'I'm a perfect example of how reading became so important in my life and really changed my life because when I was 17 I'd never read a book.'

Andy McNab joined the infantry in 1976 as a boy soldier. In 1984 he was badged as a member of 22 SAS Regiment. He served in B Squadron 22 SAS for ten years and worked on both covert and overt special operations worldwide, including anti-terrorist and anti-drug operations in the Middle and Far East, South and Central America and Northern Ireland. Awarded both the Distinguished Conduct Medal (DCM) and Military Medal (MM) during his military career, McNab was the British Army's most highly decorated serving soldier when he finally left the SAS in February 1993.

Andy McNab has written about his experiences in the SAS in three bestselling books, Bravo Two Zero (1993), Immediate Action (1995) and Seven Troop (2008). This year marks the 20th anniversary of Bravo Two Zero, the highest selling war book of all time.

Andy has also written a series of thrillers featuring Nick Stone and two series of young adult books. His new thriller Red Notice was published in October 2012 and his latest young adult book, The New Recruit, in early January this year. His third Quick Read title, Today Everything Changes, was published in February and his second Quick Read, Last Night Another Soldier, was one of the titles chosen for this year's World Book Night.

Andy was our Six Book Challenge Ambassador in 2013 and continues to give valuable support to The Reading Agency.

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