Masters of Chaos
The Secret History of the Special Forces
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4.5 • 11 Ratings
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- $11.99
Publisher Description
An unprecedent portrait of the United States Special Forces from the perspective of the fighters who served in its ranks
“An intimate, valuable history of the Special Forces.” —The New York Times
The US Army Special Forces, commonly known as the Green Berets, were at the forefront of America's war in Afghanistan and the counterterrorist campaigns. But little is known about the grave, seasoned individuals from America's heartland who belong to this secretive unit. Veteran war reporter Linda Robinson gained access to their closed community and traveled with them on the front lines. Based on dozens of interviews, she recounts in vivid detail the experiences of this post-Vietnam generation of commandos in Panama, El Salvador, Desert Storm, Somalia, the Balkans, Afghanistan, and Iraq, including accounts of dramatic, previously untold missions.
Masters of Chaos is a gripping history of a cadre of soldiers who pioneered tactics, technologies, and strategies that continue to define global conflicts today.
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
This impressively readable account chronicles the role of the U.S. Army's Special Forces (aka the Green Berets, a label they do not care for) over the past 15 years. Special Forces operations included Somalia, the first Gulf War, the Balkans, Afghanistan and once again the Gulf. The latter two operations are are allotted half the book, with the ongoing presence in Iraq being the forces' largest operation since Vietnam. Based on interviews with 30-odd operators, the book is a compelling group portrait of some of America's most dedicated warriors. A journalist specializing in national security subjects, particularly unconventional warfare, Robinson mostly shows the men performing their original role: organizing and training local friendlies to liberate their countries or at least achieve American goals. Recent achievements along those lines include organizing Shiite militias in Iraq and leading Kurdish forces to tie down Saddam's army in the north. Robinson also presents in some detail the new role of the Special Forces, one of major strategic significance: calling in aerial fire support on enemy targets in support of either U.S. or indigenous forces in distant lands. Still mostly secret, she finds even after careful investigation, is their work with the FBI after 9/11.
