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Simon Mann

Cry Havoc Hardcover – November 28, 2011

by Simon Mann (Author)

3.9 227 ratings

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For the first time since he was released from five years' incarceration in some of Africa's toughest prisons, making worldwide headlines, Simon Mann breaks his silence to tell everything Simon Mann's remarkable firsthand account of his life reads like a thriller, taking readers into the world of mercenaries and spooks, of murky international politics, big oil and big bucks, action, danger, love, despair, and betrayal. On March 7, 2004, former SAS soldier and mercenary Simon Mann prepared to take off from Harare International Airport. His destination was Equatorial Guinea; his was intention to remove one of the most brutal dictators in Africa in a privately organized coup d'etat. The plot had the tacit approval of Western intelligence agencies and Mann had planned, overseen, and won two wars in Angola and Sierra Leone. So why did it go so wrong? Here he reveals the full involvement of Mark Thatcher in the coup d'etat, the endorsement of a former prime minister, and the financial involvement of two internationally famous members of the House of Lords. He also discusses how the British government approached him in the months preceding the Iraq War, to suggest ways in which a justified invasion of Iraq could be engineered. He also discusses the pain of telling his wife Amanda, who gave birth to their fourth child while he was incarcerated, that he believed he would never be freed.

Print length

352 pages
Language

English
Publisher

John Blake
Publication date

November 28, 2011
Dimensions

6 x 1.3 x 9 inches
ISBN-10

1843584034
ISBN-13

978-1843584032
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Anthony Rogers
97
Paperback
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About the Author

Simon Mann is a British mercenary and former British Army officer. He had been serving a 34-year prison sentence in Equatorial Guinea for his role in a failed coup d'état in 2004, before receiving a presidential pardon on humanitarian grounds in November 2009.

Product details

Publisher ‏ : ‎ John Blake; First Edition (November 28, 2011)
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 352 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1843584034
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1843584032
Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1.45 pounds
Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 6 x 1.3 x 9 inches

Best Sellers Rank: #1,905,682 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #8,849 in Political Leader Biographies
- #13,710 in Military Leader Biographies
- #54,043 in Memoirs (Books)

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3.9 227 ratings

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3.9 out of 5

227 global ratings

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R. Clarke

Excellent tale

Reviewed in the United States on March 20, 2023

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This is clearly not ghostwritten and all the better for it. Hats off to the author for coming out of five years in African prisons with all his marbles.

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plofstof

Don't be put off by the bad writing :)

Reviewed in the United States on April 1, 2012

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Many other reviewers will point out the poor use of grammar and language. Some editing would have done wonders for the book! And let's be honest - the book contains several instances of inappropriate phrasing and repetition, grammar mistakes, sometimes just a clumsy feel to the choice of words and rhythm.....

BUT - for me, at least, after reading a couple of chapters I came to realize that the poor writing actually enhances the authenticity of the reading experience. The book was written by a soldier, not a professional writer. And many of the pages were (ostensibly) secretly written during imprisonment, under circumstances certainly not conducive to writing. In a way, the writing style actually drew me into the story just a little bit more.

I can't comment on the factual reality of the book - this is certainly (by its very nature) an extremely subjective version of all the events covered in the book. I'm sure most historians or participants in these events would find plenty reason to disagree with Mann's version of the story. But, taking it for what it is, I can definitely recommend the book. Let's face it - opinions are just so much more enjoyable than facts. A sole "objective and true version" of the accounts being described in this book will probably never exist. This is Africa. Opinions may be all we'll ever have!

This is a fascinating and thoroughly enjoyable (albeit subjective and poorly written) account of the state of affairs in the deepest darkest corners of Africa. I recommend the book without hesitation.

5 people found this helpful

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Jefe

Well Done!

Reviewed in the United States on July 11, 2012

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Hard cover in excellent shape. Signed by the
author. Great story and one of those books you
keep on the shelf.

Inspiring true story of a coup gone wrong with
plenty of operational details. His writing about
his time in prison in Zimbabwe is a testament to
strength and the POW portion is a recommended read
for military concerned with Personnel Recovery type
threats or operations

One person found this helpful

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Amazon Customer

I know this guyy

Reviewed in the United States on January 28, 2013

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I was in the '97 Peking to Paris rally with Mann and his friend. We concluded he was some sort of hired gun, but I had no idea. I don't know how accurate his version is, but it is a gripping story. For what it is worth, he drove an Aston DB4 in the Rally. We couldn't imagine how such a car could survive the brutal roads, but Simon, his friend and the car did so.

Reviewed in the United States on June 13, 2013

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I became interested in Simon Mann while following the exploits of Sir Mark Thatcher.
Maggie's son was lost during a car rally. Caught my attention and as Mark went through
life and became (allegedly) involved in a coup with Simon Mann and his band of mercenaries.

Simon has an interesting perspective on his arrest and involvement with Mark Thatcher and
others imprisoned for the attempted coup.

I encourage you to read the stories by James Barbazon, re: Nick Du Toit.

This is basically "how NOT to carry out a coup".

Peace

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Ian Grant

Cry Havoc by Simon Mann

Reviewed in the United States on May 16, 2013

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I didn't like the continual changing of periods in time. I thought he should either have written about the chaos of the attempted overthrow of the president of E G or write the book in the order of the events of his life as a mercenary. The section in the book about Mark Thatcher showed him to be what most people always thought he was like.

Reviewed in the United States on July 13, 2017

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A good account - but it is a one-sided view. Makes war sound justified and you feel sympathy for the Mercs.

One person found this helpful

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Folger

The best way to be in Africa is to have 'Cry Havoc'

Reviewed in the United States on August 10, 2013

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This book is so good I almost wish more Etonians turned into arrested African mercenaries. It's an adrenaline page-turner with a fascinating insight into Africa's recent history and people. Mann himself comes across as a person highly sensitive to morals, Africa's injustices and to those around him. If you want to relive a fascinating account of changing peoples' lives, you should read this book.

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RandomFX

Ignore any iffy reviews if you like a Madlad. This is top-notch reading.

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on June 28, 2019

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This is much better written than the usual gung-ho ex ''insert special forces here'' novel. As much as I enjoy reading McNab et al, I often find myself gnashing my teeth at the lazy writing and repetitive descriptive terms.

I think Simon Mann writes as he speaks. Brash, forthright and straight to the point. Precise information interlaced with his dry, often self-deprecating humour. This book could use more f**ks, not less.

I use Kindle unlimited now, so seldom buy a book. After watching Simon, on Dankula's 'Madlads' I was intrigued enough to go and buy his book and I'm bloody glad I did. I shall look forward to reading all his work.

A fast pace and the truth is often stranger than fiction. Highly recommended. 5*

7 people found this helpful

Carlosdiver

Tough Read!

Reviewed in Canada on November 23, 2012

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Having a tough time reading this book because it is written as though two strangers sitting in a bar with one telling their life story to the other. I find myself backtracking to make sense of the lingo and names and dates.

Jana08

Dramatische Story in der realen Welt

Reviewed in Germany on August 22, 2012

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Das Buch ist auf sehr lesenswert, einfach, weil die dramatische Story als solche interessant ist und von einem Thriller-Autor kaum hätte besser erfunden werden können.
Für Nicht-Muttersprachler oder Leser, die nicht längere Zeit im englischsprachigen Raum verbracht haben, ist es mitunter schwer verständlich, sicher habe ich die eine oder andere umgangssprachliche Wendung, Anspielung und Metapher nicht verstanden (für diese Leser empfiehlt es sich, Adam Roberts` Wonga Coup" zu lesen, der als Journalist mehr über Hintergründe und auf Verständlichkeit schreibt). Außerdem sind der f***- und sh**- Wörter doch etwas zu viele.
Der Autor verwendet (zu) viele Seiten für die Beschreibung vorangegangener Ereignisse, vermutlich um zu beweisen, dass er nicht als heuriger Anfänger zu Werke ging, dass er immer fair zu seinen" Leuten war und dass er diese nicht hängen lassen hat, wenn sie in Problemen waren. Umso größer seine Verbitterung, dass sich scheinbar niemand für ihn ebenso konsequent einsetzte.
Dennoch entlässt der Autor den geneigten Leser etwas ratlos bis frustriert: Zum einen, weil er Lücken lässt zu Aspekten, die bei einem persönlichen Schicksal besonders interessieren (Welche Haltung hat seine Familie, vor allem seine Frau, eigentlich zu seinem Beruf? Es gibt fast keinen Kommentar zu den anderen Inhaftierten und deren Schicksal etc.). Zum anderen, weil die offenen Fragen, die Roberts bereits in seinem Buch gestellt hat (das ja 2009 in überarbeiteter Version erschienen ist), nicht beantwortet werden (Wie kam der Autor darauf, ausgerechnet in Harare Männer und Waffen zusammen zu führen? Wie kam es zu den anhaltenden "grünen" Signalen? Wer ist für die Freilassung verantwortlich? u.a.)
Der Leser fragt sich auch, warum der Verlag für das Taschenbuch das Cover ausgetauscht hat, das nun sehr reißerisch und für den Autor unvorteilhaft daherkommt.
Dessen ungeachtet gebührt dem Autor ungeteilter Respekt dafür, dass er den afrikanischen Gulag physisch und psychisch weitgehend unbeschadet überstanden hat.
Es entsteht der Eindruck, dass das Buch, aus naheliegenden Gründen, zu zeitig und zu schnell geschrieben wurde; wäre etwas mehr Gras über die Ereignisse gewachsen, wären vielleicht mehr Hintergründe offenbart, mehr Zeugnisse abgelegt worden.
Häme ("Geschieht ihm ganz recht!") ist unangebracht. Da es der sog. westlichen Wertegemeinschaft gefallen hat, sicherheitsrelevante Aufgaben an die Private Military Companies zu vergeben, sollte sie deren Akteure auch fair behandeln. Siehe dazu auch den Beschluss der Bundesregierung, private, ausdrücklich auch ausländische, Sicherheitsfirmen auf deutschen Schiffen zwecks Piratenabschreckung/-bekämpfung zuzulassen (an welche Firmen wird man da wohl gedacht haben? Siehe auch Bemerkung des Autors auf S. 336).

2 people found this helpful

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Ricki Whiteaway

Compelling, but believable?

Reviewed in Germany on June 11, 2021

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An entertaining and often revealing insight into the varied and extraordinary life of a hardened mercenary. Much of what he says is believable but I finished the book with major doubts on the veracity front for three reasons. First, he mentions early on that certain names, etc, have been changed for legal reasons. Well, how much exactly? It's not clear. Second, and most tellingly, the pres of Equatorial Guinea doesn't get such a bad press overall. In fact, he almost comes across as comely, gentlemanly even. The regime gets a nice soft-soaping also. This is not credible for anyone who knows anything about Obiang and EG. Last, we have to remind ourselves that Mann is, was, a mercenary, and you can paint a lot with that brush alone. Overall quite readable, it'd be nice to know where the truth begins and the polish ends though.

A. Souter

A vividly written, often moving account.

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on January 23, 2018

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I found the first part of Simon Mann's book a tricky read, as the time-frames jump around. His terse style sets the background well. However, for me the story became more compelling after his arrest and imprisonment. The description of prison life, and his strategies for survival are the best part of the book.

One person found this helpful

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Cry Havoc Hardcover – November 28, 2011

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