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Customer Reviews (18)

Financial motives??!!You're kidding me!
The late FBI Deputy Director W. Mark Felt became renowned as the anonymous and well-informed source on the Nixon Watergate affair, advising "The Washington Post" reporters Woodward and Bernstein to, "Follow the money" and all would be revealed...and, it was. Of course, its always a safe bet when confronted with an otherwise perplexing or apparently rrational business or political affair to follow that advice, since power aligns along financial meridians: it always has and, unless human nature changes radically, it always will. How else to explain the warm welcome ("You are a good friend and we welcome you") extended by then American Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice (Washington, D.C., April, 2006)to Obiang Nguema, longtime dictator of the African backwater of Equatorial Guinea? Answer: Follow the money!

Obiang Nguema, reviled by many independent human rights organizations as one of Africa's worst dictators (okay, maybe the worst) was a complete unknown outside Africa and most African nations didn't pay him too much mind either...until oil was discovered. Then, suddenly, the transformation: "Our friend in Africa!" It is a given that Obiang's record as head of government was hardly one worthy of emulation. Obiang himself was a torturer, possible cannibal and personal beneficiary of hundreds of millions of dollars purloined from petroleum revenues. His government has a no less enviable record: it purged political opponents, expelled/murdered minority tribesman such as the Bubis, stole from the Equatorial Guinean people who, given access to their fair share of oil revenue, would have had a per capita income of around $6000.00, but instead had and have around 0.5% of GDP expended on education (lowest in the world) and 1.8% of GDP on health care (again lowest anywhere).

Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch have documented a long history, extending from independence from Spain up to the present moment of extrajudicial killings by the government (although practically, that doesn't matter: most judges have no legal training and are Obiang relatives), police brutality and execrable conditions in the infamous Playa Negra Prison. A popular government? Only amongst the First World countries that extract the oil: nothing like dealing with a pliable dictator instead of a fractious democracy.

So, with that background, abundantly illustrated by the author, Adam Roberts, the scene was set for a coup d'etat. Like most coups, this one was motivated by money and power but, unlike most coups, this one was orchestrated explicitly for those purposes and was attempted by a colorful group of mercenaries and financiers, including Sir Mark Thatcher (son of Margaret), Simon Mann (former SAS and Executive Outcomes) and others out of a Frederick Forsythe novel...but Forsythe himself was involved in at least one coup attempt against the Obiang clan! What better material for a book!

About one third of the text provides the horrific details of Obiang clan rule. The remainder catalogues the comic opera coup organization devised by Mann and his colleagues. Their effort was rankly amateur: poor planning, bad logistics, lack of secrecy, failure to gain unequivocal (if covert) support from neighboring governments (e.g., Nigeria) and "interested" third parties (US, Spain) and failure to secure arrangements with the real power brokers, the multinational oil firms. This constellation of ineptitude and bungling lead to the inevitable ruin of the organization well before any action took place in Equatorial Guinea. Mann and many of his colleagues and employees were incarcerated in horrific conditions in Zimbabwe (another paragon of virtuous African governance) and others ended up in legal trouble in South Africa. The putative new head of government, Moto, was returned to obscurity. Thatcher was humiliated and Obiang solidified his already iron grasp on power. A bad end for the Wonga Coup, indeed and for the people of Equatorial Guinea, who seem to be stuck with the Obiang clan for the indefinite future.

Roberts, a highly experienced reporter, demonstrates his skills quite aptly in preseniting this complex but buffoonish plot, interviewing many of the participants and telling an engaging tale. In short, his is a superbly researched piece of investigative reporting and fascinating book. Once again, he demonstrates that its always a good idea to "follow the money".

Malabo 2010
Returned from business trip to Malabo July 2010 and found the area better than represented in the book.Books like this serve a purpose, not the least of which is to discourage mercenary coups, but one needs to put them in context.I'm not qualified to judge whether it's spin is too little or too much, but Malabo in 2010 was different in a few meaningful ways (and the same in others - indicating the need for continual improvement).It is still in need of sustainable development and I'm sure that more of the country's wealth should trickle down, but there was a bustling restaurant and bar district with lots of music, laughing, and conversation.Several local restaurants were mentioned as "good" but my colleagues were keen to show me their favorites - and they're more "down to Earth" kind of folks that don't usually wear jackets to dinner.We had a good meal at The Bantu and a couple of cold refreshments at The Fang and The China Sisters.The malaria eradication program seems to have been successful but is a continuing battle - I took daily malerone.Malabo is definitely an Africa city, and you don't want to get cross-threaded with the authorities, but it has things to commend it (in a developing country sense) - not the least of which are the hospitable local entrepreneurs.I encourage those there with political influence to do all they can to help small businesses.

Great Reading!
This book reveals the whole true story behind the failed coup. It is almost unbelievable how the
plan was formulated and then totally botched from start to finish.
What amazes me is they really thought it would succeed.

3.5 Stars for a great story that was re-told minimally...
I just finished reading this book a few moments ago.This book is well detailed and covers all of the players involved both fairly and accurately.

However, my gripe with this book is really with its style.The book seems so BLAND for a book with as interesting a subtitle as this one has.The story is told in fashion that is seemingly uninspired and didn't keep my attention for very long.

Again, I reiterate, that the basic story of the coup and it's major players are covered and presented fairly,But, again, this story, to me at least, should have been a much better read...

As of May 2008, this Saga STILL continues.....
I will not recite the many details already cited by the publishers and reviewers. What should give this book its second life (its first was not bad) is this ongoing saga STILL unfolding... Simon Mann recently turned over to EG authorities and promptly set to the dreaded Black Beach Prison (How many times has he said SORRY? And given his present plight, he will say that many more times)... new information in April-May 2008 on the "real" coup plotters. EG not shy to part with its oil money to extradite (Sir) Mark Thatcher through efforts with the Interpol on new information received. I've been to EG last June - just let me say it's a very interesting place. Read the book, follow the story still unfolding. The whole thing is quite an adventure... and as REAL as it gets! ... Read more

Product Description
In the twentieth century, illiteracy and its elimination were political issues important enough to figure in the fall of governments (as in Brazil in 1964), the building of nations (in newly independent African countries in the 1970s), and the construction of a revolutionary order (Nicaragua in 1980). This political biography of Paulo Freire (1921-97), who played a crucial role in shaping international literacy education, also presents a thoughtful examination of the volatile politics of literacy during the Cold War.

A native of Brazil's impoverished northeast, Freire developed adult literacy training techniques that involved consciousness-raising, encouraging peasants and newly urban peoples to see themselves as active citizens who could transform their own lives. Freire's work for state and national government agencies in Brazil in the early 1960s eventually aroused the suspicion of the Brazilian military, as well as of U.S. government aid programs. Political pressures led to Freire's brief imprisonment, following the military coup of 1964, and then to more than a decade and a half in exile. During this period, Freire continued his work in Chile, Nicaragua, and postindependence African countries, as well as in Geneva with the World Council of Churches and in the United States at Harvard University.

Andrew J. Kirkendall's evenhanded appraisal of Freire's pioneering life and work, which remains influential today, gives new perspectives on the history of the Cold War, the meanings of radicalism, and the evolution of the Left in Latin America. ... Read more

Product Description
The Hilarious, riveting and sometimes terrifying adventures of an Australian field bioligist in the jungles and mountains of NewGuinea, one of the last frontiers left on earth.In New Guinea Pidgin, throwin way leg means to go on a journey. It describes the action of thrusting out your leg to take thefirst step of what can be a long march.Flannery observes the collision of cultures as Catholic missionaries seek to reform traditional beliefs and mining companiesexploit the huge gold and copper resources of the island. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Throwim Way Leg more than an Adventure book
Throwim Way Leg is far more than an adventure book. It is an insight into the ecosystem of New Guinea and the lives of the people and cultures that live there. An incredibly difficult region to exploe due to the terrain of the country for many the only way they would ever be able to imagine how people live there is through a book like this. Not only isolated from the world but also isolated from communities within the region these people have survived. Papua New Guinea is one of those places where new dicoveries are still waiting to be found and books like this spark the imagination for those willing to make the effort. I highly suggest this book for anyone interested in the cultures, flora and fauna of New Guinea.

Lonnie McCaskill
Expedition Cargo ... Read more