To Dare and to Conquer: Special Operations and the Destiny of Nations, from Achilles to Al Qaeda

From the Trojan Horse to the present first war of the 21st century, special operations and the men who implement them have lived at the intersection of carnage, legend, and human progress. They have created and destroyed dynasties, nations, and empires and today are sharp instruments in the arsenals of every major state. In TO DARE AND TO CONQUER, Derek Leebaert uncovers the stories of special forces, from those glorified in ancient myths to todays Delta Force. He shows how precise, high-risk assaults can use speed and surprise to turn the enemys resources against him, and how these risky operations have evolved to accommodate social change and new technology. TO DARE AND TO CONQUER introduces readers to historys most high-stakes showdowns, describes the magnetic leaders behind the actions, and explains how such combinations have shaped the world. And by showing us what happened and why, Leebaert constructs a brilliant theory of war and politics, illuminating why some giants fall and others do not.