Civilian Warriors

The Inside Story of Blackwater and the Unsung Heroes of the War on Terror

By: Erik Prince

Narrated by: Jeff Gurner

Length: 13 hrs and 12 mins

Publisher's summary

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.

©2013 Erik Prince (P)2013 Penguin Audio

Critic reviews

"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- 9/11wars and the myriad roles contractors played in these conflicts." (The Washington Post)

Clear and present danger

There is no glory to be had in being a silent warrior - if the govt ran like Prince et al we would not be in debt - clearly a concept of force multiplication by the private sector was effective and efficient. Keep up the fight- PMC are critical post "service "employer - the Spec Op community is not compensated for the work they do. Some lackey sailor working in an office get the same pay as a SEAL busting his ass.

the truth

loved it and thank you to the author for sharing the whole story! I would definitely recommend this book.

phenomenal book, I could not stop reading.

I could not stop reading it was a great book all the way to the end I would recommend it to anybody that wants to know how the government really works and how really corrupt it is Eric Prince is it phenomenal person with outstanding character and I applaud him.

outstanding

This is an amazing book that helps shed light on the truth of what happens to those that serve in a private contractor situation.. Plenty of folks lost their lives or injured serving their country and its interests while no longer being a part of the military. Media and our own government are jackals that will take even the best operated systems or businesses and tear them apart to safeguard their own private interests.

Fascinating history of recent events!

Two sides to every story and this include Blackwater security. It's was interesting to hear Erik Prince's recount of how things happened with his security company.

Great insight

Great listen, I was intrigued through the whole audiobook. Great insight into how the government treats some of its associates.

I enjoyed this book.

This exceptional literary work presents an abundance of information that reveals our deep-seated patriotism and reverence for the American flag, under the skilled guidance of the distinguished leader Erik Prince. Conversely, it also highlights the pervasive corruption within our government, and delivers this disheartening revelation through a reputable and dependable source.

Outstanding

An eye-opening story about a patriotic entrepreneur and left-wing politicians that work against successful Americans who don't "bend the knee."

Eyeopening

I enjoyed listening to this book very much. The information was quite informative.

I am not someone who knows a lot about the mechanics of war. I have started becoming involved with learning about wars within the past year. Since then I have listened to quite a few books, both fiction and nonfiction. My interest continues.

Absorbing the information given about Blackwater by Erik Prince provided answers to quite a few questions I had that had no answers. Learning how private sources intervene and insert themselves into areas around the world where conflict is occurring and what these men and women are asked to do and do it, was fascinating to me.

Erik Prince's involvement with wars through his company known as Blackwater, was well worth my listen. I realize that Prince was not blameless in all of his men's interactions while in Iraq and Afghanistan or any other place they may have been involeded but the services Blackwater did provide would have been done whether by Blackwater or another such organization.

People do react differently when they believe that there is a threat to himself and his men. Participants who join these private companies have their own reasons for participating. Their jobs are required and if what needs to be accomplished by private companies not fighting in the war itself and it's the US government wanting their services, payment comes from whom required their services, which was, at times, the US government itself.

Understand that these facts provided in the book were quite new to me and I listened with rapt attention. The book about Blackwater has opened my mind to see inside the kaleidoscope of war.

The narrator was excellent. I'm sure that he was a critical part of why I was able to listen to this book. Even when he was providing statistics, I listened. The credit I used to purchase this book was well worth it. Listen to this book and come away with your own evaluation of its truth or untruths. Either way, it's a well worth read.

Enjoyed hearing the other-side of Blackwater

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

I recommend this book because the media will never tell you the whole story especially about conservative companies. The media and government has thrown Blackwater under the bus for so long few know what really happened. .

What was one of the most memorable moments of Civilian Warriors?

Its a remarkable story of how the free market can out preform even the military.