Dimensions
156 x 237 x 27mm
Blackwater‚ the multi-billion-dollar military contractor‚ became instantly infamous in 2005 when its employees were publicly executed by Iraqi insurgents. Less than two years later‚ Blackwater was nearly banned from working for the State Department after its employees used excessive force that killed innocent Iraqi civilians. Yet the U.S. government was forced to rescind the threatened ban‚ because there was no other option: Blackwater is the world's only military contractor of such size and resources that it can handle security for an entire occupation. Indeed‚ Blackwater has more firepower‚ manpower‚ and hi-tech equipment than most small countries.
Behind Blackwater stands one man: Erik Prince. He avoids publicity whenever possible. He is known as an evangelical Christian and hardened ex-Navy SEAL‚ a man with long and deep connections in Washington. But most of his story‚ like that of his company‚ lies beneath the surface and has never been told. He has single-handedly helped to privatize warfare in the 21st century. Who is he really? And what has he wrought?
Suzanne Simons has spent hours interviewing Prince‚ and travelling with him both within the United States and in the Middle East. She has interviewed dozens of his employees‚ family members‚ and friends. She has uncovered family and business secrets‚ and seen first-hand how Blackwater has grown into a colossus. The result is a riveting portrait of a true modern prince--a man unaccountable to any voters‚ who commands a veritable army that is essential to America's missions in Iraq‚ Afghanistan‚ and elsewhere. Modern warfare has many faces‚ and one wears a very private mask: here‚ that mask is finally taken off.
