What does it take, both physically and mentally, to join the world’s most respected—and feared—military units? In compelling detail, Jon E. Lewis looks into the origins, training, tactics, weapons, and achievements of special forces and special mission units throughout the world, including Britain’s SAS and Paratroopers, the US Navy SEALS, Delta Force, Army Rangers and Green Berets, Russia’s Spetsnaz, and the Israeli Special Forces.

          As well as unlocking the secrets of their training in everything from wilderness survival to hand-to-hand combat, he reveals the codes that bind the members of these elite units together.