This who, what, when, where, why, and how of American military victory and defeat includes: * Every decisive battle waged by the U.S. military over the last century from the Boxer Rebellion of 1900 to Operation Desert Storm * A comprehensive look at each leader and each army * A detailed examination of the full operations and the specfic conflicts * A complete overview of 20th-century American military history * The 100-year evolution of military science and theory

The author explains how the Navy functions in wartime and in peacetime and chronicles all of the major naval battles, from the war against the British in the eighteenth century to Operation Enduring Freedom. He describes the various warships from the early days of sailing ships to today's nuclear-powered subs. The book also profiles heroes of the Navy and the creation of the Navy SEALS.

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The complete history of soldiers for hire. From Biblical times and the Crusades through the American Revolution up to the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, mercenaries-professional soldiers who contract themselves out to the highest bidder-have played a vital role in most, if not all, military and paramilitary campaigns, helping to determine the victors and the vanquished. Contract Warriors reveals their compelling story for the first time. * Why they fight (and for how much) * How they fight * The unique lifestyle of mercenaries both on and off the battlefield * The spoils and business of war * The current role of mercenaries in the world's arms trade * The significance of the mercenary in popular culture and film Featuring a special afterword by W. Thomas Smith Jr. and his interview with Richard Marcinko, military consultant and author of the bestselling book Rogue Warrior

Chronicling the growth of a recruit from boot camp at Parris Island, South Carolina, to a seasoned troop leader, this memoir also relates the experiences of the 200 marines in A Company, First Battalion, Second Marines, as they engaged in island warfare in the South Pacific at Guadalcanal, Tarawa, Saipan and Tinian.