The Dogs Of War by Frederick Forsyth

Book Summary:

The Dogs of War by Frederick Forsyth

The Dogs of War is a political and military thriller about a secretly planned coup in a small, fictional African country called Zangaro. A British tycoon, Sir James Manson, discovers valuable platinum deposits there and hires a team of mercenaries to overthrow the country’s dictator and install a puppet leader who will grant him mining rights.

The story follows Carlo “Cat” Shannon, a professional mercenary, who is hired to plan and lead the coup. As Shannon organizes the operation with military precision, he begins to question the motives behind it. In a surprise twist, after successfully executing the coup, Shannon betrays his employer and installs a local, reform-minded leader instead—someone who genuinely wants to help the people of Zangaro.

The novel explores themes of corruption, greed, and morality in global politics, with Forsyth’s signature attention to realistic detail.

About the Author: 

• Frederick Forsyth is a British author and former journalist, born in 1938.

• Known for his thrillers and espionage novels, often based on real political and military events.

• Before becoming a writer, he worked as a reporter for Reuters and the BBC, which deeply influenced his factual and detailed writing style.

• His most famous works include:

  • The Day of the Jackal

  • The Odessa File

  • The Fourth Protocol

  • The Dogs of War

Forsyth is celebrated for his realistic storytelling, drawn from thorough research and real-world knowledge of global affairs.