The coup is the most frequently attempted method of changing government, and the most successful. "Coup d' Etat" outlines the mechanism of the coup and analyzes the conditions-political, military, and 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 and the role of law is a concept little understood.

Foreword / Walter Laqueur -- Preface to the first edition -- Preface to the 1979 edition -- What is the Coup d'etat? -- When is a Coup d'etat possible? -- The strategy of the Coup d'etat -- The planning of the Coup d'etat -- The execution of the Coup d'etat -- Appendix A: the economics of repression -- Appendix B: tactical aspects of the Coup d'etat -- Appendix C: statistics.