Product Description

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #3677 in Books
• Published on: 2007-03-07
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Hardcover
• 480 pages

From Publishers Weekly
Scahill, a regular contributor to the Nation, offers a hard-left perspective on Blackwater USA, the self-described private military contractor and security firm. It owes its existence, he shows, to the post–Cold War drawdown of U.S. armed forces, its prosperity to the post-9/11 overextension of those forces and its notoriety to a growing reputation as a mercenary outfit, willing to break the constraints on military systems responsible to state authority. Scahill describes Blackwater's expansion, from an early emphasis on administrative and training functions to what amounts to a combat role as an internal security force in Iraq. He cites company representatives who say Blackwater's capacities can readily be expanded to supplying brigade-sized forces for humanitarian purposes, peacekeeping and low-level conflict. While emphasizing the possibility of an "adventurous President" employing Blackwater's mercenaries covertly, Scahill underestimates the effect of publicity on the deniability he sees as central to such scenarios. Arguably, he also dismisses too lightly Blackwater's growing self-image as the respectable heir to a long and honorable tradition of contract soldiering. Ultimately, Blackwater and its less familiar counterparts thrive not because of a neoconservative conspiracy against democracy, as Scahill claims, but because they provide relatively low-cost alternatives in high-budget environments and flexibility at a time when war is increasingly protean. (Apr. 10)
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From AudioFile
The dark, largely unknown, story of Blackwater, the world's most secretive, powerful, and fastest growing private army, is chillingly told in Jeremy Scahill's exposé. Fact by fact, Scahill demonstrates the widespread outsourcing of military tasks to private companies bankrolled by right-wing millionaire Eric Prince, the scion of a conservative dynasty (founded, ironically, on the invention of the lighted car visor and the car cup-holder). Tom Weiner has precise diction and a rumbling, authoritative delivery. Listeners might detect a slight jarring note when his masculine voice attempts women's voices, but nothing detracts from the saga of self-regulated profiteering armies being entrusted with U.S. foreign policy and U.S. lives. A.W. © AudioFile 2008, Portland, Maine-- Copyright © AudioFile, Portland, Maine

Review
“A crackling exposé of the secretive military contractor Blackwater.”—The New York Times Book Review

“[Scahill] is a one-man truth squad.”—Bill Moyers

“[An] utterly gripping and explosive story.”—Naomi Klein, The Guardian

“The biggest book of the year…an amazingly researched and well-told story.”—Matthew Rothschild, The Progressive

“Scahill’s page-turning collection of intrigue and insight into the underworld of privatized warfare is well researched, thoroughly documented, and as a result extremely frightening.”—The Globe and Mail

“Scahill provided me information…which I have not been able to get from the U.S. military…I have read more from Mr. Scahill, than I’ve got from our own government.”—Representative Marcy Kaptur, Defense Appropriations Committee

“[T]his is no uninformed partisan screed…Meticulously documented and encyclopedic in scope…it’s a comprehensive and authoritative guide…this book serves as a provocative primer for advancing the debate.”—Bill Sizemore, Pulitzer-prize nominated journalist, Virginian-Pilot

“Andy McNab couldn’t have invented this prescient tale of the private army of mercenaries run by a Christian conservative millionaire who, in turn, bankrolls the president. A chilling exposé of the ultimate military outsource.”—Christopher Fowler, The New Review’s “Best Books of 2007”

“Fascinating and magnificently documented…Jeremy Scahill’s new book is a brilliant exposé and belongs on the reading list of any conscientious citizen.”—Scott Horton, International and Military Law Expert, Columbia University Law School

Customer Reviews

Emotionally Charged, Shocking!
First and foremost, you should know that this book has a 60 page bibliography. "Blackwater" has to be one of the most well researched books I've read. While theres alot of information being thrown at you, the author does an incredible job making it easy to follow. In terms of vernacular used, the book is perfect for any High Schooler and is generally easy to read.

The author provides alot of background to the history of Blackwater and the places it has influence. This is not only a welcomed necessity, but a horrifying drama. "Blackwater" has taught me more than I imagined regarding the Iraqi war, and even the Iraqi resistance.

If you've ever watched the news and wondered what you weren't being told, then you should read this book. If you prefer to live in blindness and refuse to recognize the crimes of the bush administration, then I advise you to pass this book by.

MUST READING FOR EVERYONE111
Unfortunately the information in this volume is but a small fraction of what has been going on in America for too many years. Naturally none of which is ever brought to the light of day by our corporate owned Media.
If the American populace were aware of the wool that has so long been pulled over their eyes this would not be. As it stands dismantling the Power Structure that has taken over our Democracy (dismantling it in the process) has become an almost insurmountable task. I am afraid that in the end it will only come to be by force with the consequence of blood running in our country's streets.

beware a privatized military
This book is delightful and informative reading.

It is extremely well documented and current. I am very pleased by the author's expertise in informing me with this book about current attempts to privatize the US military.

The reason my progress in this book is not a rapid as with many books is
that it is so jam packed with info and provides information well worth pondering.

In summary, this is a very well written and well documented book and is
well worth reading.