Three Worlds Gone Mad: Dangerous Journeys through the War Zones of Africa, Asia, and the South Pacific

by Robert Young Pelton

As the author of The World's Most Dangerous Places, Robert Young Pelton has come to know some of the most unusual and dangerous individuals in the world. In THE HUNTER, THE HAMMER, AND HEAVEN, he introduces an extraordinary cast of characters from three of the most war-ravaged countries on earth - the West African country of Sierra Leone, the breakaway republic of Chechnya, and a mysterious island in the South Pacific called Bougainville.

In war-torn Sierra Leone, as he wanders through the world's most expensive peacekeeping mission, he meets an ex-mercenary who hunts pirates, a ragtag militia whose members believe they have supernatural powers, and white men with "diamond fever."

In Chechnya, Pelton enters the jihad with three traveling companions - an American muhjadin who wants to die, a young woman seeing her first war as a journalist, and a grumpy cameraman. Pelton brings this motley crew down the secret muj trail from Georgia and into terrorist-filled bunkers, suicide squad-manned front lines, and SCUD missile attacks.

Finally, Pelton chronicles his two-year odyssey to meet one of the most elusive rebel leaders in the world - Francis Ona - who has survived numerous assassination attempts and who threatens to kill any white man who sets foot on his tiny island, Bougainville.

Filled with tension and intrigue, THE HUNTER, THE HAMMER, AND HEAVEN offers a dramatic vision of war and humanity.

Genres: Travel, Africa, Nonfiction

320 pages, Paperback

First published December 1, 2003

About the author

Robert Young Pelton is an author, journalist, and documentary film director. He is known for his conflict reporting and interviews with military and political figures in war zones. He reported from the Battle of Qala-i-Jangi in Afghanistan, the Battle of Grozny (1999–2000) in Chechnya, the rebel siege to control Monrovia in Liberia, and the siege on Villa Somalia in Mogadishu. He spent time with the Taliban, the Northern Alliance (pre-9/11), the CIA during the hunt for Osama bin Laden and with both insurgents and Blackwater security contractors during the war in Iraq. He also hosted the Discovery Travel Channel series "Robert Young Pelton's The World's Most Dangerous Places" from 1998 to 2003.

Reviews

[Si · Rating 4 out of 5]

Also called "The Hunter, The Hammer, and Heaven" this fascinating book looks at three war torn countries that the rather brave Robert Young Pelton has visited. He doesn't mess about, but gets straight in there to visit all the key protaganists in these situations, regardless of how dangerous it may be.

When you read some of the crazy situations he gets into you have to remember that this is not a fiction book. From being bombed in Chechnya to meeting people that would sooner kill him than meet with an American - these stories are legendary.

And the difference here, is that the story is told from a personal viewpoint. He meets all the key players, gives you the impression of the people, rather than the dry facts one would normally read about such situations, and helps you see the situations from the viewpoints of real people, not just abstract names, numbers and ideals.

For anyone interested in the politics of some of the darker places in the world, politics that you wouldn't always read about in the news, then Young-Pelton is the chap to go to.

[Aaron · Rating 4 out of 5]

Robert Young Pelton has cheated death so many times it's incredible he's still alive, but we're lucky to have him if only for this one work. It's an adventure tale of his trips to Chechnya, Sierra Leone, and Bougainville, but it's also a nonjudgemental and insightful look at the role that modern mercenary forces play. Critical reading for anyone interested in the topic of the guns-for-hire - in particular, he tells the story of the rise of Blackwater, who currently have a huge presence in Iraq.

[Kerry · Rating 5 out of 5]

Outstanding book. Riveting and very well written!

[Ted · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Sierra Leone and Bougainville journeys were interesting. I found the Chechen chapter dragged; the people he met there were dull, and a drab, depressing atmosphere pervaded the whole adventure.