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Going Commando by Mark Time
bookshelves: published-2014, spring-2014, military-maneuvers, e-book, lifestyles-deathstyles, autobiography-memoir, net-galley, cover-love, ipad
Read on March 19, 2014
Troubador Publishing Ltd. Matador Description: At 16, Mark Time wants to become either a geologist or a Royal Marines Commando. Despite his love of basalt, he chooses the career that teaches him how to kill… and shit in plastic bags. Knowing his weak body will have to shape up to complete 30 weeks of commando training, Mark prepares for the Royal Marines by sleeping in his shed wearing only plastic bags. He braves pain by ordering his mate to attack him while trapped in a sleeping bag. He even starves himself in a stupid urban survival exercise, turning down the offer of his favourite crispy pancakes from his mother. He knows about cold, he can endure pain, and he can resist crispy pancakes. He is ready. Some, might say, for the nut house...
Often hilarious and yet shockingly sobering, Going Commando is the true story of a boy who joins one of the world’s most elite military units with only naivety and incompetence equalling his will to succeed. As the first book in the ‘Bootneck Threesome’ series, it will appeal mainly to military enthusiasts, and any former/current/future military personnel. Humorous in tone, the book will also be enjoyed by lads’ mag readers, and audiences worldwide will be able to relate to Mark Time’s story, for whilst the military is the book’s subtext, it is really a motivational tale of spirit; of a young man who will go through anything to reach his dreams.
“As the first book of the ‘Bootneck Threesome’ series, I wanted to create something different from the current crop of military literature. While the book is written about a time in the 80’s, I have tried to add a modern twist to fit into 21st century life. Like The Virgin Soldiers it is a story about the alternative face of military life, where I acknowledge the calamity as well as derring-do. I try to bring humility into military writing, a highly regarded trait in the Royal Marines, which may as come as a surprise when public perception points more towards an environment full of pouting testosterone,” says Mark Time.
One thing that is immediately noticed and that is this man's nom de plume, which means to walk on the spot and is part of parade drill and means that he is in step with all the others around him. A fitting thought for this memoir which is alternately garishly hilarious and quieltly reflective.Lots of squadie aphorisms that temper the gruelling maneuvers. Recommended.
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