Blood Money: Stories of an ex-Recce’s Missions in Iraq

by Johan Raath

'I remember the cracking sound of the AK-47 bullets as they tore through our windscreen . . . A piece of bullet struck my bulletproof vest in the chest area and another piece broke off and lodged in my left forearm.' Johan Raath and a security team were ambushed in May 2004 while on a mission to reconnoitre a power plant south of Baghdad for an American firm. He had been in the country for only two weeks. This was a taste of what was to come over the next few years as he worked as a private military contractor (PMC) in Iraq. His mission? Not to wage war but to protect lives. Raath and his team provided security for engineers working on reconstruction projects in Iraq. Whether in the notorious Triangle of Death, in the deadly area around Ramadi or in the faction-ridden Basra, Raath had numerous hair-raising experiences. Key to his survival was his training as a Special Forces operator, or Recce. This riveting account offers a rare glimpse into the world of private military contractors and the realities of everyday life in one of the world's most violent conflict zones.

Genres: Nonfiction

344 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2017

About the author

Johan Raath worked in Iraq as a private military contractor from 2004 to 2017. He offered specialized protection services to VIPs and sheiks, as well as engineers working on construction projects, oil field engineers and port construction workers. Raath is a former South African Special Forces operator, or Recce. In 1992 he started a security training company and did high-risk security work in Africa. Since the 1990s he was involved in security missions in over 15 countries. Raath has also worked as a bodyguard for a number of presidents. His training and protection services have won him accolades, including from US government clients and USAID.

Reviews

[Ryan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Probably the best book about being a security contractor in Iraq that I’ve ever read. Author is a South African who worked for a number of companies (including one of the largest, Triple Canopy) in a variety of senior operational roles, drawing from his experience in South African Special Operations. Vivid and accurate descriptions about life and challenges; I worked with some of the same companies (as a vendor and client) and in the same places, although doing much less exciting stuff. The only things that are missing are that a lot of the specific incidents described (logistical and bureaucratic challenges) might have been high (or low) points, but the same kind of stuff happened every day to some degree — the “Groundhog Day” aspect wasn’t so clear in the book.

[Julius · Rating 3 out of 5]

Es una gran obra para entender el trabajo diario, los pensamientos y maniobras de un soldado de una compañía PMC (Militares a sueldo, empleados privados), como lo era la famosa Wagner rusa, o Blackwater norteamericana. Creo que es un libro de café para muy cafeteros, ya que la trama es lenta, y la narrativa no es especialmente ágil. Creo que es un buen reflejo de la atmósfera que este soldado vivía aquellos días en la Guerra de Iraq, donde tanta confusión había al principio.

El estilo de narración de su trabajo parece un diario, con descripciones sintéticas y relatos de diferentes incidentes en el día a día de aquella guerra. No menosprecio la calidad descriptiva de esta labor, pero el libro se me ha hecho cuesta arriba, y lo he dejado a la mitad. Me esperaba que explicase más cuestiones sobre este conflicto, pero solo me las he encontrado en los primeros capítulos.

3 estrellas.

[M T · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thanks to Netgalley for my copy.

An honest portrayal of the daily grind of the frontline in a conflict zone.

[Book Him Danno · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is part of a series. Do readers need to read the first book No. But I would recommend it. I was lost at first and I had even read the first book. The characters are interesting enough to keep readers engaged but honestly there is so much sex it feels as if the author didn't know what to do with them when Ivan was protecting her they had sex. While others were trying to track down the bad guys. They had sex. When she looked at him they had sex. If they were not having sex they were thinking about sex.

The story is interesting enough so I flipped though the sex scenes to get to the guts of the story but I found I had finished the story in an afternoon.

I am interested enough in the series to keep reading but if the next one is once again 85% sex I think that will be the end of the series for me.

Thank you to Netgalley and the Publisher for the advance Copy of Lora Leigh Dagger's Edge

[Murray Carter · Rating 1 out of 5]

Dull.

Pretty boring. One chapter the same as the next. Perhaps more information about like in the SADF would help some.

[Victor · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book. Gives one insight into the whole Iraq problem, especially in the building up of Iraq after the war. Only the tough will endure.
I found the book well written.