The Siege

“The Siege” by Ben Macintyre is a riveting account of the 1980 Iranian Embassy siege in London. As the most comprehensive study of this real-life drama to date, Macintyre unravels the complexity of an event that catapulted the SAS into global renown and bolstered Margaret Thatcher's image as a national heroine.

Macintyre's trademark blend of meticulous research and engaging storytelling brings this tense six-day standoff to life with vivid detail and suspense. He expertly weaves together multiple perspectives, from the hostages and terrorists to the police negotiators and SAS soldiers, providing a nuanced understanding of the event and its key players.

The author skillfully balances the human drama with broader historical context, exploring the roots of the crisis in Iranian politics and British-Iranian relations. Macintyre reveals lesser-known aspects of the siege, such as the gunmen's authentic cause of bringing attention to the persecuted Arab population in Khuzestan, Iran, while also exposing their manipulation by the Iraqi secret service and terrorist Abu Nidal.

The book excels in conveying the building tensions inside the embassy, depicting unlikely bonding between hostages and captors, volatile mood swings, and the paranoia that ultimately led to the SAS intervention. Macintyre's narrative also touches on intriguing social history elements, like ITV's refusal to interrupt Coronation Street for live siege coverage.

While the moment-by-moment account of the siege is gripping, some readers may find certain background sections slightly prolonged. Additionally, despite Macintyre's efforts to piece together the most accurate picture possible of the SAS assault, some questions about the operation's conduct remain unanswered.

Overall, “The Siege” is a thrilling and informative read that sheds new light on a pivotal moment in British counterterrorism. Macintyre once again proves his talent for turning complex historical events into page-turning narratives, offering a thought-provoking exploration of an event that captivated a nation and changed the course of special forces history.