Special and elite forces Books

Book SynopsisThis new study lifts the veil on the high-profile but often misunderstood gladiators of ancient Rome, from their origins to the dawn of the Principate.Originating in funeral rites during the Punic Wars of the 3rd century BC, the Roman gladiator games have come to symbolize the spectacle and savagery of Republican and Imperial Rome. Increasingly elaborate rules and rituals governed the conduct of gladiator combat, with an array of specially armed and armoured gladiator types pitted against one another, either singly or in groups. While many gladiators met a grisly end, some survived to achieve celebrity and make huge fortunes.Despite the wealth of literary and archaeological evidence, many misconceptions about the gladiators and their violent world remain. Featuring eight plates of stunning specially commissioned artwork alongside photographs and drawings of key items of visual evidence, this fully illustrated account recreates the little-known and under-represTable of ContentsOrigins and evolution Becoming a gladiator The armaturae Gladiator gear Bibliography Index

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Book SynopsisSpecializing in covert reconnaissance, counter-terrorism and hostage rescue, the SAS is one of the world's most famous, feared and respected elite fighting forces.This book tells the full, fascinating story of the regiment, from formation in the sand dunes of Africa during World War II to present action in the Middle East, and incorporates jungle, desert and urban warfare, counter-terrorism and an insider's view at the selection and training methods employed by this usually secretive unit.Table of Contents1940s - Early History, WWII, disbanding • 1950s - Re-forming, Malaya, Oman • 1960s - Borneo, Aden • 1970s - Oman, Northern Ireland • 1980s - Falklands, Embassy Siege, Gibraltar, Gambia • 1990s - Gulf War, Central America • 2000s - Afghanistan, Iraq • 2010s - Modern Operations • 2020s - Selection, Training, After the regiment • Appendix - Organization, Chronology, Names of the Dead.

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Book SynopsisA fully illustrated history of the disastrous 1980 attempt to rescue the 53 US Embassy hostages in Tehran, which involved the new Delta Force and a complex series of airlifts, hides and refueling stops in the Iranian desert.Following months of negotiations after the seizure of the US Embassy in Tehran on November 4 1979, President Jimmy Carter ordered the newly formed Delta Force to conduct a raid into Iran to free the hostages. The raid, Operation Eagle Claw, was risky to say the least. US forces would have to fly into the deserts of Iran on C-130s; marry up with carrier-based RH-53D helicopters; fly to hide sites near Tehran; approach the Embassy via trucks; seize the Embassy and rescue the hostages; board the helicopters descending on Tehran; fly to an airbase captured by more US forces; and then fly out on C-141s and to freedom. Unfortunately, and unsurprisingly given the complexity of the mission, things went wrong from the start and when the mission was cTrade ReviewThis is one of the best books to date on the raid -- Glenn Sands * AirForces Monthly *Table of ContentsOrigins Chronology Initial Strategy The Plan The Raid The Aftermath Analysis and Conclusion Bibliography Index

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Book SynopsisTerror by Night, first published in 1945, tells the thrilling story of how the SBS, and Greek Sacred Squadron planned and executed their daring raids, dealing out death and destruction to the enemy and striking fear into his heart in the Aegean. Their extraordinary achievements deservedly rank high in the history of Special Forces.

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Book SynopsisStriking, beautiful, and haunting, UNCOMMON GRIT takes a unique, unprecedented look at the toughest training in the military -- and the world -- from the vantage point of someone who lived through it. Retired Navy SEAL Darren McBurnett, includes vivid descriptions of both the physical and mental evolutions that occur as a result of the immensely challenging SEAL training process.His stunning photographs, partnered with his compelling insights and sharp sense of humor, allow the reader to laugh, cringe, gasp, and even envision themselves going through this extraordinary experience.

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Book SynopsisTwo sisters. Two special agents. One War. Sisters, Secrets and Sacrifice is the incredible true story of British special agents Eileen and Jacqueline Nearne, two sisters who risked everything to fight for our freedom during the Second World War.

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Book Synopsis“Captures the essence of Naval Special Warfare from our storied beginnings to the current fight.” —Admiral WILLIAM H. McRAVENWritten with the unprecedented cooperation of the Naval Special Warfare community, this vivid and definitive history of the U.S. Navy SEALs reveals the inside story behind the greatest combat operations of America''s most celebrated warriors. Illustrated with forty pages of photographs and based on exclusive interviews with more than 100 U.S. frogmen (including multiple Medal of Honor recipients), here is the first comprehensive history of the special operations force (Military.com).New York Times bestselling authors Dick Couch—a former SEAL—and William Doyle chart the SEALs'' story, from their origins in the daring Naval Combat Demolition Teams, Underwater Demolition Teams, Scouts and Raiders commando units, and OSS Operational Swimmers of World War II to their coming of age in Vietnam

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Book SynopsisPublished to mark the 75th anniversary of VE Day, an unforgettable never-before-told first-person account of World War II: the true story of an American paratrooper who survived D-Day, was captured and imprisoned in a Nazi work camp, and made a daring escape to freedom.Trade Review"Extraordinary. ... Reveal[s] [Langrehr] as a person of great courage and strength who did whatever it took to survive." — Quad-City Times “Simply fascinating...reads with all the emotional impact of a finely crafted novel...an extraordinary and impressively presented military biography.” — Midwest Book Review

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Book SynopsisA compendium of undercover warfare from around the world, featuring spies, soldiers, mercenaries and assassins. The secret history of 20th- and 21st-century warfare. Table of ContentsLieutenant Hans Carl Lody • The Ambassadors' Plot • The Zimmermann Telegram • Mata Hari • Richard Meinertzhagen • Dublin Castle • The Trust: The Cheka's infiltration of the anti-Bolsheviks • The American Black Chamber • Sir Compton Mackenzie • Lieutenant Wilfred Macartney • Jessie Jordan • Canned Goods • The Venlo Incident • Kurt Ludwig • Sonya • Richard Sorge • Bletchley Park • Magic • Mincemeat • The Double Cross System • Nordpol • Garbo • Maskirovna • Dragoon • Red Orchestra • Greif • Corby • Venona • Klaus Fuchs • The Cambridge Ring-of-Five • Shamrock • Pimlico • Neptune • The Skripals and the future of covert operations.

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Book SynopsisIn the summer of 1942, an extraordinary group of men united to form an exceptional unit. Known as the Maritime Unit, it comprised America''s first swimmer-commandos- an elite breed of warrior-spies who were decades ahead of their time when they created the tactics, technology, and philosophy that live on in today''s Navy SEALs. Often armed only with knives and wearing nothing more than swim trunks and flippers, the Maritime Unit''s combat swimmers and other operatives carried out seaborne clandestine missions in the Atlantic, Pacific, and Mediterranean theatres of World War II. In First SEALs , Patrick K. O''Donnell unearths their incredible history- one of the greatest untold stories of World War II.FirstSEALsBook.comTrade ReviewMilitary Review, U.S. Army "One of the world's preeminent military historians" Sacramento Bee "The Navy's Sea, Air, and Land teams (SEAL) are rightfully legendary, but until now their origin has been obscured by time. In this behind-the-scenes history, readers learn how a World War II group known as the Maritime Unit became the template for today's elite special force." Portland Book Review, 3/5/15 "Those having interest in World War II history will love the result of [O'Donnell's] research...The writing in this book is very good, very readable." Proceedings, June 2015 "O'Donnell sets the scene for today's SEALs and provides the reader with the history of the inception of Navy special operations." Seapower, June 2015 "Much of the history of the MU was buried in classified archives until unearthed by the author." Military Heritage, July 2015 "Extensive research and interviews have now brought this story back to light. The author is an established authority on special operations forces and his new book sheds light on the origin of the SEALs."

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Book Synopsis“Brilliantly researched, utterly gripping history: the first full account of a remarkable group of Jewish refugees—a top-secret band of brothers—who waged war on Hitler.” —Alex Kershaw, New York Times best-selling author of The Longest Winter and TheLiberatorThe incredible World War II saga of the German-Jewish commandos who fought in Britain’s most secretive special-forces unit—but whose story has gone untold until now June 1942. The shadow of the Third Reich has fallen across the European continent. In desperation, Winston Churchill and his chief of staff form an unusual plan: a new commando unit made up of Jewish refugees who have escaped to Britain. The resulting volunteers are a motley group of intellectuals, artists, and athletes, most from Germany and Austria. Many have been interned as enemy aliens, and have lost their families, their homes—their whole worlds. They will stop at nothing to defeat the Nazis. Trained in counterintelligence and advanced combat, this top-secret unit becomes known as X Troop. Some simply call them a “suicide squad.”   Drawing on extensive original research, including interviews with the last surviving members, Leah Garrett follows this unique band of brothers from Germany to England and back again, with stops at British internment camps, the beaches of Normandy, the battlefields of Italy and Holland, and the hellscape of Terezin concentration camp—the scene of one of the most dramatic, untold rescues of the war. For the first time, X Troop tells the astonishing story of these secret shock troops and their devastating blows against the Nazis.“Garrett’s detective work is stunning, and her storytelling is masterful. This is an original account of Jewish rescue, resistance, and revenge.” —Wendy Lower, author of The Ravine and National Book Award finalist Hitler’s Furies

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Book SynopsisThis book sets out the major social scientific approaches to the study of Special Operations Forces. Despite consistent downsizing, over the past two decades the armed forces of the industrial democracies have seen a huge growth in Special Operations Forces (SOF). Through increasing numbers of personnel and more frequent deployments, SOF units have wielded considerable influence in conflicts around the world, with senior SOF officers having led major strategic operations. This increased presence and unprecedented expansion for SOF is largely a result of the ânewâ kinds of conflicts that have emerged in the 21st century. At the same time, even with this high profile in the military, policy and media and popular cultural arenas, there is relatively little social scientific research on SOF. This volume aims to fill this gap by providing a series of studies and analyses of SOF across the globe, since the end of World War II. Analysing SOF at the micro, mezzo and macro leveTable of Contents1. Special Operations Forces (SOF) and Social Science: An Introductory Essay, Eyal Ben-Ari, Jessica Glicken Turnley, Kobi Michael PART I: The Emergence of Special Operations Forces 2. The Evolution of SOF and Rise of SOF Power, Bernd Horn 3. The Special Operations Forces Mosaic: A Portrait for Discussion, Emily Spencer 4. Warrior-Diplomats and Ungoverned Spaces: Narratives of Possibilities, Jessica Glicken Turnley PART II: Civilian Control and Public Imagery 5. Special Operations Forces (SOF) as the "Silver Bullet": Strategic Helplessness and Weakened Institutional and Extra-Institutional Civilian Control, Kobi Michael 6. "Unintended Acceleration": The Problematique of Civil-Military Relations of Special Operations Forces in the American Context, James Kiras PART III: Social Dynamics, Organizational Processes and Challenges 7. The Seaman's Council: A SOFish Way of Making Decisions, Tone Danielsen 8. Service Cultures and Collective Military Action: Successful Joint Operations by the Israeli Air Force and Special Operations Forces, Uzi Ben-Shalom and Yuval Tsur 9. Dutch Forward Air Controllers in Uruzgan: Aspects of Cooperation, Courage, Responsibility, Legitimacy and…. People Getting Killed, Wout Jansen and Sjo Soeters 10. In Search of Intelligence: The Dutch Special Forces in Mali, Sebastian Rietjens and Jelle Zomer 11. Aiming to Punch above Their Weight: The Belgian Special Forces, Delphine Resteigne 12. Integrating Men and Women within Naval Special Warfare Combat Teams, Deborah Gibbons, Alan Nelson and Jim Suchan PART IV: Innovation, Entrepreneurship and the Military Institution 13. The Self and the Mirror: Institutional Tensions and Canadian Special Operations Forces, Eric Oullet Chapter Fourteen: Zeev Drory, E

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Trade Review"OP Commando Wrath was an operational marshmallow of the highest order where Mission Impossible and Murphy’s Law collided head on with some of the meanest mothers in the valley--Green Berets from ODA 3336. It’s Blackhawk Down in the Afghan Mountains!"--Dalton Fury, author of Black Site"The book is not just a cautionary tale in warfare, but a powerful portrait of the men who fought to save each other from certain death."--Michael D. Sallah, investigative reporter for The Miami Herald and winner of the Pulitzer Prize for Investigative Reporting"It’s a must-read for anyone who wants to know how modern battles are fought--and how they should be."--Ames Alexander, award-winning investigative reporter with The Charlotte Observer"In this compelling, multi-dimensional account, Weiss and Maurer remind us of the extraordinary risks soldiers take and the sacrifices they make every day both for their country, and for each other."--Publishers Weekly

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Book SynopsisFrom the #1 New York Times bestselling co-author of No Easy Day comes an insightful, inside look at the Green Berets—a legendary corps of soldiers whose exploits made military history. But now, its very identity and role as a fighting force may be forever changed. Until the war in Iraq, Special Forces were the military’s counterinsurgency experts. Their specialty was going behind enemy lines and training insurgent forces. In Afghanistan, they toppled the Taliban by transforming Northern Alliance fighters into cohesive units. But since that time, Special Forces units have focused on offensive raids.With time running short, the Green Berets have now gone back to their roots.Award-winning journalist Kevin Maurer traveled with a Special Forces team in Afghanistan, finding out firsthand the inside story of the lives of this elite group of highly trained soldiers. He witnessed the intense brotherhood, the rigorous selection proces

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Book SynopsisOppose Any Foe is the epic story of America''s most elite warriors: the Special Operations Forces. Born as small appendages to the conventional armies of World War II, the Special Operations Forces have grown into a behemoth of 70,000 troops, including Navy SEALs, Army Special Forces, Air Force Night Stalkers, Special Operations Marines, Rangers, and Delta Force. Weaving together their triumphs and tribulations, acclaimed historian Mark Moyar introduces a colorful cast of military men, brimming with exceptional talent, courage and selflessness.In a nation where the military is the most popular institution, America''s Special Operations Forces have become the most popular members of the military. Through nighttime raids on enemy compounds and combat advising of resistance movements, special operators have etched their names into the nation''s registry of heroes. Yet the public knows little of the journey that they took to reach these heights, a journey that was neither

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Book SynopsisRecent years have seen a growing role for private military contractors in national and international security. To understand the reasons for this, Elke Krahmann examines changing models of the state, the citizen and the soldier in the UK, the US and Germany. She focuses on both the national differences with regard to the outsourcing of military services to private companies and their specific consequences for the democratic control over the legitimate use of armed force. Tracing developments and debates from the late eighteenth century to the present, she explains the transition from the centralized warfare state of the Cold War era to the privatized and fragmented security governance, and the different national attitudes to the privatization of force.Trade Review'Elke Krahmann breaks new ground in analyzing the privatization of security. Looking through the lens of the social contract provides a fresh theoretical perspective and comparing not just the United States and Britain but also Germany offers novel empirics. Her thoughtful argument should be of interest to both academic and policy audiences.' Deborah Avant, University of California, Irvine'Amidst the growing number of studies on the privatization of security, Dr. Krahmann's book stands out as a unique and special contribution. Through its utilization of political theory, the book identifies the sometimes troubling implications posed by the privatization of security to the democratic control of armed force. What is more, these implications, in their scope and nature, vary from state to state as made clear in the book's emphasis on relevant case studies.' Christopher Spearin, Canadian Forces College'In probing the paradoxes surrounding the democratic control of armed forces with specific regard to the proliferating use of private military forces in Europe and North America, this important work manages to shed new light on the transforming relationships among states, soldiers, and citizens and to induce readers to rethink their most fundamental assumptions about the nature of security on the contemporary world.' Robert Mandel, Professor of International Affairs, Lewis & Clark CollegeTable of ContentsAcknowledgements; Acronyms; Lists of figures and tables; 1. Introduction; 2. The state monopoly on violence and the democratic control over military force; 3. The transformation of the state and the soldier; 4. United Kingdom: private financing and the management of security; 5. United States: shrinking the state, outsourcing the soldier; 6. Germany: between public-private partnerships and conscription; 7. Iraq and beyond: contractors in deployed operations; 8. The future of democratic security: contractorization or cosmopolitanism?; 9. Conclusion; Selected bibliography; Index.

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Book SynopsisLike many young idealists, Eric Greitens wanted to make a difference, so he travelled to the world's trouble spots to work in refugee camps. In studying humanitarianism, he realized a fundamental truth: when an army invades, the weak need protection. So, he joined the Navy SEALs. This book tells his story.

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Book SynopsisJason Fox joined the Royal Marine Commandos at sixteen, serving for ten years, after which he passed the gruelling selection process for the Special Forces, serving with the Special Boat Service for over a decade and reaching the rank of Sergeant.Today you are most likely to find him gracing our television screens and giving us a taste of action and adventure around the world.Trade ReviewA must read. * Ant Middleton *The most important book you’ll ever read… Battle Scars will save lives. * Tom Marcus, author of SOLDIER SPY *A vivid, searing account of a life at war, that tells of some incredible moments of strength and courage. * Bear Grylls *Get hold of a copy of Battle Scars. A brutally honest account of war and all that follows from the perspective of a Special Forces soldier. * Andy McNab *

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Book SynopsisThe Marine Corps has always considered itself a breed apart. Since 1775 America’s smallest armed service has been suspicious of outsiders and deeply loyal to its traditions. Undying faith in its exceptionalism made the Marines one of the sharpest, swiftest tools of American military power, but developing this brand did not come without costs.Trade ReviewO’Connell [separates myth from reality] with brio in his absorbing account of the Marines between 1941 and 1965. -- Max Boot * Wall Street Journal *A fascinating history. -- Malcolm Gladwell * New Yorker *O’Connell, a lieutenant colonel in the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve, analyzes the development of the corps’ culture from World War II to the Vietnam era. The Marine ethos was defined by a commitment to toughness ingrained at boot camp and a willingness to suffer reinforced by the high casualties the corps experienced in World War II and the Korean War. O’Connell does not shrink from describing the physical and mental toll this culture takes on individual marines and the violent behavior, drunkenness, and domestic abuse that represent its dark side. He also details the organization’s relentless self-promotion, which helped turn it from the least to the most admired of the services and guaranteed its independence. The corps has a deserved reputation for assiduously cultivating politicians, journalists, and filmmakers to help burnish its public image and win bipartisan support on Capitol Hill. This is an honest, but not unsympathetic, take on the Marines and a fine contribution to the study of military culture. -- Lawrence D. Freedman * Foreign Affairs *O’Connell’s depth offers military professionals, serious history enthusiasts and ordinary armchair buffs enlightening insights via easy-to-understand explanations of why the Corps always has considered itself unique and superior to the other U.S. Armed Forces… O’Connell patiently cuts through the origins of the USMC’s cultural power, delineating its maneuvers, contradictions and effects on mid-20th-century American life… [Underdogs] deserves high honor and distinction. -- Don DeNevi * Leatherneck *As well as detailing the inner psychological effects of front-line fighting on Marines, O’Connell describes how war turns public opinion, and how the Corps employed the media, movies, and Congressional support to build a positive public relations network. -- C. D. Quyn * Sacramento Book Review *[A] thoroughly researched and splendidly written book. -- John R. Coyne, Jr. * Washington Times *O’Connell has penned an important, extraordinary volume—wonderfully descriptive, copiously referenced, and richly punctuated by anecdotal presentations… A wonderful book, but more importantly, a significant addition to military historical literature. -- J. Stanley * Choice *Unlike the other branches of the armed forces, writes O’Connell, the Marines did not rush into nuclear technology after World War II. Instead, he argues, the Corps built on its combat record, especially in the Pacific island-hopping campaign, to re-orient itself as an elite, naval or helicopter-borne, quick-reaction force, able to provide various combinations of unit strength on very short notice. Using an equipment and technology budget line from the Navy, the Marines expanded in size and technical capability to meet this adopted objective. The real eye-opener here is O’Connell’s account of the behind-the-scenes lobbying and PR work conducted by the Chowder Society, ‘an unofficial organization of…well-connected officers’ dedicated to protecting the Corps from postwar defense reorganizations. According to the author, this went beyond lobbying and included spying, leaking classified documents and smearing opponents. The group made full use of the Marine’s press networks, building especially on the wartime centralization of news distribution. Headquarters had developed tactics for dealing with the press, such as preparing ‘Joe Blow’ stories of hometown combat troops. O’Connell shows how Hollywood transformed the image of the Marines, who sustained a casualty rate double that of the Army, by crafting stories that depicted them as military heroes. Then, to support peacetime political combat, those stories were tweaked to portray them as gentle protectors of families and motherhood. The author contrasts the stories with the reality… A powerful account of the relationship between fighting war and preserving peace, viewed through the lens of the stories that built support for both. * Kirkus Reviews *[O’Connell] attributes the rise of the Marines from a tiny, unpopular 1941 corps to preeminent armed service in 1965 to the success of the Marine Corps’ public relations campaign… This insightful cultural history is recommended for those interested in U.S. military history and modern U.S. history. * Library Journal *O’Connell offers an excellent analysis of how the marines became the Marines. * Publishers Weekly *A superb cultural history of the modern U.S. Marine Corps. This book makes a significant and original contribution to both the military history of the Cold War and the ongoing conversation about the militarization of American culture. -- Beth Bailey, author of America’s Army: Making the All-Volunteer ForceUnderdogs is a probing history of one of the most storied institutions in American life: the United States Marine Corps. Aaron O’Connell takes readers inside the culture of the Corps to explore its strengths, its weaknesses, and the lessons it can teach to us all. -- Nathaniel Fick, author of One Bullet Away: The Making of a Marine OfficerThis fascinating and sometimes frightening cultural history highlights the Marines’ exceptional agility in catering to and cultivating the changing needs of American power, and the costs of doing so. -- Michael S. Sherry, author of The Rise of American Air Power: The Creation of ArmageddonA brilliant synthesis of military and cultural history. Underdogs will do for Marine Corps history what Peter Karsten’s The Naval Aristocracy did for naval history. -- Ronald H. Spector, author of In the Ruins of Empire: The Japanese Surrender and the Battle for Postwar Asia

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Book SynopsisArgues that US military elites play an exceptionally powerful role due to their extraordinary influence over policy process, outcome, and implementation. A silent coup of the guardians has occurred, and professionals and citizens need to ask what should be done rebalance US civil-military relations.Table of ContentsList of Figures and TablesAcknowledgmentsDisclaimerList of AcronymsPrefaceIntroduction1. Military Elites and Praetorian Propensities2. Genesis of the Guardians3. The Scholarly Road Map4. Military Elites as an Epistemic Community5. The Role and Influence of Military Elites6. ConclusionsAppendix A: Sample PopulationAppendix B: Wave OneAppendix C: Wave TwoAppendix D: Interview MethodologyAppendix E: Military Elite Conceptual Attributes and Theoretical ImplicationsAppendix F: Analysis of the National Security Strategies of the United StatesReferencesIndex

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Book Synopsis''An unpretentious Aussie''s experiences in one of the most ramshackle and soul-destroying military organisations on Earth.'' COURIER-MAILA real-life boy''s own adventure, MARCHING WITH THE DEVIL is a hell-raising account of five years in the infamous French Foreign Legion.''In 1894 a French Foreign Legion General said, Legionnaires, vous etes faits pour mourir, je vous envoie la ou on meurt. Legionnaires, you are made for dying, I will send you where you can die. When I was in my mid-teens and first read those words they were powerful and confronting. I read them as a challenge and an invitation. The words, and the feelings they evoked, remained with me until I was ready. On 20 May 1988, I enlisted in the French Foreign Legion.''Searching for something he wasn''t finding in his life in Australia, David Mason joined the French Foreign Legion. This is a frank account of how Mason came first in basic training, trained other Legionnaires, went to Africa, did sniper, commando and medic training and took part in two operations, both in the Republic of Djibouti where a civil war nearly crippled the nation. It tells of his daily life in the Legion, in the training regiment, in Africa and with the Legion''s Parachute Regiment. But more than this: it reveals his disillusionment, frustration and disappointment with the much mythologised Legion, and how the Legion today is not what it seems - or could be. Now part of the HACHETTE MILITARY COLLECTION.''Remarkable'' THE AGETrade Review‘Since its creation in 1831, the French Foreign Legion has become the stuff of myth, fiction and dreams... Anyone thinking of joining up would be well advised to read this book first.’ * The Sun Herald *‘Remarkable... It's hard not to think it a shame that a man of such obvious gifts should have wasted them on the legion, just so as not to have to feel like a quitter, even if this book was the result.’ * The Age *‘Marching with the Devil quickly turns into an insightful and honest account of an unpretentious Aussie's experiences in one of the most ramshackle and soul-destroying military organisations on Earth.’ * Courier Mail *‘A strangely compulsive read about one man’s quest for self knowledge.’ * Men's Health Magazine *‘Mason left a comfortable life in Australia to test himself in the crucible of the legion, and he writes about it 20 years after his service time necessary to give himself the distance and context he needed to write about an extraordinary and painful experience.’ * Sunday Mail Brisbane *‘It’s a rollicking, readable memoir of extreme adventures.’ * Burnie Advocate *

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Book SynopsisSHORTLISTED FOR THE 2024 ABIA GENERAL NON-FICTION BOOK OF THE YEARSHORTLISTED FOR THE 2023 WALKLEY BOOK AWARDSHORTLISTED FOR THE 2023 AUSTRALIAN POLITICAL BOOK OF THE YEAR''There is no doubt the truth would have been concealed and our concerns buried without Nick McKenzie''srelentless pursuit of justice.'' SAS Afghanistan veteranWar is brutal. But there are lines that should never be crossed. In mid-2017, whispers of executions, and cover-ups within Australia''s most secretive and elite military unit, the SAS, reached Walkley Award-winning journalist Nick McKenzie. He and Chris Masters began an investigation that would not only reveal shocking truths about Ben Roberts-Smith VC but plunge the reporters into the defamation trial of the century.For five years, McKenzie led the investigation, waging an epic battle for the truth to be acknowledged. His fight to reveal the real face of Australia''s most famous and

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Book SynopsisThe Knights Templar in Yorkshire

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Book SynopsisSimon Chase''s life is a maze of burner phones, encrypted emails, secret meetings, and weaponry - all devoted to executing missions too sensitive for government acknowledgement. Working for shadowy British and American organisations, Chase has been on the trail of Bin Laden in Afghanistan, protected allied generals in Iraq, and been part of an operation directly related to the attack in 2012 on the US consulate in Benghazi.Zero Footprint takes us to this dangerous and thrilling world, and tells the true story of a private military contractor whose work forms the foundation for western security abroad, especially when the UK and US military, intelligence agencies, and departments of state need something done that they can''t - or won''t - do themselves.

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Book SynopsisThe first comprehensive account of the storming of the Iranian Embassy in London in 1980.Trade ReviewThe full story behind the six day siege in 1980 is a fascinating one * SOUTH WALES ARGUS *Action-packed ... a comprehensive, detailed and also grippng description of the six-day dramam that shook Britain in 1980. * HUDDERSFIELD DAILY EXAMINER *An engrossing story of a seminal hostage situation - the authors offer a clear-eyed account without falling victim to over-simplification. * SUNDAY BUSINESS POST *Gripping from page one right up until the end. A must read. * BURTON MAIL *

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Book SynopsisThe Royal Navy at the start of the twenty-first century had undergone the most remarkable transformation. The Fleet is today the smallest since the start of the Napoleonic wars as surface vessels are no longer viable as a principal line of defence. That preserve is now in the hands of Britain''s nuclear-armed submarine fleet, well chronicled in THE SILENT SERVICE and the Air Force, as outlined in STRIKE COMMAND. This book will complete the triangle of our essential military might, telling the story of today''s sea-going ultra-mobile, rapid reaction, missile- and aircraft-carrying task force. John Parker includes personal interviews from the men and women who have served in the Senior Service to bring his story vividly to life.

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Book SynopsisThis book tells the stories of forty heroes, all awarded bravery medals for their conduct during Special Forces missions over the last 150 years. Often covert hit-and-run operations involving very small numbers of highly skilled men, those who partake in these missions know that their goals involve a high level of risk. They are men who would die for their country, no questions asked. With many incredible stories, particularly from the Second World War, including the Cockleshell Heroes, and other conflicts from the twentieth century, such as the Iranian Embassy siege, this collection of real-life action adventure brings the bravery of Britain''s heroes to life.Every medal in Lord Ashcroft''s extensive collection tells a story and these are some of the most thrilling.Trade Review'I have no doubt that Lord Ashcroft's book will set the pulse racing of all who read it. It certainly did mine.' * Daily Express *'A deeply-felt tribute' * Yorkshire Evening Post *'Compelling' * Good Book Guide *

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Book SynopsisA complete history of the elite 10th Mountain authored by division veteran Dennis Chapman.

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Book SynopsisThe first English-language history of the "Alpini", Italy's elite mountain troops.

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Book SynopsisAlthough special ops have featured prominently in popular culture and media coverage of wars, the academic study of irregular warfare has remained as elusive as the practitioners of special ops themselves. This book is the first comprehensive study of the development of Anglo-American commando and special forces units during the Second World War.

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Book SynopsisBoth the Special Operations Forces (SOF) and the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) have served as the nation's eyes, ears, and daggers, often in close cooperation but occasionally at cross-purposes. In this book, Thomas H. Henriksen examines the warrior-spy connection both before and after the formation of the SOF and the CIA.Trade ReviewEyes, Ears, and Daggers is arguably the best book on the relationship of the modern Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) and the Special Operations Forces (SOF). From the American Revolution to the Office of Strategic Services and the subsequent birth of the CIA and the SOF, the relationship among intelligence, paramilitary, psychological operations, the SOF, and the broader Special Operations community can be summed up as yin and yang, constantly adjusting, rebalancing, and ebbing and flowing with the good and the bad. When it has counted, the CIA's resources, relationships, and authorities, combined with the SOF capabilities and capacity, have provided our nation with exquisite tactical actions that have achieved decisive and often strategic effects. Thomas Henriksen's well-researched work, using analyses based on open-source and published works, will serve students, researchers, and the public, providing an understanding of the unique and incredible relationship between two of our nation's most important organizations: the CIA and the SOF." — David S. Maxwell (colonel, ret., US Army Special Forces), associate director, Center for Security Studies, Georgetown University "This clearly written account of the evolution of the working relationship between irregular US military units and the paramilitary activities of the Central Intelligence Agency(CIA) is exciting and important. Henriksen's compelling analysis is that cooperation between Special Operation forces and the CIA is necessary in today's struggle against the large terrorist organizations, Al Qaeda and ISIS, that are operating in many countries of the Islamic world." — John Deutch, former director of the Central Intelligence Agency and deputy secretary of defense "Eyes, Ears, and Daggers is a primer on what makes our Special Operations Forces so special. Henriksen shows how the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA)'s inability to provide the intelligence essential to the military forces' operation has caused the Pentagon to develop its own intelligence, how the CIA pushed back, and how battlefield necessity has been key to mastering bureaucratic rivalries. This book teaches the cautionary lesson that the skills and bravery of frontline operators are hostage to high officials' proper focus on the mission to be accomplished. It should be read by all who count on our special forces in the fight against terrorism." — Angelo Codevilla, professor emeritus of international relations at Boston University

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Book SynopsisWith their renowned squadron leader Greg “Pappy” Boyington, Marine Fighting Squadron (VMF) 214 was one of the best-known and most colorful combat units of World War II. The popular television series Baa Baa Black Sheep added to their legend—while obscuring the truly remarkable combat record of the Black Sheep and Boyington. A retired naval flight officer and former historian for the Naval Aviation Museum Foundation, Bruce Gamble provides a highly readable account that serves to both correct and extend the record of this premier fighting force.

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Book SynopsisThe New York Times bestselling book that takes you inside SEAL Team Six the covert squad that killed Osama Bin LadenIn this dramatic, behind-the-scenes chronicle, Howard E. Wasdin takes readers deep inside the world of Navy SEALS and Special Forces snipers, beginning with the grueling selection process of Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL (BUD/S)the toughest and longest military training in the world. After graduating, Wasdin saw combat in Operation Desert Storm as a member of SEAL Team Two. Then the Green Course: the selection process to join the legendary SEAL Team Six--a secret unit tasked with counterterrorism, hostage rescue, and counterinsurgency. As a member of Team Six, sniper school followed and Wasdin became one of the best snipers on the planet. Soon he was fighting for his life. The mission: capture or kill Somalian warlord Mohamed Farrah Aidid. From rooftops, helicopters, and alleys, Wasdin hunted Aidid and killed his men whenever possible.

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Book SynopsisTells the true story of how Mike Ritland grew from a skinny, bullied child, to a member of our nation's most elite SEAL Teams, to the trainer of the world's most highly skilled K9 warriors.

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Book SynopsisIn War Dogs, Rebecca Frankel offers a riveting mix of on-the-ground reporting, her own hands-on experiences in the military working dog world, and a look at the science of dogs' special abilities from their amazing noses and powerful jaws to their enormous sensitivity to the emotions of their human companions.

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Book SynopsisFrom the legendary special operations sniper and bestselling author of The Reaper comes a rare and powerful book on the art of being a sniper. Way of the Reaper is a step-by-step accounting of how a sniper works, through the lens of Irving''s 10 most significant kills - none of which have been told before. Each mission is an in-depth look at a new element of eliminating the enemy, from intel to luck, recon to weaponry. Told in a thrilling narrative, this is also a heart-pounding true story of some of The Reaper''s boldest missions including the longest shot of his military career on a human target of over half a mile.In Iraq and Afghanistan, Nicholas Irving earned his nickname in blood, destroying the enemy with his sniper rifle and in deadly firefights behind a .50 caliber machine gun. He engaged a Taliban suicide bomber during a vicious firefight, used nearly silent sub-sonic ammo, and was the target of snipers himself. Way of the Reaper

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Book SynopsisThe New York Times Bestseller and Winner of the 2015 Army Historical Foundation Distinguished Writing Award for Unit History.Since the attacks of September 11, one organization has been at the forefront of America''s military response. Its efforts turned the tide against al-Qaida in Iraq, killed Bin Laden and Zarqawi, rescued Captain Phillips and captured Saddam Hussein. Its commander can direct cruise missile strikes from nuclear submarines and conduct special operations raids anywhere in the world.Relentless Strike tells the inside story of Joint Special Operations Command, the secret military organization that during the past decade has revolutionized counterterrorism, seamlessly fusing intelligence and operational skills to conduct missions that hit the headlines, and those that have remained in the shadows-until now. Because JSOC includes the military''s most storied special operations units-Delta Force, SEAL Team 6, the 75th Ranger Regiment

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Book SynopsisBEFORE HE COULD FORGE A BAND OF ELITE WARRIORS... HE HAD TO BECOME ONE HIMSELF.Adapted from Webb''s Adult Bestseller The Red Circle for a Young Adult AudienceBrandon Webb''s experiences in the world''s most elite sniper corps are the stuff of legend. From his grueling years of training in Naval Special Operations to his combat tours in the Persian Gulf and Afghanistan, The Making of a Navy SEAL provides a rare and riveting look at the inner workings of the U.S. military through the eyes of a covert operations specialist.Yet it is Webb''s distinguished second career as a lead instructor for the shadowy sniper cell and Course Manager of the Navy SEAL Sniper Program that trained some of America''s finest and deadliest warriors-including Marcus Luttrell and Chris Kyle-that makes his story so compelling. Luttrell credits Webb''s training with his own survival during the ill-fated 2005 Operation Redwing in Afghanistan. Kyle went on to become th

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