--- product_id: 49160104 title: "CONTACT" price: "€ 31.04" currency: EUR in_stock: true reviews_count: 13 url: https://www.desertcart.es/products/49160104-contact store_origin: ES region: Spain --- # CONTACT **Price:** € 31.04 **Availability:** ✅ In Stock ## Quick Answers - **What is this?** CONTACT - **How much does it cost?** € 31.04 with free shipping - **Is it available?** Yes, in stock and ready to ship - **Where can I buy it?** [www.desertcart.es](https://www.desertcart.es/products/49160104-contact) ## Best For - Customers looking for quality international products ## Why This Product - Free international shipping included - Worldwide delivery with tracking - 15-day hassle-free returns ## Description CONTACT is a powerful, evocative portrait of warfare…a soldier's story, no punches pulled, no truths varnished over, no cover-ups…revealing the scars of war that affect generations on all sides of a conflict. A story of heartache, courage and hope for peace. "...the best account we have had of what it is like to serve in Northern Ireland..." The Times Literary Supplement " ...a major contribution to our understanding...Contact is the work of a brave writer." Irish News “Gripping, concise and gritty – amazing read!” AFN Clarke's bestselling and controversial autobiography CONTACT is a raw, visceral, "no-holds-barred" account of his two tours in Northern Ireland (in Belfast and Crossmaglen) with Britain's elite Parachute Regiment in the blood-soaked 1970s during "The Troubles". It was first published in 1983, became an instant best seller, was praised by reviewers from various sides of the conflict for its devastating honesty and courage, and made into an award-winning BBC TV film which is still available today through the British Film Institute. A special hardcover edition released in March 2023 marks the 40th Anniversary of the book’s publication. That it’s still selling strong after 40 years is a testament to its timeless relevance with readers. In CONTACT Clarke takes us into the private world of soldiers operating under extreme stress and living each day with their senses on high alert. Where the enemy wears no uniform and shoots from the shadows, and the bomber's trip-wire is an ever-present nightmare. We experience their emotions, fear, courage, humour, bravado and the anguish of death. The dangers, political agendas and religious roots underlying the conflict are eerily and heartbreakingly similar to Iraq, Afghanistan and other conflict zones today, where soldiers are ordered to hold the lines in an ancient quarrel they have little affinity for, but whose consequences are deadly. The latest edition includes a section omitted from the original version where Clarke reveals what it was like to be in his twenties, go to hell and come back having nearly died with half his insides missing, suffering from physical, mental and emotional upheaval and being expected to return to a "normal life". It’s a story of the scars of war that affect generations on all sides of a conflict. Of heartache, courage and hope for peace. Available as an eBook, Paperback and Hardback. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION CONTACT was reviewed by soldiers who served with Captain Clarke as verification of his recollections. Readers outside the UK are invited to visit desertcart.co.uk for soldier's reviews/comments. In support of the peaceful resolution of conflict In 2010 – in support of their efforts at peacebuilding and conflict resolution - AFN Clarke accepted an invitation from the Tim Parry Johnathan Ball Peace Foundation to participate in a Peace & Reconciliation conference in Warrington, UK which was attended by individuals from various 'sides' of the Northern Ireland conflict, as well as from other parts of the world embroiled in similar multi-faceted conflicts. He also travelled to Derry, Northern Ireland, to participate in an associated educational program about 'The Troubles' designed for school children and a panel discussion on ‘The Troubles’ with representatives from various sides of the conflict. PRESS/SOLDIER REVIEWS “…unashamedly personal account...a fascinating view of fighting a war from a perspective which we very rarely experience or hear about.” Irish Evening Press “…its honesty and passion cannot be denied….Mr Clarke has sent out a powerful and disturbing early warning signal.” Daily Telegraph "One of the best military stories that I have ever read.” Steven McLaughlin, Author of Squaddie: A Soldier's Story. UK 2010. Review: CONTACT: A timeless & classic account of terrorist warfare - A few months ago I was a guest speaker at a `Peace & Reconciliation' conference hosted by the Tim Parry Peace Centre in Warrington. Various figures from the military were there to speak about our experiences of serving in Northern Ireland at different stages of the conflict; I was there to discuss how it felt in the very end stages, when 'The Troubles' had all but petered out. But by far our most illuminating guest and powerful speaker was a former Parachute Regiment Captain and author, AFN Clarke - which brings me to the purpose of this review. In 1983 Tony wrote Contact, a blisteringly honest and deeply controversial account of his two tours in NI at the very height of the troubles in the 1970s. Contact rapidly achieved cult status amongst the rank & file of the army, won critical acclaim from prestigious reviewers and at the same time drew stinging criticism from the retired Brigadiers & Colonels establishment brigade - which usually means you're doing something right because you've got them rattled. As the saying goes: "You judge a man by the strength of his enemies." Well Tony gained plenty; not least of all in the highest ranks of the MOD and politics - so much so that a smear campaign was launched against him and he was forced to defend his name with aggression and grit. The attacks only strengthened him and Contact was immediately made into an award-winning BBC film. Tony went on to live in America where he built a new career as a Pilot, Yaught Charter Captain for hire and general all-round adventurer. If ever you have the privilege of meeting him you'll instantly recognise the classic `rebellious officer' streak that runs right through him and so irritated his former paymasters. But maddeningly for them he was undeniably a gifted soldier; he joined 3 Para as a Private `Tom', made Lance Corporal within a year and was commissioned from the ranks after just two; a difficult task in today's army but damn near impossible in the class ridden 70s - unless you were very, very good. And he was. Contact deals with his first tour in Belfast in 1973 and his second tour in South Armagh in 1976, before culminating in his tragic and premature medical discharge from the army as a 28yr old Captain with his entire brilliant future cruelly ripped away from him. During his first tour the temporarily `friendly' locals spiked his tea with ground glass as he drank it on hearts & minds patrols, which resulted in internal organ failure, the removal of his entire bowel region and the almost complete ruination of his health. He soldiered on for six long years passing glass shards and undergoing a dozen operations, before his body finally gave in and literally half of his belly was removed. It was only his previous dogged fitness and determination that kept him in the army and on his feet for so long. Of course, he fought back and went on to climb mountains and fly planes, but all the time since he's carried a permanent pain and dreadful scars. But the pride, fierce glint in the eyes and inner steel remains... It felt a little odd at the Warrington peace talks because some anti-war types and `Troops Out' members were there and they clearly had strong feelings about British soldiers. And there was Tony, sat there with injuries that they couldn't imagine, this hard-as-nails former Para, and he was cool as a cucumber, effortlessly batting away their attacks with genuine warmth, humour and compassion. He'd seen more action than everyone in that room put together and paid the highest price, yet he was the calmest, most graceful and forgiving one there. It was inspiring stuff and a lesson in how to handle yourself when you're getting it from all sides. At the moment Tony is rewriting and updating Contact to take in the aftermath of his own service, that of his former colleagues and his own assessment and true feelings about the peace process - something that I know he's a great supporter of, however painful NI was and continues to be for him. I can't recommend his book highly enough to you - truly it's a superb, timely read - especially in light of the recent deaths in NI and roadblocks that seem to constantly block the path to peace. I think too that it's an important and hugely relevant book in that we seem to be bogged down in an eerily similar `terrorist War' in Afghanistan, and there are lessons and parallel conclusions to be drawn for our military involvement `out there'. Certainly I reckon that any young Squaddie going on his first tour abroad would get a hell of a lot from this book, because for me it was an object lesson in how to treat and interact with the locals; they're never going to be your friends and they'll never accept your presence, but if you at least treat them with a modicum of tact, diplomacy and discretion (whenever you safely can), then a wary tolerance and fragile mutual respect can sprout. Which is a damn sight better than the alternative... Contact is one of the best military stories that I have ever read and I recommend it to you in the highest terms; it's a book from a past conflict that has timely and resonant lessons for a present one. Steven McLaughlin, Author of Squaddie: A Soldier's Story Mainstream Publishing Review: Just Good Stuff - Tont Clarke was a soldier who served, like myself, in Northern Ireland. He served during two of the worst years of that period and he writes dramatically and honestly of his time there. This is a fine book of the period and an excellent historical record of life for a British soldier in those terrible, violent times. Highly, highly recommended. I lost my copy and am now buying a second one. ## Technical Specifications | Specification | Value | |---------------|-------| | Best Sellers Rank | 459,601 in Books ( See Top 100 in Books ) 1,311 in British Historical Military Biographies | | Customer Reviews | 4.4 out of 5 stars 1,143 Reviews | ## Images ![CONTACT - Image 1](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/71tbdGYy2NL.jpg) ## Customer Reviews ### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ CONTACT: A timeless & classic account of terrorist warfare *by S***N on 11 March 2010* A few months ago I was a guest speaker at a `Peace & Reconciliation' conference hosted by the Tim Parry Peace Centre in Warrington. Various figures from the military were there to speak about our experiences of serving in Northern Ireland at different stages of the conflict; I was there to discuss how it felt in the very end stages, when 'The Troubles' had all but petered out. But by far our most illuminating guest and powerful speaker was a former Parachute Regiment Captain and author, AFN Clarke - which brings me to the purpose of this review. In 1983 Tony wrote Contact, a blisteringly honest and deeply controversial account of his two tours in NI at the very height of the troubles in the 1970s. Contact rapidly achieved cult status amongst the rank & file of the army, won critical acclaim from prestigious reviewers and at the same time drew stinging criticism from the retired Brigadiers & Colonels establishment brigade - which usually means you're doing something right because you've got them rattled. As the saying goes: "You judge a man by the strength of his enemies." Well Tony gained plenty; not least of all in the highest ranks of the MOD and politics - so much so that a smear campaign was launched against him and he was forced to defend his name with aggression and grit. The attacks only strengthened him and Contact was immediately made into an award-winning BBC film. Tony went on to live in America where he built a new career as a Pilot, Yaught Charter Captain for hire and general all-round adventurer. If ever you have the privilege of meeting him you'll instantly recognise the classic `rebellious officer' streak that runs right through him and so irritated his former paymasters. But maddeningly for them he was undeniably a gifted soldier; he joined 3 Para as a Private `Tom', made Lance Corporal within a year and was commissioned from the ranks after just two; a difficult task in today's army but damn near impossible in the class ridden 70s - unless you were very, very good. And he was. Contact deals with his first tour in Belfast in 1973 and his second tour in South Armagh in 1976, before culminating in his tragic and premature medical discharge from the army as a 28yr old Captain with his entire brilliant future cruelly ripped away from him. During his first tour the temporarily `friendly' locals spiked his tea with ground glass as he drank it on hearts & minds patrols, which resulted in internal organ failure, the removal of his entire bowel region and the almost complete ruination of his health. He soldiered on for six long years passing glass shards and undergoing a dozen operations, before his body finally gave in and literally half of his belly was removed. It was only his previous dogged fitness and determination that kept him in the army and on his feet for so long. Of course, he fought back and went on to climb mountains and fly planes, but all the time since he's carried a permanent pain and dreadful scars. But the pride, fierce glint in the eyes and inner steel remains... It felt a little odd at the Warrington peace talks because some anti-war types and `Troops Out' members were there and they clearly had strong feelings about British soldiers. And there was Tony, sat there with injuries that they couldn't imagine, this hard-as-nails former Para, and he was cool as a cucumber, effortlessly batting away their attacks with genuine warmth, humour and compassion. He'd seen more action than everyone in that room put together and paid the highest price, yet he was the calmest, most graceful and forgiving one there. It was inspiring stuff and a lesson in how to handle yourself when you're getting it from all sides. At the moment Tony is rewriting and updating Contact to take in the aftermath of his own service, that of his former colleagues and his own assessment and true feelings about the peace process - something that I know he's a great supporter of, however painful NI was and continues to be for him. I can't recommend his book highly enough to you - truly it's a superb, timely read - especially in light of the recent deaths in NI and roadblocks that seem to constantly block the path to peace. I think too that it's an important and hugely relevant book in that we seem to be bogged down in an eerily similar `terrorist War' in Afghanistan, and there are lessons and parallel conclusions to be drawn for our military involvement `out there'. Certainly I reckon that any young Squaddie going on his first tour abroad would get a hell of a lot from this book, because for me it was an object lesson in how to treat and interact with the locals; they're never going to be your friends and they'll never accept your presence, but if you at least treat them with a modicum of tact, diplomacy and discretion (whenever you safely can), then a wary tolerance and fragile mutual respect can sprout. Which is a damn sight better than the alternative... Contact is one of the best military stories that I have ever read and I recommend it to you in the highest terms; it's a book from a past conflict that has timely and resonant lessons for a present one. Steven McLaughlin, Author of Squaddie: A Soldier's Story Mainstream Publishing ### ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Just Good Stuff *by K***N on 27 January 2012* Tont Clarke was a soldier who served, like myself, in Northern Ireland. He served during two of the worst years of that period and he writes dramatically and honestly of his time there. This is a fine book of the period and an excellent historical record of life for a British soldier in those terrible, violent times. Highly, highly recommended. I lost my copy and am now buying a second one. ### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Very realistic account of soldiers serving in 1970s Belfast and Crossmaglen *by C***S on 23 March 2022* This is a very realistic and accurate portrayal of what it was like to serve in Northern Ireland in the 1970s. I served with the Light Infantry in Belfast in the Ardoyne 1972 and in South Armagh at Cross in 1973.Both my tours bear a very close resemblance to Tony Clarkes experience of his tours in Belfast and Crossmaglen. He captures the danger, tension and futility of young infantry soldiers patrolling in Belfast and South Armagh, with infrequent contacts, ambushes and firefights with the Provisional IRA. He also accuratley captures the day to day bullshit, tactical ineptitude and poor decisions made by some senior commanders during the 4 month tours and the constant boredom and lack of sleep that ordinary soldiers had to deal with. It is a very well written, honest and powerful memoir of his time in Northern Ireland that mirrors my own experience very closely. In my view the best book written by a soldier who served in Northern Ireland during the 1970s which were the really dangerous and difficult years. Like Tony Clarke and the Paras, my Regiment the 1st Battalion Light Infantry lost soldiers during both tours in Belfast and Crossmaglen to snipers and bombs. Reading this memoir brings it all back to me and I can picture Belfast and Cross even now in my head as it was in 1972 and 73. We always considered the Paras as a tough and aggressive breed but who may not have been trained ideally for a peacekeeping role in Northern Ireland. Bloody Sunday probably showed that, though the Paras 3rd Battalion and Tony Clarke were not involved in that tragedy. The book though is a very accurate and personal account of what it was like to be a Para and soldier in the Ardoyne in Belfast and in Cross in 1972 and 73, and the descriptions of carrying out patrols, house searches and vehicle check points in an urban and rural setting whilst constantly on the lookout for snipers, ambushes and roadside bombs is very gripping. On reflection I think that at times the Paras were a bit heavy handed in the way that they handled house searches and civil disorder in Belfast in the 1970s in comparison to the way my Regiment operated and behaved. I think we were a bit more restrained and disciplined in our modus operandi, until we were forced to engage with the Provos in ambushes, firefights and gun battles. Anyway as a military memoir it is excellent and highly recommended for portraying the reality and danger of what it was like as a soldier to serve in Northern Ireland. Well worth reading and well done Tony Clarke. --- ## Why Shop on Desertcart? - 🛒 **Trusted by 1.3+ Million Shoppers** — Serving international shoppers since 2016 - 🌍 **Shop Globally** — Access 737+ million products across 21 categories - 💰 **No Hidden Fees** — All customs, duties, and taxes included in the price - 🔄 **15-Day Free Returns** — Hassle-free returns (30 days for PRO members) - 🔒 **Secure Payments** — Trusted payment options with buyer protection - ⭐ **TrustPilot Rated 4.5/5** — Based on 8,000+ happy customer reviews **Shop now:** [https://www.desertcart.es/products/49160104-contact](https://www.desertcart.es/products/49160104-contact) --- *Product available on Desertcart Spain* *Store origin: ES* *Last updated: 2026-07-07*