Customer Reviews

Contractor Combatants: Tales of an Imbedded Capitalist

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Fired UP! If you ever get the chance to meet Carter Andress he will undoubtedly end his conversation with this phrase. Simply put, the man is "fired up" about life. Contractor Combatant tells the story of his real life account of living and working in the RED ZONE along side his Iraqi brothers (Sunni, Shiite, and Kurds alike) and reflects not only his passion for these people, but his deep desire to help them gain their freedom. Trying to start and run a successful business is challenging enough in a peaceful environment. Doing in the midst of the chaos and confusion that is Iraq presents a unique set of challenges that is not for everyone. It takes leadership, courage and lots of tenacity and determination. His company's success could not have been achieved without a willingness to open his heart and trust to the local people. If you are tired listening to the perspective of people that come into this country, spend two or three days in the Green Zone and return home as a subject matter experts, this book offers an entirely new and refreshing perspective that just might change the way you think about war. Get the story from someone who lived it on the front lines. From exposing fraud in the contracting system to feeding the Iraqi Army during the second battle for Falluja, Carter tells his story with passion, grit and honesty. The book is fast paced, entertaining, and well written. It also offers, in the last chapter, an interesting academic perspective on Iraq and US involvement. After reading it you might just feel "Fired UP" too.

I have just finished this great book written by a very courageous man that is the very epitome of what Americans used to be; big-hearted can-do men of adventure that seize the day and change the world for the better. It is a gripping account of this former US Army Ranger officer's experience running a logistics and security company in Iraq helping with the building and supply of bases for US and Iraqi forces, and the rebuilding of the Iraqi infrastructure. (He was an officer with the Army Rangers.) He lived outside the "Green Zone" with an ad hoc bunch of special forces guys from US Special Forces to Gurkas and Russian Spetnaz with a supporting cast of Iraqis willing to risk their lives and be real heros while most of the other contractors were hiding behind the US military. I just finished it and I have to say I'm most impressed.

This is a first-hand account of what it is really like over there and not a bunch of second-hand stories from someone hiding in a hotel in the Green Zone, like the other books about Iraq. It is truly a must read for anyone who wants to know what is really going on over there, and the story of the brave men who are building a democratic future for Iraq. See his video on youtube by searching for his name.

The liberal press has attempted to submarine progress in Iraq, just like it did in Vietnam. The Carter Andress book tells it like it is. Contractor's play a vital role in the security of the key players in fostering Iraqi democracy, and Andress see's the big picture in this book. This is a great read, but not for those lacking the determination to see this thing through.

First, I agree with that said by the first Reviewer, especially about Andress' perspective differing from the "2-3 day visits to Iraq" making those people experts! Andress has lived the Iraqi experience. His work and that of his company puts them in a unique position to KNOW how the majority of Iraquis fell about the US. His efforts make it possible for us to make the progress needed to make the Iraqui people self-sufficient.
Only then should we think of leaving this country!

Contrary to the media portrait being painted of Contractors in Iraq, i.e. Blackwater, these men are enabling our "experts" to accomplish their tasks without being killed! Obviously the insurgents will try to kill them at every opportunity! Kill the Guards and the Bad Guys will have their way with the people....and our troops!

For a first-hand look at how Iraquis and Americans are working together read this book!

This book was a well-written testimonial of a contractor combatant who helped rebuild Iraq after our toppling of Saddam. The book was unique and interesting because of its personal insights about a number of different topics, among them: American-Iraq relations, being a contractor in Iraq, and the media's mistaken view on both the war and on contractors.
The author seems to be both well read and well-grounded. If nothing else, the concluding chapter houses some thought-provoking and succinct views about the war in Iraq and about his personal contribution towards its positive conclusion. He even expresses his initial skepticism about the war and its aims.
Combat Contractor is both a fun and informative read - rarely nowadays is this ever the case! Read it, enjoy it, benefit from it!

This book is told from the first person perspective of a true American hero. It is action packed with gun battles on the streets of Iraq, in-fighting amongst the locals, and the struggle to run a profitable business while staying alive in the most dangerous place on Earth.

Once I started reading, I could not put the book down. Andress provides incredible insight into the challenges that Americans and Iraqis face in the struggle for a free and democratic Iraq. It describes how Americans and Iraqis are risking their lives together in an effort to rebuild a free and safe Iraq.

After reading this book, I have much clearer insight into the Iraq situation. This book should be mandatory reading for all military officers, politicians, and critics, and supporters of the Iraq war.

Being what you might call the 'average American', I thought that it was good enough that I knew simply that there was some sort of action going on in Iraq - the specifics weren't important. However, my eyes have been opened to the world outside the U.S in Carter Andress' realistic, incredibly detailed memoir of the ongoing struggles in Iraq. Andress' company, American-Iraqi Solutions Group, takes on the toughest and most dangerous jobs that other contracting groups won't touch, while always maintaing their honor and integrity in their business transactions. Andress and his company frequently travel outside the safe 'Green Zone' into territory fraught with insurgents in the interests of their clients, providing much needed resources like electricity, food, and improved facilities. The company employees Iraqis, thereby trusting them and integrating them into the process of restoring their own country. Some of the stories in this tell-it-like-it-is account are difficult to hear, but ultimately the honesty makes Contractor Combatants even more profound. Well-written and saturated with intimate details about Iraqi culture and the difficulties of running a business in a war-torn country, this book is a must-read for those interested in hearing the truth (as opposed to the consistently negative views of the media) about Iraq.

A very interesting book about contractors in Iraq. The author was there and did it. It is very informative but you must always keep in mind that the author is always going to present himself in the best lite. Some of it is deserved but .... Think about what is said. It's worth the read.