” though.

One thing - sick, vomit, spew and puke were mentioned so often that if I were a doctor, I would have to diagnose the author a chronic stomach complaint after reading.

[Newfad · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting account of 14 Company - covert undercover operatives who worked on the dangerous streets of Northern Ireland. A little too much on the training/selection - interesting in its extreme but more on the ground would have been better but probably limited to what can be said of actual operations.

[Matt · Rating 3 out of 5]

An OK read and insight into the authors time serving with 14 Int in Northern Ireland. A few glaring typos and errors in the book but that can be forgiven. I always take these books with a pinch of salt as I no doubt others do.
He covers his time in the Green Army, selection and serving with 14 Int.

[Lee wylde · Rating 1 out of 5]

Awful, you can tell it’s written by an infantry officer! Considering it’s about his experience of selection into 14 intelligence he sounds a bit of a wet wipe! Had to stop reading it at 57% after he mentioned Jennifer again and supper! May suit some people who have no military background as it’s informative but for me it’s badly written.

[Barrie Howell · Rating 5 out of 5]

On the Edge in Northern Ireland during the troubles.

I had a job to put this book down; it was riveting. The Operators must have had nerves of steel. Their training was intense and very comprehensive both physically and mentally to prepare them for combating terrorism and terrorists. Brave people.

[anthony lanigan · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent, descriptive book giving an insight to a very dangerous world.

This book was highly detailed from selection to deployment of undercover troops. I found it factual with no attempt to embellish or dramatize the content. A very good read

[Tony · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lots of detail on the training involved with some good examples of ops. Sometimes a touch hard to follow the radio patter, though. Still, a good look into the non-kinetic part of fighting terrorists in a liberal democracy with rule of law.

[Mark Johnston · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gripping and exciting read. Fully recommend this to anyone into this type of book.


Brilliant read.
Great insight into the operations going on in NI .
Gripping and exciting read.
Fully recommend this to anyone into this type of book.

[david · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good insight

Seemed to me like a good insight to special operations. A good blend of technical detail, emotional experience and excitement. It is not about the typical special forces we already know.

[Kas · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an in depth and informative insight into a covert organisation, it shows the discipline and courage of those dedicated to fighting terrorism in a difficult environment, well written and interesting.

[Steve · Rating 4 out of 5]

An excellent and detailed account of the life of undercover counter terror agents in Northern Ireland. The book is very detailed about the training and some of the operations and whilst not the wham bang type of action book, you cannot but be impressed at the bravery of these people who take huge personal risks to protect us.

[James Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

A gripping account of the activities of the little-known SF group, 14. This is military intelligence on steroids. Some excellent descriptions of both training and combat and the harrowing events of the 'Troubles'. A brilliant book about a dark period.

[Matthew Okuhara · Rating 4 out of 5]

A rarely spoken of topic, although touched on in other special forces boos that have a focus on action; rather than method. A lot of the book focuses on training, so if you're looking for a true life 007 book - then this isn't it. If you're looking for a true life spy book - then this is it.

[Rodney William Hartley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent Read

Great insight into the training of these warriors
The bravery, strength and endurance of these men and women is astounding
Thoroughly enjoyed this book.

[David Marshall · Rating 5 out of 5]

Better then any fiction.

Great read, gripping from start to finish, it felt like you were along side him all the way. Thee people are the unsung heroes.