The Counter-Insurgency Manual [Paperback]

Leroy Thompson (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 19, 2006

World-renowned expert in the fields of counter-terrorism, hostage rescue and VIP protection, Leroy Thompson has now produced the most up-to-date guide to counter-insurgency. His experiences both in the field and in training showcase the latest methods and technologies available and this fully illustrated book reveals many of the secrets of his trade. Counter-insurgency is fast becoming one of the most important aspects of police and military work around the world, with forces often deployed at short notice to fight against an ill-defined enemy. With this in mind, Leroy Thompson describes the techniques best employed in a variety of situations, all illustrated with pictures and explained with examples of their use. He stresses that the primary concern in every situation ought to be a 'Hearts and Minds' style operation comprising an attempt to achieve objectives without the use of force - it is only after all such possibilities have failed that the use of force should be considered, and then only by highly trained special forces operatives. The very political nature of counter-insurgency operations means that operatives are often working under extremely tense and delicate circumstances. The operations are often extremely violent and short-lived, but Thompson emphasizes that they must be part of a wider political, social or economic goal and solution for success to be achieved. This book has a wider significance for anyone with an interest in world security.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Leroy Thompson has trained military and police hostage rescue and VIP protection teams around the world and has published a number of books and articles on the subject, among them the first-ever work on worldwide counter- terrorist units.

Product Details

• Paperback: 192 pages
• Publisher: Greenhill Books; First edition (February 19, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1853675024
• ISBN-13: 978-1853675027
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 7.2 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,497,882 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

18 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Good intro............., November 8, 2004

By 

William H. Putnam "Bill" (England) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Counter-Insurgency Manual (Paperback)

This is a good, basic overview and intro to counter-insurgency. I've just come back from a year in Iraq, and decided I needed to read some more about counter-insurgency. My only issue with this book is that the advice it offers is primarily for rural insurgencies. Some of the discussion points do not apply to what is happening in Iraq, which is like a hybrid insurgency. Forced population displacements and watching trails and food supply routes do not apply. Good book overall, but if you read it, realize that you'll be dealing with measures that are primarily designed to work in a rural area, although many can be applied to a hybrid or urban insurgency.

16 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Freedom Fighters Are Another Mans Terrorist, November 22, 2002

By 

Troy A. Lettieri "Professional Warrior" (NC, USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Counter-Insurgency Manual (Paperback)

Leroy Thompson does it again with his newest installment in his tactical manual series; "The Counter Insurgency Manual - Tactics Of The Anti-Guerrilla Professionals". This book is formatted and laid out like his previous title "Hostage Rescue Manual". For the size of the book it covers a broad subject coving everything from Guerrilla theories to small unit operations. The book contains many sidebars of historical examples and in-depth author comments, which highlight and authenticate the subject matter. The book is profusely illustrated and contains many B&W photos, many of which are unpublished Rhodesian bush war era photos (which alone make the book worth the buy) and other relevant photos. Some of the subjects covered in the book include psychological operations, hearts and minds, Ambushes, booby-traps, combat tracking and pseudo-guerrilla operations. One of my favorite chapters is "Trackers and Pseudo-Guerrillas", which includes extensive tips on tracking as used by David Scott-Donelan in Rhodesia and South African bush wars. It also goes into the Pseudo-operation concept and how it is used as formidable weapon in a low intensity conflict. This is the concept made famous by the Selous Scouts in Rhodesia, which accounted for more dead terrorist then any other unit in the war. Over all, the book is a good reference, but only covers the surface of most subjects. I highly recommend this book to anyone with a interest in special operations, with most of the skills discussed in this book being the bread and butter of most of the worlds special forces that still employ these tactics all over the world (much like how the Green Berets are operating in Afghanistan presently).

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Precision in Low Intensity Conflict & Law Enforcement, November 5, 2005

By 

M. Conrad Hunter (Southern California) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Counter-Insurgency Manual (Paperback)

In this book, Leroy Thompson, a highly respected authority on military and police operations, makes specific strategic recommendations for the use of special operations techniques in low intensity conflict & law enforcement.
* "Military action has an important role to play in overcoming guerrillas, but the philosophy espoused by the guerrillas must also be defeated, and this requires a well-reasoned combination of political reform, civic action and education of the population." P. 8
* "In general, governments are faced with insurgencies because of a combination of factors - social, political, economic, military, and psychological." P. 11
* The ability to act quickly in counter-guerrilla operations without long and obvious preparation for an operation is a necessity." P. 19

In addition, he details the many advantages special operations techniques afford the civilian police officer or military operator in a wide range of deployment situations and presents new and innovative concepts that should be wisely replacing the "traditional" ones commonly used by most reactionary agencies.
* "Success in Counter-guerrilla operations almost invariably goes to the force which receives timely information from the local population. Equally important, however, are counter-intelligence measures that will deprive the guerrillas of information about counter-insurgency operations." P. 52
* "Care must be taken, however, that civic action is publicized in such a manner that the counter-insurgency forces do reap the benefits of their actions. ...For civic action to be most successful, psy-ops units must make sure that the population attributes any improvements in lifestyle to the government." P. 82

As we progress into the 21st century, counter-insurgency techniques will likely become an increasingly integral part of low intensity conflict & law enforcement. This book will serve as a valuable guide to both civil and military operators, making their jobs easier and safer as the world's hot-spots become more difficult and dangerous.
* "Generally, the most successful counter-insurgency campaigns involving major powers have been those in which only a limited number of highly trained professional troops have been sent in to act as advisors or trainers, or to carry out special operations." P. 117-118