Shares firsthand wartime accounts describing the courageous battlefield sacrifices of men and women from every branch and operational specialty of the U.S. military, from the Vietnam War through the present.

"Explores the US Marine Corps, America's all-purpose military force. Readers will learn about the Corps' history, including its creation during the Revolutionary War. Other topics include Marine training, weapons, and equipment. These include M27 Infantry Automatic Rifles, field artillery, amphibious assault vehicles, M1A1 Abrams tanks, AH-1Z Viper attack helicopters, and F-35 Lightning II jets." --

Identifying what the author believes to be a battle between the priorities of civilian life and the war, the host of the critically acclaimed The Rachel Maddow show explains that today's focus on national security is actually compromising national stability, tracing the historical events and contributing factors that have promoted a deeply militarized American culture.

"Assault by sea. U.S. Marine Tyce Asher knew his fighting days were over when he lost his leg in Iraq. He thought he'd never see action again--certainly not on American soil--until the Russians attacked us by sea...Assault by land. With so many troops stationed in the Middle East, the U.S. government is counting on Tyce and other reserve fighters to step up and defend their country--when Russian boots hit the ground . . .Assault by fire. This is much...

Larkin Bennett has always known her place, whether it's surrounded by her loving family in the lush greenery of the Pacific Northwest, or riding on a dusty convoy in Afghanistan. But all that changed the day tragedy struck her unit and took away everything she held dear. Soon after, Larkin discovers an unexpected treasure: the diary of Emily Wilson, a young woman who disguised herself as a man to fight for the Union in the Civil War. As Larkin struggles...