The Company They Keep

by Anna Simons

Book Overview

Memorialized on screen and idealized in the media, the Green Berets are the most famous and least understood unit in the American military. Who are these elite soldiers? How do they train and what are... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0684828162
• ISBN13: 9780684828169
• Release Date: March 1997
• Publisher: Simon & Schuster
• Length: 240 Pages
• Weight: 1.35 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.9" x 6.4" x 9.6"

Customer Reviews

De Oppresso Liber

The motto of Special Forces translates out to "Liberate The Oppressed" that is what they do. It isn't just about going in blowing something up and leaving. It is about providing medical care for the indigenous peoples, building infrastructure, and helping them achieve better lives as a means of Warfare. While the general military is about winning battles these guys (sorry but it is still and all male unit)are winning friends while defeating our enemies behind their own lines. Some of the finest individuals I have ever met wore the Beret. This book gives a much clearer picture than most that I have read.

This book does much to fix the stereotype of these men.

This book does alot toexplain the mission and life of these extraordinary soldiers. Many people tend to compare these soldiers to the Navy SEALs or other elite units, but to make that comparison is wrong. The author does alot to illustrate the difference in mission and trainig of the SF and other special forces units. I feel a book like this has been in need of because of the popular misconception of these soldiers as Rambos or some type of supermen. I highly recomend this book to those in the military or in the government.

Defines What a True Special Forces Soldier Really Is

Anna Simons debunks the myth of the Rambo SF soldier. She explains the way they live train and execute missions. Although her specialty is in anthropology, Simons does a great job at illustrating the SF soldiers. On few occasions, her scientific background shows through and hinders her ability to vividly describe the soldiers, but overall the book is great. The true SF book without the Ramboesque quality that is so fictitious...excellent read!

The first truthful summary of US Army Special Forces.

Professor Simons did an excellent job of portraying the Special Forces Soldier and their mission. Before Ms. Simons, no author to date has demonstrated any real grasp of the dynamics that make a good A-Team. As a retired Team Sergeant and SF Warrant Officer, I find her analysis and observation right on target. Special Forces is not a bunch of choir boys, nor are they hired for their looks and chest size. Her book is the first step in showing America that it posesses an extremely effective military unit; warts and all. Bravo Zulu! >

Former Special Forces and author--- get this book!

As a former active duty Special Forces soldier and a current author, this book was probably the best look inside the life that I have read. It does away with the "Rambo" image so many people view us as. What I always found to be the most critical asset of SF soldiers was their high maturity level and ability to operate on their own, with less guidance being better. I recommend this book to anyone wishing to learn more about Special Forces and the men who comprise the A-teams that are the core of the unit, particularly the NCOs who are Special Forces