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Looking for Trouble: Adventures in a Broken World
Ralph Peters--career soldier, controversial strategist, prize-winning, best-selling novelist, erstwhile rock musician, popular columnist, and old-fashioned adventurer--has always been good for a surprise. Now, for the first time, Peters recounts the personal experiences that shaped his views of the world, from the collapsing Soviet Union to the drug wars of the Andean Ridge, from quiet forays into Burma and Laos to military missions to Pakistan and the Caucasus--and on to the Southwest border of the United States and the meanest streets of Los Angeles. As the U.S. Army's chosen troubleshooter before he took off his uniform to write, Peters saw the greatest international dramas of our times and the personal tragedies they created from a truly unique perspective--and took advantage of every moment "outside of the wire." The result is the liveliest adventure memoir by an American in decades, a perfect balance of high drama and laugh-out-loud hilarity. Readers--among them his many devoted fans--will meet a faded beauty and former favorite singer of Josef Stalin's, now in her nineties and still a hopeless coquette; KGB officers who refuse to let go of the past in Moscow's back streets; a winsome princess adrift in a dying world; the corrupt Thai police general whose hobby was imitating Elvis to karaoke machines in rural bordellos; sentimental Caucasian gangsters; oblivious diplomats; wary Burmese colonels; doomed Mexican drug cops; Mennonite marijuana farmers; lonesome Nazi widows in Bolivia--and their Jewish friends; Muslim fundamentalists who write love poetry to imagined sweethearts . . . and, above all, the author's two loyal brothers-in-arms who sometimes shared the dangers and the wonder at the "back of beyond" and whose remarkable personal backgrounds, dashingly eccentric personalities, and appetite for adventure explode every cliché about military officers. Beautifully written and hauntingly told, Looking for Trouble is simply the book Ralph Peters was born to write. We can all be glad that he came back alive to write it.
371 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 22, 2008
3 people are currently reading
53 people want to read
About the author
Ralph Peters
78 books224 followersRalph Peters is a novelist, an essayist, a former career soldier, and an adventurer in the 19th-century sense. He is the author of a dozen critically acclaimed novels, two influential works on strategy, "Beyond Terror" and "Fighting for the Future".
Mr. Peters' works can also be found under the pen name "Owen Parry." He also appears frequently as a commentator on television and radio networks.
http://us.macmillan.com/author/ralphp...
Mr. Peters' works can also be found under the pen name "Owen Parry." He also appears frequently as a commentator on television and radio networks.
http://us.macmillan.com/author/ralphp...
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
July 27, 2011
I don't get what all the fuss is about this book - or even this guy. If he is a such visionary genius, I'm not sure that assessment comes from this book.
As travel writing, it lacked any sustained effort at creating a sense of place, people, and culture. The lack of bibliography is a clear warning that he is working from nothing more than his memory and opinion.
As memoir, it was bombastic. (No, I wasn't saving that word - it just came to me now.). Two of the four endorsements on the back cover are from people he mentions in the book. It is disappointing that they lavish such praise on an officer who continually praises himself, and plays down the fact that he spent four consecutive years of his career in school. There is no real sense of his having led or mentored troops; if he covered that in another of his books, I'm surprised that he didn't promote that book along with all his fiction works. And if I had received "Pakistan 1995" as a trip report, I would have kicked it back for lack of actionable information and burying the few useful tidbits in non-essential prose.
But I liked the introduction enough to read the entire thing - hoping that style and depth would show up again. And I may have actually reached that threshold of disgust that Chuck Palahniuk cited as a key motivator for amateur writers. I firmly believe that any of my military friends (or friends in other government services) can do better than this.
As travel writing, it lacked any sustained effort at creating a sense of place, people, and culture. The lack of bibliography is a clear warning that he is working from nothing more than his memory and opinion.
As memoir, it was bombastic. (No, I wasn't saving that word - it just came to me now.). Two of the four endorsements on the back cover are from people he mentions in the book. It is disappointing that they lavish such praise on an officer who continually praises himself, and plays down the fact that he spent four consecutive years of his career in school. There is no real sense of his having led or mentored troops; if he covered that in another of his books, I'm surprised that he didn't promote that book along with all his fiction works. And if I had received "Pakistan 1995" as a trip report, I would have kicked it back for lack of actionable information and burying the few useful tidbits in non-essential prose.
But I liked the introduction enough to read the entire thing - hoping that style and depth would show up again. And I may have actually reached that threshold of disgust that Chuck Palahniuk cited as a key motivator for amateur writers. I firmly believe that any of my military friends (or friends in other government services) can do better than this.
March 23, 2014
This is perhaps an auto biography merged with recent history observations. It is an interesting read but I can not claim that this is the best of Peters work. It is some times a bit bland and feels like a mish mashed memoirs piece that was joined clumsily to make this book.
The book has some interesting anecdotes from the collapsed Soviet empire as Peters makes his way through some of the soon to be or newly independent lands. It provides and interesting look at this unique time in history in a region that seldom has its story told by a Western observer.
That being said I think that this is a good book for any Peters fan or a reader who has interest in the crumbling post Cold War world of the 1990s.
Beware of some self indulgence on the part of Peters which I regret to say is some what grinding and his opinions are very self assured and mired in an officer born into a culture of American exceptionalism.
65 %
The book has some interesting anecdotes from the collapsed Soviet empire as Peters makes his way through some of the soon to be or newly independent lands. It provides and interesting look at this unique time in history in a region that seldom has its story told by a Western observer.
That being said I think that this is a good book for any Peters fan or a reader who has interest in the crumbling post Cold War world of the 1990s.
Beware of some self indulgence on the part of Peters which I regret to say is some what grinding and his opinions are very self assured and mired in an officer born into a culture of American exceptionalism.
65 %
June 6, 2009
This book is a sort of autobiographical travelogue from a retired Army Intelligence officer and fiction author, covering trips in Russia, Asia, South America, and who-knows-where-else. I found the book sort of schizophrenic: at times, it pulled me in; at other times, I was put off by what seemed like the author's egotism and sense of superiority -- or because some of the stories were downright boring.
The heart of the book -- and the part that contains most of the interesting stories -- recalls travels through ex-Soviet countries. Most of the interesting parts come from comparing expectations (both the author's and ours) to the reality of what he finds: people that are significantly more or less welcoming of Americans than you might expect, conditions that don't match preconceptions, and how security is handled. Unfortunately, these stories often include short side statements that serve to give us the author's view of the world, which more often than not sounds like something Tom Clancy would write. He and his companions are heroic; local gangsters are cartoonish; American bureaucracy just isn't smart enough to listen to the wisdom of the rough-and-tumble fellow out in the field... which the author just happens to be.
The later parts of the book feel sort of tacked-on. The cover a collection of travels through other parts of the world, and they're just not as interesting as the first part.
Parts of this book were definitely enjoyable. I just wish the author could have had more of that, and less of the rest.
The heart of the book -- and the part that contains most of the interesting stories -- recalls travels through ex-Soviet countries. Most of the interesting parts come from comparing expectations (both the author's and ours) to the reality of what he finds: people that are significantly more or less welcoming of Americans than you might expect, conditions that don't match preconceptions, and how security is handled. Unfortunately, these stories often include short side statements that serve to give us the author's view of the world, which more often than not sounds like something Tom Clancy would write. He and his companions are heroic; local gangsters are cartoonish; American bureaucracy just isn't smart enough to listen to the wisdom of the rough-and-tumble fellow out in the field... which the author just happens to be.
The later parts of the book feel sort of tacked-on. The cover a collection of travels through other parts of the world, and they're just not as interesting as the first part.
Parts of this book were definitely enjoyable. I just wish the author could have had more of that, and less of the rest.
August 29, 2010
I have a sweet spot in my heart for this book because my handsome husband ordered for me and had it mailed to my apartment. I enjoyed it! Entertaining, witty, with an almost poetic sophistication woven in between the edgy and crude commentary. Learned. Studied. Culturally aware. It's a quick read with a long reach. Plus, if you know me, you know this. I am going to *LOVE* any book with the following scene on the cover: older guy, standing in front of a helicopter, wearing aviator sunglasses. Put him in a flight suit and I just might marry him.
Yes. I am that shallow. Yes. My favorable review of this book was a foregone conclusion. Thanks, baby.
Yes. I am that shallow. Yes. My favorable review of this book was a foregone conclusion. Thanks, baby.
May 24, 2022
Ralph Peters in the best tradition of travel writers travels to far off not well-known lands with a keen eye and probing mind. In this case as an active-duty soldier in the United States Army. Peters travels to the failing Soviet Union. Despite being an active-duty soldier he is beholden only to his audience.
August 6, 2017
Military tourism - who knew? An innocuous man in military dress slides through the world's hot spots and those just cooled off - to collect ground intelligence. Hindsight is helpful, and he whines that nobody listened to him. Annoying, and scary too.
February 26, 2021
I had never read or even heard of Ralph Peters when I sat down to watch CSPAN's BookTV a couple of weeks ago. What I was introduced to was a fascinating writer and thinker, journalist and novelist, who retired from the Army as a Lieutenant Colonel and has written nineteen books.
I was impressed by the interview and decided to read his latest collection of essays, Looking for Trouble: Adventures in a Broken World. This was a timely decision with Georgia and the Caucasus on the front pages this week, for the first essay in the book, June 1991: The Caucasus, describes the adventure of Ralph and his friend Captain Peter Zwack as they toured, illegally, through the then "Soviet" Armenia and into Georgia. The episode ends with an amusing but humane dinner with a Georgian named David who regales the two Americans with drinks, dinner, his mother and more in the capital city of Tbilisi. The rest of Peter's essay collection is just as exciting and fun with stops in Pakistan, the Kremlin, Mexico and elsewhere as he recounts dramatic escapades in this "Broken World". I'm glad I've added the writings of Ralph Peters to my library and I expect to read more from his works in the future.
I was impressed by the interview and decided to read his latest collection of essays, Looking for Trouble: Adventures in a Broken World. This was a timely decision with Georgia and the Caucasus on the front pages this week, for the first essay in the book, June 1991: The Caucasus, describes the adventure of Ralph and his friend Captain Peter Zwack as they toured, illegally, through the then "Soviet" Armenia and into Georgia. The episode ends with an amusing but humane dinner with a Georgian named David who regales the two Americans with drinks, dinner, his mother and more in the capital city of Tbilisi. The rest of Peter's essay collection is just as exciting and fun with stops in Pakistan, the Kremlin, Mexico and elsewhere as he recounts dramatic escapades in this "Broken World". I'm glad I've added the writings of Ralph Peters to my library and I expect to read more from his works in the future.
December 20, 2008
I genuinely liked this book, it was an enjoyable read, but it didn't blow me away. When I checked it out from the library it was only a one-week check out. I almost read it all in a week, but ended up renewing it. Peters is a former Army intelligence officer who traveled around the sick bed of the USSR as it was on the verge of collapse. He is an unapologetic cold warrior whose crazy travel stories all highlight the fact that the USSR was truly awful, dysfunctional and soul destroying. Traveling through the Caucasus, his main obstacle is to convince the local people that he is not a hated Russian, at which point they put down their guns and invite him in for a drink while grilling him on how to get into business. He is very critical of the Clinton administration's foreign policy. One of the best and most sobering chapters was an intensive look at the basket case that is Pakistan. One of the more intelligent travel books I have read, but Peter's ego comes through a bit strong in the writing and he is apt to use clichés.
February 23, 2020
Since I bought this book in 2015/2016, I have read it four times. The first time I read it I absolutely loved it. I had just graduated from college and wanted to get back to Europe. Now - in 2020 - I've been living in Europe for three years. I still love this book, but my own experiences have rubbed off some of the magic. That being said, if you want to read a really good story about a couple of Americans driving around the Soviet Union during its death rattle, then the first half of this book is perfect for you!
Unfortunately, the second half of the book lacks all of the charm of the first. The stories are too disconnected, and the cast of characters (the author and two friends) who traveled through the Soviet Union are no longer bouncing around together. Instead of a story with people you can walk with, you're treating to a slideshow of memories with zero connective tissue.
Furthermore, the first half of the book was so clearly written with love. Every sentence has some imaginative metaphor or interesting fact.
Unfortunately, the second half of the book lacks all of the charm of the first. The stories are too disconnected, and the cast of characters (the author and two friends) who traveled through the Soviet Union are no longer bouncing around together. Instead of a story with people you can walk with, you're treating to a slideshow of memories with zero connective tissue.
Furthermore, the first half of the book was so clearly written with love. Every sentence has some imaginative metaphor or interesting fact.
October 25, 2011
This book actually deserves 3½ stars; Ralph Peters has become a much better writer during the last 20 years, since 'Red Army' was published. He was pretty good then, and has become even more skilled. The vignettes of recent history in this book were both enlightening and at times amusing to read, and Mr. Peters' insights on politico-military matters were generally well thought out and interesting. I wish I didn't have to add this disclaimer, but here it is: The fact that I consider Mr. Peters a talented writer, and find his books interesting to read does NOT mean that I agree with any of his political views. My own political opinions are so damned eccentric that I doubt there is anyone who agrees with me politically; I am easily bored by typical bullshit, and simply prefer either a genuine attempt at neutrality or an upfront & honest opinion even if it is significantly different from my own.
August 2, 2016
What a wonderful read.
Ralph Peters has written a number of books including several historical novels set during the American Civil war - excellent books.
He has also written a number of mysteries under the name Owen Perry about a Welshman fighting in the Union army during the Civil War.
“Looking for Trouble” is the first Peters’ non-fiction book I’ve read and it is great. For a number of years Peters severed as a US Army intelligence officer. This is a collection of some of his ‘adventures’.
His writing flows - it’s colorful, descriptive, informative, opinionated. He doesn't hold back about his feelings for certain individuals in pour government.
One passage that cracked me up was a description of some Pakistani solders:
“Smartly uniformed, the soldiers moved with an exaggerated alacrity that could only result from haywire nerves, methamphetamine use or a legacy of British drill.”
I’m going to be reading more of Ralph Peters soon.
Ralph Peters has written a number of books including several historical novels set during the American Civil war - excellent books.
He has also written a number of mysteries under the name Owen Perry about a Welshman fighting in the Union army during the Civil War.
“Looking for Trouble” is the first Peters’ non-fiction book I’ve read and it is great. For a number of years Peters severed as a US Army intelligence officer. This is a collection of some of his ‘adventures’.
His writing flows - it’s colorful, descriptive, informative, opinionated. He doesn't hold back about his feelings for certain individuals in pour government.
One passage that cracked me up was a description of some Pakistani solders:
“Smartly uniformed, the soldiers moved with an exaggerated alacrity that could only result from haywire nerves, methamphetamine use or a legacy of British drill.”
I’m going to be reading more of Ralph Peters soon.
July 24, 2008
This book was a great pleasure to read. While it trails off and ends quite abruptly, the reader is left wishing it were longer, not shorter. The chapter on Pakistan, a near word-for-word reprint of an early 90s intelligence writeup Peters did on the country is a special standout.
This book as much as any other travelogue I've read does a good job capturing the dizzy wide-open mood behind the former Iron Curtain in the immediate aftermath of the Cold War's end. A decade and a half and a lot of varied development, democratization, and balkanization later, things are quite different now, but this book gives a great glimpse at how things were. Highly recommended.
This book as much as any other travelogue I've read does a good job capturing the dizzy wide-open mood behind the former Iron Curtain in the immediate aftermath of the Cold War's end. A decade and a half and a lot of varied development, democratization, and balkanization later, things are quite different now, but this book gives a great glimpse at how things were. Highly recommended.
September 7, 2011
All in all, it was a decent read. The author has a smooth style of writing, and his fair share of interesting stories and anecdotes that I enjoyed. Mr. Peters' ego becomes apparent quickly, and it's pretty off-putting- He knows better than everyone (they're all idiots, anyway!). Another irony I found apparent in the book is his generally progressive take on various issues, but the generally neoconservative worldview he ascribes to.
February 16, 2011
More a fan of his non-fiction books, I follow his articles and religiously purchase his yearly compilations. This little book details his travels in various global hot spots in the 90s. Simultaneously prescient, poignant, and startlingly insightful, I recommend it to anyone with a sense of history and a desire to better understand some of today's headlines.
March 30, 2012
Ralph Peter's book Looking for Trouble: Adventures in a Broken World is an excellent, no-nonsense journal of personal observation around the world. The descriptions are almost poetic, his take on political and cultural matters is generally spot on. And, I say this with over a decade of experience with the Middle East. It was enjoyable and informative.
March 6, 2009
This is great, I had not known that Peters had travelled so much. I like this personal style of writing, too, he presents his biases and how he came by them readily.
Jimmy Buffett's wanderlust goes inland to Central Asia and Central or Eastern Europe.
Jimmy Buffett's wanderlust goes inland to Central Asia and Central or Eastern Europe.
September 19, 2015
A Real Trip
Get out some maps and enjoy a fascinating journey of the world that reveals the dark side as well. Confirms many deficiencies suspected, but beyond reach of less traveled and perceptive. Really turns over the rocks, so to speak.
Get out some maps and enjoy a fascinating journey of the world that reveals the dark side as well. Confirms many deficiencies suspected, but beyond reach of less traveled and perceptive. Really turns over the rocks, so to speak.
Want to read
July 6, 2008Thanks Armchair General
October 23, 2008
Great stories, great adventures, great insights. Peters always knows what is going on.
July 16, 2009
This one goes on and on and on. The author seems to be more interested in patting himself on the back and telling everyone F.I.G.-J.A.M.!
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews