📖 Overview
Jeremy Scahill is an American investigative journalist and author known for his in-depth reporting on U.S. military operations, private military contractors, and national security issues. He gained prominence with his 2007 book "Blackwater: The Rise of the World's Most Powerful Mercenary Army," which exposed the controversial role of private military companies in modern warfare.
As a founding editor of The Intercept and former reporter for Democracy Now!, Scahill has consistently focused on investigating U.S. covert operations and military policies. His 2013 book "Dirty Wars: The World Is a Battlefield" examined the expansion of covert U.S. military operations, leading to an Oscar-nominated documentary of the same name.
Most recently, Scahill co-founded Drop Site News in 2024 after leaving The Intercept, where he continues his investigative work. His journalism has earned several prestigious awards, including the George Polk Book Award, and his reporting has significantly influenced public discourse on military privatization and counterterrorism policies.
Throughout his career, Scahill has maintained a focus on exposing hidden aspects of American foreign policy and military operations, combining detailed investigative reporting with critical analysis of U.S. national security practices.
👀 Reviews
Readers consistently note Scahill's detailed research and documentation in both "Blackwater" and "Dirty Wars." Many highlight his ability to explain complex military operations and contractor relationships through clear narratives.
What readers liked:
- Thorough sourcing and extensive footnotes
- Clear explanation of complicated security networks
- First-hand accounts and interviews with key figures
- Connection of separate events into broader patterns
What readers disliked:
- Dense writing style with many names/dates to track
- Some sections read like chronological lists
- Political perspective seen as too prominent by some
- Repetitive passages in longer works
Ratings across platforms:
Goodreads: "Blackwater" 4.2/5 (12,000+ ratings)
"Dirty Wars" 4.3/5 (3,000+ ratings)
Amazon: "Blackwater" 4.4/5 (500+ reviews)
"Dirty Wars" 4.6/5 (300+ reviews)
Common reader comment: "Eye-opening but requires focused reading to follow all the connections and details" (paraphrased from multiple reviews)
📚 Books by Jeremy Scahill
Blackwater: The Rise of the World's Most Powerful Mercenary Army (2007)
An investigation into the private military company Blackwater, examining its rise to power, government contracts, and role in military operations in Iraq and other conflict zones.
Dirty Wars: The World Is a Battlefield (2013) A detailed examination of covert U.S. military operations and targeted killing programs conducted across multiple countries under the umbrella of counterterrorism.
The Assassination Complex: Inside the Government's Secret Drone Warfare Program (2016) An analysis of classified documents revealing the mechanisms, protocols, and consequences of the U.S. military's drone program and targeted killing operations.
Dirty Wars: The World Is a Battlefield (2013) A detailed examination of covert U.S. military operations and targeted killing programs conducted across multiple countries under the umbrella of counterterrorism.
The Assassination Complex: Inside the Government's Secret Drone Warfare Program (2016) An analysis of classified documents revealing the mechanisms, protocols, and consequences of the U.S. military's drone program and targeted killing operations.
👥 Similar authors
Glenn Greenwald broke major stories about government surveillance and founded The Intercept with Scahill. His work focuses on national security, civil liberties, and government overreach through investigative reporting and legal analysis.
Seymour Hersh exposed the My Lai Massacre and has investigated military operations and foreign policy for decades. His reporting style combines deep sourcing with detailed examination of classified operations and government misconduct.
Jane Mayer specializes in investigating the war on terror, CIA operations, and money in politics. She uncovers connections between political power and national security policy through extensive document research and source development.
Allan Nairn reports on U.S. involvement in foreign conflicts and covert military operations. His investigations focus on human rights abuses and military interventions, particularly in Southeast Asia and Latin America.
Nick Turse investigates U.S. military operations in Africa and Southeast Asia through document analysis and field reporting. His work examines civilian casualties and the expansion of U.S. military presence worldwide.
Seymour Hersh exposed the My Lai Massacre and has investigated military operations and foreign policy for decades. His reporting style combines deep sourcing with detailed examination of classified operations and government misconduct.
Jane Mayer specializes in investigating the war on terror, CIA operations, and money in politics. She uncovers connections between political power and national security policy through extensive document research and source development.
Allan Nairn reports on U.S. involvement in foreign conflicts and covert military operations. His investigations focus on human rights abuses and military interventions, particularly in Southeast Asia and Latin America.
Nick Turse investigates U.S. military operations in Africa and Southeast Asia through document analysis and field reporting. His work examines civilian casualties and the expansion of U.S. military presence worldwide.