Soldier without Fortune: True Firsthand Account of a Free-Lance Mercenary in Central America

by John L. McClure

A freelance mercenary discusses his experiences as a professional soldier in Central America, his association with the Nicaraguan Contras, and his relationship with the CIA and the Pentagon

251 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published January 1, 1987

Reviews

[Alfred Milligan · Rating 1 out of 5]

While it is verified that McClure has a PhD in psychology, most of the book is false. McClure is a convicted murderer, served 8 years in prison, was convicted of AWOL and drug dealing while in the Army and a card carrying member of the American Nazi party, he was a member of the Huns and Pagan motorcycle clubs, he practiced psychology in Florida without a licence and he is not a vietnam vet.

He did go to French Guyana for a few weeks, but none of he experiences in Central America is verified by any third party.

Read his articles in Soldier of Fortune magazine and the San Diego Reader and compare them to the book and you will see that his story changes with each telling.

[ReadDatBook · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very fast read. It strikes me as an honest account of what the author experienced during the sandanista conflicts. Hard to say anything without saying too much about the book specifically, but it leaves you underwhelmed as I think it left the author in some ways, while strangely enlightened by the fact that war is hell, as well as pointless.