Higham Ferrers author delighted with re-release of best-selling military book

Barbara Cole tracked down countless SAS operators and persuaded them to tell their stories for the book
Barbara now lives in Higham FerrersBarbara now lives in Higham Ferrers
Barbara now lives in Higham Ferrers

An author from Higham Ferrers has just announced that her best-selling military book has been re-released.

Barbara Cole, an award-winning journalist who now lives in Higham Ferrers, has worked in Rhodesia/Zimbabwe, South Africa and England and wrote 'The Elite, the Story of the Rhodesian Special Air Service' while based in South Africa.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

After the demise of Rhodesia, she formed a publishing company with three SAS officers, including her husband Peter, a former British 1 Parachute Battalion soldier, to write 'The Elite' to record the history of the unique unit, recounting the many, diverse, daring and previously-secret missions behind enemy lines into neighbouring countries.

She tracked down countless SAS operators who had scattered around the world, persuading them to tell their stories.

The fact that secrecy is a way of life with SAS men was a barrier that she had to overcome, but her perseverance paid off and her detailed book went on to break publishing records.

She followed it up with a best-selling pictorial edition.

The hard-cover book has been out of print for many years, but has now been re-published with a new design by another company and relaunched at the end of last year.

Barbara's book has been re-releasedBarbara's book has been re-released
Barbara's book has been re-released
Hide Ad
Hide Ad

It was due to be profiled at the Frankfurt Book Fair in Germany, but the international event had to be postponed due to COVID-19.

The hard-back version will become available in the UK at a later date.

However, it is now available in the Amazon e-books Kindle store by clicking hereSpeaking this week, Barbara: “It is a story that has stood the test of time.

"It is good to know that it will now be finding new audiences among readers, many of whom were not even born when the Rhodesian SAS went to war."

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

As well as being an author, Barbara won a string of journalism awards while working on The Daily News in Durban.

Message from the editor:

Thank you for reading this story on our website. While I have your attention, I also have an important request to make of you.

In order for us to continue to provide trusted local news on this free-to-read site, I am asking you to also please purchase a copy of our newspaper.

Our journalists are highly trained and our content is independently regulated by IPSO to some of the highest standards in the world. The dramatic events of 2020 are having a major impact on many of our local valued advertisers and consequently the advertising that we receive. We are now more reliant than ever on you helping us to provide you with news by buying a copy of our newspaper.

Thank you