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Audiobooks > History >  General History > The Wonga Coup: A Tale of Guns, Germs and the Steely Determination to Create Mayhem in an Oil-Rich Corner of Africa
The Wonga Coup: A Tale of Guns, Germs and the Steely Determination to Create Mayhem in an Oil-Rich Corner of Africa Audiobook, by Adam Roberts Play Audiobook Sample

The Wonga Coup: A Tale of Guns, Germs and the Steely Determination to Create Mayhem in an Oil-Rich Corner of Africa Audiobook

By: Adam Roberts
The Wonga Coup: A Tale of Guns, Germs and the Steely Determination to Create Mayhem in an Oil-Rich Corner of Africa Audiobook, by Adam Roberts Play Audiobook Sample
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Read By: Simon Vance Publisher: Tantor Listen Time: at 1.0x Speed 5.67 hours at 1.5x Speed 4.25 hours at 2.0x Speed Release Date: September 2006 Format: Unabridged Audiobook ISBN: 9781400172900
3.12329896907216 out of 53.12329896907216 out of 53.12329896907216 out of 53.12329896907216 out of 53.12329896907216 out of 5 (3.12) - 194 listener ratings
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Quick Stats About this Audiobook

Total Audiobook Chapters:

106

Longest Chapter Length:

05:35 minutes

Shortest Chapter Length:

04:02 minutes

Average Chapter Length:

04:51 minutes

Audiobooks by this Author:

6

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The Death of Sir Martin Malprelate Audiobook, by Adam Roberts

Publisher Description

Equatorial Guinea is a tiny country roughly the size of the state of Maryland. Humid, jungle covered, and rife with unpleasant diseases, natives call it Devil Island. Its president in 2004, Obiang Nguema, had been accused of cannibalism, belief in witchcraft, mass murder, billion-dollar corruption, and general rule by terror. With so little to recommend it, why in March 2004 was Equatorial Guinea the target of a group of salty British, South African and Zimbabwean mercenaries, traveling on an American-registered ex-National Guard plane specially adapted for military purposes, that was originally flown to Africa by American pilots? The real motive lay deep below the ocean floor: oil.

In The Dogs of War, Frederick Forsyth effectively described an attempt by mercenaries to overthrow the government of Equatorial Guinea - in 1972. And the chain of events surrounding the night of March 7, 2004, is a rare case of life imitating art-or, at least, life imitating a 1970s thriller-in almost uncanny detail. With a cast of characters worthy of a remake of Wild Geese and a plot as mazy as it was unlikely, The Wonga Coup is a tale of venality, overarching vanity and greed whose example speaks to the problems of the entire African continent. .

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"Crazy! Africa has some messed up stuff going on. This happened in 2004 and I don't even remember hearing anything about this in the news or anything. My company has actually done some work in Equatorial Guinea, where this took place, so it hits home a little bit. "

— Jake (5 out of 5 stars)

Quotes

  • “A remarkable piece of reporting told in lucid prose. As in so many African stories, no side emerges unsullied.”

    — Entertainment Weekly

  • “Draws a convincing picture of wholesale corruption and brutality on the part of the country’s ruling class.”

    — New York Times

  • “A real-life pulp thriller, sardonic, riveting.”

    — Dallas Morning News

  • “Roberts’s account dutifully traces the paper trail of this ‘rent-a-coup,’ which implicated associates including [Margaret Thatcher’s son]."

    — New Yorker

  • “The book gets inside the world of African mercenaries, arms suppliers, and intelligence traders.”

    — Seattle Times

  • “The most terrifying thing about this chronicle of a failed coup attempt in Equatorial Guinea is that it’s not a Graham Greene novel but a true story…[This] irresistibly lurid tale is peopled with bellicose profiteers, particularly of the neocolonialist sort from Europe and South Africa, with long histories of investment in oil, diamonds, and war-for-profit…He lifts the curtain to the backrooms of power in postcolonial Africa.”

    — Publishers Weekly (starred review)

  • “The story is convoluted, but Roberts and narrator Simon Vance play it out slowly, so it’s fairly easy to follow. Vance is solid as narrator, varying his pace to fit the mood of events in the story. He modulates his voice effectively, adding just the right note of incredulity to some of the outrageous actions by the plotters.”

    — AudioFile

The Wonga Coup Listener Reviews

Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 (4.00)
5 Stars: 6
4 Stars: 11
3 Stars: 4
2 Stars: 1
1 Stars: 0
Narration: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 (0.00)
5 Stars: 0
4 Stars: 0
3 Stars: 0
2 Stars: 0
1 Stars: 0
Story: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 (0.00)
5 Stars: 0
4 Stars: 0
3 Stars: 0
2 Stars: 0
1 Stars: 0
Write a Review
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " Interesting book detailing the specifics of an attempted coup in Equatorial Guinea in 2004, in which Mark Thatcher was implicated. Offers a good view of modern-day mercenary activity. "

    — Bill, 1/18/2014
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " If you have ever read Dogs of War this should be on the list. A good read on the inside of events that hepled shape the book Dogs of War. "

    — Tom, 12/24/2013
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " A nicely chronological account of an obscure coup attempt. Thumbs up. "

    — Thomas, 10/26/2013
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " It is amazing what white men think they can still get away with in modern Africa. Only African heads of state can act with the sort of complete impunity that Simon Mann tried to get away with in his attempt to overthrow the government of Equatorial Guinea. "

    — Meredith, 10/24/2013
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " Really well-done account of an attempt by British and South African mercenaries to overthrow the despotic regime of oil-rich Equatorial Guinea. Margaret Thatcher's son even puts in an appearance. "

    — Mark, 8/2/2013
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " I thought this book did an excellent job of tying an exciting story of mercenaries and international intrigue together with the story of the resource curse many LDC's face today. Also it raises important issues about the privatization of military force. "

    — Andrew, 8/1/2013
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " A quick and exciting read about the world of mercenaries, coups, and the curse of oil in sub-Saharan Africa. "

    — Rachel, 5/14/2013
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " While I didnt think the book was particularly well written, the story is fascinating and Adam got some great access. "

    — Reverenddave, 2/6/2013
  • Overall Performance: 2 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 5

    " Interesting background on a strange plot but the author draws unconvincing conclusions about transitions, governance, the resource curse, and other major challenges in Africa. A fun read but less educational than it aims to be. "

    — Davin, 1/22/2013
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " brilliantly researched and compelling written tale of backwater geopolitics and mercenary behaviour "

    — Kate, 10/7/2012
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " Greaaaaaaaaaat read...can't put it down. I'll keep you posted "

    — Dj, 9/6/2012
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " fascinating. on an attempted coup in equatorial guinea. "

    — Paul, 7/14/2012
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " Interesting, mildly instructive and well written, but excessively Brit. Roberts is a bit too impressed with himself and worse his subjects. "

    — Dirk, 4/17/2012
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " Crazy! Africa has some messed up stuff going on. This happened in 2004 and I don't even remember hearing anything about this in the news or anything. My company has actually done some work in Equatorial Guinea, where this took place, so it hits home a little bit. "

    — Jake, 10/22/2011
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " I thought this book did an excellent job of tying an exciting story of mercenaries and international intrigue together with the story of the resource curse many LDC's face today. Also it raises important issues about the privatization of military force. "

    — Andrew, 6/17/2011
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " A quick and exciting read about the world of mercenaries, coups, and the curse of oil in sub-Saharan Africa. "

    — Rachel, 10/16/2009
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " brilliantly researched and compelling written tale of backwater geopolitics and mercenary behaviour "

    — Kate, 8/27/2009
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " A nicely chronological account of an obscure coup attempt. Thumbs up. "

    — Thomas, 7/29/2009
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " It is amazing what white men think they can still get away with in modern Africa. Only African heads of state can act with the sort of complete impunity that Simon Mann tried to get away with in his attempt to overthrow the government of Equatorial Guinea. "

    — Meredith, 3/18/2009
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " Greaaaaaaaaaat read...can't put it down. I'll keep you posted "

    — Dj, 7/19/2008
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " Interesting book detailing the specifics of an attempted coup in Equatorial Guinea in 2004, in which Mark Thatcher was implicated. Offers a good view of modern-day mercenary activity. "

    — Bill, 12/31/2007
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " fascinating. on an attempted coup in equatorial guinea. "

    — Paul, 5/21/2007

About Adam Roberts

Adam Roberts is a staff correspondent for the Economist. For four years he was the publication’s Johannesburg bureau chief, reporting from Madagascar, Congo, South Africa, Ethiopia, Sierra Leone, and—illegally—from Zimbabwe, as well as from many areas in between. He has also reported from Southeast Asia, the Balkans, Europe, and the United States. A former student of international politics at Oxford University and the London School of Economics, he is now based in London.

About Simon Vance

Simon Vance (a.k.a. Robert Whitfield) is an award-winning actor and narrator. He has earned more than fifty Earphones Awards and won the prestigious Audie Award for best narration thirteen times. He was named Booklist’s very first Voice of Choice in 2008 and has been named an AudioFile Golden Voice as well as an AudioFile Best Voice of 2009. He has narrated more than eight hundred audiobooks over almost thirty years, beginning when he was a radio newsreader for the BBC in London. He is also an actor who has appeared on both stage and television.