Surviving the United Nations: A true story of violence, corruption, betrayal, and redemption by Robert Bruce Adolf
Quick Summary:
Surviving the United Nations by Robert Bruce Adolph is a powerful insider memoir that pulls back the curtain on the dysfunction, politics, and personal risks within the UN’s global operations. This gripping second edition combines firsthand military and diplomatic experience to reveal the hidden dangers behind peacekeeping missions. It's a must-read for fans of political memoirs, international affairs, and real-world intrigue.
Author Giveaway:
Robert Bruce Adolph will be awarding a $25 Amazon/BN GC to a randomly drawn winner.
A book blog tour from Goddess Fish Promotions.
Thank you to the author, publisher, and Marianne & Judy at Goddess Fish for providing me with the information for this tour.
Surviving the United Nations by Robert Bruce Adolf ~ BookReview & Author Essay ~ 4✨~ 💙📚 #Biography #Memoir #Politics #Nonfiction @GoddessFish @robert.adolph
Book Details
Surviving the United Nations: A true story of violence, corruption, betrayal, and redemption By Robert Bruce Adolph
Published by Audecyn Books on May 4, 2025
Genres: Non-fiction, Memoir
Formats: eBook, Paperback
Pages: 388
The astonishing true story of a US Army Special Forces soldier who became a warrior for peace. In his humanitarian and peacekeeping missions for the United Nations he dealt with child-soldiers, blood diamonds, a double hostage-taking, an invasion by brutal guerrillas, an emergency aerial evacuation, a desperate hostage recovery mission, tribal gun ghts, refugee camp violence, suicide bombings, and institutional corruption. His UN career brought him face to face with the best and worst of humanity and he shares it all here.
Source: Goddess Fish Promotions
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Excerpt from Surviving the United Nations
I had accomplished an area study on the country before departing Sarajevo—an old habit instilled in me by military training. You see, if time permits prior to the deployment of a Special Forces team on mission, the unit would enter isolation for as much as a week prior in preparation. During that period an area study would be developed among the twelve members of the team. Essentially, an area study examines all aspects of a country or region that might impact mission accomplishment. Knowing the history of a country is often key to understanding its future.
Sierra Leone had been established on the west coast of the African continent in 1787 by Great Britain as a home for freed slaves. It is about half the size of the American state of Illinois and became a crown colony in 1808. From that time until 1961, when it became an independent nation-state, the country was ruled by the British. In retrospect, the native population was not well prepared for self-rule.
There was a succession of coups. Government changed hands several times. In 1991, Corporal Foday Sankoh, a former soldier of the Sierra Leone Army, began a military campaign (insurgency) against the national warlord of the moment, Major General Saidu Momoh. Sankoh led what came to be known as the Revolutionary United Front (RUF). The RUF generally focused its attentions on the inland—controlling diamond-producing areas, and the Sierra Leone/Liberia border area in the east and south.
Excerpt provided by the author/publisher for use in this post.
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Purchase Links for Surviving the United Nations
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My Thoughts on Surviving the United Nations
“Sometimes the real battles aren’t fought in war zones—they’re waged in boardrooms, behind closed doors, and beneath the UN flag.”
If you’ve ever wondered what really goes on behind the scenes at the United Nations, Surviving the United Nations (2nd Edition) by Robert Bruce Adolph is a fascinating, eye-opening read. This isn’t the polished PR version of the UN—it’s a boots-on-the-ground memoir from someone who lived through the chaos, politics, and contradictions firsthand.
Adolph’s story pulls back the curtain on what it’s like to navigate life-or-death decisions, bureaucratic landmines, and personal risk—all under the banner of peacekeeping. There’s a lot here to absorb and process, especially if you enjoy political memoirs with grit and honesty. It’s well-written, deeply personal, and leaves you with plenty to think about long after you turn the last page.
If you're ready to dive into a powerful memoir that challenges what you think you know about international diplomacy, grab your copy of Surviving the United Nations today.
I received a copy of the book for the tour. This review is my honest, unbiased opinion.
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I love my Amazon Kindle Unlimited Subscription. So many books, so little time!
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About Robert Bruce Adolph
Robert Bruce Adolph is a retired UN Chief Security Advisor & US Army Special Forces Lieutenant Colonel. He holds master’s degrees in both International Affairs (Middle East Studies) from American University’s School of International Service and National Security Studies and Strategy from the US Army’s Command and General Staff College.
Adolph served nearly 26-years in multiple Special Forces, Counterterrorism, Psychological Operations, Civil Affairs, Foreign Area Officer, and Military Intelligence command and staff assignments in the US and overseas. He also volunteered to serve on UN peacekeeping missions in Egypt, Israel, Cambodia, Iraq and Kuwait.
After he retired from active military service in 1997, he began a second career as a senior UN Security Advisor. Among his positions he served as the Chief of the Middle East and North Africa in the UN Department of Safety and Security.
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Guest Post by Robert Bruce Adolf, Author of Surviving the United Nations
What inspires you and why?
The answer to that question has changed over time. A confession, at first it was vanity and ego. I would be lying if I said that I did not enjoy seeing my photo next to the bio at the end of one of my articles. I still do… but that was then.
Now, it is about making a positive difference. Writing has the power to influence in the service of good or ill. I hope that my writing continues in the former category. Everyone has a right to their opinion. However, nobody has a right to distort the facts in service of their opinions. The best writers are truth-seekers. It is not an easy road. Remember, all meaning is based in sacrifice.
The world we live in inspires me constantly. I write about the real world in all its contradictions and ugliness. My inspiration may be preventative in nature. If I can introduce the reader to the violent, chaotic, and merciless world that I experienced firsthand, then, perhaps some lessons may be learned. Those lessons might translate into greater understanding and more empathic responses. I know. It seems like a pipe dream to me too. Still, hope remains essential. The alternative is unthinkable.
Raw emotion inspired me to write this book. I was deeply angry and hurt. There were twenty-two dead and over one-hundred fifty wounded in a jihadist vehicular suicide attack in Baghdad. I feel lucky to have survived that experience. The people that were to blame never faced accountability for their lack of action. I had to set the record straight by telling the truth, no matter the personal cost. I felt the call to action because nobody else would. I had never felt so alone and utterly vulnerable in my life.
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Giveaway!
Visit more stops on this Goddess Fish tour for extra chances to win!
Official Tour Page for Surviving the United Nations
Full Tour Schedule:
May 5: Sandra's Book Club
May 6: Ellwyn's Blog
May 7: Lisa Haselton's Reviews and Interviews
May 8: Author C.A.Milson
May 9: The Book Connection
May 12: Guatemala Paula Loves to Read
May 13: The Pen and Muse Book Reviews
May 14: The Avid Reader
May 15: Fabulous and Brunette
May 16: Westveil Publishing
May 19: It's Raining Books
May 20: @jinxxysbookcorner
May 21: Gina Rae Mitchell - review
May 22: A Wonderful World of Words
May 23: Long and Short Reviews
May 26: Always Reading
May 27: Our Town Book Reviews - review only
May 27: Straight From the Library
May 28: The Faerie Review
May 29: Welcome to My World of Dreams
May 30: Stormy Nights Reviewing & Bloggin'
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[…] Surviving the United Nations by Robert Bruce Adolf ~ BookReview & Author Essay ~ 4✨~ 💙📚 #Biography #Memoir #Politics Win a $25 Gift Card […]
Looks good but it's your review that prompts me to want to read it!!
Looks like a good book.
I liked the excerpt.
Thank you for reviewing "Surviving the United Nations" today!