Eight Lives Down: The Most Dangerous Job in the World in the Most Dangerous Place in the World

First I really did like this book. It was informative and really did give you a rare look into a world few will ever know or understand, bomb disposal in a war zone. The only reason I did not give it five stars is because in several places in the book the words were very confusing. I know it was just because the author was from Great Britain and he was using their slang words for curse words and other sayings. However, I really could not understand what the author meant when he was using several of these sayings in the book. Other than that this was a really good book, and if you can adlib and put words in in places you don't know what the author meant then you should really give this book a chance.

An excellent trip into the alien abyss of Basra, The gulf war and the IED war and how insurgents/ terrorists are getting better and better at bombings, by a man tasked with stopping them at great personal risk, with enough detail for the layman but the biggest part of the story is the human side of Bomb disposal, and a window into the apparently incomprehensible middle east.

Fascinating first person account of a job most of us could never imagine. You have to be prepared to wrap your head around some hard and ugly things, but you always should be anyway. A wonderfully told tale, but not a wonderful tale.

This was a great read. I have no military experience but am interested in bombs from a law enforcement level. This book is a true reminder of why people serve in the military or law enforcement. I could read this one again and again.

Awesome book that you can't put down. If you are ex military and have served in the gulf you'll love it

Great personal story of a bomb specialist and his heroic activity and emotional family relationships

Awesome read. Couldn't put it down. Gives an accurate depiction of those who trully have the most dangerous job. Thanks for your service Chris.

One thing I have learned in reading many books from our soldiers fighting in the Middle East, is that a good story does NOT mean a book about it will be good.'Eight Lives Down' is unputdownable. It deserves 5 stars since that is the highest allowed.

Eight lives down is a revealing insight into what has to be one of the most dangerous jobs on earth: working for the bomb disposal unit of the British Army.The book follows the tour of Chris Hunter, a seasoned expert in bomb disposal having had tours in Northern Island and stints training Colombian troops in the art to help the combat the IRA trained cocaine cartels and combat the war on drugs.The book is written in a fast and lively diary-esque style which suits the subject matter and setting and makes it quick and easy to read. Each chapter is headed with little nuggets or wisdom, extracts, and quotes from famous quotes, speeches and people which sum up the upcoming chapter in the eyes of the author. These I quite liked.However, what I found most revealing about the book was what the actual role entailed. I never realised the complexity and the depth of these people's work until now, having thought they just used diffuse all manner of bombs and IEDs with a snip of a few wires... I couldn't have been more wrong.The role goes far beyond mere (if that's the right word?!) bomb disposal with the ATO teams becoming detectives, using every means possible to hunt down the bomb makers. They gather forensic evidence, build psychological profiles, examine patterns, and search for signatures - all in an attempt to stay one step ahead of the bombing teams.Chris Hunter was so affective in his role at disrupting the the IED teams in Iraq, he actually ended up being actively targeted by the bomb makers who went out of their way to try and set traps with secondary devices specifically planted to try and take him out.Add to this the inclusion of personal pressures at home caused by his role, and Hunter's very stressful tour helps to show how hard a job in the armed forces can be, and the toll it takes on those left at home as well as the troops on the ground.I would have liked the book to go into more depth about the forensic techniques, the detective work, and how Chris went about building a case against the bombers, but I understand why its important to keep these things secret. All in all, though the book makes for an interesting read and is very different to most war memoirs I've read

Gripping. A real page turner, Major Chris Hunter clearly has a gift for putting you there in the action. Peppered with British Army humour (quip about the REME guy "testiculating" -- waving his hands in the air and talking... had me in stiches). This is a superb book, really moving in some places and i'm not the kinda guy to be moved easily, but i defy anyone to come to the end of this book without feeling an immense amount of emotion.This book was the first i read of Private Johnson Beharry VC. I read Sniper One by SGT Dan Mills after this book (another good read, based in Al-Amarrah at roughly the same time, not as expertly written as this book but really engaging read all the same) which also described the steely courage of Pvte Beharry VC -- i'd like to meet that soldier! Although this book doesn't tell of Pvte Beharry VC's fate (Sniper One tells a little more), i've since read that he's been awarded the VC and more importantly survived that RPG attack on his warrior. I mention Pvte Beharry's survival here for those that read the book and are left wondering on his fate.

If ever there was an epitome of 'Felix' then this guy is the current version, been there,done that and got the flak vest. How these guys do what they do day in day out is beyond any normal persons understanding. This book does try to lead you through the ups and downs but it still only skims the surface of the tasks that are faced. This couldn't be a work of fiction,no-one would believe it and forsure Hollywood couldn't come close.Be prepared for a riveting read and a very human and moving story that is well written and has only one problem, you can't or daren't put it down. And you certainly look at items at the side of the road in a different light after this!

As somebody who has never been to war I cannot comment on the accuracy or realism of this book. However, it is undoubtedly well written, engaging, and takes you to the heart of the action.It does have a flaw though, and it is this.In common with other such autobiographical accounts the author is clearly aware that persons named in the book will pore over anything he may write about them. This is very apparent with colleagues (meaning each and every one is a `top bloke' or `first class soldier') but even more so with his wife. The author peppers the book with remorse and anguish about the strain his work places on their relationship so much so that that at times you wonder if this isn't a book about defusing IEDs at all - rather a pitch to save their marriage.Having said all that, there is much to recommend this book, and whilst it doesn't have the Alamo-esque suspense of  Sniper One: The Blistering True Story of a British Battle Group Under Siege , it is nevertheless a highly entertaining read and testament to the unquestionably courageous work of the IEDD teams. Sniper One: The Blistering True Story of a British Battle Group Under Siege

From the first page to the last Chris Hunter takes the reader into another world. It's all there the real life drama of one of the most stressful, and rewarding, jobs in the military. The heartache of being separated from family and loved ones. The elation of completing the task and saving lives and the euphoria of collecting evidence and eventually catching the bombers. There is just enough detail to involve the reader without giving away any operational details that might be detrimental to ongoing operations. For anyone who has been involved in the world of 'Felix' this is a must read as it will take you back in vivid detail. I cannot recommend this book highly enough. I.C.