Congo Mercenary

By: Mike Hoare

Narrated by: Mike Hoare

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)

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 Hoare's storytelling is conversational, and while his ideals may seem outdated his observations are acute.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.

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.

Real world experience

Loved the first hand account of these events. I will be getting his other books to listen to.

10/10 story about life as a mercenary in the congo

Hoares story makes me want to grab and FAL And a one-way ticket to leopoldville.
His tales are awe inspiring. 10/10.

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.

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

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.

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.

War in the Congo

Interesting listen for those with an interest in the African Brush Wars of the 60s. The book covered a lot of ground and was often a little light on operational specifics. But, that very well could have been because there were few operational specifics. Narrated by Colonel Hoare himself (Irish with a bit of Afrikaans thrown in) which made clarity a challenge.

Africa was high adventure for those participating.