Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #382734 in Books
• Published on: 2004-03-01
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 304 pages

Customer Reviews

A good and instructive review of the horizon
This book is a timely review of an increasingly prickly subject. Written in a style that the is neither too academic nor too populist the book strikes the right sober and dispassionate note in reviewing the entirety of the subject -- from messy little wars propping up dictators; to wars that the major states will not or cannot fight ("We don't do mountain warfare" as I believe a spokesman for the US forces is reported to have said in Afghanistan) to the preservation of life and the protection of humanitarian aid agencies. Throughout the entire text, Singer is objective and even-handed.

Much of the commercial information contained in the book is highly detailed and supported by extensive footnotes. The details of the commercial deals struck between client and mercenaries and the historical background -- both the near history and the far -- make fascinating reading.

My criticisms are that the book becomes slightly repetitive in driving points home. Better editing would have prevented that -- as it would some of the egregious errors of syntax, grammar and vocabulary that Mr Singer occasionally commits. But overall this is a very useful book for students in any of the disciplines of world affairs, international relations, business and management or ethics. It deserves a wide readership.