Summary of Douglas Farah & Stephen Braun's Merchant of Death

By IRB Media

Please note: This is a companion version & not the original book. Book Preview:

#1 In 2001, warlord Jean-Pierre Bemba found himself low on beer. He had a solution: hire Viktor Bout, who was equipped not only with weapons and ammunition, but also with the means to scour for beer.

#2 Bout, the Russian arms dealer, has become the preeminent figure in the multibillion-dollar contraband weapons trade. He has a flexible, expanding corporate organization that fused the functional remnants of the Soviet system with the West’s fluid, ambition-driven business culture.

#3 The Kalashnikov assault rifle, invented in 1947 by Mikhail Kalashnikov, is the most popular and durable weapon in Africa’s conflicts. It is simple enough to be taken apart by a child, and it has been used by liberation movements, terrorist groups, and guerrilla armies.

#4 Bout’s reputation was built almost entirely on his well-established history of delivering whatever his clients wanted, when they wanted it. He was not polite or easygoing in social situations, and was often fussy in his personal habits.

• Language: English
• Publisher: IRB Media
• Release date: Aug 6, 2022
• ISBN: 9798822582415

IRB Media

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Insights on Douglas Farah & Stephen Braun's Merchant of Death

Contents

Insights from Chapter 1

Insights from Chapter 2

Insights from Chapter 3

Insights from Chapter 4

Insights from Chapter 5

Insights from Chapter 6

Insights from Chapter 7

Insights from Chapter 8

Insights from Chapter 9

Insights from Chapter 10

Insights from Chapter 11

Insights from Chapter 12

Insights from Chapter 13

Insights from Chapter 14

Insights from Chapter 1

#1

In 2001, warlord Jean-Pierre Bemba found himself low on beer. He had a solution: hire Viktor Bout, who was equipped not only with weapons and ammunition, but also with the means to scour for beer.

#2

Bout, the Russian arms dealer, has become the preeminent figure in the multibillion-dollar contraband weapons trade. He has a flexible, expanding corporate organization that fused the functional remnants of the Soviet system with the West’s fluid, ambition-driven business culture.

#3

The Kalashnikov assault rifle, invented in 1947 by Mikhail Kalashnikov, is the most popular and durable weapon in Africa’s conflicts. It is simple enough to be taken apart by a child, and it has been used by liberation movements, terrorist groups, and guerrilla armies.

#4

Bout’s reputation was built almost entirely on his well-established history of delivering whatever his clients wanted, when they wanted it. He was not polite or easygoing in social situations, and was often fussy in his personal habits.

#5

Bout was brash, and did not tolerate criticism well. He was a very smart man, who could talk about anything, but he was not charming or funny. He was able to do what he did without the help of princes, kings, and presidents, however, it would have been impossible without help from the highest levels.

#6

Bout’s planes shipped weapons to government forces and to the União Nactional para a Independência Total de Angola rebels under Jonas Savimbi. UNITA had degenerated from a once-respected rebel movement to a violent force that preyed on civilians.

#7

Bout was a major player in the war, and his network of suppliers and clients stretched from Afghanistan to South Africa. He was extremely paranoid, and always made sure to deliver entrusted cargo.

#8

Bout never left calling cards. He shied away from publicity, and only when he felt threatened did he reluctantly