Being a profession as old as mankind itself, the mere word "mercenary" often triggers images of danger, toughness, adventure, deadly skills, sex and money in a life as exotic and unreal as some classic action movie. Often said to no longer exist, rendered obsolete by the multi-million dollar private military companies that reshaped private warfare since 2001, mercenaries in the classic way continued their existence and work without any real changes, except for a rise in both overall demand and sorts of opportunities to work since the 80s and 90s, when their existence was proved on photos in the famous publications like "Soldier of Fortune", "Gung Ho" and some of the best of the trade took the time and effort to even write manuals on how to get into that dangerous, demanding and often outright crazy occupation. Seasoned and experienced mercs like Paul Balor in his "Manual of the Mercenary soldier" or Frank J. Camper, running his "Mercenary School" and publishing several books including the original "Mercenary Operations Manual" in 1986 and "Live to spend it" opened that hidden world, together with an opportunity to become a part of it, to anybody dedicated enough to pay the price in sweat, blood, hunger and sleep deprivation. Yet, the changes of our world and its wars together with all the naysayers in the big www claiming the old-school mercenary type to be long vanished, made an update necessary. Here it is.No matter if you're eager to start a full-time career as a hired gun, want more information about this trade to decide if it's for you or you're only curious, you'll get your answers.Or, maybe, you simply want to acquire the skills and know-how of a professional mercenary to improve your chances of protecting those you care about in a world of wars lacking frontlines; wars that don't end on borders in lands far away but instead are fought by enemy forces that might carry out their next attack in a church, a shopping mall or cinema in your hometown!This books goal is to make sure that you are prepared for participating in any modern war as an independent, single operator - increasing to the maximum your chances to "live to spend it".

This book was published toward the tail end of the heyday of mercenary work in Central-America and Africa, more specifically in countries like the Congo, Angola, and Rhodesia. While some of the more timeframe specific info is very outdated, the TTPs outlined within the book are as effective today, as they were then - perhaps even more so!From the Introduction: "This manual is not the bible, nor the beginning or the end of combat manuals. It deals with the job of operating a mercenary unit both on your own and with regular army forces on the continent of Africa... This manual is solely a simple text to assist the freelancer to stay alive and to give him the edge, as the bush in Africa forgives few when it comes to dancing with the devil.Contents: IntroductionChapter 1 - Commando Rules for BattleChapter 2 - Commando External RaidsChapter 3 - Profile of the Terrorist AimChapter 4 - Principles of COIN WarfareChapter 5 - Commando Base Camp Fighting PositionsChapter 6 - Observation PointsChapter 7 - Operational MethodsChapter 8 - Pseudo-Terrorist GangsChapter 9 - Tracking and CountertrackingChapter 10 - Basic Ground/Air Emergency SignalsChapter 11 - Medical AidChapter 12 - Employment PossibilitiesChapter 13 - International Law and the MercenaryChapter 14 - African Travel GuideChapter 15 - A Cynical Look at the TradeAfterwordAppendix A - Temperature and Rainfall ChartAppendix B - African ConflictsAppendix C - Currency Tabl

Ever since the French Revolution and the rise of the rise of national armies, the mercenary has been viewed as a maligned and marginalized actor in international relations. The Mercenary challenges this view, suggesting instead that while delegated to the periphery of Great Power politics, the mercenary remained a coercive instrument of state power who was willing to discretely promote the client's foreign policy when called upon to do so. Never has this been more evident than today. This book offers fresh insight into the future of the mercenary as an instrument of state coercion and explains why there is a mercenary renaissance in the 21st century. The start of the 21st century has seen renewed interest in the mercenary from across the political spectrum. The growing reliance by the US, Russia, and China on military and security contractors suggests that the mercenary remains a key player in International Politics, now emerging from the shadows to help expand state influence on the world stage by serving as an important actor in the conduct of conflict and the winning of small wars. Far from being marginalized, the future of the mercenary is set to be increasingly active.

Field Manual: Mercenaries plungers players into the deadly world of cash-and-carry warfare in the 31st century and includes the secrets of more than forty of the most famous mercenary units in the BattleTech universe, including their histories, troop strengths, and favored tactics. The extensive game rules section gives players the tools to easily create their own mercenary units from scratch, and rules for maintaining their unit from one battle to the next.

THE SUNDAY TIMES TOP TEN BESTSELLER From one of our greatest voices in modern philosophy, author of The Course of Love, The Consolations of Philosophy, Religion for Atheists and The School of Life - an accessible and eye-opening exploration of our relationship with 'the news' 'His gift is to prompt us to think about how we live and how we might change things' The Times 'De Botton analyses modern society with great charm, learning and humour. His remedies come as a welcome relief' Daily Mail 'Like all classic de Botton, there are plenty of insightful observations here, peppered with some psychology, a dash of philosophy, a big dollop of commonsense' Scotsman 'The news' occupies a range of manic and peculiar positions in our lives. We invest it with an authority and importance which used to be the preserve of religion - but what does it do for us? Mixing current affairs with philosophical reflections, de Botton offers a brilliant illustrated guide to the precautions we should take before venturing anywhere near the news and the 'noise' it generates. Witty and global in reach, The News will ensure you'll never look at reports of a celebrity story or political scandal in quite the same way again.

For over forty centuries, mercenaries have plied their trade and been instrumental in toppling empires or holding the tides of war at bay. And as mankind expanded to the stars, soldiers of fortune rose to new heights of power. Business is booming, yet along with those riches comes a dangerous life and the scorn of many who see only filthy lucre-warriors. Its a dangerous life, but as long as you keep your Mech intact and your bottom line balanced, the universe is yours!

This textbook offers an accessible introduction to counterinsurgency operations, a key aspect of modern warfare. Featuring essays by some of the world’s leading experts on unconventional conflict, both scholars and practitioners, the book discusses how modern regular armed forces react, and should react, to irregular warfare. The volume is divided into three main sections: Doctrinal Origins: analysing the intellectual and historical roots of modern Western theory and practice Operational Aspects: examining the specific role of various military services in counterinsurgency, but also special forces, intelligence, and local security forces Challenges: looking at wider issues, such as governance, culture, ethics, civil-military cooperation, information operations, and time. Understanding Counterinsurgency is the first comprehensive textbook on counterinsurgency, and will be essential reading for all students of small wars, counterinsurgency and counterterrorism, strategic studies and security studies, both in graduate and undergraduate courses as well as in professional military schools.