Rules of Engagement: A Life in Conflict

Tim Collins

Headline, 2005 - Iraq War, 2003- - 406 pages

From the moment Tim Collins's speech to his men in Iraq was made public, he became more than an army colonel. He spoke to a world that was confused, at best, as to the motives for war, and gave some explanation - at last - for the need for this war and gave counsel on how it should be approached. Full of drama, thought and humour, RULES OF ENGAGEMENT describes in graphic and thrilling detail not only Tim Collins's time in Iraq in the lead up to war and during the war itself, but looks back on a life's experience in the army. He talks for the first time about the accusations of war crimes levelled against him and reveals the truth about US behaviour during the conflict. A snap shot of history, RULES OF ENGAGEMENT is an absorbing tale that will stand the test of time and is a moving lesson in the humanity that lies behind a country at war.

About the author

Tim Collins was born in Belfast and was commissioned into the Army in 1981 when he joined the 2nd Battalion, Royal Irish Rangers in West Berlin. After a career that encompassed tours in Northern Ireland, the Falklands Islands and Cyprus, time as an operations officer in the SAS and trekking with the Gurkhas in Eastern Nepal, aged 38 he was selected for promotion to Lieutenant Colonel and assumed command of 1 Royal Irish in January 2001. He led the Battalion on operations in East Tyrone, on Op FRESCO, the Fireman's strike, and on Op TELIC, the Liberation of Iraq. On returning from that war, he was the centre of a controversy over allegations of war crimes. After clearing his name he was promoted to Colonel. Tim retired from the Army in January 2004 and now lives in Kent with his wife and children.

Bibliographic information

• Title: Rules of Engagement: A Life in Conflict
• Author: Tim Collins
• Edition: illustrated
• Publisher: Headline, 2005
• ISBN: 0755313747, 9780755313747
• Length: 406 pages