Technicals: Non-Standard Tactical Vehicles from the Great Toyota War to modern Special Forces (New Vanguard Book 257) Kindle Edition

Great book on a subject about which I knew only a little. As far as I know there are no other books quite like this so I really don't have any comparison for the 5 Star rating I gave it.Some other books on similar subjects that I think are very good are:* "Military Land Rover" by Ware (2007). These vehicles aren't quite the same as the "Technicals" category because they were specifically designed for military service;* "American Wheeled Armoured Fighting Vehicles" by Green (2016);* "Special Forces Vehicles 1940 to the Present Day" by Ware (2012). This book is probably closer to the "Technicals" type. It describes the Jeeps, HUMMVEEs, and other light military trucks or vehicles developed for Special Operations Forces (SOF) and light reconnaissance service.

It is a sign of our times that "technicals" have been around long enough to be an expected feature of third world battlefields, and the subject of an Osprey New Vanguard Series book. Author Leigh Neville gives us a solid working definition and a concise survey of their use. Peter Dennis provides some well-done illustrations that pick up where the photographs leave off.The author provides a quick introduction defining his terms of inclusion for technical and a longer chapter listing all the weapons that various groups have managed to mount on a variety of civilian vehicles. His survey of the use of technicals takes in a variety of recent conflicts, from Africa to the Middle East to Central Asia. It is easy to see from the narrative why technicals are the weapon of choice for mobile firepower for a variety of terrorist and insurgent groups. It might be less obvious that technicals have been very useful for national armies of limited means, and for special operations forces seeking a low profile in a hot zone. This reviewer was especially interested in their continuing use by U.S. Special Operations forces in the Middle East from 1991 to present. Timely topic, well recommended.

Book covers the use and development of Technicals on the modern battlefield. Origin and current users are covered with many pictures and maps added. The different makes and body styles and the weapons mounted on them is also covered. Interesting portion of the book is the use in Libya of the many varieties of weapons mounted on the back of Technicals from rocket launchers used on aircraft to heavy artillery.

Fascinating book as it looks at the use of modern civilian vehicles in the role of gun carriages for urban fighting in the Middle East for low financed irregular, urban guerrilla-fighters!

Excellent

This subject was completely new to me and the book was a great read. I definitely recommend it. Such an interesting read for me.

great book, fast service

thank you

As an owner of a classic Hilux I've been fascinated how this truck has carved a place in history across the middle East (James May did a good piece too on his 'Cars of the People' programme). The book is a good, in-depth read with plenty of pictures of various trucks and of course the story of the "Great Toyota war" in Chad where the Hilux trucks routed the Russian-made tanks of the Libyans. Well written, well illustrated and definitely worth the price. My Hilux will venture no further than B&Q but it's nice to know it's pedigree all the same. **Recommended**

Great reference and suggestions for modelling. A must have with Meng pick-up set(s)

Standard osprey format, contained everything expected in the usual style. Offers a great insight into the most common vehicle in modern warfare and describes its development in detail. Recommended for people interested in ongoing asymmetric warfare.

Xlent

Interesting booklet.