Discovering The Invictus Spirit

When Dorset-based writer Boris Starling was approached to do a book on the Invictus Games it introduced him to some extraordinary men and women, including its founder

- Boris Starling

IT began with an e-mail from Harper Collins, the publishers. ‘We’re doing a book about the Invictus Games and are looking for a writer. Would you like to be considered?’

I knew what the Invictus Games were – a multi sport event set up by Prince Harry for wounded, injured and sick service personnel – but not much more than that. Still, that’s what Google is for. ‘Sure,’ I e-mailed back. ‘Please put me on the list.’

That list was five writers long. Five became two. Two became one. I have no idea what Harper Collins and the Invictus Games Foundation (IGF) saw in me that they didn’t see in the others, though I very much doubt it was the way I dropped an egg sandwich on the floor during the interview.

Whatever it was, I’m extremely grateful that they did. As a writer, you work on some projects for love and some for money. Now and then, though very rarely, you get to work on something that is an absolute privilege. Unconquerable was one of those precious things.