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by Jaons Besenyo, Andras Istvan Turke, and Endre Szenasi.
Softcover (8.3×11.7 inches). 64 pages. 2024.
Subtitle: Volume 1: Establishment, Purpose, Profile and Historic Relevance 2013-2023
In many ways, Wagner is the Russian equivalent of the US Private Security Company (PSC) noted in Mercenaries, Gunslingers & Outlaws. The difference is that PSCs guarded people and places while a Private Military Company (PMC) partook in active military attacks.
Western media made sure that Wagner was well-known and this book pieces together disparate bits of information into one place. Wagner took horrendous losses fighting against Ukraine, so much so that owner Yevgeny Prigozhia pulled them out of the line and began a march on Moscow. His good friend, Pres Vladimir Putin, eventually de-escalated the situation and promised much. He also allegedly delivered a plane crash that killed Prigozhia and others.
This traces the creation of the original Slavodic Corps that was sent to Syria in 2012, a year before Wagner Group was founded by former Slavodic Corps mercenary Dmitry Utkin. Wagner eventually expanded to include African countries, offering services in exchange for control of mines, oil, and other resources. It made Wagner rich.
One typo (p40): “Across the Big Pound” should probably be “Pond.”
Big Goof: The endnotes for Chapter 6 are really for Chapter 1. I don’t know if the problem is limited to these two chapters’ footnotes being switched or it is a cascading problem with all Chapters’ endnotes. Chapter 1 is an overview of mercenaries generally from Roman Empire to the Renaissance — quite different. Sloppy.
The book contains 42 color photos, one black and white photo, three color maps, and 21 color profiles (six aircraft, three uniforms, and 12 vehicles). In addition, Chapter 1 has four color uniform illustrations of historic mercenaries.
Informative.
Enjoyed it.
— Reviewed by Russ Lockwood
