Special & Elite Forces

There’s something fascinating about special and elite forces books and films. Anyone can get pulled into the story of undercover heroes and highly trained specialists working to defend their countries and their freedoms.

For those not in the military, they are un-put-down-able reads that offer a gripping insight into jobs that are so different from the norm, and lives that are far more intense and extreme than most people can imagine. For those in the military, special forces books offer inspiration, ideas, and cautionary tales.

That’s what makes these military books some of the most exciting and popular reads on Booktopia.

Special operations forces books
There are so many fantastic special operations books available that it can be hard to know which one to read first. Try sorting by bestsellers to see what other people are loving right now.

One of the most popular special forces books in recent years is SAS. It follows a young officer, David Stirling, in the Western Dessert in 1941. David decided it was high time for a new tactic – where his team attacked the enemy from behind their own lines. This incredible story has become immensely popular, and has been adapted into a hit BBC television series as well.

For a special operations forces book from an Australian author, try No Front Line by award-winning journalist Chris Masters. In it, Masters follows the Australian SAS, the most highly trained soldiers, during their work in Afghanistan. It’s the result of ten years of investigation, and explains what life is like for the most elite fighting forces in the country.

Special forces training books
The training it takes to be in the special forces is notoriously difficult, demanding, and relentless. Take a peek into what it’s like with special forces training books.

Extreme Fitness offers military workouts and fitness challenges for maximising performance. There are more than 300 artworks showing how each workout is done, all of which are used by the US Navy SEALs and British Royal Marines. This book is a great way for anyone to level up their fitness, and even prepare to enter the armed forces.

Survival tactics are one of the key things any soldier will learn in the special forces. How to Survive (Almost) Anything is a special forces guide to staying alive. Written by ex-special forces soldier Ollie Ollerton, it covers everything from constructing a camp and building a fire to administering first aid.