Margaret Sankey's "Blood Money" offers a fascinating and alarming look into the intricate world of violent non-state actors (VNSAs) and their financing methods. Sankey expertly dissects how these groups, ranging from criminal organizations to militias and rebel groups, exploit globalization and legitimate systems to fund their operations.

One of the book's strengths is its ability to demystify the complex and often hidden financial networks that underpin VNSAs. Sankey highlights the mundane and everyday nature of these tactics, demonstrating how they operate under our noses, both online and offline. This revelation is both unsettling and enlightening, as it forces readers to confront the reality of how easily these groups can exploit vulnerabilities in the global financial system.

While the book provides valuable insights into the financial mechanisms of VNSAs, it could benefit from a more in-depth analysis of specific case studies. A deeper exploration of particular groups and their financing strategies would have further enriched the reader's understanding of the subject matter.

Overall, "Blood Money" is a compelling and informative read that sheds light on a critical aspect of modern conflict and security. It is a must-read for anyone interested in understanding the complexities of global security challenges.

I liked the topic of this book but I prefer nonfiction that flows and is more digestible rather than being a research report type read. I could revisit this in the future but I didn't enjoy the structure. If you're interested in this subject definitely give it a try.

Book review :
This book is a refined way of giving ample examples and solutions to the problems evolving in financial systems and how society is being effected on the world level.

Blood Money analyzes the ways in which VNSAs find money for their operations and sustainment, from controlling a valuable commodity to harnessing the grievances of a networked diaspora, and it looks at the channels through which they can flip the positives of globalization into flat, fast, and frictionless movement of people, funds, and materials needed to terrorize and coerce their opponents. Author Margaret Sankey highlights the mundane and everyday nature of these tactics, occurring under our noses online, in legitimate marketplaces, and with the aegis of intelligence services and national governments.  

Running an illicit organization is tough work. First you must hire good people either through online chat rooms or target specific people from a graduation list. Second, you must train your uneducated recruits. If your recruits come from a poor background, it’s likely they don’t have a lot of specialized knowledge. If you invest in your hires, they will repay you with decent work. You might run workshops on “specialized skills like explosive, kidnapping, surveillance, or driving…” or on indoctrinating your recruits in the mission. Often these types of groups will also spend money in the community to garner goodwill, more people they can bribe and an increased recruiting pool.

Sankey chronicles money hiding and laundering, schemes and practices from the Irish bar's "Derry can" to selling counterfeit goods, and how everyday individuals get caught up in the process. The research is solid and fascinating, and Sankey explains often-complicated deals and arrangements clearly and with panache. The examples she uses are memorable--some for the ineptness of the criminals involved--and help explain terror events and those who create them from all over the world. I'm recommending this to everyone interested in world politics and in making the world better, because understanding what's going on is a first step to doing something about it.

I loved reading this book and it gave me a deep insight of many matters involved. I would recommend this book to all business and investing book lovers.

I am thankful to netgalley and naval institute press for gifting me this book in return of an honest review.
Happy Reading!

Well written and researched book exploring how different terrorists and organizations finance their violent operations.

The book is VERY dense so it’s not something I think people will pick up on a whim, but mainly for people who are interested in the topic itself.

Well researched book about where different crime and terrorist organizations get money, many that I didn't realize.
The topic is very interesting, but the book is quite dense, so definitely not a quick popular type of non fiction book you usually find on the market.
I would recommend if you're interested in the topic, but not if you don't start out with an interest to begin with.
3.5 stars and thanks to netgalley for giving e access to it!

I received this book as a digital NetGalley ARC.

Quick Take: Life is tough when you’re a criminal maintaining a complex organization.

I received this book as an ARC, and I’m pretty sure i’m not the target audience, but I found it extremely interesting anyway. Blood Money by Margaret Sankey shows how different criminal groups (terrorists, insurgencies, rebel armies, gangs, etc.) are funded. Running a criminal organization is often a complex task requiring substantial amounts of money. Just like a business, bills, salaries, and other expenses need to be paid. Unlike a business, this money is obtained through ill-gotten means and needs to funnel through multiple sources.

Running an illicit organization is tough work. First you must hire good people either through online chat rooms or target specific people from a graduation list. Second, you must train your uneducated recruits. If your recruits come from a poor background, it’s likely they don’t have a lot of specialized knowledge. If you invest in your hires, they will repay you with decent work. You might run workshops on “specialized skills like explosive, kidnapping, surveillance, or driving…” or on indoctrinating your recruits in the mission. Often these types of groups will also spend money in the community to garner goodwill, more people they can bribe and an increased recruiting pool.

Overall, Sankey gives makes a thorough examination of how illicit organizations make, give and receive money. I would recommend this book to anyone with an interest in international economics or the topic.

Blood Money is an outstanding work of research and writing, tracing the ways in which cartels, gangs, political groups, and other Violent Non-State Actors get the money they use to attack people and buildings, create propaganda, and obstruct justice. Sankey chronicles money hiding and laundering, schemes and practices from the Irish bar's "Derry can" to selling counterfeit goods, and how everyday individuals get caught up in the process. The research is solid and fascinating, and Sankey explains often-complicated deals and arrangements clearly and with panache. The examples she uses are memorable--some for the ineptness of the criminals involved--and help explain terror events and those who create them from all over the world. I'm recommending this to everyone interested in world politics and in making the world better, because understanding what's going on is a first step to doing something about it.

This book was different than I expected. More technical and research based than anticipated. Well researched. A little more reader friendly would have been nice (less technical - less like a research paper) would have made it easier to read. Thank you NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review.