Private Warriors

by Ken Silverstein

Book Overview

In offering explanations for America's enormous post-Cold War military budget--nearly $280 billion for the year 2000--most defense critics point to the influence of weapon makers and pork-barrel... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1859843255
• ISBN13: 9781859843253
• Release Date: August 2001
• Publisher: Verso
• Length: 268 Pages
• Weight: 0.80 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.8" x 5.0" x 7.2"

Customer Reviews

Great Intro to Military/Industrial Stranglehold

This book brilliantly summarizes how the legacy of the Cold War, the self-sustaining military industrial complex Eisenhower warned us about, has thoroughly corrupted American politics and its foreign policy. The wretched results are too obvious in the wastelands of Iraq and Afghanistan. The author gives brief examples of how the US uses private contractors to do its dirty work (go see the movie "Lord of War" for a wonderful cinematic treatment) and how the revolving door between the Pentagon and the defense industry begs for the public interest to be violated. For a perfect example of a military-turned-entrepeneur pimp, read about Alexander "I'm in Charge Now" Haig's sweet deals. No American will read this book and not feel like they've been screwed over big time. The only drawback to this little gem is that it is pre-9/11. A subsequent new edition will doubtless be twice as thick with details of this criminal Bush administration's corrupt and malignant behavior.

A great militiary book

I thought this book was great.I think that Private Militiary Compinies are the Futuer of warfare.I think America should train fomer Soviet countries against terrorism.I found this book very informative.It was great.

Eisenhower Warned: Beware of the Military-Industrial Complex

Ken Silverstein's excellent book `Private Warriors' exposes the underside of that vile, despicable trade the making and marketing of implements to destroy wholesale-lives, properties, cities, countries--yes, civilization itself. WAR! It is a megabillion dollar business and with big money at stake greed prevails and morality is easily compromised. Just imagine the size of the business. Start with a US defense budget for next year of $305 billion (that is $8,000 per second) and add what other countries around the world will spend.The book consists of a preface and six chapters that explore six aspects of the business. Each chapter consists of areas that provide important connections in the mosaic of the military-industrial complex. Upon completion one gets an overall perspective of the whole messy business. Early in the century munitions makers were known as "Merchants of Death" and dispatched agents and salesmen around the world to promote their business. To control this unconscionable activity governmental regulation was effected. With their strong influence over a period of time the merchants were able to gain acceptance. Now instead of restraining their activities governments actively promote the interests of the arms makers. And in spite of the regulations-where big money is involved--clandestine trading proliferates. According to Jane's Intelligence Review black market sales are about $1 to $2 billion dollars a year in bad years and five times as much in good years.Among other services, arms brokers set up shell companies and offshore bank accounts and secure vital documents such as end user certificates stating which nation the goods are headed to. If all end user documents were legitimate Peru would have a bigger army than the United States. Most importantly, the brokers provide governments with `plausible deniability'. Two brokers profiled in the book are former unrepentant Nazis. Their wealth from the business is enormous. They have close connections to our military and are held in high regard. Yet for the right price they do business with just about everyone, frequently dealing with both sides in a conflict. When the military wanted to compare a Soviet helicopter against an expensive anti-aircraft gun, a dealer was able to acquire the helicopter.Formerly it was considered unconscionable to use the influence and knowledge obtained on a military job for personal enrichment. That prohibition no longer exists. Often the companies that officials regulate become the official's next employers. Former government officials trade on their vast connections to procure contracts on behalf of defense firms and represent foreign governments desirous of expanding their military. Alexander Haig is a wheeler-dealer who has used his connections to open doors for corporations who seek foreign investment; and has represented such individuals as Sun Myong Moon and governments as China, Indonesia, etc. With the end of the Cold War there was panic. Arms ma

A skeptic turned believer

As a former (low-ranking) officer in the military, I was skeptical about the premise of this book. But reading the first chapter, standing up in Midnight Special, got me hooked. This is a well argued, impeccably researched book. Though I think some of the arguments are overstated, the bulk of "Warriors" confirmed suspicions I didn't even know I had, and resonated with my fellow officers when I brought it up with them. Clearly written without being condescending. A good read for anybody trying to understand the wars popping up around the globe.

Classic Investigative Reporting

You thought that the end of the Cold War meant a slow down in the arms trade? Well, think again. The Defense budget remains as bloated as ever and the arms trade--once under a modicum of federal oversight--has gone global (and private), feeding on (and promoting) regional strife and bloodshed from Sierra Leone and Nigeria to Sri Lanka and Colombia. And who are the profiteers? The weapons companies and their seamy roster of brokers: CIA retirees, former Pentagon flacks, aging Nazis (protected from war crimes trials by going to work for US intelligence agencies), political appointees and other downright slimy operators, from Al "I'm in Control" Haig to Frank Gaffney, the high priest of Star Wars. Ken Silverstein, one of the nation's most fearless reporters, goes face-to-face with these new merchants of death and shines a piercing light on their dark and frightening world. With Private Warriors Silverstein revives and perfects a style of investigative reporting that surpasses Jack Anderson at his best.