Rogue Heroes chronicled the history of a rag-tag band of irregulars that was raised during the North African campaign during World War II to conduct sabotage operations behind enemy lines. Replete with tales of derring-do, Rogue Heroes was by no means one of Mr. Macintyre's better books. But a hit BBC TV series based on the book has ensured its bestseller status.
His latest offering, The Siege: The Remarkable Story of the Greatest SAS Hostage Drama, can be seen as a brand extension. The Siege is about an Iranian hostage crisis but not the better-known one at the US embassy in Tehran. This one, which took place in the Iranian embassy in London in 1980, partly overlapped that 444-day crisis. The British government's ability to break it after just six days in a sensational 17-minute operation by the SAS contrasted with the embarrassing failure of a rescue mission by a US Special Forces task force, which eventually undermined President Jimmy Carter's administration.
Mr. Macintyre's original aim in writing this book was to showcase the brilliance of the SAS in post-war action. It was through this siege, he writes, that the world came to know all about the SAS, till then a shadowy, little-known outfit; the rescue operation cemented its legends and made it a template for Special Forces around the world, including the US Delta Force.
Denne historien er fra October 31, 2024-utgaven av Business Standard.
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Denne historien er fra October 31, 2024-utgaven av Business Standard.
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Architecture, the new doctor in the recovery room
From skylights to healing gardens, hospitals are embracing design elements that accelerate healing and enhance patient well-being
IIT-K's stealth tech to make jets invisible to enemy radar
High-technology cooperation between indigenous defence industry and academia has begun yielding results.
India to be wrapped in 175 years of Christy luxury
One of the world's oldest towel brands, famed for its royal heritage, is set to enter the Indian market in 2025
Insurance Amendment Act to boost growth, promote inclusion
It has been a quarter of a century since the insurance industry was liberalised. At the 'Business Standard BFSI Insight Summit, 2024', ALOK RUNGTA, managing director and chief executive officer (MD & CEO) of Future Generali India Life Insurance, SHARAD MATHUR, MD & CEO of Universal Sompo General Insurance, SUMIT BOHRA, president of IBAI and CEO of GlobeSecure Insurance Brokers, and MAYANK BATHWAL, CEO of Aditya Birla Health Insurance, discussed what is next for the industry. Edited excerpts:
Insurance in India has made significant strides
Managing directors and chief executive officers (MDs and CEOs) of general insurance companies gathered at the Business Standard BFSI Insight Summit, 2024, to discuss 'many challenges' they face. ANUJ TYAGI, MD & CEO of HDFC Ergo General Insurance Company, ANUP RAU, MD & CEO of Future Generali India Insurance, ANIMESH DAS, MD & CEO of ACKO General Insurance, gave their views on the road ahead for the industry. Edited excerpts:
Regulator nudging us to up our game on cybersecurity
A case for increasing coverage? The leaders of life insurance companies discussed this topic at the Business Standard BFSI Insight Summit, 2024, with Business Standard's consulting editor Tamal Bandyopadhyay. Panellists included VIBHA PADALKAR, managing director and chief executive officer (MD & CEO) of HDFC Life Insurance, ANUP BAGCHI, MD & CEO of ICICI Prudential Life Insurance, and MAHESH BALASUBRAMANIAN, MD of Kotak Life Insurance. Edited excerpts:
'Bima Sugam is a game-changer'
Just as the Unified Payments Interface (UPI) has transformed the payment and banking sectors, the insurance regulatory and development authority of India (Irdai) is hoping that its ambitious project Bima Sugam—an online marketplace to buy service, and sell insurance products—will transform the insurance sector and help increase penetration.
Field widened for life insurance in the country
Revised surrender value norms to help life insurers and customers
More is better in Indian insurance
100% FDI will encourage companies to come to India and operate on their own terms in the sector, say experts
India's Welfare State: Too much, too soon, with too little?
The promise of too much, too soon, with too little is tempting for politicians for mobilising votes, particularly of the poor.