Mercenaries: Putting the World to Rights with Hired Guns

There is no substitute for boots on the ground. Venter has put decades of his life into this subject and it shows. He has met some of the most dashing, venerable, legendary and even nefarious mercenary warriors on the planet, and chewed the same dirt as them. His knowledge of African politics and cold-war era military hardware is unparalleled; his storytelling is first rate and often told from the point of a view of a reporter who could only have been there in person. Where he couldn't, his sources speak eloquently and authentically for themselves. The copy needs a little polish and that's only thing keeping this from five stars. A tour de force for anyone who wants to know how modern wars are fought in the dark corners of the world. Buy it. You deserve it.

Long a fan of Al Venters work, both in books and SOF magazine, this book tells you all you need to know on the subject of private forces in use in far away places. Full of the big picture as well as small details filling in the blanks. A very good, attention grasping book worth your time to enjoy.

Another thoroughly researched and well written book by Al J Venter on one of his favourite subjects; wars and the men who fight them. Being South African the book held me captivated from beginning to end.If your purpose is to learn about PMC's or to hear what happened to long lost officers from your conscript days the SA Army, this is the book for you. If you just like Al J Venter's books, grab it, it won't disappoint, his research and insights are second to none and the facts are presented in an easily digested manner.The book leans heavily on the South African PMC's, though Venter does add some perspective with older and newer stories including US and Brit PMC's.

I have not read a book about mercenaries before. The style of writing is plain. Sometimes the stories and characters repeat a bit. The references at the end of each of the 20 chapters provide background or bibliography.

The book was a summary of other books and disjointed; author's heart was in the right place trying to explain the different actions but unless you knew about it beforehand the book left you befuddled! I read other books by Mr. Venter and enjoyed them; this one did not generate the satisfaction I normally receive from a Venter publication.

The author has spent decades in the war zones, much of that in Africa, and this was a very interesting book of true-life tales from real life soldiers-of-fortune. One of the few books on this topic where black Africans are given a favorable treatment.

Was very informative.Most people think, only those seeking huge monetary rewards did that kind of work.Some are very honorable. Only the cause mattered, so money never figured into it. Most didn't receive any pay, or very little. The only rewards, were just a sincere 'thank you' afterwards. Most paid their own way to and from, risking life and limb, to do the right thing, helping the terrorized, oppressed. No other motivation. A very eye opening a book.

Likely the best book on the subject, mr venter is not only likely the best authority on private military groups, but he actually can write, making it an interesting read as well as a fascinating subject.Makes one consider how effective a good team of "mercs" ( or in politically correct terms, "security contractors") could be in the Middle East facing Isis at present.....

It is the first book of this author that I have purchased and I was disappointed. It is disjointed and does not (as the title suggests) give very good coverage on the history of mercenaries; a bit more pre 20th century history of mercenaries would have made the book more interesting. The sections concerning Africa covered Executive Outcomes and Angola but again not very well written. I have a particular interest in Congo & and Angola as a relative was a mercenary with Bob Denard and with Jonas Savimbi.

Al Venter is a man who has been and done all his work is eminently readable interesting and factual. He knows the people involved and writes from first hand and his work is original.

Another well researched and well written book by an author who knows his subject extremely well. If you are into books based on mercenary warfare then this is for you.

A book on mercenaries with absolutely no meat but plenty of boring statistics and waffle .Plenty of better books out there covering the same periods .This one is just tedious to read.

Gave me good lnformation of the story that never reaches the frontpages.