Tornado is an engaging book that will enlighten psychiatrists who assess and treat not only military personnel and veterans but also all victims of torture and incarceration. It illustrates the psychological impact of deployment to the first Gulf War by the Royal Air Force (RAF) in 1991, focusing on the effects of pre-combat flying-training fatalities, combat losses and the experiences of RAF prisoners of war (POWs) and their families, including spouses and uniquely, parents and children.

John Nicol served as a navigator with XV Squadron flying RAF Tornado fast jets. He was shot down and taken POW. After interrogation and torture, he was famously paraded on world TV by his Iraqi captors. Demonstrating his duress, he presented his injured face for the cameras reciting the prepared script declaring the war unjustifiable in a purposely stilted monotonous voice, so family, friends and commanders would realise his situation. In this book the psychological effects of capture, interrogation, torture, mock executions and solitary confinement are brought to life; with attendant shame, humiliation, despair, guilt, hallucinatory and dissociative experiences. Coping mechanisms are explored: mind mathematics exercises reduced hallucinations and dissociation. Focusing on positive reminiscence about loved ones promoted resilience.

John Nicol captures the joy and then terror when his prison was bombed by the Allies, resulting in his release and adjustment from prolonged solitary confinement. Experiences akin to post-traumatic growth with a sense of deep appreciation of life when the POWs were abruptly freed at the war's end are described.

Brief trauma interventions delivered by an RAF psychiatric team comprising psychoeducation and opportunities to talk and process difficult experiences were positively appreciated by the POWs. Most of the downed aircrew felt they had let everybody down when they broke and divulged information under torture.

Tornado is a first-hand account that delivers remarkable insight into the psychological effects of deployment to war and subsequent incarceration on RAF POWs and their families, and the psychological processes involved in reintegrating into the family after repatriation. It would be interesting to learn about the effects on Iraqi POWs and their families affected by this war. This would increase our understanding of the effects of the POW experience on all sides.