Customer Reviews

US Special Operations Forces in Action: The Challenge of Unconventional Warfare

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

The is probably the best book of its type available to the general public. It is based on a lifetime of association with the field and it has its quota of war stories, but most of it is a merciless look at the capabilities, merits and demerits of US elite forces. I am a retired special ops officer and, even if I don't agree with all the opinions expressed, the facts are straight. It contains the kind of material normally reserved for classified briefings. This book is unhestitatinly recommended for anyone with even a passing interest in the subject.

I really enjoyed this book since it is a real departure from the usual collection of "there I was, ankle deep in hot brass" stories that characterize writing on special operations. It has some of that, but in the main this is a thoughtful look at the evolving nature, purpose and application of America's "secret warriors." The author's real focus is the underlying philosophy of special operations and the way that they fit (or compete) with more conventional military methods. This is a unique book, recommended for anyone whose interest in the topic goes beyond the "gee-whiz" level.

Although I think this is a good book, I thought the emphasis on logistical descriptions was too severe. I had to struggle through portions on unit descriptions that were a myriad acronyms and batallion numbers. The antecdotal descriptions of special forces events are far better served by topic specific novels. For example, "Black Hawk Down" by M. Bowden did a much better job of setting the ferocity and importance of the events in Somalia, as well as a better description of the special forces involved, even though that was secondary to the plot. I learned more about the SEALS from reading Marcinko's non-fiction Rogue Warrior novel than I felt I digested from this book. I also thought the author was too focused on Psychological Ops., whose role as a special force, is well, boring. In sum, although a sterling account on the descriptions of the special forces units and their specific goals, the lack of real-event development, such as Stephen Ambrose makes this a hard book to finish.