High Risk

A True Story of the SAS, Drugs and Other Bad Behaviour

By: Ben Timberlake

Narrated by: Ben Timberlake

Sex and drugs and lock and load.

Ben Timberlake has spent a lifetime in pursuit of the ultimate rush. This is an account of his near-execution in wartime Yugoslavia, his time in the SAS, combat in Iraq, encounters with a gambling-obsessed 9/11 hijacker, veterans blissed out on MDMA, as well as exploring hook-ups in the world of extreme sex and battling a heroin habit on a remote Scottish island. In this pilgrimage on the road of excess Ben looks at the social, biological, religious and personal factors that drive people to the edge and has a whole lot of fun along the way.

The why? As Mallory said of Everest, ‘Because it’s there.’ In Ben’s case, there was no risk too high or gutter too low.

Like a cross between Jason Bourne and Anthony Bourdain, this is Kitchen Confidential for the War on Terror. An unforgettable Audible Exclusive that will sate even the most hardened adrenaline junkie.

©2020 Ben Timberlake (P)2020 Audible, Ltd

Bravo to zero to bravo again.

Magnificent, unputdownable for my ears. Fantastic autobiography of an insanely interesting character bringing together the hugely popular questions of meaningful life, philosophy, addiction and growth. a smorgasbord of fascinating topics told in a laugh out loud style mixed with genuinely moving prose. will listen to it at least twice more, loved it. Bravo indeed.

What an absolute madlad

At several points in the book it gets so bizarre with so many sudden twists it just becomes hard to believe. Is he making this shit up or at least bending the truth? What does it matter anyway. Never let the truth get in the way of a good story they say, and a good story it was. I’ll just stick to believe it all with a hint of doubt.

Learned and laughed!

I felt like I was back in a war zone.

Like the firing of an MDMA pumped synapse, or the adrenaline fuelled flick of a safety catch, Timberlake's crazy autobiography bounces fluidly from travel journal, to war biography, to drug diary, to literature. Philosophy, psychology, archeology, physiology and the tortured workings of the human soul all are covered here with empathy, insight, wit and crude humour.
High Risk takes on Michael Herr's 'Dispatches' and Anthony Loyd's 'My War Gone By I Miss It So' and in it's vivid descriptions of the tragedy, chaos, madness and almost sexual thrill that is the reality of war. It makes normal macho Special Forces autobiographies read like teenage fan fiction.
This is Graham Greene or Joseph Conrad for the Ecstasy generation: Apocalypse Now for the 21st Century. A crazy, funny, tragic ride that I connected with deeply and enjoyed immensely. If you want to know war but don't want to die, read this.

Raw and Honest

I heard about this book thru a public figure who rant and raved, a must read!! So I did… a little apprehensive but thought it’s a true story what do I have to lose. I can always turn it off. I couldn’t stop listening.. Ben’s voice somehow gave me calm and laughter at the same time. I must be crazy I kinda grew a crush on him. I have 2 grown sons one in the Military and have told them they have to read it. Seriously, mom your reading this book? Yep… To be honest I did forward thru chapter 9 but for some reason I was drawn to the addiction part. Raw, honest, and totally crazy. Thank you for writing and I highly recommend this book. Grandma of 3

Very informative

Ben did a great job of explaining what drug addiction is or for that matter any addiction actually is.

A wild ride

British English notwithstanding;) it’s excellent experience to walk with Ben through his journey. It’s one of those stories that’s equal parts holy shit and deep introspection.

I think readers/listeners will walk away with a deeper empathy and appreciation of certain aspects of society and also maybe see a bit inward too.

High Enjoyment

I’ll be honest. I was looking for a military thriller of the nonfiction variety. Reviews and praise from BRCC brought me here, but the fantastic writing of just-believable tales made me stay. I couldn’t listen to this book fast enough.

It’s an enriching journey into the brains of humans and our animal brethren. The honesty and dry English wit suit the story well.

As far as comparisons go, I’m not sure where I’d stick it with literature. The first thing I can think of is Pain and Gain, an equally wacky but wholly compelling story of nonfiction that makes you doubt what you are seeing, or hearing in this case.

Anyways, listen to it. The author does a great job sharing his thoughts aloud and I look forward to anything else this man writes.

See you in the snake dens.

Wow!

this book I couldn't put down all sides of this book is amazing bravo!

A book that transcends the standard SOF fair

A book that transcends the standard SOF bravado and delves into the mindset of failure and more importantly the humanity involved. This has been one of the most amazing and insightful stories I have read in a long time. There is something uniquely special about the dichotomy of an elite special operations soldier and a junkie. It really highlights some of the core facets of humanity in us all. The monkey, the lizard and the shrew concept examined in so many stages of the authors life is really easy to identify with. I truly feel this is a must read for every warrior

Eloquently narrated, riveting story

Such an intriguing story - my life seems so mundane compared to Ben’s life experiences. Really enjoyed the research aspects. Learned so much about many random subjects - bondage, heroin, SAS training, etc.