Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #248928 in Books
• Published on: 2006-08-29
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Hardcover
• 368 pages

Customer Reviews

Very disappointing!
I wondered about the objectively of this book when I read the dedication: 'to the unheralded heroes of the war on terror, the contractors who have scarified their life in service of their client'. At first I though that Mr. Pelton was trying to be sarcastic, but unfortunately after reading the whole book (watch out for the dodgy grammar), it was left with the impression that he actually admirers the likes of Blackwater and DynCorp. The book is filled with references of Blackwater operations (mostly in Iraq), where contractors are portrayed as a little rough, but patriotic and reasonability level headed - rather than overpaid thugs, who have seen an opportunity to line their own pockets in a war zone! Although, I had to laugh a little when he interviewed a ex-Blackwater contractor who survived an attack on his convoy, when he said 'I still have a hole in my ass'. It would seem that there some justice in the world! In summary, reading the other reviews posted here I expected something much better, but was deeply disappointed.

Excellent Work
I'm a big fan of RYP's writing style and this, like his Dangerous Places books, was another 'couldn't put it down' read. Though he has toned down his hilarious sarcasm that fills the pages of DP, quite appropriately given the sometimes tragic events covered, the book remains very readable.
I acknowledge others comments about abbreviations used but I do not have a US military background and found it quite easy to follow (there is a glossary after all).
What I was most impressed with was the complete neutrality with which Pelton writes. Unlike so many others that write on this kind of subject he does not attempt to force his own personal view down the readers' throat, something I find extremely irritating. He simply uses his contacts, charisma and writing skill to provide the reader with his findings. In this way Pelton not only complements the reader with having the intelligence to come to their own conclusions but his no nonsense, factual, sensationalism shunning writing will no doubt further his reputation in the field.
Well done....and when is DP6 coming out..LOL!

No Quarter
The role of Private Security Contractors (to their friends) and mercenaries (to their enemies) in the Afghan and Iraqi operations of the 'War of terror' is a complex and controversial one, and Robert Young Pelton gives us a timely and unjudgemental piece of reportage on them in this book. Private companies such as Aegis and Blackwater contracted by governments and corporations to provide security where regular troops and armies are unavailable are having a huge influence upon modern warfare and it is often difficult to find unbiased reportage on their actions and motivations. Pelton spends the first half of this book drawing upon first-hand experience of travelling and living with the contractors in both Afghanistan and Iraq and gives an unblinking view of a world which is inhabited by everyone from honourable ex-servicemen to money-hungry mercenaries to killers and a swathe of people in between. Showing both the positive (bravery and a desire to make the world a better place) and the negative (the killing of civilians and corruption are not glossed over) this is a book which allows the reader to make up their own mind on the role of these new organisations in modern warfare. The second half of the book looks at the growth of the Private Military Company industry from the early days of Sandline and Executive Outcomes in Africa and how these companies can go wrong, as happened in Bougainville and Equatorial Ginuea.

Pelton is an engaging author who must be possessed of remarkable personal charisma to get access to the places and information he does. Whilst he goes over a lot of the same territory covered in both The Worlds Most Dangerous Places and Three Worlds Gone Mad, Licensed to Kill is an excellent read and resource for anyone interested in what is happening in some of the darker corners of Modern Warfare, and a possible look into the future of global conflict.