Danger Close: The True Story of Helmand from the Leader of 3 PARA

Colonel Stuart Tootal is the first senior commander to provide an account of the fighting in Afghanistan. A gritty portrayal of unforgiving conflict, Danger Close captures the essence of combat, the risks involved and the aftermath. 3 PARA was the first unit into Helmand in 2006. Sent on a peace mission, it became engaged in a level of combat that has not been experienced by the British Army since the end of the Korean War. Undermanned and suffering from equipment shortages, 3 PARA fought doggedly to win the break in battle. Numerous gallantry decorations were awarded, but they were not without cost. On returning from Afghanistan, Tootal fought to get proper treatment for his wounded and feeling frustrated with the Government's treatment of its soldiers, he resigned from the Army. This is a dramatic, and often moving, insight into the leadership of soldiers and the sharp end of war.

About the Author :
Colonel Stuart Tootal has served in Germany, Northern Ireland, the Gulf War and during the invasion of Iraq. He also served in the MOD, for which he was awarded the OBE. In 2006 he commanded 3 PARA in Afghanistan and was awarded a DSO for outstanding leadership and gallantry. He subsequently set up the 3 PARA Afghan Trust charity, on leaving the army. He now works in the City and is a defence commentator for a major national TV network, numerous papers and radio programmes. He regularly lectures on leadership in challenging environments and his experiences in Afghanistan to forums.

Review :
'At last, a commander telling us the cold, harsh truth about this war. An excellent and compelling read' Andy McNab 'A gripping first-hand account of the realities of frontline command at the start of the bitterest war that Britain has fought for generations' Patrick Bishop, author of 3 PARA 'Tootal offers the perspective of a man in charge ... he tells the story well ... passionate admiration for his men is matched by disdain for others' Max Hastings, Sunday Times 'The first senior commander to provide an account of the fighting, Tootal's book is refreshingly free of the gung-ho machismo and sentimentality that afflicts other lesser entries of the genre' The Sunday Tribune 'Gripping account' Essex Chronicle Series 'Captures the essence of combat...a gritty portrayal of unforgiving combat' East London Enquirer