It’s out of print, so I handed over a walloping 75 bones for this sucker. Normally I’d just do the library thing, but TSW came at Lt Col P’s suggestion and he hasn’t steered me wrong yet. Plus I’m starting to develop an impressive little collection of books on Rhodesia and the Rhodesian Bush War. Don’t ask me why I find Rhodesia so fascinating, occasionally a historical item of interest will reach out from the pages and grab me. In this case, I caught the bug hard.
Anyways, so far — excellent. Some of the shit the Selous Scouts did curdles the blood. Highly recommend it, though you all may want to check out the local library for some sort of inter-library loan — 75 bucks is an awful lot to shell out.
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The copy in Preston Library probably still has “Cadet P——-” on the sign-out card, circa 1986. Your money is not wasted. The Scouts were a completely unique, as in sui-generis, unit.
Sir — money well spent. Amazing how they defy all modern stereotypes on what we *believe* SPECOPs should be. Most of those guys started out as cops with the BSAP!
I must say, I’ve gotten quite a few lessons about the Bush Wars and Rhodesia from this site and, being a student of history, have gotten bit by the bug to learn more. This is fascinating stuff…..
This is the first edition of the text. There is a second edition entitled “Pamwe Chete” (the motto of the Scouts. It reveals quite a bit more info about ops and who did what and where and when. The copy I have is personally signed by Ron Reid-Daly.
I never served in the scouts myself, but as a South African served in war in Angola and environs. I currently live in Oregon.
Try abebooks.com — they have paperback for less than $30 USD
Forward from S Lott Retired SWASPES. Now that’s a find! I used to have a copy of this – it’s probably still in storage back home. But yes, its a good book. I found it a little sensationalistic, but hell, that was the war, I suppose! But it does give you a good insight into what bush war is. If you get the opportunity, you should look up some lit on the Grey Scouts as well – mounted soldiers, formed by the BSAP (British South Africa Police), if memory serves. They also have stories to tell of their ops in Rhodesia…..