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First Man In: Leading from the front. An inspiring Sunday Times bestselling memoir of personal growth and elite special forces training Hardcover – 31 May 2018

by Ant Middleton (Author)

20,772 ratings

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The best book of the year. First Man In will supercharge your life. Incredible Tom Marcus, author of bestseller Soldier Spy.

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	First Man In	The Fear Bubble	Zero Negativity	Mental Fitness	The Wall

Customer Reviews	20,772	9,384	5,801	2,425	463
Price	£8.50	£6.68	£5.99	£19.44	£8.49
Available now	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓

‘The best book of the year. First Man In will supercharge your life.'

Tom Marcus, bestselling author of Soldier, Spy, 2018

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[A} thumping bestseller… searingly honest’ Sunday Times

‘The best book of the year. First Man In will supercharge your life. Incredible’ Tom Marcus, author of bestseller Soldier Spy

‘Superb, fist-biting fun’ GQ

‘Visceral… Inspirational reading’ Daily Mail Books of the Year

Book Description

Leading from the front. An inspiring Sunday Times bestselling memoir of personal growth and elite special forces training

Product details

Publisher ‏ : ‎ HarperCollins
Publication date ‏ : ‎ 31 May 2018
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Print length ‏ : ‎ 320 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0008245711
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0008245719
Item weight ‏ : ‎ 567 g
Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 3.56 x 14.99 x 23.62 cm

Best Sellers Rank: 361,275 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- 12 in Special Forces Biographies
- 341 in Psychologist Biographies
- 536 in Outdoor Survival Skills

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20,772 ratings

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Ant Middleton

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Customers say

Customers find this memoir a compelling and well-written book that provides great life lessons and demonstrates the power of positive thinking. The autobiography is brutally honest in its reflection of the author's life, and customers describe him as an extraordinary person with strong mental fortitude. They appreciate the book's humor, noting it's never boring and can make readers laugh out loud. The pacing receives mixed reactions, with some finding it surprising while others say it's repetitive.

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Readability Inspirational content Writing quality Honesty Personality Humor Strength Pacing

1,266 customers mention ‘Readability’1,212 positive54 negative

Customers find the book to be a compelling and enjoyable read, with several noting it is better written than other books in the genre.

"Brilliant book . Excellent read . A real page Turner ,I've read many books on leadership skills ,this one is the best by far..." Read more

"Interesting story, came across a bit arrogant at times but I guess that is part of his personality...." Read more

"I read this over a couple of days I couldn’t put it down a brilliant read and insight into his life and lessons loved it" Read more

"Good book" Read more

596 customers mention ‘Inspirational content’575 positive21 negative

Customers find the book inspirational, providing great life lessons and demonstrating the power of positive thinking. They appreciate its insights into a complex man's life and its lessons in leadership.

"...Great story and insight into training/selection processes. Enjoyed this, very impressive guy!" Read more

"...a couple of days I couldn’t put it down a brilliant read and insight into his life and lessons loved it" Read more

"...Excellent read and a good guide to his or not do things. Recommended as a great read and nicely written with easy to understand advice." Read more

"...to this man who has turned his life around and turned his negative energy into positive action. His life could have been very different......" Read more

150 customers mention ‘Writing quality’125 positive25 negative

Customers praise the writing style of the book, noting that it flows well and is easy to read. One customer mentions that the author writes from the heart.

"...Recommended as a great read and nicely written with easy to understand advice." Read more

"...It’s written in an entertaining, fascinating to read style...." Read more

"...signallers' in his wake by delivering in brutally honest, down-to-earth language, many everyday practical techniques that can be easily related to..." Read more

"...Thoroughly good read with some very simple and practical leadership tips, the first of which will begin to help me from today, as "I look at..." Read more

129 customers mention ‘Honesty’129 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the book's honesty and humility in describing the author's life and career.

"...Brilliant The open and honest way Ant has poured his soul out is fantastic...." Read more

"...It's really helpful that, not only does he share his stories, he summarises at the end of each chapter some key considerations and thoughts on..." Read more

"l’d recommend this book to anyone with a heartbeat. A brutally honest and gripping account of one mans personal journey...." Read more

"...Ant is incredibly candid in telling his story the good the bad and the ugly, Reading about his life was fascinating and I struggled to put this..." Read more

64 customers mention ‘Personality’64 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the author's personality, describing him as an extraordinary and extremely interesting man with strong determination and charisma.

"...After reading this my respect for this amazing man is very high...." Read more

"...Which is a shame because he is undoubtedly an absolute hero, I just didn't need to hear about how his pals are "gangsters" and he's broken forty..." Read more

"Ant Middleton is an amazing person, genuine, truthful, inspirational and truly a wonderful motivator, I received this book on Tuesday 12th June and..." Read more

"...had his share of ups and downs, but he was a young man blessed with sporting and soldiering talent...." Read more

33 customers mention ‘Humor’30 positive3 negative

Customers enjoy the book's humor, finding it honest, amusing, and never boring, with several mentioning they laughed out loud while reading it.

"...can honestly say it’s an eye opener on Ant Middleton’s life and very entertaining...." Read more

"Really enjoyed this book, bit of comedy from the moment he turned up for basic training (1 week early!!) to the more serious stuff like Afghan...." Read more

"...Good morals and advise in there too. Well worth reading! Never boring and couldn't put the book down...." Read more

"...This book also has a good vibe about it and makes you feel positive whilst reading It's well worth a read" Read more

32 customers mention ‘Strength’32 positive0 negative

Customers praise the author's strength, describing him as a brave and gritty individual, with one customer noting that the body can endure more than the mind.

"...There is always a strong woman behind a strong man. This book just confirms everything that i felt and knew about Ant, from watching him for years...." Read more

"...to change lives by embracing challenges with total honesty, humility, bravery, positivity and hope...." Read more

"Resilience, self-belief and determination - with compassion, humility, integrity, courage, effective management of ego and unblinkered ruthlessness..." Read more

"...through but some how Ant still managed to get it together and hold it together, which he then instills in the pages of this book...." Read more

34 customers mention ‘Pacing’15 positive19 negative

Customers have mixed opinions about the pacing of the book, with some finding it surprising and intriguing, while others describe it as repetitive.

"...expectations, it wasn’t captivating and he tried to finish it but got bored. There’s not much of a storyline to it and can be hard to follow...." Read more

"...once you pick up and start to read you just can't stop, fascinating insight to a guy who has certainly had a rollercoaster ride to date, this is a..." Read more

"...Some of the book was repetitive and I would have liked more on his other tours in Afghanistan which were brushed over...." Read more

"...The book tells you what Ant's life has been like, warts and all. It doesn't dwell on the negatives but it doesn't skip them either...." Read more

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Swotsitsnc
very good read
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 16 May 2025
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It was very interesting to see what kind of life he had and what mage him the man we see on tv

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Alwyn jones
Very interesting
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 16 February 2025
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Brilliant book . Excellent read . A real page Turner ,I've read many books on leadership skills ,this one is the best by far
Good job MR Middleton

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Josh Ward
Interesting story
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 10 January 2025
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Interesting story, came across a bit arrogant at times but I guess that is part of his personality. Great story and insight into training/selection processes. Enjoyed this, very impressive guy!

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christopher campbell
first man in
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 14 December 2024
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I read this over a couple of days I couldn’t put it down a brilliant read and insight into his life and lessons loved it

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Sam - Northern Hygienist
Good book
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 10 January 2025
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Good book

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David Parkinson
Hmmm, interesting but leaves out too much
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 22 October 2018
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I'm a bit of a glutton for SAS books. From McNabb to Ryan I have read them all. As ex forces the stories intrigue me and I love the background.

This one seemed like it would be good - Ant looks interesting on the TV and as if he had a story to tell.

First off - this is a large book due to it;'s very large typeset. Had it been a normal sized font you could expect the book to be half the size. That age old publishers trick. Fine - content that matters.

Game of two halves really. The first part - his background, how he got to the Para's and how he ended up in the Marines. Interesting and would have loved to hear more about just these. About halfway through though it really loses its way and just becomes a long long story about the TV show on a boat, that I never watched or cared about.

Due to new rules one presumes there is literally nothing in here about the SBS times, how he ended up there, the experience or why and how he left. Zero. Nothing. Literally jumps from Marines (but barely anything about that) to bad boy civvy to boat story.

There is also nothing about why or how he ended up on TV, what the story was there or how the SAS programmes came about.

So - great first half (about 2 hours read) and then not much else. There also seems to have been a publisher decision to make this an "Ant's life lessons in..." type ending to each chapter. I just found this tedious and narcissistic. Would have preferred the stories.

Interesting but might be a better paperback read for some.

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125 people found this helpful

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S. D. KNIGHT
Great read.
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 18 October 2024
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Thoroughly enjoyed this book, and didn't realise that so much has taken place in a relatively short lifetime. Excellent read and a good guide to his or not do things. Recommended as a great read and nicely written with easy to understand advice.

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One person found this helpful

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MadDog
Good read but not what I expected.
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 28 December 2018
Verified Purchase
This was a great read but not what I expected. The book all feels a bit choppy to me. Things are cut off a little too soon and other things begin.

I wanted a more in-depth insight into his time SF selection and time spent with the SBS. The book only speaks of the first phase of UKSF selection then moves on to time spent in prison. I was gutted about that! For me personally, I bought the book for the SBS side of things. That's what fascinates me. He refers to a mythical chap a couple of times in the book that passed SBS selection at 19 when the SBS played out and experiment with 10 new recruits fresh out of RM training. That chap happens to be Duncan Falconer.

Duncan also did a book on his time in the SBS called First into Action. Now THAT is a gripping book of life inside the SBS and probably one one of the best books I've read and definitely the best SF book I've read. However, it's now getting a little outdated and I was after an up to date experience inside the SBS with Ants book and I didn't get it.

This book is more about Ants story through life and his own personal struggles. Read the book in a day which says something in itself but if it's a look inside the life of modern day UKSF and in particular the SBS, you won't really find anything substantial about them here.

I am now going to give Jason Fox's book a crack and hope I get what I'm looking for from that one!

You can grab a copy of Duncan Falconer's book on Amazon - https://www.amazon.co.uk/First-Into-Action-Dramatic-Personal/dp/0751531650

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MadDog

Good read but not what I expected.

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 28 December 2018
This was a great read but not what I expected. The book all feels a bit choppy to me. Things are cut off a little too soon and other things begin.

I wanted a more in-depth insight into his time SF selection and time spent with the SBS. The book only speaks of the first phase of UKSF selection then moves on to time spent in prison. I was gutted about that! For me personally, I bought the book for the SBS side of things. That's what fascinates me. He refers to a mythical chap a couple of times in the book that passed SBS selection at 19 when the SBS played out and experiment with 10 new recruits fresh out of RM training. That chap happens to be Duncan Falconer.

Duncan also did a book on his time in the SBS called First into Action. Now THAT is a gripping book of life inside the SBS and probably one one of the best books I've read and definitely the best SF book I've read. However, it's now getting a little outdated and I was after an up to date experience inside the SBS with Ants book and I didn't get it.

This book is more about Ants story through life and his own personal struggles. Read the book in a day which says something in itself but if it's a look inside the life of modern day UKSF and in particular the SBS, you won't really find anything substantial about them here.

I am now going to give Jason Fox's book a crack and hope I get what I'm looking for from that one!

You can grab a copy of Duncan Falconer's book on Amazon - https://www.amazon.co.uk/First-Into-Action-Dramatic-Personal/dp/0751531650

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22 people found this helpful

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"tiagofiliperocha"
Interesting
Reviewed in Spain on 13 June 2021
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A good approach to an agile mindset.

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Kiaf
One self
Reviewed in Italy on 6 March 2019
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Self psychological problems and solutions solver. How to use the knowledge and instruments at your disposal from time to time to live a better life.

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One person found this helpful
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Andyp213
Mildly interesting read
Reviewed in Canada on 10 July 2019
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I was an admirer of this mans achievements prior to reading the book. He has had an interesting military career, but outside of that he has been a pain to society. If anything I have lost some of my respect for this guy, which has left me a little disappointed.

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2 people found this helpful
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kenty
Great seller
Reviewed in the United Arab Emirates on 5 June 2021
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As advertised great seller

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LIMA CHARLIE - Loud and Clear
British Statement and overdelivered! Feedback für Ant Middleton
Reviewed in Germany on 28 February 2023
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Feedback für Ant Middleton – First Man In (Leading from the Front) von 2018

British Statement and overdelivered!

Der menschliche Charakter Ant Middleton ist per se super spannend. Ich bin fest davon überzeugt, dass wir von jedem Menschen etwas lernen können. Manchmal lernt man dann vielleicht nur, wie man es nicht machen sollte oder was man persönlich überhaupt nicht möchte. Doch von Ant können wir mit Sicherheit einiges lernen.

Seine Geschichte scheint sehr ehrlich aufgearbeitet worden zu sein, inklusive monatelangen Gefängnisaufenthalt. Er übernahm die volle Verantwortung für seine Taten und lebt seitdem sein Leben zum vollen Potenzial hin: 9 Parachute Squadron, Royal Marines, Sniper, SBS / SAS, TV-Show Instructor, Autor, Survivor and Leader. Einzelne Elemente davon sind schon beeindruckend, doch aufaddiert - Chapeau!

Ich glaube einer seiner nicht explizit genannten Stärken ist es, Menschen zu lesen, sie auftragsorientiert gezielt einzusetzen und sich nebenbei auch selbst noch gut in Szene zu setzen. Für mich vollkommen ok. Denn wer viel leistet, darf auch gerne aus der Masse hervorstechen.

Nebenbei gibt er in seinem Buch nützliche Leadershipskill-Tipps, die ich weitestgehend mitgehen würde. Alles in allem, eine sehr bereichernde Geschichte, aus der ich viel mitnehmen konnte.

5/5 Sterne

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LIMA CHARLIE - Loud and Clear

British Statement and overdelivered! Feedback für Ant Middleton

Reviewed in Germany on 28 February 2023
Feedback für Ant Middleton – First Man In (Leading from the Front) von 2018

British Statement and overdelivered!

Der menschliche Charakter Ant Middleton ist per se super spannend. Ich bin fest davon überzeugt, dass wir von jedem Menschen etwas lernen können. Manchmal lernt man dann vielleicht nur, wie man es nicht machen sollte oder was man persönlich überhaupt nicht möchte. Doch von Ant können wir mit Sicherheit einiges lernen.

Seine Geschichte scheint sehr ehrlich aufgearbeitet worden zu sein, inklusive monatelangen Gefängnisaufenthalt. Er übernahm die volle Verantwortung für seine Taten und lebt seitdem sein Leben zum vollen Potenzial hin: 9 Parachute Squadron, Royal Marines, Sniper, SBS / SAS, TV-Show Instructor, Autor, Survivor and Leader. Einzelne Elemente davon sind schon beeindruckend, doch aufaddiert - Chapeau!

Ich glaube einer seiner nicht explizit genannten Stärken ist es, Menschen zu lesen, sie auftragsorientiert gezielt einzusetzen und sich nebenbei auch selbst noch gut in Szene zu setzen. Für mich vollkommen ok. Denn wer viel leistet, darf auch gerne aus der Masse hervorstechen.

Nebenbei gibt er in seinem Buch nützliche Leadershipskill-Tipps, die ich weitestgehend mitgehen würde. Alles in allem, eine sehr bereichernde Geschichte, aus der ich viel mitnehmen konnte.

5/5 Sterne

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First Man In: Leading from the front. An inspiring Sunday Times bestselling memoir of personal growth and elite special forces training Hardcover – 31 May 2018

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‘The best book of the year. First Man In will supercharge your life.'

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Book Description

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About the author

Ant Middleton

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Good read but not what I expected.

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5.0 out of 5 stars Interesting

5.0 out of 5 stars One self

3.0 out of 5 stars Mildly interesting read

5.0 out of 5 stars Great seller

5.0 out of 5 stars British Statement and overdelivered! Feedback für Ant Middleton

British Statement and overdelivered! Feedback für Ant Middleton

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Interesting

One self

Mildly interesting read

Great seller

British Statement and overdelivered! Feedback für Ant Middleton