U.S. Special Forces: A Guide to America's Special Operations Units -- The World's Most Elite Fighting Force

by Samuel A. Southworth and Stephen Tanner

Book Overview

President George W. Bush has told all Americans that the war against terrorism would be like no other war. But what does this mean? Who will fight? How will they fight? What weapons will be used? Most informed commentators agree that the war against terrorism will be fought largely by "special forces"--that is, by a relatively new community within the American military known as Special Operations Forces, or SOF's. This new "branch" of the armed forces...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0306811650
• ISBN13: 9780306811654
• Release Date: September 2002
• Publisher: Da Capo Press
• Length: 288 Pages
• Weight: 0.60 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.7" x 5.0" x 8.0"

Customer Reviews

So Far So Good.

I'm on the chapter about the 10th Mountain Division and so far this book is a great read. I know a lot about SOF but this book tossed in a few things I didn't know. I've never known much about the 10th Mountain Division. And the Coast Guard spec ops guys aren't really special operations. They're Special Operations Capable. I think the Marin Force Recon is gonna be considered SOF now cause they committed a select few to SOCOM in 02. It's about timeis all I can say. The Navy didn't want SEALs under SOCOM's command but look where it's gotten them. Although they lost a lot of men at Patilla Airfield in Panama, they still accomplished the mission. This is definately a good read for anybody interested in U.S. SOF.

Great Little Book

I was suprised at how small this book was, but it's still a very good book on US Special Operations Units. It gives a brief history of each unit, describes the selection and training programs, and lists the missions each unit has taken part in. There is also a section on the equipment and weapons they use. This book and "America's Special Forces" by David Boher are probably the two best books on the subject.

VERY, VERY GOOD

This is a very informative and entertaining look into the special forces of the US. I like the way each chapter has its history and missions explained. Especially interesting, are the brief accounts of each branches' successful and failed missions. All the way up to the current fight against terrorism, it gives people a look at something almost as good as the RAMBO and BRADDOCK movies. A very good and informative reference for Army Rangers, Army Special Forces, Army Delta Foce, Navy SeALs, Air Force Special Operations, Marine Force Recon, Airborne units, 10th Mountain, and CIA Paramilitary Groups. Everything is good, except the constant reference in every chapter to JFK and his concept of unconvertional warfare. I take it these two guys were fans of his. I highly recommend it.

U.S. Special Forces, by Samuel A Southworth

This is a great book for any intelligent person who wants to get an overview and some background on the many branches of US Special Forces. Southworth is a lively and enthusiastic writer, and working with Tanner (who also contributed to Southworth's first book "Great Raids in History") seems to suit him. These are historians who understand the Special Forces mindset, and they go far beyond cartoonish conceptions to reveal the dedication and difficult tasks of modern commandos. The inclusion of the US Coast Guard and CIA Paramilitary units is one indicator of the depth to which they have plumbed this subject. Much better than Clancy and his editorial team. A highly recommended and high-spirited book, and quite timely as well.

US Secial Forces

One word....PerfectIncludes the history of the : US Ranger regiment , SFOD-Delta , Navy SEALs , 10th Mountain division , CIA paramilitary force and much more ( plus a special chapter on the special forces in Afghanistan .