Try free for 30 days

  • First Man In

  • Leading from the Front
  • By: Ant Middleton
  • Narrated by: Ant Middleton
  • Length: 6 hrs and 59 mins
  • 4.8 out of 5 stars (1,021 ratings)

1 credit a month to use on any title, yours to keep (you’ll use your first credit on this title).
Stream or download thousands of included titles.
Access to exclusive deals and discounts.
$16.45 a month after 30 day trial. Cancel anytime.
First Man In cover art

First Man In

By: Ant Middleton
Narrated by: Ant Middleton
Try for $0.00

$16.45 per month after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

Buy Now for $22.78

Buy Now for $22.78

Pay using voucher balance (if applicable) then card ending in
By confirming your purchase, you agree to Audible's Conditions Of Use and Privacy Notice and authorise Audible to charge your designated credit card or another available credit card on file.

Publisher's Summary

Number one Sunday Times best seller.

No one is born a leader. But through sheer determination and by confronting life’s challenges, Ant Middleton has come to know the meaning of true leadership. In First Man In, he shares the core lessons he’s learned over the course of his fascinating, exhilarating life.

Special forces training is no walk in the park. The rules are strict, and they make sure you learn the hard way, pushing you beyond the limits of what is physically possible. There is no mercy. Even when you are bleeding and broken, to admit defeat is failure.

To survive the gruelling selection process to become a member of the elite, you need toughness, aggression, meticulous attention to detail and unrelenting self-discipline - all traits that make for the best leaders.

After 13 years' service in the military, with four years as a Special Boat Service (SBS) sniper, Ant Middleton is the epitome of what it takes to excel. He served in the SBS, the naval wing of the special forces, the Royal Marines and 9 Parachute Squadron Royal, achieving what is known as the ‘holy trinity’ of the UK’s elite forces. As a point man in the SBS, Ant was always the first man through the door, the first man into the dark and the first man in harm’s way.

In this fascinating, exhilarating and revealing book, Ant speaks about the highs and gut-wrenching lows of his life - from the thrill of passing Special Forces Selection to dealing with the early death of his father and ending up in prison on leaving the military - and draws valuable lessons that we can all use in our daily lives.

©2018 Ant Middleton (P)2018 HarperCollins Publishers Limited

Critic Reviews

"The best book of the year. First Man In will supercharge your life. Incredible." (Tom Marcus, author of best seller Soldier Spy)

"[A] thumping best seller...searingly honest." (Sunday Times

"Superb, fist-biting fun." (GQ

What listeners say about First Man In

Average Customer Ratings
Overall
  • 5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    863
  • 4 Stars
    122
  • 3 Stars
    23
  • 2 Stars
    5
  • 1 Stars
    8
Performance
  • 5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    730
  • 4 Stars
    94
  • 3 Stars
    24
  • 2 Stars
    3
  • 1 Stars
    6
Story
  • 5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    716
  • 4 Stars
    105
  • 3 Stars
    26
  • 2 Stars
    4
  • 1 Stars
    7

Reviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.

Sort by:
Filter by:
  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

loved it, can't wait to get the new one

loved it, finished it in two days, an Inspiration and just what I need in my life

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

Good read!

Enjoyed the story and was performed well. Would have prefer if Ant suck to the story of his military career instead of moving towards a self help / motivation book in the second half. But overall good read!

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

A really good read/listen!

I wasn’t expecting to enjoy this book as much as I did. I’m not generally into non fiction but I gave it go and I wasn’t disappointed. Ant’s personal incites and motivational advice, drawn from his experiences in the military made a lot of sense.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Absolutely Incredible

Once I started i never turned it off. Especially with Ant telling his story you can tell where his emotions start to show. This isn't just another special forces book of the guy basically bragging how good he is... It really takes you to the low points of his life and through positive thinking and the willingness to see the further goal he's able to hold his tongue and fists.

Incredibly interesting life.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Really enjoyed this!

Couldn’t stop listening to this book once I started. Ant Middleton has certainly lived a whole life so far on his life journey. Well worth listening too.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Grateful to have taken the time to listen.

I’ll have my two young men listen to this when they are a bit older. Ant Middleton seems like a good bloke with a true moral compass, integrity and a strong sense of fairness. He is aware of his flaws and strives to improve himself. Mostly I’m impressed he took the time to read the words he wanted written, himself. Cheers. ✌🏻

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Great Book

Great listen - author tells his stories and experiences, then summarises them into useful lessons at the end of each section.
Well put together book that doesn't beat around the bush.
Will listen again.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

great insights and leadership skills

found the book really easy to follow and concepts easy to grasp. well done Ant.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

inspirational

such any enjoyable audio book. Has made me do any of thinking about myself and want to improve my state of mind. Thanks Ant, can't wait for your new book

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Mesmerising

From the moment I started listening to this book, I couldn’t stop listening to it. I started mid week and thought 8 hours should see me through the weekend as I would be busy off and on with work and family. But I managed to keep listening while at work and an hour or two before bed. The way Ant structured the book and his details and descriptions of events had me envisioning like I was there with him.

Great read (listen) and will definitely come back and listen again.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

In the spirit of reconciliation, Audible acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea and community. We pay our respect to their elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today.