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The Company they Keep : Life Inside the U.S. Army Special Forces

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A portrait of the U.S. Special Forces, popularly known as the Green Berets, explains how its soldiers think, function, and work as a close-knit team despite the pressures of military bureaucracy. Reprint.

256 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1997

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Anna Simons

21 books6 followers

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5 stars
22 (27%)
4 stars
26 (32%)
3 stars
23 (28%)
2 stars
8 (9%)
1 star
2 (2%)
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
18 reviews
January 26, 2024
Over 20 years old and still rings true and familiar. Very insightful with a lot of opportunities for reflection and thought.
Profile Image for James.
Author 12 books96 followers
May 19, 2013
A down-to-earth micro and macro examination of the people and structure of the U.S. Army's Special Forces, i.e. the Green Berets. They are much more settled, mature, serious, and cautious people than they are generally portrayed as being in movies and so on. A really interesting look into a world most of us will never approach experiencing.
Profile Image for Amelia Freeman.
1 review1 follower
November 8, 2021
Husband is SF, his team leader suggested this to him and he passed it on to me. Incredibly interesting and informative. Some information is outdated but not in any real meaningful way. My only complaint is that, being published in 97' I wish there was an updated or 2nd edition to this book which covered the late 90s-2020s.
Profile Image for Ian.
18 reviews
November 13, 2016
Great insight into the pre-911 special forces. We still struggle with the basic preface of the book; should the SF focus on Foreign Internal Defense of Direct Action. Right now I'd say DA is kinda winning. Still a good easy read with out all the macho, bravado BS that is too often laced throughout most books on SF.
160 reviews1 follower
February 2, 2016
An anthropologist studies several Special Forces units stationed in Fayetteville, NC, over the course of a year. Very hard to keep track of individuals or groups; the book would've greatly benefitted from a glossary of acronyms at the very least.
Profile Image for Kimberlie.
192 reviews11 followers
June 3, 2016
An in depth look at what soldiers go through to become special forces. You go all through training, selection & initiation and beyond. If you like anything in the military genre you'll love this book.
Profile Image for Jennifer.
685 reviews38 followers
August 5, 2016
This is an amazing book, applying anthropology to the U.S. Army Special Forces. The outcome is an enlightening, fascinating page-turner.
Profile Image for Amanda Jessen.
6 reviews5 followers
March 29, 2015
Awesome book! It takes you from deciding to go SF through SFAS, Q course and Robin Sage. There was even a chapter on wives and other women. Very eye opening.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews

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