YAYYYYYY!!! Andy granted Grey Man’s Land another interview… see his answers below

GML: Hi Andy.. congratulations on the anniversary of Bravo Two Zero! Thanks for answering a few of our questions again..

First of all… twenty years..wow! They say ‘the older, the wiser’. How much wiser are you today?

Andy: CERTAINLY OLDER BUT NOT SURE ABOUT WISER!

GML: Bravo Two Zero ‘Revised and Updated’..why is there a new edition after 20 years?

Andy: B20 IS STILL THE BIGGEST SELLING WAR BOOK OF ALL TIME. IT IS A PIECE OF HISTORY AND, FROM WHAT PEOPLE SAY TO ME AT EVENTS, HAD AND CONTINUES TO HAVE AN IMPACT ON THEIR LIVES. FROM A SOUTH AFRICAN HOMELESS WOMAN WHO FOUND THE BOOK ON THE STREET. SHE DECIDED TO GET GRIP OF HER LIFE AFTER READING THE BOOK AND KNOWING THAT PEOPLE CAN OVER COME AND THAT THERE IS ALWAYS HOPE. AFTER READING BTZ ANOTHER WOMAN IN LONDON CANCELLED HER PLANNED SUICIDE. THAT MADE ME FEEL VERY HAPPY.

GML: This book is highly likely interesting for new readers, will it be interesting for those who have known the story since the first edition in 1993 and have been following you ever since?

Andy: 20 YEARS ON I AM A DIFFERENT MAN TO THE ONE THAT FIRST WROTE B20. OBVIOUSLY OLDER AND WISER, WITH THE BENEFIT OF DISTANCE AND TIME, PLUS HOW MY LIFE HAS BEEN SINCE, I’M ABLE TO LOOK AT EVENTS AND HOW I FELT ABOUT THEM IN A DIFFERENT WAY. THERE IS LOTS OF NEW MATERIAL, WHAT HAS HAPPENED TO THE REST OF THE PATROL SINCE, WHAT HAPPENED WHEN I WENT BACK, HOW IT HAS CHANGED MY LIFE AND THE LIVES OF EVERYONE ELSE INVOLVED!

GML: If you had not written Bravo Two Zero and with the turn your life made as a result of the immense success of the book, where do you think you would be now?

Andy: I WOULD HAVE DONE A LONG STINT WORKING FOR THE PMC (PRIVATE MILITARY COMPANY) IN COLOMBIA AND WOULD EITHER STILL BE DOING IT OR DOING SOMETHING SIMILAR.

GML: Would you say that the events of B20 still have impact on your life today…Professionally we know – but (if any) like health wise, mentally, daily routine, decisions you make…etc

Andy: I WAS LUCKY TO COME OUT OF THE GULF WAR UNSCATHED MENTALLY BUT I HAVE SEEN AND CONTINUE TO SEE THE IMPACT THAT COMBAT HAS ON FRIENDS LIVES. HOW HAS IT CHANGED HOW I LEAD MY LIFE? I GUESS I ACCEPT THAT I HAVE LOST ONE OF MY NINE LIVES, BUT THEN AGAIN MAYBE IT MAKES ME THINK THAT ITS WORTH LIVING EVERY DAY TO THE MAX. BIT OF BOTH.

GML: We here at Grey Man’s Land read, of course, the first edition of B20 in 1993 (even though we were like 4 or 5 years old or so) but it means we, and a lot of your fans ‘of the first hour’ are 20 years older too.. How will you keep us (and the younger fans) entertained for the next decade(s)?

Andy: IF I TOLD YOU THAT THEN IT WOULDNT ENTERTAIN YOU WHEN IT HAPPENS WOULD IT!

GML: Please give us a short take on the subjects that we know are an important part of your life….

* Writing

Andy: IT ALL COMES DOWN TO THE EDUCATION I WAS GIVEN BY THE ARMY. A MASSIVE PART OF MY LIFE NOW IS VISITING SCHOOLS, PRISONS, ARMY BASES AND COMPANIES TO ENCOURAGE PEOPLE TO MAKE THE MOST OF THE EDUCATION OPPORTUNITIES BEING OFFERED TO THEM. IF YOU ARE EDUCATED YOU ARE IN CONTROL AND CAN MAKE YOUR OWN DECISIONS. IT IS SO IMPORTANT THAT WE EXPLAIN THAT TO PEOPLE, ESPECIALLY THE YOUNG.

* Supporting wounded servicemen and women

Andy: OF COURSE! WE ALL OWE THEM A DEBT OF GRATITUDE AND SUPPORT. WE NEED TO ENSURE THAT WE DO EVERYTHING WE CAN TO HEAL THE WOUNDS, WHETHER PHYSICAL OR MENTAL.

* Participating in eliminating illiteracy

Andy: IT ALL COMES DOWN TO TAKING CONTROL OF YOUR LIFE, EDUCATION ENABLES YOU TO READ, READING GIVES YOU POWER, THE POWER TO MAKE DECISIONS THAT YOU WANT TO MAKE.

* Family life

Andy: THERE IS NOTHING MORE IMPORTANT TO SERVICEMEN AND WOMEN THAN THE SUPPORT OF FAMILY BACK HOME.

* Lectures, book signings, tours meeting fans

Andy: GREAT OPPORTUNITY TO CHAT TO THE PEOPLE WHO READ THE BOOKS, WHAT AUTHOR WOULDN’T APPRECIATE THAT CHANCE? OH, AND THE KFC/MCDONALDS ALONG THE WAY. ITS ALL GLAMOUR.

* Big waves

Andy: PURELY FOR INSPIRATION ON THE WRITING OBVIOUSLY, GET OUT THERE EARLY IN THE MORNING AND THEN FIND SOMEWHERE FOR A BREW AND A FRY UP AFTERWARDS.

* Grey Man’s Land
(ok, just kidding)

Andy: WHO?
JUST KIDDING.

GML: We really hold you to the publishing of the delayed Nick Stone novel ‘Silencer’ end this year but a lot of fans are wondering if there too will be a new Tom Buckingham and a sequel to the Dropzone series in the next future?

Andy: YES, THERE WILL BE A NEW TOM BUCKINGHAM IN 2014. NOT SURE ON DROPZONE, I’LL LET YOU KNOW.

GML: We may or may not have asked this a few times before…..but if we promise to NOT ask about movie news this time – would you promise to let us know immediately if there is anything to mention?

Andy: YES, I PROMISE. WE’RE MAKING PROGRESS, SLOWLY…IN FACT I’M IN LOS ANGELES AS I WRITE THIS.

GML: Something the lucky fans who managed to get a ticket to one of your book signings often wonder… are they allowed to bring their old & favourite McNab book(s) so to get your signature in those?

Andy: OF COURSE! THE OLDER THE BETTER ALTHOUGH I MIGHT START TESTING PEOPLE ON THE PLOT!

Thanks so much again Andy, we wish you happy touring and hoping a lot of your fans will get a chance to meet you and get their books signed!!

Lynn
Grey Man’s Land

“This week Clive’s secret mission is with novelist and former SAS operative Andy McNab, whose bestseller ‘Bravo Two Zero’ is the true story of eight members of the SAS regiment on a top secret mission to infiltrate deep behind enemy lines. The 20th Anniversary edition is available on 23rd May.”

Go here to listen to the BBC program Loose Ends (Andy McNab item starts at 2min44)

HELP FOR HEROES & MISSION 424 COMPETITION

Are you McNab enough to take part in MISSION 424? Push yourself to the limit and raise funds for Help for Heroes.

We’ve teamed up with Mission 424 and Help for Heroes to give you and three friends the chance to take part in an unforgettable weekend of action, adventure and espionage, and to raise vital funds to improve the lives of British soldiers.

The winner of this once-in-a-lifetime competition will receive a debrief from Andy McNab himself after the mission has been completed, and will act as an ambassador for the cause on Andy’s Facebook page.

“Under the cover of darkness you’ll be sent deep into the heart of enemy territory. Your job is to track down the classified information and save the day. You will need to work as a team to complete this crucial task.”

Mission 424 will put you on a knife edge. You will experience what it is like to eat, sleep and breathe tactical operations.

FIND OUT ALL ABOUT THIS ADRENALINE FUELED EXPERIENCE ON THE ‘MISSION 424′ WEBSITE

Date: 20–22 September 2013

Location: Undisclosed, Salisbury Plain, Wiltshire

Teams: 4 people, mixed or same sex

Entry Fee: £125 per person camping, £145 per person bed in the barracks

Fundraising Target: £300 per person (£1,200 per team)

Other requirements: ‘can-do’ attitude, sense of humour, appetite for adventure, commitment to fundraising

why enlist?
Whether you are a group of friends or a company looking for a unique team-building exercise, this is guaranteed to be an unforgettable weekend
of adventure and a great way to show your support for Help for Heroes.

For more intel, contact 01725 514106 or visit www.mission424.org.uk

THINK YOU HAVE WHAT IT TAKES?

For your chance to take part in this incredible weekend just answer the following questions on Andy’s website  and “prove to us why you’re the right man for the job. We want you to tell us your fundraising ideas and, just for fun, we’ve prepared a few questions to see how much McNab you’ve got in you. We’ve asked Andy the same ones so let’s see if you match up!”

 

“The final winner will be picked by Andy, based on which fundraising idea he thinks will work best – so get thinking and good luck!”

 

Andy is on Tour to talk about Bravo Two Zero’s 20th anniversary and the revised edition of his much talked about book.

28 May 2013
Hay on Wye festifal, Hereford
11.30am (Barclays Pavilion)
Tickets: £7.00

“ANDY MCNAB TALKS TO PAUL BLEZARD
On the 20th anniversary of publication of his iconic tale of disaster and endurance in the first Iraq War, the Special Forces veteran revisits the story with new material”

28 May 2013
The Chepstow Bookshop, Lower Church Street, Chepstow
7.30pm (The Drill Hall)
Tickets: £5 each – £2 redeemable against purchase of the special 20th anniversary edition of “Bravo Two Zero” (RRP £7.99).

“Join us to celebrate the 20th anniversary of “Bravo Two Zero” with the author Andy McNab.
The breathtaking account of Special Forces soldiering – a chronicle of superhuman courage, endurance and dark humour in the face of overwhelming odds.”

30 May 2013
The Fleet Air Arm Museum,
Royal Naval Air Station Yeovilton, Somerset BA22 8HT
7:00PM
Tickets £5 and available from the shop.

“Andy McNab under Concorde!!
Waterstones celebrates the the 20th of the release of Bravo Two Zero. We welcome Andy McNab to The Fleet Air Arm Museum to talk about his newly updated & expanded edition of his bestselling book.”

And of course Andy visits The National Army Museum on 23 May, The Tank Museum on 24 May and Wakefield on 29 May

Another Evening with Andy McNab…. He’ll be visiting Wakefield on 29 May 2013.

And….more dates yet to be confirmed so hopefully a lot of fans are able to Meet & Greet.

Andy McNab
Bravo Two Zero – Exclusive Talk

Wednesday 29th May 2013 at 7 pm

Cedar Court Hotel
Wakefield

Tickets £12 & includes exclusive Limited Edition Badge

Funds to Pinderfields & Northern General ITU

Order Hotline: 07564293449 (UK)
E-Mail cupboardteampromotions@gmail.com

Bravo Two Zero: 20 Years On

Andy McNab
23 May 2013, 7.00pm

Twenty years after its first publication, ‘Bravo Two Zero’ remains the biggest selling military history book of all time.

To mark this anniversary, Andy McNab will talk about that ill-fated mission that went deep into the Iraqi desert during the First Gulf War (1990-91), what he discovered when he returned to the area a decade on, and what has happened to the rest of the patrol since.

Tickets can be purchased in the following ways:
- Telephone: 020 7881 6600
- Online: Use the booking form on this page or visit the Museum Shop
- At the Museum

Concessions:
A concessionary rate is available to SOFNAM members, students, seniors and service personnel. Concession tickets can be booked over the telephone but must be collected with proof of ID.

Go here for the National Army Museum Website