Book Review: My friend the Mercenary by James Brabazon
I'm not exactly sure why my recent taste in books has run to true tales of humans involved in strange ways in brutal and obscure conflicts in Africa but that's what has been catching my eye lately. This is another local story: the mercenary referred to in the title is a South African although the book was written by a British journalist. The book is in two parts: the first tells the story of James Brabazon's documentaries shot during the civil war in Liberia. He hired Nick du Toit, a professional soldier to protect him in the warzone and they formed a very strong bond during their extreme experiences in the combat zones.
Nick du Toit told James Brabazon about some of the mercenary activity he was previously involved in and upcoming plans, which involved staging a coup in the Central African country and former Spanish colony of Equatorial Guinea, and Nick suggested that James should film it. James agreed but due to his grandfather's funeral, he wasn't there when the coup plot was foiled so he was extremely lucky not to have been arrested, tortured and kept in a hellhole of a jail for over 5 years, as his friend Nick was.
The second half of the book is about James Brabazon's search to uncover the truth of the plot that his friend got involved with and why it all went so horribly wrong and ends with his reunion with Nick after he was pardoned and released 5 years and nine months into a 34-year jail sentence.
This is an unusual account of an unlikely friendship and the author spends a fair amount of time considering the ethically murky situations that he finds himself in. It's a thought-provoking read, as he questions his role in providing war-porn for the news headlines and the traumatising effect that the conflict he filmed had on him. To get another view, I read parts of Simon Mann's book Cry Havoc. Simon Mann was the other mercenary involved in planning the failed plot, a wealthy Englishman who was in contact with the Spanish government, shady characters such as Mark Thatcher, Eli Khalil and the American CIA. His account of his time in jail in Zimbabwe and Equatorial Guinea reads like that of an inconvenienced rich and selfish man. He certainly paid heavily for his crime in a Zimbabwe prison but I found it hard to feel sympathy for him.
My friend the Mercenary is a thought-provoking and unpleasant glimpse into the world of arms dealers, politicians, spies, soldiers for hire, African dictators and the ordinary people that suffer in the crossfire of greed, power and violence. I also found it interesting because when I was growing up, the Apartheid state in power in those days was involved many of Southern Africa's various jungle wars and the boys I grew up were all suitably indoctrinated and sent off to be cannon fodder as soon as they finished their schooling. I also personally knew a photographer who was shot and killed in the Libyan conflict and it's hard to make sense of what goes through people's minds in these situations. I know that it left my friends and classmates deeply scarred.
Not an easy read but highly recommended if you like modern history and politics
Enjoyed reading this post despite a down subject. Good to get my mind off of current news.
Yes, there's that aspect to reading. How are you and Bear now?
I just woke up ..Bear's mouth was examined again yesterday by main Vet. Found only small white sores on his pallet. Brought him in because he was eating less looked in pain and was just sitting in basement.. talk later have to feed the monsters now.. thanks @nikv
Hmm, I wonder whether the stress of the surgery has made him have a bit of a viral flareup. Poor boy: what did the main vet suggest?
He is an extreme scaredy-cat. She gave him an anti-biotic. To see if it would help. I am only going to feed him wet food and take it day to day. I have the appetite stimulant to put inside his ears if he stops eating again.
Sounds like a good strategy
Interesting post!
Unfortunately, politicians fighting for power always send other people's children :-(
How can you send very young boys who have not yet seen life, this is a crime!
Yes it is. It's a pity that humans are so aggressive and love wars
And all this is for profit and power :-((
That'a cool review, I am not surprised CIA was involved. I've never read too many books on the subject, but I've been in contact with a lot of people when I was in SA, that told some crazy stories that I know true, about CIA, SA and Libya.
The dirty tricks in Africa are extensive and never-ending. South Africa has always been a prime hub for all of it. The South African government was at the heart of foiling this plot as a way of letting the clandestine world know that these actions wouldn't be tolerated. Due to our previous involvement in bush wars and highly militarised society, there were too many South African ex-soldiers for hire in all parts of the world. It's one thing to help with security in war zones but another to be overthrowing governments, now matter how corrupt and brutal
What the Gupta scandal showed us, is that with the right you can influence any government.
You would think it's something more common in Africa, but the same level of corruption can be seen everywhere in the world, even in Europe or the US.
Speaking of brutality, have you seen how the Australian police is actin on its people? Sickening... Australia is another training ground for the militarized police to enforce martial law.
Yes, that's completely true: I have no illusions about the rest of the world being any better, things are just more blatant. I also value the freedom we have here and wouldn't trade it for a 'comfortable', highly regulated life
Funny, it's something I say all the time.
I agree with ya, we are already thinking of our next move, in case it get worse.
Great review, I will be adding this book to my reading list. when the snow starts to fly, there is nothing like a good read while sitting in front of the fire.
Thank you! Nothing like a good book in cold weather