Synopsis
We Were Blackwater: Life, Death and Madness in the Killing Fields of Iraq – an SAS Veteran’s Explosive True Story by Barrie “Baz” Rice offers a raw, unfiltered account of the private security industry’s role in the post-2003 Iraq War, as seen through the eyes of a former New Zealand Special Air Service (NZSAS) veteran. The book delves into the chaotic and dangerous world of private military contractors, focusing on Rice’s experiences with Blackwater, a company that gained infamy following the 2004 Fallujah ambush where four American contractors were killed and their bodies publicly desecrated. Rice, who served as an amphibious and counter-terrorist group commander, demolitions expert, and tracking instructor during his time with the NZSAS, brings a unique perspective as a non-American navigating the high-stakes, morally ambiguous landscape of private security work. His narrative is not just a recounting of events but a personal reckoning with the psychological and ethical toll of operating in a warzone where rules were scarce, and survival often depended on split-second decisions and fearsome firepower.
The book begins by setting the stage for the private security contractors’ role in Iraq, a group that operated alongside the U.S. military but without the recognition or protections afforded to regular troops. Rice describes the contractors as a mix of seasoned professionals and thrill-seeking “wannabes,” all drawn to the lucrative and perilous world of private security. The narrative vividly captures the daily realities of life in Iraq, from the ten-kilometer drive from Baghdad International Airport to the city center, fraught with the constant threat of ambushes, to the intense firefights and the ever-present specter of death. Rice’s account is laced with dark humor, a coping mechanism for the relentless stress and violence, and he doesn’t shy away from the brutal realities of the conflict, including the shortcomings of companies like Blackwater and Custer Battles. He highlights issues such as inconsistent hiring practices, inadequate equipment, and the lack of vetting for local drivers, which often left contractors vulnerable and endangered Iraqi civilians.
Central to the book is the infamous 2004 Fallujah incident, which thrust Blackwater into the global spotlight and marked a turning point for the private security industry. Rice recounts the ambush with visceral detail, describing the shock and horror of seeing colleagues’ charred bodies strung from a bridge, an event that underscored the contractors’ exposure and lack of a “hero’s homecoming.” Beyond this pivotal moment, Rice weaves a broader narrative of his time in Iraq, detailing the camaraderie among contractors, the constant tension of operating in a volatile environment, and the personal struggles that came with living in a world of moral grayness. His background as a Kiwi and his reflections on his father’s absence during his own military service add a layer of personal depth, making the book as much about self-discovery as it is about the war itself.
Rice’s storytelling is both gripping and introspective, offering a rare glimpse into the emotional and psychological challenges faced by contractors. He grapples with the contradictions of his role, at one point calling the Iraq War a “war crime” in which he was complicit, yet also expressing pride in his work with Blackwater. This tension underscores the book’s exploration of leadership, personal choices, and the harsh realities of the battlefield. Praised by figures like Mark Boal, the Oscar-winning screenwriter of The Hurt Locker, and Damien Lewis, author of SAS Ghost Patrol, the book is described as a “rollercoaster ride of combat” that is “unputdownable” and “unforgettable.” Through vivid, often shocking scenes, Rice delivers a compelling slice of reality, exposing the hidden frontlines of the Iraq War and the human cost of a conflict fought not just by soldiers but by mercenaries navigating a world of chaos, danger, and fleeting moments of brotherhood.