Sean McFate

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Samuel
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Sean McFate

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June 2014


I have been a paratrooper in the US Army’s 82nd Airborne Division. A para-military contractor. An operative in the private intelligence world (think: Wall Street meets CIA). I’ve dealt with African warlords, raised armies for U.S. interest, rode with armed groups in the Sahara, conducted strategic reconnaissance for oil companies, transacted arms deals in Eastern Europe, and helped prevent an impending genocide in the Rwanda region. In between this, I earned degrees from Brown, Harvard, and a PhD from the London School of Economics.

Now I’m an author, my favorite job by far. I write about the world as I’ve witnessed it. Unlike most, I write both serious non-fiction and fiction. What I can’t discuss in my non-fiction ends up in my novels, wh
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Sean McFate Sorry for the long delay. Tom Locke's love of music comes from me. Before I became a paratrooper and then para-military contractor, I was a classical …moreSorry for the long delay. Tom Locke's love of music comes from me. Before I became a paratrooper and then para-military contractor, I was a classical violinist as a child, and a serious one too. I put down the violin because I wanted to do other things with my life, but my love of music remains. Same with Tom.(less)
Sean McFate Yes!! Tom Locke #3 comes out 9 June and is the best one yet. It's called HIGH TREASON.…moreYes!! Tom Locke #3 comes out 9 June and is the best one yet. It's called HIGH TREASON.(less)
Average rating: 3.84 · 3,839 ratings · 418 reviews · 18 distinct worksSimilar authors
The New Rules of War: Victo...

3.96 avg rating — 1,532 ratings — published 2019 — 2 editions
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Shadow War (Tom Locke, #1)

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3.54 avg rating — 799 ratings — published 2016 — 2 editions
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High Treason (Tom Locke, #3)

3.96 avg rating — 560 ratings — published 2020 — 8 editions
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Deep Black (Tom Locke #2)

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3.87 avg rating — 385 ratings — published 2017 — 10 editions
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The Modern Mercenary: Priva...

3.75 avg rating — 354 ratings — published 2014 — 5 editions
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Goliath: Why the West Doesn...

4.01 avg rating — 175 ratings3 editions
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A Nova Arte da Guerra

3.89 avg rating — 18 ratings — published 2019
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Shadow War: A Tom Locke Nov...

3.86 avg rating — 7 ratings
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Mercenaries and War: Unders...

4.60 avg rating — 5 ratings
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Pod černou vlajkou

3.50 avg rating — 2 ratings — published 2017
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More books by Sean McFate…
Shadow War Deep Black High Treason
(3 books)
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3.75 avg rating — 1,744 ratings

Quotes by Sean McFate  (?)
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“The state’s exclusive claim to violence to uphold its rule of law is, according to many, the very essence of statehood. For instance, in 1919, the eminent German sociologist Max Weber defined the state as “a human community that (successfully) claims the monopoly of the legitimate use of physical force within a given territory.”6 This definition remains widely used today, and states that cannot maintain a monopoly of force and endure civil war or frequent violent crime are routinely described as “weak,” “fragile,” or “failed” states.”
Sean McFate, The Modern Mercenary: Private Armies and What They Mean for World Order

“In a shadow war, cloaking is a form of power, and information is weaponized. If
you twist your enemy’s perception of reality, you can manipulate him into strategic
blunders that can be exploited for victory. It’s also a great defense.”
Sean McFate, The New Rules of War: Victory in the Age of Durable Disorder

“If you had died in Ukraine, Thomas, you wouldn’t be the man I thought you were.” He looked me in the eye for dramatic effect, but I didn’t squirm under his gaze. Not anymore. “But you weren’t killed, and you are the man I imagined.”
“My friend died there,” I said. “A man I trusted like a brother.”
“Men die, Thomas. You should know this better than most. It’s what you do.”
He didn’t understand. He didn’t have anyone in his life that mattered to him like Jimmy Miles had to me. He probably didn’t even have someone like Boon.
“Why did you track me?”
He laughed. “You know the answer to that, Thomas.” But I didn’t, and Winters realized it. If he was disappointed, he didn’t show it. “Sometimes, we are the last to know ourselves,” he said.
Since when was this snake a philosopher?”
Sean McFate, Deep Black

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