GUEST reviewer Jennet Whitehead, Catterick resident and wife of Royal Logistic Corps corporal Tony, gives her verdict on First Man In, the autobiography of TV personality, ex-SBS sniper and former Army&You cover star Ant Middleton…


FIRST Man In is a very engaging read from the outset. It’s so much more than just an autobiography – it’s also a series of life lessons, delivered with that typical squaddie humour that at times had me laughing out loud. 

Ant has had his share of ups and downs, but he was a young man blessed with sporting and soldiering talent. He tells how he negotiated the often-difficult culture in 9 PARA RE that ended in disillusion and how he found fulfilment in the Royal Marines, eventually becoming an elite SBS Commando.

A drinker and brawler on nights out in Essex towns, he experienced trouble with the police and prison. However, he tells how he learns from his mistakes and takes positive action to move forward. He shows how you can turn all manner of bad episodes around and turn negative emotions into power and strength.

Ant has endured some of the toughest tests in the world in pursuit of his career, while battling his own demons along the way. Everyone can take something from this book. I loved the little summaries at the end of each chapter. All in all, a great book on leadership that you won’t want to put down, and a fascinating insight into a life most of us will never understand. 


First Man In is published by Harper Collins in hardback, priced £20. You can follow Ant at @antmiddleton on Instagram and Twitter.

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