Erik Prince

Erik Prince is the founder of Blackwater USA (later known as Academi), one of the world's most prominent private military companies that gained widespread attention during the Iraq and Afghanistan wars. As a former US Navy SEAL, he established Blackwater in 1997 and built it into a major defense contractor that received billions in government contracts. Prince's involvement in private security and military operations has been marked by significant controversy, particularly following incidents involving Blackwater contractors in Iraq, including the 2007 Nisour Square shooting. He has written about his experiences and perspectives in his 2013 book "Civilian Warriors: The Inside Story of Blackwater and the Unsung Heroes of the War on Terror." Beyond Blackwater, Prince has remained active in security consulting and various business ventures, including work in Africa and Asia. He has been involved in proposals for privatizing military operations in various global conflicts and has maintained connections with government officials and policymakers. His career and activities have drawn constant media attention and have been the subject of numerous investigations, books, and articles examining the role of private military contractors in modern warfare. Prince continues to be a significant voice in discussions about military privatization and international security operations.

Readers express strong opinions about Erik Prince's writings and his role as founder of Blackwater. His memoir "Civilian Warriors" (2013) has polarized reviews on Goodreads (3.7/5) and Amazon (4.2/5). Positive reviews focus on: - Inside perspective on private military contracting - Details about Blackwater's operations - Defense of private military companies' role Critical reviews cite: - Self-serving narrative that deflects responsibility - Lack of acknowledgment of Blackwater controversies - Perceived propaganda tone Multiple readers note Prince's defensive writing style. One Amazon reviewer states: "Prince spends more time justifying actions than providing meaningful insights." A Goodreads user writes: "The book reads like a long legal defense." His 2016 book "War Dog" received similar responses with a 3.8/5 on Goodreads. Reviews frequently mention Prince's political views affecting their perception of the text, with readers' own political leanings strongly correlating with their ratings.

Civilian Warriors: The Inside Story of Blackwater and the Unsung Heroes of the War on Terror (2013) An autobiographical account detailing Prince's founding and leadership of the private military company Blackwater, including its operations in Iraq and Afghanistan.