"Peter Davis was the youngest officer to serve in the SAS during the Second World War. In this autobiographical account, he reveals the naeive enthusiam he felt when he joined the newly formed special force unit, his fears and trepidation during training, and the horror and drama of his experiences during operations in Sicily and Italy. This is his story. It explores the difficulty of a young, inexperienced officer leading older and seasoned soldiers. It tells of mistakes a 'rookie' can make and of how listening, learning and ultimately earning respect made him the skillful leader he became. During later operations he was awarded the Military Cross. Through it all the enigmatic figure of Paddy Mayne looms large. At times irrational, aggressive, and often drunk, he was always a born leader able to instill obedience and respect. Where he led, men followed. This autobiographical account was written shortly after the end of the War, using diaries written at the time. It is possibly the last, untold, first-hand account of a time of chaos, of horror and of the camaraderie of the men of the SAS"--Publisher's description.

本作はSAS最年少将校が綴った、若き魂の成長と葛藤の記録です。未熟な青年が歴戦の兵を率いる重圧や、指揮官パディ・メインの狂気的なカリスマ性に翻弄される様が、戦後直後の生々しい筆致で描かれています。自己の弱さを認め信頼を勝ち取るリーダーの覚醒という普遍的テーマが、読む者の胸を熱く焦がします。 映像版では戦場のスペクタクルが強調されますが、原作には映像で捉えきれない繊細な思考の揺らぎが刻まれています。映像で時代の熱量を体感し、書籍で行間に潜む恐怖を深く追体験することで、混乱期を生き抜いた男たちの真実がより立体的に浮かび上がり、感動は一層深まるはずです。