The coup is the most frequently attempted method of changing government & the most successful. Coup d'Etat outlines the mechanism of the coup & analyzes the conditions political, military & social, that gives rise to it. In doing so, the book sheds much light on societies where power does indeed grow out of the barrel of a gun & the role of law is a concept little understood. List of Figures List of Tables Foreword Preace to the 1st Edition Preface to the 1979 Edition What is the coup d'état? — When is a coup d'état possible? The strategy of the coup d'état The planning of the coup d'état The execution of the coup d'état Appendices Tables Index