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Geraghty's in-depth, hard-hitting analysis of shady events involving British mercenaries will have many reading late into the night while wrapped in their sleeping bags and balaclavas. (HERALD )
A surprisingly dense account of the life of the mercenary from Sixties Africa to present-day Iraq captures the cruel dramas of warfare along with the political realities behind them. (TIMES )
A surprisingly dense account of the life of the mercenary from Sixties Africa to present-day Iraq captures the cruel dramas of warfare along with the political realities behind them. (TIMES )
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The bestselling author of Who Dares Wins now uncovers the secret world of the freelance soldier
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2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Written by a very experienced, top journalist, this volume has all the hallmarks of a thoroughly researched subject.
Starting with a general overview of the activities of the hired soldier, Tony Geraghty quickly covers in matter-of-fact style, mercenary activity in the post colonial, African continent of 1960 onwards, middle east action in the 1970's, and South/Central American activity thereafter. Iraq up to the new millenium is considered, along with the requirement to find future international agreement on curbing some of the worst excesses of private military activities. Drawing on his inside acquaintance with British members of the private military community, most of the events covered are those involving predominant, or exclusive British involvement. The book is likely to appeal primarily to members of the military, retired soldiers, and, perhaps, those considering a change of occupation to PSC operative (primarily non-combatant roles, such as security advice, hostage negotiation, etc.), or PMC operative (Private Military Company (usually armed protection, military advisers, and even battlefield soldiers).
For those too young to remember the sixties and seventies, some of the names and events may seem like dusty history; but for those of us who remember the contemporary media accounts of massacres and mutilations, this book will remind us of some harrowing times. Those who are more sensitive, could find some of the matter of fact descriptions of atrocities quite disturbing.
For me, what makes this book fascinating is not mercenary involvement in large, set-piece battles, but their place in the complexities of the modern geopolitical scene. Where governments are politically sensitive to the costs, both in warriors' lives and their equipment, the use of Private Military Companies to augment the activity of regular forces, is a convenient, lower profile method of protecting national interests. Also of interest, and perhaps more controversial, is Mr Geraghty's frank examination of the concept of the "deniable warrior" - allowing governments to intervene in security situations for their own benefit, whilst being able to deny involvement plausibly, where overt action is polictically unacceptable or inexpedient.
Perhaps most disturbing, is the past record of western governments in use of the deniable warrior, to destabilise regimes of which they disapproved. It is salutary to remember that the role of the military is not to exercise political power, but to defend, and project force, on behalf of the legitimate government. Thus, a nation's armed forces, both visible and deniable, exist to act on behalf of you and me.
Starting with a general overview of the activities of the hired soldier, Tony Geraghty quickly covers in matter-of-fact style, mercenary activity in the post colonial, African continent of 1960 onwards, middle east action in the 1970's, and South/Central American activity thereafter. Iraq up to the new millenium is considered, along with the requirement to find future international agreement on curbing some of the worst excesses of private military activities. Drawing on his inside acquaintance with British members of the private military community, most of the events covered are those involving predominant, or exclusive British involvement. The book is likely to appeal primarily to members of the military, retired soldiers, and, perhaps, those considering a change of occupation to PSC operative (primarily non-combatant roles, such as security advice, hostage negotiation, etc.), or PMC operative (Private Military Company (usually armed protection, military advisers, and even battlefield soldiers).
For those too young to remember the sixties and seventies, some of the names and events may seem like dusty history; but for those of us who remember the contemporary media accounts of massacres and mutilations, this book will remind us of some harrowing times. Those who are more sensitive, could find some of the matter of fact descriptions of atrocities quite disturbing.
For me, what makes this book fascinating is not mercenary involvement in large, set-piece battles, but their place in the complexities of the modern geopolitical scene. Where governments are politically sensitive to the costs, both in warriors' lives and their equipment, the use of Private Military Companies to augment the activity of regular forces, is a convenient, lower profile method of protecting national interests. Also of interest, and perhaps more controversial, is Mr Geraghty's frank examination of the concept of the "deniable warrior" - allowing governments to intervene in security situations for their own benefit, whilst being able to deny involvement plausibly, where overt action is polictically unacceptable or inexpedient.
Perhaps most disturbing, is the past record of western governments in use of the deniable warrior, to destabilise regimes of which they disapproved. It is salutary to remember that the role of the military is not to exercise political power, but to defend, and project force, on behalf of the legitimate government. Thus, a nation's armed forces, both visible and deniable, exist to act on behalf of you and me.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
This is an extremely well written book by a Great Journalist with insiders experience of the 'circuit'. Anybody wanting to join this colourful world could look for no better introduction. Geraghty covers the role of Hired Guns all over the African theatre, the Middle Eastern and Latin theatres over the last 40 years.
He gives a well balanced portrait of the characters involved in this dangerous world. There are clearly villains and psychopaths, but there are also courageous and honourable men to be found; who finding a cause often pay with their lives for it.
This book analyses the likely future of this burgeoning industry of Privatised War and the direction it takes is ultimately going to clash significantly with legislation and regulation at some point in the future. The days of Mad Mike Hoare and Blackwater having a free hand will be under increasing pressure to accept regulation, as they take on greater roles in the World Policing Job they have found themselves in.
Fascinating for its stories from so many conflicts, rich in characters and strong on analysis, its a book well worth reading.
He gives a well balanced portrait of the characters involved in this dangerous world. There are clearly villains and psychopaths, but there are also courageous and honourable men to be found; who finding a cause often pay with their lives for it.
This book analyses the likely future of this burgeoning industry of Privatised War and the direction it takes is ultimately going to clash significantly with legislation and regulation at some point in the future. The days of Mad Mike Hoare and Blackwater having a free hand will be under increasing pressure to accept regulation, as they take on greater roles in the World Policing Job they have found themselves in.
Fascinating for its stories from so many conflicts, rich in characters and strong on analysis, its a book well worth reading.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
While the public perception of mercenaries is of mavericks, the reality in general, according to Geraghty's in-depth research, is quite different. The better organisations for whom many work are endorsed by and used as politically convenient and 'deniable' adjuncts to the military forces of many First World countries. This book provides a fascinating insight into a murky world where many highly skilled specialists have changed and continue to change the balance of power and the course of history. A brilliant read!
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