While the subject matter of this book is one of real interest to me, i almost gave up on this book a few times, purely on account of the writing style. Priest starts of with a dry academic introduction to the increasing role of the US military in International Relations, then soon into the book starts to write descriptions that are more like a fanzine, gabbling on about the individuals in the special forces. Every major character throughout the book is defined by physical characteristics (definately in no way adding to the narrative and which really has no relevance), and most non-Americans are described in stereotypical, depreciating terms.

That said, Priest does do a good job of critiquing how the US has come to use its military for operations that it really is not designed or suited for. She manages to cover both the macro and the micro, giving examples of both strategic and tactical failure. While i believe that in some places she went a little easy on individuals that should be held more accountable for their actions (and often failure to act), this is an engrossing account of the subject matter. And by the end, i had overcome the writing style and came to admire the book. ( )