Blackwater

by Jeremy Scahill
Blackwater cover
Good Books rating 4.5
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  • ID: 4701
  • Added: 2025-10-21
  • Updated: 2025-10-21
  • Formats: 2
  • Reviews: 4
Reviews
tysonadams.com · Unknown · 2025-10-21
insightful 4.00

The book provides a comprehensive look at the rise of private military companies, particularly Blackwater, and their increasing role in military operations. It raises important questions about the regulation and oversight of these entities.

The book offers a detailed examination of the growth of private military companies, with a focus on Blackwater. It highlights the significant role these companies play in modern military operations and the challenges they pose in terms of accountability and regulation. The author delves into the historical context and the legal frameworks that govern these entities, providing a nuanced perspective on their impact. The book is particularly insightful in its discussion of the ethical and practical implications of relying on private contractors for military tasks. It suggests that while these companies can be effective, there is a need for stronger oversight to ensure they operate within acceptable boundaries. The book is a valuable resource for anyone interested in understanding the complexities of private military involvement in contemporary conflicts.

Quick quotes

    The book provides a comprehensive look at the rise of private military companies, particularly Blackwater, and their increasing role in military operations.

    It raises important questions about the regulation and oversight of these entities.

    The author delves into the historical context and the legal frameworks that govern these entities, providing a nuanced perspective on their impact.

app.thestorygraph.com · Unknown · 2025-10-21
compelling 4.50

Jeremy Scahill's 'Blackwater' is a gripping exposé of the powerful military contractor, revealing its aggressive tactics and significant influence in the 'global war on terror'. The book has gained attention through media appearances and online buzz, highlighting the shift of soldiers to private security firms and the concept of 'keeping your noun alive'.

Jeremy Scahill's 'Blackwater' is a compelling and well-researched book that delves into the shadowy world of the military contractor Blackwater USA. The book has garnered significant attention, partly due to Scahill's appearance on NPR and the intense buzz it has generated in the blogosphere. Scahill's work is notable for its vivid portrayal of Blackwater's aggressive tactics and its role as a key player in the 'global war on terror'. The book introduces intriguing phrases like 'going Blackwater' and 'keeping your noun alive', which capture the essence of the private security industry's operations and its close ties to high-profile figures. Scahill's writing is engaging and informative, making 'Blackwater' a must-read for those interested in understanding the complexities and controversies surrounding private military contractors. The book's impact is further amplified by its timely relevance and the author's credible background as a journalist for The Nation. Overall, 'Blackwater' is a powerful and thought-provoking exposé that sheds light on a critical aspect of modern warfare and security.

Quick quotes

    It’s a crackling exposé of the secretive military contractor Blackwater USA, which Scahill refers to as both “the new Halliburton” and “the elite Praetorian Guard for the ‘global war on terror.’

    Scahill employed “keeping your noun alive” this way: “Blackwater guys ... were known for being very, very aggressive, and the whole point of their operation is to keep their noun alive, and their noun was Paul Bremer. It’s now Zalmay Khalilzad, and so they’re going to do everything it takes to not lose the noun.

    In his interview with Gross, Scahill used two phrases — “going Blackwater” and “keeping your noun alive” — that sound new, at least to my ears, and deserve to be better known.

nytimes.com · Unknown · 2025-10-21
haunting 4.50

Blackwater by Michael McDowell is a haunting and atmospheric novel that delves into the dark history of a family and their estate. The reviewer praises McDowell's ability to create a sense of foreboding and unease, making it a compelling read for fans of Southern Gothic literature.

Blackwater by Michael McDowell is a masterclass in Southern Gothic storytelling. The novel's setting, a decaying estate in Alabama, is as much a character as the people who inhabit it. The reviewer is particularly impressed by McDowell's ability to weave a tale that is both chilling and deeply atmospheric. The story unfolds over several generations, revealing the dark secrets and tragedies that have shaped the family's history. The reviewer notes that while the pacing can be slow at times, the richly drawn characters and the eerie atmosphere more than make up for it. They also appreciate the way McDowell explores themes of decay, both physical and moral, and the inescapable past. Overall, the reviewer finds Blackwater to be a haunting and unforgettable read that will appeal to those who enjoy a good ghost story with a literary touch.

Quick quotes

    The house is a character in its own right, looming and oppressive, a perfect backdrop for the family's unraveling

    McDowell's prose is as rich and layered as the Alabama soil, filled with secrets and hidden truths

    The novel's slow burn is deliberate, building to a climax that is both shocking and inevitable.

papers.ssrn.com · Unknown · 2009-05-01
disturbing 5.00

Blackwater by Jeremy Scahill is a disturbing expose on the rise of private military companies, highlighting the lack of accountability and the dangerous implications of privatizing military and intelligence work. The book is repetitive but makes a strong case against the unchecked power of companies like Blackwater.

Blackwater by Jeremy Scahill delves into the political landscape and personal histories behind the rise of private military companies, particularly Blackwater. The book reveals how these companies have managed to evade accountability, operating in a legal gray area that allows them to commit atrocities without consequence. The reviewer found the book disturbing and eye-opening, though somewhat repetitive. They emphasize the importance of holding these companies and their leaders accountable for their actions, expressing hope that those involved will never regain positions of power and influence.

Quick quotes

    They couldn’t get a coalition of the willing, so they turned to a coalition of the billing.

    The most troubling reason for this being terrible is the lack of accountability this gives these newly privatised people with guns, bombs, and shady contacts.

    After reading this book you’d think Erik Prince would suffer some consequences…. [Nope. He’s still going](https://theintercept.com/2019/05/03/erik-prince-trump-uae-project-veritas/).

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