Desert Sniper, Ed Nash
Desert Sniper, Ed Nash
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Desert Sniper
How One Ordinary Brit Went to War Against ISIS

Author: Ed Nash

Narrator: Finlay Robertson

Unabridged: 8 hr

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Published: 09/06/2018


Synopsis

What makes an ordinary but highly educated Englishman, with no previous military training, decide to travel and fight in one of the most brutal conflicts on the planet?

Desert Sniper is an extraordinary, true account of one man's journey from well-meaning volunteer to battle-scarred combat sniper, placing himself daily in the line of fire to fight one of the greatest evils of this new century.

Ed Nash has travelled across the globe, and is working with refugees in Burma, when he first becomes aware of the terrible atrocities being committed under ISIS's newly established 'Caliphate', covering vast tracts of Iraq and Syria. In June 2015, he chooses to undertake the hazardous journey, via Northern Iraq, to Syria, to join ill-equipped and poorly trained but battle-hardened Kurdish forces as they attempt to halt Daesh's relentless advance.

Nash is an articulate, insightful and refreshingly honest companion as he unpacks the shifting complexities of the political and military situation in which he finds himself. As one of a motley band of foreign volunteer fighters - veterans of other conflicts, adventurers and misfits, from many different countries - we follow him through his rudimentary training and early combat operations as he and his companions slowly gain the trust and respect of their Kurdish colleagues.

Nash shows us the realities of the war on the ground in Syria in fascinating detail; the privations of the ordinary Kurdish soldiers, the terrible price paid by civilians caught in the cross-fire, the ever-present danger of lethal suicide bombers and occasional moments of striking beauty in amongst the carnage.

A modern classic in the making, Desert Sniper will prove to be one of the most unforgettable accounts to emerge from the war against ISIS.

About Ed Nash

Ed Nash was born in the South East of England and, after a number of years of travelling in Africa and Asia, studied for a degree in History at a university in the North West of England, gaining first class honours. He worked as a press officer with the Free Burma Rangers, anorganisation that provides medical support and assistance to persecuted minority movements across Burma.


Reviews

Goodreads review by Geoff on July 15, 2019

I downloaded 'Desert Sniper' by Ed Nash because I wanted to get an understanding of conflict in the Middle East and the attitudes and feelings of the groups involved. I just read had '9 Lives' by Aiman Dean which I loved. And I guess I hoped for more of the same. I didn't really get it. What I got in......more

Goodreads review by Rohit on September 07, 2019

Ed Nash ends the book by saying he leaves it up to the reader to decide if he deserves to be called a terrorist. Having read the book, I decide he's not. In fact, he's a hero. He should be commended for the courage he has shown to go place like Syria and fight the ISIS. Also huge respect to him for......more

Goodreads review by Tom on February 19, 2023

I enjoyed this book and appreciated the perspective of the author, who was able to respect the struggle of the Kurdish people - a struggle in which he, himself, participated - while acknowledging shortcomings in the Kurds' tactics. Discussions of the role of various weapons was also very interesting......more

Goodreads review by Bigfoot on August 16, 2020

Proper true story of how a member of Joe Public got so wound up by what he witnessed happening in Syria he did something about it. Gives a thorough analysis of the political situation on the ground at the height of Isis's power in the region and a cool, calculating view of how they were defeated. Na......more

Goodreads review by A.B. on November 03, 2021

A great look at what fighting with the Kurds against the Islamic State in Syria was like! He was probably more of a designated marksman than a sniper, but he says as much in the book. The sections where we describes facing off against drones and the use of anti-material rifles in urban settings were......more