Cry Havoc

A insight in to work of deniable private military company’s and the people that fund there activities across the world.

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a very instructive read

that book got me riveted.



Of course it is Simon Mann by Simon Mann, and he is offering his own version of events, but I didn't find that to make the story less interesting. In fact, that is what made it so fascinating, what a life!



it reads like a spy novel, except it is true, the fact that he reads it himself gives it a very authentic feel.



great insight in the world of mercenaries, special ops, oil and gold dealings in africa.

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Shocking but very interesting

I was in the Army at the same time as Simon Mann and remember him as a rather self satisfied arrogant young man. Sadly this does not seem to have changed, if his story is witness to his life, up to his time in prison in Zimbabwe. From then on I found myself admiring him for his courage and humility and his care of those around him. I found parts of the book incredibly boring as Simon Mann as the narrater had a very flat voice, it irritated the hell out of me how he would say things in full and then use the abbreviation as though he was writing a staff paper in the Army; for instance 'Ministry of Defence' 'MOD'. The way the book went backwards and forwards over his time in Africa was very distracting. The best part of the book was about his time in prison which he tells in great detail. I admire his courage and his loyalty to the men who did so little for him when he was in captivity, it is not difficult to find out who they were - just look in Wikipedia. Generally this book was an eyeopener, I always knew there was corruption and mayhem in parts of Africa but this book spelled it out. Worth reading but not listening too.

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2 people found this helpful

Great listen

great listen.
from epic adventures in Africa to tales on being locked up in Zimbabwe.

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What a blast!

What made the experience of listening to Cry Havoc the most enjoyable?

Tale of daring do in the seedy mercenary world. It gives the reader exposure to military planning and different social and national cultures.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Cry Havoc?

Strangely, the bit you probably didn't buy the book for - Mann's years in prison.

What do you think the narrator could have done better?

The choice of the author as narrator is an obvious but brave one. It adds an element of authenticity but ultimately is a bit of a risk. Mann's lack of experience, his (possibly) slightly effeminate and lisping voice is a tad distracting and generally numbs the story.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Not the shortest of books but it keeps you coming back for more.

Any additional comments?

I read this book after reading My Friend the Mercenary (which is truly exceptional).This is a very enjoyable read. It tells several stories - mercenary work in Equatorial Guinea, Sierra Leone and Angola, Mann’s military education and business dealings, and his years in prison.Quite how this is executed is pretty debatable.The standard of English is poor throughout. Sentence structure, storytelling, descriptions are all poor. There’s a mention that Mann had some help in editing the book but a decent ghost writer should have been employed.In terms of content, this is also questionable. Many key parts to the story are left out without explanation as to why (for instance, why Mann left the SAS and the various court battles). Mann also avoids being explosively revealing (as many people would have wanted him to be), calling key characters ‘The Boss’ and ‘The Croc’. Throughout, Mann tries to portray himself as an enlightened freedom fighter or a modern day Robin Hood, fighting for other people’s interests. This, rather than confronting the more blunt but plausible concept that he was in it for the money.That said, I still found this very enjoyable! You will probably find yourself questioning why he wrote some things as he did, or why certain parts of the story are left out / not explained / sound insincere. However, it is still a very interesting story told by a man with a very colourful life. So, I would say that, the road is a rocky one but that it is worth the ride!

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2 people found this helpful

Bear with it.

Although, for me, Cry Havoc felt rather disjointed and a little verbose in parts, it is definitely worth bearing with. The main narrative of a chaotic build-up to a planned coup d'etat in Equatorial Guinea, which ended in Mann's arrest and incarceration in African prisons for 5-years, is a fascinating tale. Whilst Mann's misfortune was largely brought upon himself, and to be fair he accepted this as an occupational hazard, the tale of his physical and mental fortitude whilst being held prisoner in the most testing of conditions is incredible.
I found it best to listen to at the x1.2 setting.

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Great listening

What did you like most about Cry Havoc?

Simon Mann paints his storyline with the warts and all that is part and parcel of the underbelly of Africa.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Simon writes of his experiences in Zimbabwe and Equatorial Guinea, highlighting his prison journey in both countries and points out the instability of the countries he visited.

Which character – as performed by Simon Mann – was your favourite?

Himself.

If you made a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

corruption rules

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great untold story.

good story. well narrated. A small hidden gem. from an accomplished man in jeopardy.

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Amazing insight into murky world.

Awesome man, amazing story and true resilience of spirit in a world I'm sure I couldn't survive a day.

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More questions than answers

As other reviewers have mentioned this book is very disjointed and all over the place. I ordered the book after watching Simon Mann being interviewed by Nigel Farage, Whilst watching I was asking myself why a man who tried to illegally overthrow a government for money could be treated like a celebrity.

I felt when watching the interview that Mann and Farage were two peas in a pod. Listening to the book has not changed my mind. I feel that whilst Mann is charming and friendly this covers for a sense of entitlement and superiority that means for him there are no rules. He writes as though his fellow mercenaries are social workers going into right injustices where in fact they and their Bosses were just there for the oil money.

Mark Thatchers involvement makes one realise that whilst everyone talks about Black African corruption, those in the highest positions in the “civilised west” are no paragons of virtue by any stretch of the imagination. Mummy must be sooo proud.

Parts of the story are I could relate to. I enjoyed hearing about his childhood, army days, and prison term, but he is as believable as Nigel Farage. I think we have his version of the story and spins and omissions as I said leave one with more questions than answers.

Anyway I wish him well but I’m not sure I’d buy him a pint.

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