Ultimate Survivor: The Making of a Madman

I've had a massive appreciation of the Det since I first learned of them. A very tough beginning to the story, but told in a way that made it easier to read and helps you to empathise with the author.

Having chatted with Martin on my Bought the T-Shirt podcast I knew this was going to be a riveting read - it was. A well-written flow through Martin's life, from dagger-in-the-teeth stuff ... to running the local post office, highlighting an extreme but highly likeable character in a book that's hard to put down.

Having known Martin as a child, I can testify to the grim beginnings in Rhyl and I well remember his fearsome father Eddie with his black eyebrows, heavy wheeze, lightning changes of mood, and threats of 'the belt,' although we had no idea how bad things really were for him at home. How fantastic that Martin's daredevil courage and wild spirit found such a brilliant outlet, as he not only survived but shone through the brutal Marines training to join the intelligence services in Northern Ireland - and that was just the start of his career! The book's ferocious honesty and near the bone events made it difficult reading at times, even when laced with Martin's characteristic humour, but always gripping, covering the many twists and turns taken in this hard life and culminating in happy and loyal marriage, children and grandchildren, business success, and dedicated charity work. The book is dedicated to his comrades who did not survive.

This book gives a fascinating history of a man who has led a most extraordinary life, from starting in a difficult upbringing in North Wales to life in the Marines and onto the Intelligence services in Northern Ireland. It represents an important part of Anglo Irish history where the British Army and Intelligence services tried to handle the IRA. Post his life in the army it covers how he found love and handled life on civvy street. His willingness to take unusual levels of risk where others would not, has led to a hard life so different to many others. It also chronicles others who unfortunately have taken similar risks and did not survive. It has a happy ending as post a series of traumatic experiences he has success in his life and has managed to reach a point where he can reflect on one hell of a journey.

I couldn’t wait to get my hands on this book, excitement was an understatement as I have the pleasure of knowing this incredible man i actually think he is a machine 😂well that’s what I call him, the book enlightened me into the dark parts of Martin’s horrendous childhood and past life, off course I was smiling a lot of the way through as that’s Martin he always manages to make you laugh but I also cried lots too I can honestly say it’s been a pleasure to read but more so it’s a pleasure to know you and your wonderful family one of the most caring families I have ever met . Xxxx

Do not be put off by the cover of this book, the face does not portray the man , this book will take you on a journey which will make you feel every emotion possible. its scary , funny , sad and a lot more besides. I actually laughed out loud at an incident concerning a fridge. This man served in the armed forces defending his country but what really stood out for me was the time ,help and money he gave to a special needs school, this act alone makes him a good person ( not that he will probably believe that). It is a must read, once you start you will not put it down.

I can't recommend this book highly enough. In these times of mental health and adversity, it is so interesting and uplifting to read how a man who was brutally beaten as a child , joined the Marines , took on a HMS Warship single handedly (very amusing), went over to Northern Ireland in the 70's bumping into one Martin McGuinness, and then his story after surviving all that ! It then covers his interesting career path after leaving, and how he and his family made a very successful business and helped less fortunate children.

I bought this book, having known Martin for 20+ years - or so I thought! I found it hard to reconcile the very difficult childhood and the early adult challenges he writes so honestly about with the man I know. But that's the underlying message of this story: such awful challenges can make or break a person, and in Martin's case, they made him. It had to be painful to bare his past in this way, but so like him to do so to support vulnerable children and ex-colleagues, generous as always to those less fortunate than him.