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The Hard Way

Adapt, Survive and Win

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The Hard Way

By: Mark 'Billy' Billingham
Narrated by: Mark 'Billy' Billingham, Simon Slater
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About this listen

 THE SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER.

‘The SAS and all it stands for is exemplified in men such as Mark ‘Billy’ Billingham. They are the backbone of the British military and I for one am thankful he is on our side!’ – Sir Ranulph Fiennes

'The most experienced Special Forces soldier in recent memory. The Hard Way is brutally brilliant.' – Tom Marcus, Number One bestselling author of Soldier Spy

Mark ‘Billy’ Billingham grew up tough, a grim future ahead of him offering little respite from the hostile streets he walked. Leaving school at thirteen, he ran with gangs in Walsall – and almost died in a knife fight. At sixteen, Billy discovered the British armed forces. It would be the making of him.

Billingham would succeed in passing the Parachute Regiment’s arduous ‘P Company’ selection and training, going on to serve with 3 PARA. He then took on an even bigger challenge: selection for the SAS – the elite special forces unit known for excellence in operating under extreme conditions. Billy excelled in this field, undertaking numerous classified and life-threatening missions. After leaving the army, Billy served as bodyguard to Hollywood stars, including Tom Cruise, Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt.

The Hard Way details Billy’s story thus far, but will also educate and enthral those wishing to seek a challenge and conquer it – the SAS way.©2019 Mark Billingham (P)2019 Simon & Schuster UK Historical Military & War Politicians Politics & Activism Military Inspiring War

Critic Reviews

'The most experienced Special Forces soldier in recent memory. The Hard Way is brutally brilliant.' (Tom Marcus, Number One bestselling author of Soldier Spy)
‘Billy is inspirational and always humble. A giant of a man!’ (Bear Grylls)
‘The SAS and all it stands for is exemplified in men such as Mark ‘Billy’ Billingham. They are the backbone of the British military and I for one am thankful he is on our side!’ (Sir Ranulph Fiennes)
All stars
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I bought this book expecting a motivational military biography which it didn't turn out to be. It lacks a lot of detail around his life in the military which he puts down to confidentiality but in the end I didn't finish it disappointed.

A decent autobiography but not too gritty

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Love all the guys from SAS Australia and this is the last one of the four DS's books that I've read. I can't quite put my finger on it but I wasn't left with the same sense of enlightenment that I got from the others. I felt a great deal of sadness with Billy that never really left throughout the book. I

Good but not great

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Mark 'billy' billingham's story is fantastic, it would have been a lot more enjoyable if it was narrated by himself. the only two points I could say needed fixing is the timeline sometimes is a bit hard to follow and the narrator is not suited to this type of story, he sounds like an old man sucking on a boiled lolly while he reads.

great story

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great listen for those interested in people who overcome backgrounds to achieve a great rewarding life

listen/read this book

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Once I started listening it was hard to stop. From such a hard start in life it was just grit, perseverance and hard work to achieve so much. I have kept some life lessons from this book. To try your best and if you want to stop, go a little further. That my life is pretty good and I appreciate it more. That I should be respectful to everyone, you never know if that smaller unassuming guy could kill you with a pencil. Excellent book.

One Tough Bloke

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Having watched the C4 series ‘Who Dares Wins’, and read all of the other directing staff’s stories, there was something different in all of them. What I liked about this one from ‘Billy’ was his empathy, coaching of others, grit and determination. ‘Always a little further’ is something I have been utilising in my fitness/work/family life. Read this or better still, audiobook it. There’s great stories, life lessons and moments of adventure, joy and surprises.

Every young teenage Male growing up in today’s society should read this book. It’s got direction and purpose . Well done.

Inspirational and engaging

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Really enjoyed listening to this book, no bull , just easy to listen to. Could easily have been a different life if he had not found his weapon in the river during selection. Nice one Billy

Great book

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Great story about the men in the SAS who deserve huge respect and admiration. Top man with his work after the SAS

Top Book

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Great book, loved every minute of it and would recommend it to all people, as it’s an inspiring story.

Great book

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It is worth the time spent listening to an inspiring story that he has written.

Worth it.

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