Civilian Warriors, Erik Prince
Civilian Warriors, Erik Prince
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Civilian Warriors
The Inside Story of Blackwater and the Unsung Heroes of the War on Terror

Author: Erik Prince

Narrator: Jeff Gurner

Unabridged: 13 hr 13 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Publisher: Penguin Audio

Published: 11/18/2013


Synopsis

The founder of Blackwater offers the gripping, previously untold story of the world’s most controversial military contractor
Blackwater is one of the most misunderstood companies of our time. As Erik Prince, its founder and former CEO, writes:
“Hundreds of American citizens employed by private military contractors, or PMCs, would lose their lives helping our government wage wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, only to have their memory tarnished by the unfair and/or ignorant depiction of PMCs as profiteers, jackbooted thugs, or worse.”
Because of the secrecy requirements of Blackwater’s contracts with the Pentagon, the State Department, and the CIA, Prince was unable to speak out when his company’s opponents spread false information. But now he’s free to tell the often shocking story of Blackwater’s rise and fall. 

Blackwater hired Special Forces veterans and others with the skills and courage to take on the riskiest security jobs in the world. As its reputation grew, demand for its services escalated. Its men eventually completed nearly 100,000 missions in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Prince’s narrative includes newly-revealed details about many controversial events. It debunks myths that have been spread by TV shows and movies. It honors our armed forces while challenging the Pentagon’s top leadership. Above all, it will make people rethink exactly who the “good guys” and “bad guys” have been since 9/11.

About The Author

Erik Prince, a former Navy SEAL, founded Blackwater in 1997. He served as its CEO until 2009 and its Chairman until 2010, when the company was sold. A native of Michigan, he now lives in Abu Dhabi, where he pursues a variety of business ventures. This is his first book.


Reviews

Goodreads review by Mike (the Paladin) on June 22, 2020

There are a couple of books I've read lately which I'm going to give the same advice about. Simply stated, just attempt to read it with an open mind. You know if for instance a congress-person takes the experience they've gained and say maybe...goes to work for a private company, no one is surprised.......more

Goodreads review by Zak on October 29, 2017

1. In this book, Erik Prince, the Founder and ex-CEO/Chairman of the infamous private military contractor, Blackwater, puts forth a vehement defense of his company. Blackwater rose to prominence during the US invasion of Iraq to depose Saddam Hussein. With rising visibility and a commanding share of......more

Goodreads review by Jack on January 06, 2014

Excellent expose of the inner workings of our government, the silliness of partisan politics and a man with an entrepreneurial drive and a heart to do things right.......more

Goodreads review by Ryan on July 23, 2018

Erik Prince built an objectively great company and was the victim of political infighting about larger issues (the Iraq war itself, the role of contractors in war, etc). Blackwater grew from a small training center in North Carolina into the world leader in the highest risk private security. This bo......more

Goodreads review by Norm on September 24, 2014

I was surprised by the content of the book. I expected personal stories of the men who served our country working for Blackwater. The major theme of the book was it seemed, a defense of Mr. Prince and his company for what they did and how they did it. There was at first, some detail of Mr. Prince gr......more


Quotes

“Prince’s book belongs on the shelf next to the memoirs of the other Iraq and Afghanistan war chieftains…. we need Prince’s story to help us understand the history of the post- 9/11 wars and the myriad roles contractors played in these conflicts.”The Washington Post