Equatorial Guinea is a tiny country roughly the size of the state of Maryland. Humid, jungle covered, and rife with unpleasant diseases, natives ...
read full description
reviews
Jul 08, 2008
Brock
rated it: 
This book was made more enjoyable by my having recently finished Robert Klitgaard's Tropical Gangsters, which is a book about World Bank/IMF development activities in Equitorial Guinea nearly 20 years before the activities described in The Wonga Coup. I'm not sure if I would have given this one three stars had I not already had an interest in finding out where the country had ended up after the difficulties I read about in Klitgaard's book.
Certainly don't read The Wonga Coup if you More...
Certainly don't read The Wonga Coup if you More...
0 comments
like
(1 person liked it)
Jul 23, 2010
Pat
rated it:
Pretty good, although for some reason, and not just this author specifically, journalists always feel the need to recap who everyone is and what their role is every time they get mentioned in a new chapter. I'm not sure if the book is based off several independent reports he filed or what, but it seems a little hand holdy and condescending, not too mention pads the book out.
Oct 29, 2011
Lana
rated it:
Equatorial Guinea is fascinating. Corruption, piles of skulls, cannibalism, state sanctioned rape and torture, etc. all supported by oil money. I would support this coup attempt if they had been doing it with any purpose other than the money. But that's all they were after. I find it disgusting that the rich, spoiled, momma's boys that concocted this plan were let out of jail before their paid help.
Mar 18, 2009
Meredith
rated it: 
It is amazing what white men think they can still get away with in modern Africa. Only African heads of state can act with the sort of complete impunity that Simon Mann tried to get away with in his attempt to overthrow the government of Equatorial Guinea.
0 comments
like
(1 person liked it)
Jun 17, 2011
Andrew
rated it:
I thought this book did an excellent job of tying an exciting story of mercenaries and international intrigue together with the story of the resource curse many LDC's face today. Also it raises important issues about the privatization of military force.
Oct 16, 2009
Rachel
rated it:
A quick and exciting read about the world of mercenaries, coups, and the curse of oil in sub-Saharan Africa.
Aug 13, 2011
A past-his peak mercenary decides to attempt a coup and learns his arrogance has led him into prison.
Aug 27, 2009
Kate
rated it: 
brilliantly researched and compelling written tale of backwater geopolitics and mercenary behaviour
Sep 26, 2008
Patrick
rated it:
It's good, especially if you're interested in energy politics, or, even better, if you have a secret fascination with mercenaries. The actual story is riveting, and Roberts has clearly exhaustively researched everything. Also provides an interesting look at modern African politics.
On the other hand, it's too long by half, it really drags in parts, and there are way too many people to keep track of, especially if you read it slowly like I did.
For international relations ty More...
On the other hand, it's too long by half, it really drags in parts, and there are way too many people to keep track of, especially if you read it slowly like I did.
For international relations ty More...
Aug 08, 2011
Phil
rated it:
Fun and revealing story about how mercenaries tried to stage a coup in a tiny African country in 2003. Apparently this is a regular thing that happens in Africa.
The writing got a little bogged down and expository in the middle of the book. I was hoping for more action but instead I got page after page of "this guy said this, the other guy said that" stuff. Stil, overall the book was fun.
Also I learned that Margaret Thatcher's son is an a-hole, and he was involved More...
The writing got a little bogged down and expository in the middle of the book. I was hoping for more action but instead I got page after page of "this guy said this, the other guy said that" stuff. Stil, overall the book was fun.
Also I learned that Margaret Thatcher's son is an a-hole, and he was involved More...
Jul 05, 2010
Thomas
rated it:
I loved this meticulously researched book by The Economist's man in Africa about the attempt by a group of mercenary adventurers to stage a coup in Equatorial Guinea. Along the way the story touches on Mark Thatcher, Margaret's son, and the novelist Jeffrey Archer (maybe). It's a fascinating story, well told, and infuriating when one considers both the politics involved and the overriding problems of Africa because of exactly the type of post-colonial economic neo-colonialism and corruption desc
More...
Nov 10, 2008
Terri
rated it: 
I vaguely remember news stories about this when it happened, mainly because Margaret Thatcher's son was involved.
It is the story of a failed military coup in Equitorial Guinea (a tiny African nation I knew NOTHING about) by a group of mercenaries. The idea was throw over the dictator (who was a greedy cruel man - but they were not in it for humanitarian reasons) and take control of the oil.
The attempt failed mostly because too many people were talking too much all over
It is the story of a failed military coup in Equitorial Guinea (a tiny African nation I knew NOTHING about) by a group of mercenaries. The idea was throw over the dictator (who was a greedy cruel man - but they were not in it for humanitarian reasons) and take control of the oil.
The attempt failed mostly because too many people were talking too much all over
Jan 09, 2012
Jess
rated it:
I was intrigued by the fact that British/international mercenaries constructed a coup to be carried out in a small African country within this decade, and it was interesting to get a window into the world of the mercenaries, but I think I would have been equally satisfied by a long article. It read almost like a court brief more than a popular book - could have used some editing.
Feb 20, 2008
durban
rated it:
Aside from the somewhat disjointed nature of the telling, it is always interesting for me to learn about other countries, and to do it in a multi-textural way.
One thing, Equatorial Guinea is a very scary place!!
The enabled abuse of power and the torture of the people introduced in the book gives just a quick wink at the levels of barbarity so many people world-wide experience.
One thing, Equatorial Guinea is a very scary place!!
The enabled abuse of power and the torture of the people introduced in the book gives just a quick wink at the levels of barbarity so many people world-wide experience.
Sep 09, 2007
ted
rated it:
a very interesting story, but so badly written. this reads like a first draft sorely in need of editing. i read about half, and since the author tells you clearly what is going to happen, the rest reads like a laundry list of the equipment they used and what they did with it. it did pique my interest in reading frederick forsyth though.
Sep 06, 2008
Jake
rated it:
Crazy! Africa has some messed up stuff going on. This happened in 2004 and I don't even remember hearing anything about this in the news or anything. My company has actually done some work in Equatorial Guinea, where this took place, so it hits home a little bit.
Dec 29, 2011
Reverenddave
rated it:
While I didnt think the book was particularly well written, the story is fascinating and Adam got some great access.
Dec 31, 2007
Bill
rated it:
Interesting book detailing the specifics of an attempted coup in Equatorial Guinea in 2004, in which Mark Thatcher was implicated. Offers a good view of modern-day mercenary activity.
Jan 02, 2012
Tom
rated it:
If you have ever read Dogs of War this should be on the list. A good read on the inside of events that hepled shape the book Dogs of War.
Feb 19, 2012
Feb 05, 2012
Jan 24, 2012
