Synopsis In this investigative report on the high-tech security firm known as Blackwater, military journalist Scott Taylor details the origins of the company founded by a former Navy Seal who inherited a billion-dollar fortune. Blackwater holds lucrative, and dangerous, contracts in the war zones of Iraq and Afghanistan, and their staff has been engaged in numerous firefights with the enemy. While its operations fall outside of military jurisdiction, Blackwater claims "Total Force" legal protection as a contractor in the war zone, and Scott explores the issue of whether they act beyond the scope of the law and without oversight. He also examines the role that Blackwater played in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, securing homes and businesses in wealthy areas, and sometimes engaging with civilians. He asks the old question of who will oversee the overseers, and whether this highly trained security firm poses a threat of its own. Jeremy Scahill was awarded a 2007 George Polk Award for BLACKWATER.
| Details | | Publication Date: | 2008-05-26 | | Edition Description: | Revised; Updated |
| Size | | Length: | 550 pages | | Height: | 8.3 in | | Width: | 5.5 in | | Thickness: | 1.5 in | | Weight: | 19.2 oz |
Industry Reviews "Scahill's page-turning collection of intrigue and insight into the underworld of privatized warfare is well-researched, thoroughly documented and, as a result, extremely frightening." (03/24/2007)
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