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

by Leebaert, Derek

• ISBN13: 9780316143844
• ISBN10: 0316143847
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2006-03-23
• Publisher: Little Brown & Co

Summary

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.

Author Biography

Derek Leebaert is a professor at Georgetown University.

Table of Contents

Introduction	p. 3
Who Dares Wins: Special Operations, Special Forces, Special Targets	p. 17
Even Troy Must Fall: Hidden Ways, from the Wooden Horse to the Rise of Macedon, ca. 1200 to ca. 400 B.C.	p. 40
Birth of World Power: A Longer Reach, from Alexander to the Barbarian Invasions of Rome, ca. 356 B.C. to Fifth Century A.D.	p. 65
A Terrible Few: Cracks in the Edifice, from the Fall of Rome to the Fading of the Feudal Order, 476-1300	p. 97
The Great Wheel Turns: When Nothing Else Works in a Time of Gunpowder, Learning, and Engineering, 1300-1500	p. 129
War of the Worlds: Where Only a Few Could Go: Aztecs and Incas Meet the Conquistadors, 1500-1600	p. 147
No Peace Beyond the Line: Naval Special Warfare: Pirates, Buccaneers, and the Imperialists They Preyed On, 1522-1689	p. 184
A Hazard of New Fortunes: Specialization and Enterprise: Europe from the Westward Discovery to the Zenith of the Sun King, 1492-1701	p. 213
The Old World and the New: Point of the Lance in Europe, India, and North America, 1700-1775	p. 235
To Try Men's Souls: A Continent to Make and Few to Do It: The American Revolution and Its Enemies, 1775-1807	p. 273
The Fate of Glory: Special Operations in the Biggest War Yet: The French Revolution and Its Aftermaths, 1789-1830	p. 308
New Frontiers: Where Special Talents Apply: National Revolt and Global Ambition, 1830-1861	p. 339
Strange Fulfillments: Newer Tasks for the Daring Few as Steam and Machinery Transform the Struggle, 1861-1902	p. 358
From Spark to Flame: Alternative Means: Kitty Hawk to the End of All Wars, 1903-1918	p. 385
Sinister Twilight: Dangerous Young Men: The Unreal Peace, 1919-1939	p. 419
So Far, the Main Event: Anything Goes: The Stakes of Totalitarian Conquest, 1939-1945	p. 442
Dawn Like Thunder: Here to Stay: New Strengths, New Dangers, 1945-1961	p. 498
Invasion from the Future: From Both Sides Now, 1961-2010	p. 532
Conclusion	p. 581
Acknowledgments	p. 599
Notes	p. 601
Selected Bibliography	p. 637
Index	p. 651
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