SAS brothers in arms: Churchill’s Desperadoes: Blood-and-guts defiance at Britain’s darkest hour.

Damien Lewis' book, "SAS brothers in arms: Churchill’s Desperadoes: Blood-and-guts defiance at Britain’s darkest hour," provides insight into the establishment and operations of the Special Air Service (SAS) during World War II. Lewis draws from personal wartime documentation belonging to Blair 'Paddy' Mayne, a legendary member of the SAS, including mission reports, orders, maps, photographs, and Mayne's diary and letters. The book focuses on Mayne's leadership and the physical and emotional challenges faced by the SAS in the Western Desert between 1941 and 1943. While there is some disagreement among authors about the relationship between Mayne and SAS founder David Stirling, Lewis presents Mayne as a successful commander and the driving force behind the SAS's survival and achievements. The book is an easy read and includes previously unseen photographs, making it a valuable resource for history enthusiasts. [Extracted from the article]