Congo Mercenary

By: Mike Hoare

Narrated by: Mike Hoare

Col. Mike Hoare tells how his force of mercenaries, 5 Commando, put down a Comunist-backed rebel uprising in the Congo. As they restored law and order, town by town, he and his men freed 1,800 nuns and priests. His men also learned what it means to be real soldiers.

©1967 Mike Hoare (P)2012 Mike Hoare

Critic reviews

"This well-written and well-illustrated book gives an accurate and useful account of the military response to the [Congolese] rebellion." ( The Daily Telegraph)

Incredible detail on a little known subject

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

Anyone interested in African "Bush" Wars or counterinsurgency in general should read Hoare's works. Congo Mercenary provides detailed accounts of the campaigns and politics of his years in the Congo in the early to mid-1960s. Hoare's storytelling is conversational, and while his ideals may seem outdated his observations are acute.

What did you like best about this story?

Hoare's descriptions of his leadership and how he developed 5 Commando into a fighting unit.

Have you listened to any of Mike Hoare’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

Congo Mercenary is the most action-packed and detailed of Hoare's works. It goes into detail about the planning and execution of all of the campaigns that Hoare participated in.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

It was excellent, and I will be returning to it again.

Any additional comments?

There's also a great portrait of a young Mobutu, on the verge of seizing power in the Congo. So many of the portraits of Mobutu have been of the aging strong-man desperately holding onto power, this was an interesting contrast.

Real world experience

Loved the first hand account of these events. I will be getting his other books to listen to.

10/10 story about life as a mercenary in the congo

Hoares story makes me want to grab and FAL And a one-way ticket to leopoldville.
His tales are awe inspiring. 10/10.

Mad Mike’s voice and words of a lost cause

As Nike Hoare celebrates his 100th birthday, his efforts might fade into the past but for this well told story of the mercenary role in the Congo War. Hoare’ five commando seems to be the historical bridge between the French Foreign. Legion and Blackwater. Hoare’s commandos were more like the Legion in that they engaged in real combat with the objective of holding territory unlike today’s contractors who provide security and do search an destroy missions. Interesting listen.

Good first hand account of bravery

Enjoyed listening to the Colonel and learned much about what it takes to command in austere circumstances