History of Everything

Bob Denard: The Frenchman Who Stole an Entire Country (4 Times)

History of Everything

Show Notes

In 1975, a French mercenary named Bob Denard landed on the beaches of the Comoros Islands with a handful of men and changed the course of African history. Then he did it again. And again. And one more time for good measure. This is the story of how one man overthrew the same government four separate times, ruled an island nation as a puppet master for over a decade, and somehow died peacefully in France instead of prison.

From the bloody coups of the 1970s to the failed Operation Azalee in 1995, this is the story of the unbelievable career of France's most notorious soldier of fortune—a man who treated international borders like suggestions and presidential palaces like Airbnb rentals.

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