The underworld captain : from gangland goodfella to army officer

Alexander Shannon escaped a shady past to enjoy a glittering career in the army, only to end up back in the thick of criminal activity. Shannon's time as a soldier saw him posted to the Falklands, Northern Ireland and war-torn Bosnia.

The rigours of army life took their toll and he found himself drawn into a series of ruthless gang wars.

He used the skills he'd learned in the forces to hide weapons, work for drugs racketeers and plot a massacre, and he was offered a fortune to work as a Mafia-style contract assassin. He was questioned over brutal killings and accused of a triple murder attempt, yet his dedication and determination to succeed in the army brought him accolades and a series of promotions.

In The Underworld Captain, Shannon explains how he managed to combine a successful army career with dangerous gangland dealings for so long and how he finally broke free for good.