Manual/Merce/Soldier

by Paul Balor

Book Overview

Whether you're a retired soldier, a seeker of adventure or simply one who wants to gain insight into today's soldier of fortune, this manual covers everything you need to know. This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Mass Market Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0440200148
• ISBN13: 9780440200147
• Release Date: May 1988
• Publisher: Dell Publishing Company
• Length: 301 Pages
• Weight: 0.05 lbs.

Customer Reviews

Outstanding book, once you get past the title

I first read this book circa 1987 when much of the little wars discussed were still in progress. This book is a gem for anyone seriously interested in fighting a counterinsurgency war at the local / tactical level. Having lived and worked and travelled in many of the hot spots mentioned in the book and having served in the military I can honestly say this book hits the nail on the head. From basic skills and the proper mindset to clever advice on intelligence and operations, the author thinks outside the box and is spot on. Very clever and very thoughtful. It is my understanding that the guy who wrote the book was a journalist who spoke to a lot of people, tagged along on trips to Central Amercia and died a few years ago of cancer. My 1987 copy is all most worn out, I need to find another copy. If you can get over the title and the Walter Mitty conotations this is actually an outstanding tactical military manual written in a clever and witty style.

An enjoyable read...

If you liked the OLD (70's vintage) copies of SOF, you'll love this book. Some interesting perspectives on various topics as well.

A thought-provoking manual for 21st Century soldiers

It would be a mistake simply to view this fine work as limited in application to Soldiers of Fortune. The writer offers valuable insights to the changed nature of the profession of arms that the mainstream, active duty military would do well to consider. This extends from intelligence gathering to the application of force. This book should be required reading for any Command and General Staff course. And if that does not happen, then the book should be read by the perceptive.The author (no matter what his name or nom de plume) is clearly an educated and thoughtful man. His writing style is straightforward as are his observations. I agree that an update of this volume would be compelling reading.

THE BEST ALL AROUND MERC BOOK ON THE MARKET

I first picked up this book in 1984, and after that copy was worn and dogeared, I purchased another copy in 1988. The book is complete in its truthful rendition of a most exciting way of life. A must read for any even contemlating this career!

Insider's view of this infamous profession

An old hand in the mercenary game gives an inside look at what it takes to become a mercenary. It is as much biography as manual as he knocks around Central America, Africa and Asia. Balor will take you from rank amatuer to seasoned pro making multi-million dollar arms deals. Playing the game to the end, Paul Balor is a nom de plume. The publisher mistakenly put his real name on the copywrite. This really pissed the old guy off