Al J. Venter

This book is for all means and purposes collection of articles author wrote for magazines (or in preparation for new book) complemented with first hand reports from people on the ground in Africa during turbulent last quarter of the 20th century.

From the author's perspective he gives an overview of mercenary activities in 1960's, 1970's, 1980's (old-style mercenary organizations marked by Mad Mike Hoar, Rolf steiner, Bob Denard to name the few) and then goes to the Executive Outcomes operations (that defined the rise of modern day PMCs) in 1990's with follow up on various independent teams (mostly formed by people from disbanded EO but there are also examples of a various other units - particularly interesting where PMC company specializing in air operations) up to 2014 (date when book was published).

Actual author's writings make about half a book. Other half are writings from other authors (e.g. Leif Hellstrom's chapter on Cuban mercenaries employed by CIA in Congo in 1960's) and first-hand accounts from actual combatants and mercenaries (who fought and participated in conflicts ranging from Congo in 1960's to modern day Afghanistan, Iraq, Yemen and Somalia war-zones).

And this is where main issues I have with this book lie.

First, in good portion book author constantly reminds us that you can read more about current subject in specific book title from the author [followed by the list of his other published works]. Each chapter has footnotes and notes listing authors books (which is expected since Al J Venter is truly prolific author on all subjects surrounding the mercenaries) so I don't understand why did author constantly felt the need to remind us of his other works throughout the chapters itself. I have read numerous works by Al J Venter and this is first instance I encountered this.

Second, this book is one of the works that would benefit greatly from more detail editing. Chapters written by another authors (like Leif Hellstrom) are concise and to the point (same as parts written by the Al J Venter). But chapters written from point of view of direct combat participants are mixed bag - some are good (EO personnel stories for example) but some are mixed up to the point that story line gets lost. I understand these were all transcriptions of interviews and discussions author had with these hard-core mercenaries but it was like entire conversation was just written down and sent to press. No checkup, no corrections (and we are talking about interviews here - as an author you need to structure it down a bit for your readers, at least that is my opinion). It made for a confusing part of the book. Also on few occasions notes would repeat in completely unrelated chapters. This made the book look rushed.

Third, some of the authors comments on EO's operations were ... strange. Author says that books and accounts on EO operations written by the time this book came out were giving the wrong picture. This took me by surprise because in 2012 there was excellent [b: Four Ball, One Tracer: Commanding Executive Outcomes in Angola and Sierra Leone|14568663|Four Ball, One Tracer Commanding Executive Outcomes in Angola and Sierra Leone|Roelf Van Heerden|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1348735444l/14568663._SY75_.jpg|20211396] by the field commander of EO teams in African wars, Jim Hooper's "Bloodsong" from 2002 and of course [b: Executive Outcomes: Against All Odds|6056461|Executive Outcomes Against All Odds|Eeben Barlow|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1332830475l/6056461._SX50_.jpg|6232487] by Eeben Barlow himself first published in 2007. All of this makes me wonder if some parts of this book were written way back and then put into this release without any updates.

So to sum it up - good book in history terms, lots of very interesting details about turbulent second half of 20th century and author manages to give excellent contrast between old-time mercs and modern day ones (PMCs as they are know today (this being the term they prefer)). While mercenaries of the 1960's/70's/80's were a rather wild bunch, adventurers fighting for other nations of their own volition or hired by clandestine services of various countries to fight dirty wars in Africa, modern day mercenaries are true professionals who are capable and reliable (as much as it is possible under the pressure from governments who are still using them and if they seem them as competition try to disband them (as it happened with EO)). If used properly PMCs do much good in the world (as it is shown by EO actions in Africa and world-wide).

This would be 5 star book but due to the shortcomings I listed above it would prove to be too much confusing to new readers which is shame.

For all the military history, covert ops and special ops fans book will give insight to some of the less known episodes from mercenary wars.

Recommended.… (meer)

El Salvador: Dance of the Death Squads, 1980 – 1992

Many people have forgotten that at the height of the Cold War in 1980s and before the fall of the Berlin War, the cold war was being played out in various theatres around the world. Not that the Russians and the Americans went face to face but rather did it via proxy, where the two sides would sponsor either the communists or the ‘freedom’ fighters.

One of those forgotten theatres was El Salvador, one of the smallest countries in Central and South America. This became one of the most vicious civil wars of all time. The Russians supported and supplied the radical Farabundo Marti National Liberation Front (FMLN), which was a coalition of communist and socialist guerrilla groups.

The United States could not be seen to be supporting an oppressive regime on their doorstep, and when media reports of death squads started to appear a muted response came from President Carter. Things changed when Ronald Reagan was elected he decided to make a stand. The opposition to the FMLN were given large amounts of military assistance, especially where hardware was concerned, as well as aircraft and helicopters. It was via this support that helped the counter-guerrilla force which would eventually force the rebels to the negotiating table.

Al J Venter an experienced writer covering military affairs, who started his career writing about military developments in Africa and the Middle East. Over the years he has also written on issues such as guerrilla warfare and it is that expertise that he has brought to this excellent book.

This is a fascinating account of what happened during the last 12 years of the civil war and the extreme violence that accompanied it. For some it will be a reminder of the dark years of conflict for others a subject worth investigating deeper and see how outside influences had far more influence than they should. This is an excellently researched and written book that will deepen your understand of the history and actions that took place during that conflict.… (meer)