Ben Macintyre, the No. 1 Sunday Times bestselling author, chronicles for the first time the entire saga of one of the most incredible hostage situations and the boldest rescue attempts of our time.

On April 30, 1980, six armed men stormed the Iranian Embassy in London, holding twenty-six hostages, including diplomats, visitors, and British citizens. This was followed by a six-day siege during which police negotiators and psychiatrists were called in to resolve the situation without bloodshed. Meanwhile, the SAS, an elite Special Forces unit, was secretly preparing a daring rescue mission: Operation Nimrod.

The siege was a pivotal moment in the global fight against terrorism. Britain had dealt with IRA terrorism before, but never had it faced an act of international terrorism on such a scale. As the drama unfolded, millions of viewers watched live coverage, the largest in British television history.

Drawing on unpublished material, exclusive insights, and eyewitness accounts, author and historian Ben Macintyre provides readers with a thrilling journey into both sides of the siege. He tracks the events minute by minute while reflecting on the historical decisions that led to the dramatic conclusion of the case.

An extraordinary chronicle filled with breathtaking action and suspense. The Siege is the true story of what happened at the Iranian Embassy, told by those who experienced it. Six days that forever changed how an entire nation viewed the SAS and its own national identity...

Reviews of the book: “For six days, the Iranian Embassy on Princes Gate in London captivated the world. (...) Macintyre's remarkable reconstruction brings to life the events that unfolded with vibrancy and complexity.” –The Washington Post

“[Ben Macintyre is] the non-fiction equivalent of John le Carré.” –The New York Times

“Macintyre's narrative unfolds like a movie, with a bloody climax and tension that builds masterfully to the end.” –Publisher's Weekly