First Man In: Leading from the Front

Ant Middleton

Jul 2018 · HarperCollins · Narrated by Ant Middleton

About this audiobook

NUMBER 1 SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER

No one is born a leader. But through sheer determination and by confronting life’s challenges, Ant Middleton has come to know the meaning of true leadership. In First Man In, he shares the core lessons he’s learned over the course of his fascinating, exhilarating life.

Special forces training is no walk in the park. The rules are strict and they make sure you learn the hard way, pushing you beyond the limits of what is physically possible. There is no mercy. Even when you are bleeding and broken, to admit defeat is failure.

To survive the gruelling selection process to become a member of the elite you need toughness, aggression, meticulous attention to detail and unrelenting self-discipline, all traits that make for the best leaders.

After 13 years service in the military, with 4 years as a Special Boat Service (SBS) sniper, Ant Middleton is the epitome of what it takes to excel. He served in the SBS, the naval wing of the special forces, the Royal Marines and 9 Parachute Squadron Royal, achieving what is known as the ‘Holy Trinity’ of the UK’s Elite Forces. As a point man in the SBS, Ant was always the first man through the door, the first man into the dark, and the first man in harm’s way.

In this fascinating, exhilarating and revealing book, Ant speaks about the highs and gut-wrenching lows of his life – from the thrill of passing Special Forces Selection to dealing with the early death of his father and ending up in prison on leaving the military – and draws valuable lessons that we can all use in our daily lives.

Ratings and reviews

extremely intriguing and interesting book, i was put of by 1 review saying it felt like a self help book however I decided to listen to the free sample after that I was completely hooked right till the end,00 that reviewer does have a point it does of elements of self help pointers, buts whats wrong with self helping yourself, besides I would estimate its 80% story and 20% self help so it's not full on. The story's are real and he explains well how what he has learnt got him through hell

This was actually my first ever audio book which I downloaded before a long interstate drive. Well written and well read by Ant Middleton. He is a no nonsense guy who is the first to admit his own (quite significant) flaws but also demonstrates the strength of the mind. It certainly appears that very few of the challenges in his SAS tv show are original and all the tasks are designed to replicate what SAS recruits are put through - hence the name of the show obviously. The overwhelming takeaway is that you need fitness of both the body and the mind to tackle and defeat life's biggest challenges.

I got this as had money off the price. I have drunk with both of the units and I shat myself, although I served my Country but being ex RAF it is like night and day, we all have banter but theirs is a lot better, and one look and ooops. God bless Brother, you have done better than most of us, I hope that you might help someone in the future with this sale. Pass on the love, unless they are a pongo of course. Para and Greens excluded.

About the author

Ant Middleton is the front man for Channel 4’s hit show, SAS: Who Dares Wins. Born in Portsmouth and raised in rural France, Ant set his sights on a career in the armed forces and didn’t stop striving until he achieved his goal. Over the course of his career he has served in the Special Boat Service, the Royal Marines and 9 Parachute Squadron Royal, achieving what is known as the ‘Holy Trinity’ of the UK’s Elite Forces.