The coup remains the single most common form of power change throughout the world. The government being targeted by a coup attempt could be democratically elected, a long-standing dictatorship, or nothing more than a junta put in place by the previous month's coup. The motivation will always be lust for power, patriotism, greed or exploitation. It is usually a combination of power, greed and exploitation disguised as patriotism.How to Stage a Military Coup explores these violent and often bloody appropriations of authority, alongside the political, military, and social conditions out of which they arise. Taking into account factors such as timing, media control, popular support and government organisational structure, and by drawing on examples of coups from all over the world, both failed and successful, the authors reveal exactly what it takes to carry out a successful government take-over. This latest, updated edition includes a new Foreword.
--This text refers to the
Paperback
edition.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
9 of 9 people found the following review helpful
By J. Duducu
Format:Paperback
A book with a title like this is obviously an "acquired taste". In essence it is a history of recent military coups across the globe written by 2 men who know their stuff and have been trained in some of the black arts involved in the process of coups. In short the homework has been done and the authors know what they are talking about.
However this is no Fascist or Marxist revolutionary manual, nor is it a polemic about the industrial military complex. Instead it is a highly readable and at times sardonically funny overview of the fact that coups are still happening and can happen in many different ways, for many different reasons with a variety of outcomes (and not always bad outcomes either). If you wanted to argue that coups should be treated with more respect and there's no place for humour I understand the point and would say this is not the book for you. However the humour is never at the expense of the victims of violence more at the insanity of the world of politics and what people will do to have power.
This is a fascinating, thoroughly enjoyable tour of the seedy underworld of politics and power. There's nothing else out there like this.
If you liked this there's more historical debate and fun at @HistoryGems on Facebook and Twitter
However this is no Fascist or Marxist revolutionary manual, nor is it a polemic about the industrial military complex. Instead it is a highly readable and at times sardonically funny overview of the fact that coups are still happening and can happen in many different ways, for many different reasons with a variety of outcomes (and not always bad outcomes either). If you wanted to argue that coups should be treated with more respect and there's no place for humour I understand the point and would say this is not the book for you. However the humour is never at the expense of the victims of violence more at the insanity of the world of politics and what people will do to have power.
This is a fascinating, thoroughly enjoyable tour of the seedy underworld of politics and power. There's nothing else out there like this.
If you liked this there's more historical debate and fun at @HistoryGems on Facebook and Twitter
4 of 5 people found the following review helpful
By H. Gosling
Format:Paperback
As part of my research for a novel, I needed some background on past coups, both successful and failed, and this book delivered that. However, the readable and often wryly amusing prose made reading this book a plasure rather than a necessary chore. Thanks to the authors. Thoroughly recommended.
10 of 14 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
The new book by David Hebditch and Ken Connor, author of "Ghost Force: The Secret History of the SAS", appears to be a guide to planning and executing a military coup...
Clearly from the title alone this is NOT the sort of book that should be required reading for defence force personnel.
But Hebditch and Connor's book is far from an endorsement of illegal activities by defence forces but rather a highly informative guide to the evil practice of coups written in a surprisingly entertaining format.
Taking advantage of a fictional narrative introducing each chapter, about what appears to be British special forces launching a coup in the UK, and Hebditch's ironic writing style the reader is treated to the equivalent of a university education on coups without hardly noticing it.
Throughout the book Ken Connor makes many observations from his own personal experience as the longest serving member of the British Special Air Service, 23 years that put him up close with the realities of military coups.
The book explores the history of the modern coup, there were 14 coups or coup attempts in 2004 alone, and looks at why and how they happen.
Its does so by referring to the human experience of these coups, not high-blown academic interpretation, and still retains a certain dark humour.
Ultimately the book is a work of military history and illuminates this rarely talked about unsavoury element of the military experience that is fortunately outside the modern history of English speaking nations.
However with many soldiers serving overseas from western countries understanding military coups is vital not only to protect our own force but also to promote respect for legitimate government in our allied forces.
"How to stage a military coup" should be read by military personnel to prepare them for the challenges of operating overseas and for some good entertainment.
Who knows, maybe knowing how to stage a coup will help a western soldier from stopping one in its tracks.
- Abraham Gubler, editor DefenceToday: Defence Capabilities Magazine
Clearly from the title alone this is NOT the sort of book that should be required reading for defence force personnel.
But Hebditch and Connor's book is far from an endorsement of illegal activities by defence forces but rather a highly informative guide to the evil practice of coups written in a surprisingly entertaining format.
Taking advantage of a fictional narrative introducing each chapter, about what appears to be British special forces launching a coup in the UK, and Hebditch's ironic writing style the reader is treated to the equivalent of a university education on coups without hardly noticing it.
Throughout the book Ken Connor makes many observations from his own personal experience as the longest serving member of the British Special Air Service, 23 years that put him up close with the realities of military coups.
The book explores the history of the modern coup, there were 14 coups or coup attempts in 2004 alone, and looks at why and how they happen.
Its does so by referring to the human experience of these coups, not high-blown academic interpretation, and still retains a certain dark humour.
Ultimately the book is a work of military history and illuminates this rarely talked about unsavoury element of the military experience that is fortunately outside the modern history of English speaking nations.
However with many soldiers serving overseas from western countries understanding military coups is vital not only to protect our own force but also to promote respect for legitimate government in our allied forces.
"How to stage a military coup" should be read by military personnel to prepare them for the challenges of operating overseas and for some good entertainment.
Who knows, maybe knowing how to stage a coup will help a western soldier from stopping one in its tracks.
- Abraham Gubler, editor DefenceToday: Defence Capabilities Magazine
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