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Contracted
Who is fighting the war in Afghanistan? Did you know that 52% of people fighting in Afghanistan are contracted to do so? Contractors operate far beyond the borders of Afghanistan, they operate globally. Real people. Real missions. Real wars.
After the United States was attacked and the President vowed to search and destroy the enemy, the government formed a secret unit comprised of civilians. Paid civilians. Contracted civilians. Many of these people left their jobs, families, and friends to voluntarily serve alongside their military brethren. They did it out of love, passion, and deep patriotism. Declan Collins is one of those men. Just another patriot you have never heard of working to keep America safe. A former member of the US Armed Forces trying to make it in the civilian world as a newlywed, Declan quickly found himself working for one of America's most secretive organizations. He fit the role of what they needed perfectly. This novel is about what happened after Declan received a mysterious phone call, was paid and given two weeks to get into Afghanistan all the while placing his life on hold to preserve and protect America. Find out about the fighting force rarely ever spoken of, those who were Contracted--America's Secret Warriors. Inspired by true events.
After the United States was attacked and the President vowed to search and destroy the enemy, the government formed a secret unit comprised of civilians. Paid civilians. Contracted civilians. Many of these people left their jobs, families, and friends to voluntarily serve alongside their military brethren. They did it out of love, passion, and deep patriotism. Declan Collins is one of those men. Just another patriot you have never heard of working to keep America safe. A former member of the US Armed Forces trying to make it in the civilian world as a newlywed, Declan quickly found himself working for one of America's most secretive organizations. He fit the role of what they needed perfectly. This novel is about what happened after Declan received a mysterious phone call, was paid and given two weeks to get into Afghanistan all the while placing his life on hold to preserve and protect America. Find out about the fighting force rarely ever spoken of, those who were Contracted--America's Secret Warriors. Inspired by true events.
262 pages, Paperback
First published December 10, 2012
122 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
October 31, 2013
Contractors are such a hot button topic in the realm of national security. One of the more prevalent opinions are that they are bloodthirsty guns for hire, something perpetuated by the actions of the company then-known as Blackwater in Iraq circa 2007. They are easy targets for action media for villains, as their primary motivation is money, right?
Wrong, argues Kerry Patton, a veteran and contractor himself, in his freshman work CONTRACTED: AMERICA'S SECRET WARRIORS. His hero, Declan Collins, is not motivated by money, though it is a nice perk. He's doing it for love of his country, and love of his battle buddies. For contractors, Patton says, it's just another way to serve.
The plot itself is brimming with insider knowledge. The more the reader delves into the book, the more Patton's pedigree as a contractor and intelligence expert shines through. It's this knowledge that is the strength of the novel. Particularly painful were reading the closing chapters, where the government uncerimoniously discards Collins in a way reminiscent of how it treated its veterans of the Vietnam War. As a veteran, reading what awaits contractors when they came home made my blood boil.
The book is not without its flaws. Patton's biggest weakness is that he does more telling than showing. It is a touch and go problem. Any serious literature critic can see Patton has the talent for writing, but that he just needs time to grow. Given this is his debut work, it can only be expected that his prose will grow with subsequent works.
All in all, CONTRACTED was a good read, a solid look into the War on Terror through an insider's eyes. Definitely consider the second book marked on my to-read list!
Wrong, argues Kerry Patton, a veteran and contractor himself, in his freshman work CONTRACTED: AMERICA'S SECRET WARRIORS. His hero, Declan Collins, is not motivated by money, though it is a nice perk. He's doing it for love of his country, and love of his battle buddies. For contractors, Patton says, it's just another way to serve.
The plot itself is brimming with insider knowledge. The more the reader delves into the book, the more Patton's pedigree as a contractor and intelligence expert shines through. It's this knowledge that is the strength of the novel. Particularly painful were reading the closing chapters, where the government uncerimoniously discards Collins in a way reminiscent of how it treated its veterans of the Vietnam War. As a veteran, reading what awaits contractors when they came home made my blood boil.
The book is not without its flaws. Patton's biggest weakness is that he does more telling than showing. It is a touch and go problem. Any serious literature critic can see Patton has the talent for writing, but that he just needs time to grow. Given this is his debut work, it can only be expected that his prose will grow with subsequent works.
All in all, CONTRACTED was a good read, a solid look into the War on Terror through an insider's eyes. Definitely consider the second book marked on my to-read list!
September 21, 2013
It’s unfortunate that Jeremy Scahill’s yellow journalistic screed, Blackwater, and the liberal media have characterized private military contractors in such a negative light. In addition to things such as protection services, the U.S. uses contractors for construction, clothing, supply, and various other services. Contractors at the Portsmouth Naval Hospital served some of the best food I’d ever eaten in the Navy. I never worried that they were contractors.
Thankfully, Kerry Patton has offered a novel portraying these contractors as the patriots they are. Contracted covers their commitment to one another, their family back home, and their country. Fiction can tell the truth in so many ways and this novel brings forth a glimpse inside contractor operations. And it’s a pretty dang good story.
Thankfully, Kerry Patton has offered a novel portraying these contractors as the patriots they are. Contracted covers their commitment to one another, their family back home, and their country. Fiction can tell the truth in so many ways and this novel brings forth a glimpse inside contractor operations. And it’s a pretty dang good story.
June 25, 2013
More a pamphlet than a book, more a novel than a thriller, gives a good insight into the world of contractors.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews