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kaylarooker's review against another edition
4.0
Honestly took me forever to finish. It’s an interesting read. I knew some basic information about Blackwater and the US’s use of mercenary armies, but most of this book was new information for me. Comes from a more liberal perspective, but that did not bother me.
8qqimc8q's review against another edition
3.0
At times the book seemed excessively politically motivated and anti George W Bush. Some of the repetition reminded me of an epic poem which insists that it indeed all true a la Dante's Inferno.
Beyond those elements it brings to light the fiscal irresponsibility of our officials who essentially outsourced the moat patriotic of functions, the dangers the religious right poses to anyone with a differing ideology, and that anyone who trusted our leaders probably needs to reevaluate those beliefs.
Beyond those elements it brings to light the fiscal irresponsibility of our officials who essentially outsourced the moat patriotic of functions, the dangers the religious right poses to anyone with a differing ideology, and that anyone who trusted our leaders probably needs to reevaluate those beliefs.
spitzig's review against another edition
3.0
I read this because I apparently already knew most of the information. This is 8 years after the book was released. Maybe it was still not such public news at the time.
Usually I don't consider this for a non-fiction book. But, another reviewer talked about it. Not very interesting. It was too little drama. Maybe also not interesting because I knew most of the information.
Usually I don't consider this for a non-fiction book. But, another reviewer talked about it. Not very interesting. It was too little drama. Maybe also not interesting because I knew most of the information.
silverhawk3799's review against another edition
3.0
Interesting look at the private military forces that are on the upswing since 9/11. I never gave much thought to where these contractors came from or what their goals really were. But after reading this book, I have to think that they are like any other business, in it for the profit. It would appear as though Blackwater will do this even at the cost of lives or moral values. Scahill did a good job of presenting information and talking about it. At times the book would seem to wander off topic, talking about people and companies that don't seem to be attached to Blackwater. In the end, he artfully would weave them into the overall picture of the company. The major irritation for me was when he would use, verbatim, paragraphs over in another part of the book. At times I would find myself wondering if I had picked up the book at the wrong part as I knew I had already read these words. Overall though, I enjoyed the book and it has sparked some good conversations with others that have read it.
astroneatly's review against another edition
challenging
dark
informative
fast-paced