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Fire Power Paperback – 25 Aug 1978

by
Chris Dempster (Author)
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Chris Dempster (Author),
Dave Tomkins (Author)
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Dave Tomkins (Author),
Michel Parry (Author)
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Michel Parry (Author)
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Product details

  • Paperback: 491 pages
  • Publisher: Corgi (25 Aug. 1978)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 0552108073
  • ISBN-13: 978-0552108072
  • Product Dimensions: 17.4 x 10.8 x 3.2 cm
  • Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
  • Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 190,587 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Product Description

"Two professional mercenaries reveal the shattering facts behind today's mercenary scene, including the inside story of the massacre of Colonel Callan's mercenaries in Angola." 1970s.

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful
A "Warts And All" Account
By N. A. Boulton on 10 Nov. 2003
Format: Paperback
A very readable, first-hand narrative of the involvement of British mercenaries during the Angolan civil war in the mid 70s.
The co-authors were two of the main participants and describe the activities of the heavily-outnumbered mercenaries fighting for the FNLA in Northern Angola against the Cuban backed MPLA.
The book is very well written and gives a chronological account of how they became involved, how the mercenaries were recruited, what happened while they were there and the fate of many of those who did not return.
Firepower also includes a unique first hand description of how a number of the British mercenaries came to be massacred by their own side at Maquela, an event that was widely reported in the UK press at the time.
One of the very few books devoted to this short and tragic episode, I would highly recommend it to anyone interested in personal experiences of foreign military involvement in post-colonial Africa.
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6 of 6 people found the following review helpful
Dogs of war
By Mr. Kevin Robins on 11 May 2007
Format: Hardcover
this is the real life tale of mercenary life in the 70's. It is a well written tale similar to the wild geese film, a real group of rag tag and bob tale paratroopers and guys from hereford who were bored with life in civvi street. Sometimes graphic, sometimes disturbing but gripping. I have the pleasure of knowing one of the blokes in the book, Dougie the ex paratrooper, and he's still as airborne as the days when he was in 3 PARA and serving along side Callan. It may not be for all but for any ex or serving soldier a good read!!
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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Firepower
By The Stationmaster on 23 April 2010
Format: Paperback
Long long out of print, this fascinating book explores the adventures of Dave Tomkins and Chris Dempster as members of an ad-hoc mercenary force in Northern Angola led by an Ex-para Costas georgiou-the infamous " Colonel Callan", The book goes into great detail of the lives of the Authors and several main characters involved, such as: John Banks, Les Aspinall, Peter McAleese, Mick wainhouse, Sammy Copeland, Charley Christoloulou "shotgun Charley", "Stars" Griffiths, Bryan lewis, Derek "Brummie" Barker, President Holden Roberto and some of the "porks"--the portuguese merc's who stayed behind after independance to fight for their country under the FNLA (frent nacionale dos liberatos Angola) against the maxist cuban sponsored MPLA. the book explores also "everyday" events which happened mostly around the sun-bleached dilapidated villa at Sao Salvador used as the main base for FNLA operations, also the infamous Maquela massacre the build-up and subsequent events eyewitnessed by Chris Dempster as one of the reluctant participants, also explored is the dramatic change in the characters mind-set and general attitude to the whole episode in their very short time out there. Its worth also reading "The Whores Of War" which discusses the events of the mercenary involvment in Angola after independance November 1975. In-House politics were also an issue amongst the merc's as they were directly or indirectly involved resulting in attempted "suicide" missions, or simply being put out of the way--most notably Callan moving Peter McAleese away from the main body of merc's to San Antonio do zaire, in short a worthwhile read, highly recommended and powerfully written.
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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Satisfied Customer
By Ripnelson on 13 Jan. 2011
Format: Paperback
The book was in a good condition,although it was delayed by the postal service being worked to the bone ie the Christmas freeze up and holiday post.I was happy to receive it ready for a Christmas gift to a person who had family interests in one of the incidents.
I had previously been quoted a figure in excess of a 100 UK pounds maybe this was a hard back I cannot remember, This book replaced a previous one my wife had loaned out and had not been returned so she was most grateful.
I will use Amazon again without doubt,out of 6 or 7 items sent for I was happy with all and they arrived before the deadline and ready for Christmas presents.
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2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Good book to read.
By John on 15 Aug. 2013
Format: Paperback
Read this book many years ago, know most of the guys mentioned. I had about three of the books then move and lost them all. Great read and a lot of truth.
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This is the real deal not a fluffed up McNab story!
By Ivan Ivanovic on 1 Nov. 2013
Format: Paperback Verified Purchase
I read this book in 1984 as a young recruit just starting my basic training, and I was hooked. Don't expect gung-ho and men saving babies from burning buildings, this is a warts and all account. It's a really easy read and no long drawn out rambling, and for me one of those books that you can't put down and keeps you interested right from the start. I ordered the book from New York, reasonable price at £13+p&p, to be honest it's worth double just for the read. Brilliant book from cover to cover.

When I left the Army I started a new job and was talking to one of the guys about the book, it turned out his Wife's dad was one of the original mercenaries involved in Angola. Small world or what?
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