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Edward N. Luttwak

Coup d'État: A Practical Handbook Paperback – November 12, 1979

by Edward N. Luttwak (Author)

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Coup d'État: A Practical Handbook, Revised Edition
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The coup is the most frequently attempted method of changing government, and the most successful. Coup d’État outlines the mechanism of the coup and analyzes the conditions―political, military, and social, that gives rise to it. In doing so, the book sheds much light on societies where power does indeed grow out of the barrel of a gun and the role of law is a concept little understood.

Print length

215 pages
Language

English
Publisher

Harvard University Press
Publication date

November 12, 1979
Dimensions

5.38 x 0.5 x 8.25 inches
ISBN-10

0674175476
ISBN-13

978-0674175471
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Editorial Reviews

Review

This short book is…wicked, truthful, and entertaining. The author, after outlining a step-by-step procedure for bringing about a coup, analyzes modern (post–Second World War) coups, and points out why some succeeded and others failed. (New Yorker)

An extraordinarily competent and well-written work, displaying very wide knowledge of the ways in which coups, both successful and unsuccessful, have actually been organized. (Times Literary Supplement)

Coup d'État demonstrates that scholarly analysis can be good social science and at the same time fun to read. It is nontechnical in approach and informal in style… Moreover, Edward Luttwak's familiarity with the basic concepts and problems of political science is evident throughout. He is seldom superficial and never trivial in his treatment of his subject. The result is a book of value to everyone interested in the sudden changes of government that occur so frequently in many parts of the world and also curious as to why they so often seem to result in more of the same… We can all have the satisfaction of understanding the strategies and techniques employed, and we can enjoy learning them from this lucid and witty book. (Virginia Quarterly Review)

About the Author

Edward N. Luttwak serves or has served as a contractor for the Office of Net Assessment of the U.S. Department of Defense and for the U.S. armed forces, and as a consultant to the U.S. National Security Council, the White House Chief of Staff, and several allied governments.

Product details

Publisher ‏ : ‎ Harvard University Press (November 12, 1979)
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Paperback ‏ : ‎ 215 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0674175476
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0674175471
Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 8.6 ounces
Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.38 x 0.5 x 8.25 inches

Best Sellers Rank: #828,329 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #5,436 in History & Theory of Politics
- #9,765 in International & World Politics (Books)
- #25,773 in Military History (Books)

Customer Reviews:
40 ratings

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Top reviews from the United States

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Eerily Applicable

Reviewed in the United States on April 27, 2016

Verified Purchase

The way I came to purchase this book was because I had read an article about how a former diplomat/spy was trying to convince a wealthy Saudi Arabian magnate to attempt a coup d'etat against the unstable government. He wrote that he had just finished reading a handbook much like Edward Luttwak's text and was toying with the idea. Coupled with the fact that I had always been fascinated with the coup d'etat as a political tool, I sought out what I believed to be the definitive work on this subject matter, which was this book.

Actually, this is the second time I purchased this book. The first time I purchased it, I had done so because I was planning on going on a trip to Southeast Asia soon. Part of my travels included Thailand, and I had thought it would be neat to bring this book along, considering there had been a coup just over a year ago in 2014. Ironically, my friend accidentally left my book on a bus travelling through central Thailand, so I ordered it again once I got back. At first, it was unavailable for quite some time, but after a couple months, it finally shipped. I'm assuming that the publisher only prints on demand- I noticed that the cover and ink on the pages was wonderfully sharp and glossy, which led me to believe that it had been printed recently.

This book is incredibly comprehensive in the way it describes the background and methodology for attempting a coup. It is very practically written such that someone might realistically apply the principles to a real-life situation. There are bountiful examples that are all well explained. Initially, I was concerned that many of the examples would be obscure scenarios that would be stretched to fit the author's interpretations. Instead, the author's writing was easily convincing and it came off as a logical, intelligible, and strictly defined. There were numerous figures and diagrams that made it clear to understand. My only issues with this book is that it was a little vague and not as in-depth as I had liked it to be. You can also tell that the book is slightly dated (it was written in the late 1970s), but fortunately there are more updated revisions.

Overall, it was a fascinating read, and I would recommend it to anyone that is curious on this subject. I look forward to pulling it off my bookshelf in the future to enjoy it again.

5 people found this helpful

Helpful

British Hospital Ship

Great for even the General Reader!

Reviewed in the United States on January 26, 2013

Verified Purchase

Okay, before I begin this review, allow me to state that this review is coming from someone who is quite familiar with everything military-related. So, even if you are just a general reader who enjoys everything from adventure to politics, and history to law, then this book is for you all the same. Aside from an historical account of former laws and codes, this is a pleasant read for the military historian, armed forces enlisted/officer, ex-military, history majors, law majors, political majors, strategists and tacticians alike. I purchased this book and another one relating to similar topics because I'm a student at the American Military University.

The text is arranged similar to a textbook, but is an overall good account of how the federal government (mostly the US, and some reference to other Commonwealth nations) of how the government is first arranged, next is how the system works in "reality", and how it "could work". The overall writing style is simple and clean, no hodge-podge nonsense that an everyday reader won't understand.

This book also serves as a good reference for coups that have happened historically, and what to look for in possible future coups. The science of the coup is explained in depth here. I would also recommend if this is your type of reading, to purchase any of the propaganda books made available through Amazon.

4 people found this helpful

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James D. Crabtree

Classic study of the coup phenomena

Reviewed in the United States on July 29, 2013

Verified Purchase

This is a rational study into the coup d'etat, what kind of countries are vulnerable to them, how they are organized and how they are conducted. This fascinating book looks at various issues which must be dealt with if a coup is to be successful, why it is not necessary to have the entire armed forces backing your coup, political considerations, timing, security, etc.

A great book on this military topic. If there is a wekness in this work it is that it is out-of-date, and may not cover phenomena such as social media. However, it is far better than any recent book I have seen on the topic. Illustrated with figures and tables.

3 people found this helpful

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Super Mang

Great book

Reviewed in the United States on September 14, 2014

Verified Purchase

Must read for poli sci majors. Step 1 for revolution, allocate loyal people in power, step 2, seize financial assets with help from loyal supporters, step 3, pay military with financial assets that were seized. Step 4, remove the people in power as quick as possible. Step contain the population with minimal disturbances in every day life. Step 6, freedom.

2 people found this helpful

Helpful

Bob 443

Fine field manual and planning guide for amateur revolutionaries and aspiring tyrants.

Reviewed in the United States on April 12, 2013

Verified Purchase

This handy book gives the particulars on how to identify governments ripe for takeover. The news often reports coup attempts that went awry for having overlooked one of the important points made in this book. If you are revolting, you need to read this first.

One person found this helpful

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kokociel

Helpful for taking over the world

Reviewed in the United States on May 3, 2015

Verified Purchase

I don't want to give too much away, but this has helped me a lot in the preliminary stages of an upcoming coup. Please get out of my way, as I will have paramilitary forces on my side and it's best for you to just flee to one of those places that will be sunk by global warming. If you'd read this book, maybe you could've taken over a country and you wouldn't be in your position.

8 people found this helpful

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Brian G Jacobs

Very thought provoking

Reviewed in the United States on December 11, 2012

Verified Purchase

Having read various others, this is THE book to read on the subject. It addressed the nuts and bolts of a typical coup as you would expect from the title. Was very thought provoking. Despite its age, it is only outdated in minor ways.

2 people found this helpful

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vato namoradze

very smart and objective

Reviewed in the United States on December 12, 2014

Verified Purchase

very smart and objective. Despite the fact that book describes events that are 35 years old it is helpful to understand the main political and economic reasons for coup and also how it is implemented.

One person found this helpful

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Top reviews from other countries

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Susan Michael

That quality books ARE ‘ out there and I found it on Amazon !!!

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on January 6, 2019

Verified Purchase

I bought this as a present for my son , he was more than happy .

I'LL Decide That!

Feel the Wrath!

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on April 16, 2009

Verified Purchase

After first clenching this book in my hands i couldn't put it down, i've always had an interest in politics and Coups most of all. This book is a real trimuph, its witty and very gripping and i read for hours on end, its even inspired me to form a group to overthrow the government through "Sudden, unconstitutional control of the nation"! Seriously i enjoyed this book a lot, if you have the slightest interest of how a government could work your way! Then i suggest you read this book as it gives a detailed account of the strategies and how's and whys of a Coup'd Etat.

Luttwak's personal and direct writing is a true pleasure to read and i would recommend this book to any-one who has an interest in politcs, history, government, or Gurelilla Warfare, its just a great book, i cannot emphasize that enough.

9 people found this helpful

seecsyl

As the title says "A Practical Handbook"

Reviewed in Canada on April 14, 2012

Verified Purchase

If you want to know why there is so much strife and poverty on the African Continent, or the Middle East, then it may be worth your while to read this book. Like the end of World War I, the end of the Second World War left some regions fractious and without leadership. Most had been colonies and therefore were controlled from abroad. As the wave of nationalism spread through these regions and people began to establish, or re-establish, their individual social and cultural identities, they wanted independence. Unfortunately, some of the imperial countries, like France under deGaulle, did not want to relinquish control of their colonies. In others, dictatorial, or despotic, rulers came to power creating less than comfortable conditions for the populace.

Edward Luttwak's book relays the history of various Coups, their successes and failures, and examines certain aspects of each. It is important to understand not only the attitude and will of the people, but also that of the bureaucracy. Consequently, he explains why a Coup d'Etat cannot succeed if the "players cannot gain the support of the masses. This is not about a violent overthrow of a government, or regime, but a step-by-step guide to a quiet passive change of power.

If you like history and want to understand the evolution of the revolutionary movement of the 50's and 60's, this is a must read. If you have a chance to view, or buy, the movie based on this book (titled "Power Play", or "A State of Shock") watch it as it brings to life much of the mechanics of this exercise. Whether you are a budding insurrectionist and have access to an army, or a disgruntled commanding officer looking for career advancement, this book is an interesting and informative read.

Deniz Hassan

I rather enjoyed reading this book

Reviewed in Canada on June 13, 2016

Verified Purchase

I rather enjoyed reading this book. And could be useful in a social science such as history or politics. The topic is accurately covered in this one book alone, with out a doubt.