'Impeccably researched, unbiased, and revealing.' -Kirkus *One of the finest chronicles of the mysterious LRRP units of the Vietnam war *Explains how they were staffed and trained *Discusses their missions and tactics Vietnam was a different kind of war, calling for a different kind of soldier. When the first major combat units were deployed there in 1965 the Army found itself in a predicament. This was a war unlike any that it had trained and equipped itself for; the jungle terrain was nothing like Eastern Europe, and the enemy's preferred guerrilla tactics, as opposed to stand up and fight set-piece battles, meant that an effective means of locating him was required. The LRRPs- Long Range Reconnaissance Patrols - were that new breed of fighting man. They operated in six-man teams deep within enemy territory, and were the eyes and ears of the units they served. This is their story of perseverence under extreme hardship and uncommon bravery, and how they carried out the war's most hazardous missions. Michael Lee Lanning retired from the army as a lieutenant colonel after more than twenty years' service. During his assignment to Vietnam, he served as both an infantry platoon leader and a company commander in the 199th Infantry Brigade (Light). He is the author of fourteen books including Mercenaries, Inside Force Recon, and Inside the Crosshairs.

This book provides a definitive history of the U.S. Army Rangers that details the origins and development, combat philosophy, and key engagements of America's elite fighting force. The U.S. Army Rangers: Forging a Special Operations Force details the origins and development, combat philosophy, and key engagements of America's elite fighting force. Structured topically, the book allows for a chronological review of the history of the Ranger from the 17th century to the present day, with special attention paid to the establishment of the 1st Ranger Battalion in the post-Vietnam era-the origins of the elite fighting force that exists today. This book is replete with information garnered from dozens of interviews with the individuals who created the initial Ranger Force. By integrating the words and first-hand accounts of these founding fathers, the work offers insights unavailable elsewhere. Additionally, the author delves into the unique psyche of the soldiers who volunteer for-and are accepted into the ranks of-the "Rangers." * Explores the mindsets and the challenges facing the individuals who were involved in developing America's premier fighting force * Provides an unprecedented firsthand account of the formation of the Ranger Regiment that exists today * Describes the soldier's experience-and the Army itself-at the end of the conscript Vietnam-era Army, a pivotal time in the development of American military forces * Presents colorful vignettes taken from current conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan * Provides real-world examples of what it is like to be a modern day Ranger that allow readers to understand the Ranger psyche

For the first time in French, a complete study of the selection and training of Allied secret agents in the secret schools managed by the Special Operations Executive (SOE). Hundreds of agents, men and women, trained in schools in England, Canada, but also in the Middle East, Africa and Asia, were be dropped into Nazi-occupied countries to carry out intelligence, sabotage and enemy elimination missions.