Congo Mercenary

By: Mike Hoare

Narrated by: Mike Hoare

Length: 13 hrs and 39 mins

Publisher's summary

Col. Mike Hoare tells how his force of mercenaries, 5 Commando, put down a Comunist-backed rebel uprising in the Congo. As they restored law and order, town by town, he and his men freed 1,800 nuns and priests. His men also learned what it means to be real soldiers.

©1967 Mike Hoare (P)2012 Mike Hoare

Critic reviews

"This well-written and well-illustrated book gives an accurate and useful account of the military response to the [Congolese] rebellion." ( The Daily Telegraph)

Mad Mike’s voice and words of a lost cause

As Nike Hoare celebrates his 100th birthday, his efforts might fade into the past but for this well told story of the mercenary role in the Congo War. Hoare’ five commando seems to be the historical bridge between the French Foreign. Legion and Blackwater. Hoare’s commandos were more like the Legion in that they engaged in real combat with the objective of holding territory unlike today’s contractors who provide security and do search an destroy missions. Interesting listen.

Incredible detail on a little known subject

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Anyone interested in African "Bush" Wars or counterinsurgency in general should read Hoare's works. Congo Mercenary provides detailed accounts of the campaigns and politics of his years in the Congo in the early to mid-1960s. Hoare's storytelling is conversational, and while his ideals may seem outdated his observations are acute.

What did you like best about this story?

Hoare's descriptions of his leadership and how he developed 5 Commando into a fighting unit.

Have you listened to any of Mike Hoare’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

Congo Mercenary is the most action-packed and detailed of Hoare's works. It goes into detail about the planning and execution of all of the campaigns that Hoare participated in.

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

It was excellent, and I will be returning to it again.

Any additional comments?

There's also a great portrait of a young Mobutu, on the verge of seizing power in the Congo. So many of the portraits of Mobutu have been of the aging strong-man desperately holding onto power, this was an interesting contrast.

Good first hand account of bravery

Enjoyed listening to the Colonel and learned much about what it takes to command in austere circumstances

Brilliant

Great account of the rebel war. Really enjoyed it.
A great introduction of how Mobutu came into power as well.

Fantastic accounts from a true man of action

I am beyond glad I listened to this book instead of reading it myself, Mike Hoare has an amazing eloquence and demeanor. I honestly felt like he was an old family friend recounting his lifetime of heroism and adventure. Wonderful book and amazing author/narrator.

Don’t expect a bang-bang shoot-shoot, BUT

Do anticipate an excellent first person account and boots on the ground perspective that the politically correct will be loath to recognize. The author is not some low brow troglodyte, but rather a sensitive, educated and devout Christian soldier doing his best to prevent the most brutal acts of murder, despotism and communist tyranny ever perpetrated. Critics will no doubt Attempt to relegate his efforts and this book to racism, colonialism, paternalism, whatever… But Colonel Hoare only tells it like it is, and in the process this prescient Biography reveals a self-effacing and compassionate warrior who not only writes with a splendid sense of humor, but with insight and feeling. And a special forces veteran of our failed efforts in Iraq and Afghanistan, I can state with certainty that the author certainly knows what he’s talking about with regards to the Third World mindset

Great story!

An amazing story of bravery and justice.
Incredible, rich use of the English language.
If you’re pc or woke, you won’t like this book.

Nice to hear an unapologetic account

Mercenaries and Private Military Security get a bad rap. It is nice to hear from someone whom doesn’t white wash his account to sound perfect (cough cough Wehrmacht) or bend over backwards to atone for all the terrible things they did. He was a soldier and commander for hire and he did his job.

Excellent story as well as performance. Having Mike Hoare read it himself makes it feel like you are just hanging out having a drink and he’s tell you old “war stories)

If you are interested in Africa, the Congo, mercenary work, or just want to hear some action, you will enjoy this book.

Just be warned, it’s combat in Africa, it has some graphic content.

Excellent True Story about the Congo Crisis!!!!

What did you love best about Congo Mercenary?

The fact that the book is read by the author who wrote/lived it, he gives the right inflections at the points where action is really tense. He is a great spinner of tales!!!

What was one of the most memorable moments of Congo Mercenary?

A point when a Belgian mercenary who had given Col. Hoare trouble before was convicted of murdering a young boy of the Simba Rebel group. When the colonel realized what had happened and who had committed the murder, he "dispatched him from this world" immediately!!!!

Have you listened to any of Mike Hoare’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

Have not listened to any of his other recordings, but will look for them now.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

His tears even though he was a hard fighting man of war. This happens many times in the book.

Any additional comments?

This book will be interesting to anyone who is interested in warfare, African history, colonialism, Cold War politics, or dispelling the myth about mercenaries/guns for hire, that they only do it for the money!!!! A great story all around.

A mercenary must!

The subtle English emotion goes straight to heart in spite of a stoic performance by the man who lived it. Fast moving and heartfelt.