Books in Defending the Nation series

This book introduces the U.S. Marine Corps, which is closely associated with the U.S. Navy. Historical information covers the Continental marines of the Revolutionary War, as well as vital Marine Corps participation in the Mexican War, World War I and the battle of Belleau Wood, World War II, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, Afghanistan, and Iraq. The book highlights key Marine Corps commanders such as two-time Medal of Honor recipient Sergeant Major Daniel "Dan" Daly and former chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Peter Pace. Other chapters introduce readers to the organization's hierarchy with a sidebar on officer and enlisted ranks, requirements for enlistment, weapons and combat training, the U.S. Naval Academy, officer training, and the training and job opportunities in the Naval ROTC and the Marine Corps Reserve. Other sections introduce the reader to the Marine Corps' unique role in military service abroad, as well as the aircraft and weapons they depend on, such as the CH-46 Sea Knight helicopter, the F/A-18 Hornet airplane, the AV-8B Harrier jet, amphibious assault vehicles, and other unique transport options, as well as the M16 rifle, the M9 Beretta pistol, grenade launchers, night vision goggles, and other advanced technology that helps the Marine Corps train for the future. Full-color photographs, sidebars, fun facts, a graphic timeline, a glossary, and an index accompany this easy-to-read text.

This book introduces the U.S. Navy. Historical information covers the Continental navy of the Revolutionary War and its defense of ports and coastlines and battles at sea, naval participation in the War of 1812, the American Civil War, and World War II, and advances such as nuclear-powered submarines. The book highlights key naval commanders such as Revolutionary War leader Captain John Paul Jones, American Civil War commander Admiral David Farragut, and nuclear scientist Admiral Hyman G. Rickover. Other chapters introduce readers to the navy's organization by hierarchy with a sidebar on enlisted and officer ranks, the varied naval job opportunities available, requirements for enlistment, enlisted and officer training, the U.S. Naval Academy, the Naval ROTC and the Navy Reserve, naval bases, fleets, and groups of ships called task forces, as well as the features of the navy's surface ships such as aircraft carriers, aircraft such as the F-14 Tomcat and the EA-6B Prowler, and that most feared undersea weapon, the submarine, as well as new ships and future technology that will aid the U.S. Navy. Full-color photographs, sidebars, fun facts, a graphic timeline, a glossary, and an index accompany this easy-to-read text.

This book introduces the U.S. Army. Historical information covers its roots in colonial America, early militias, the Revolutionary War and the formation of the Continental Army, the millions of soldiers who fought in the American Civil War, World War I, and World War II, and the modern wars against terrorism in Iraq and Afghanistan. Key army commanders are highlighted, including presidents General George Washington and General Dwight D. Eisenhower, as well as General H. Norman Schwarzkopf. Chapters on women and diversity expand information on the army's history and introduce important figures such as former chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Colin Powell. Other chapters introduce the reader to the hierarchy and structure of the army, aided by a sidebar of officer and enlisted ranks, as well as enlistment requirements, training, officer education, and the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, and the disaster relief efforts and other duties of the ROTC, the Army National Guard, and the Army Reserve. The book also highlights weapons, vehicles such as tanks and helicopters, the importance of technology, and the future of the U.S. Army. Full-color photographs, sidebars, fun facts, a graphic timeline, a glossary, and an index accompany this easy-to-read text.

This book introduces the U.S. Air Force. Historical information covers its roots in the U.S. Army, its early use of reconnaissance balloons during the American Civil War and the Spanish-American War, the Wright brothers and the first flight, early training of pilots and their reconnaissance, air combat, and battlefield support during World War I and World War II, and its vital work during the Korean War, the Vietnam War, conflicts in the Persian Gulf and Kosovo, and the fight against terrorism in Afghanistan and Iraq after September 11. A sidebar of officer and enlisted ranks highlights the organization's hierarchy. Other chapters introduce the reader to requirements for enlistment, the U.S. Air Force Academy, and officer and enlisted training, as well as the roles of the Air Force ROTC, the Air National Guard, and the Air Force Reserve. The book also introduces key aviators such as Medal of Honor recipient Captain Edward "Eddie" Rickenbacker and record-breaking pilots General Charles "Chuck" E. Yeager and Colonel Jacqueline "Jackie" Cochran. The book also covers aircraft such as the MQ-1 Predator, the F-16 Fighting Falcon, the B-52 Stratofortress, and the B-1B Lancer and their features such as stealth technology, size, and range. Full-color photographs, fun facts, a graphic timeline, a glossary, and an index accompany this easy-to-read text.

This book introduces the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) and its mission to collect intelligence from foreign nations to aid in government decisions and policies. Historical information covers its roots in colonial America, the founding and organization of the Office of Strategic Services (OSS) under William J. "Wild Bill" Donovan during World War II, the establishment of the CIA in 1947, and the effect of September 11. Other chapters highlight types of intelligence, the well-protected CIA headquarters at Langley, Virginia, the variety of available jobs beyond undercover and spy work, requirements for application, and the organization of the agency under its director and the Directorates of Operations, Science and Technology, Intelligence, and Support, as well as a diagram that helps the reader visualize the standard process of collecting and analyzing information, the Intelligence Cycle. Full-color photographs, fun facts, a graphic timeline, a glossary, and an index accompany this easy-to-read text.

This book introduces readers to the elite special operations forces of each branch of the U.S. military. Historical information highlights the colonial scouts used during King Philip's War, Captain Robert Rogers' special forces during the French and Indian War, Colonel Thomas Knowlton, Brigadier General Daniel Morgan, and Colonel Francis Marion's rangers and irregulars during the Revolutionary War, the Union and the Confederacy's rangers during the American Civil War, the Army Rangers formed during World War II, and the importance of special forces during the Cold War, the Vietnam War, and the wars against terrorism. Readers will learn about the varied but intense training required of the few who qualify to become special forces, including navigation, first aid, parachuting, and weapons training involving pistols, sniper rifles, machine guns, explosives, hand grenades, and even night vision goggles, and their continued emphasis on excellence. Other chapters cover individual groups, including specialties such as desert and mountain training of the Army Rangers, missions, duties, and requirements such as foreign language skills of the Green Berets, the history and secrecy behind Delta Force and their job preventing terrorism, the advanced weapons and combat training, underwater and hostage rescue missions, and history of the Navy SEALs, the amphibious actions and unique perspective of Marine Corps Force Reconnaissance, and the close air support, search and rescue missions, and close work with Army Rangers and Navy SEALs of Air Force Special Operations. Full-color photographs, sidebars, fun facts, a graphic timeline, a glossary, and an index accompany this easy-to-read text.

This book introduces the main investigative force in the United States, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), which is part of the U.S. Department of Justice. Historical information covers Attorney General Charles J. Bonaparte's formation of a federal investigative force, early special agents and the crimes they investigated, original director Stanley W. Finch, famous criminals such as John Dillinger, long-term director J. Edgar Hoover, and investigations during World War II, the Cold War, the Vietnam War, and post-9/11 America. The book highlights the categories of crimes the FBI investigates, including counterintelligence to prevent spying within the United States, counterterrorism to prevent attacks, violent crimes such as kidnapping, organized crime, which might include undercover work, white-collar crime, which relates to illegal business practices, cybercrime to prevent computer attacks, and civil rights such as hate crimes and discrimination. Other chapters introduce the reader to organizational changes after September 11, requirements for application, the FBI Academy, training including weapons, self-defense, law, and science classes, the FBI Laboratory and its studies of fingerprints, DNA, and profiling, the headquarters, and the variety of jobs available from special agents to support such as lawyers, computer experts, and language specialists. Full-color photographs, sidebars, fun facts, a graphic timeline, a glossary, and an index accompany this easy-to-read text.

This book introduces the smallest branch of the U.S. military, the U.S. Coast Guard. Historical information covers its roots in early America and the Revenue Cutter Service promoted by Secretary of the Treasury Alexander Hamilton, and its work during the American Civil War, World War I, and Hurricane Katrina. The coast guard's range of missions, including performing search and rescue missions, protecting U.S. harbors from terrorist attacks, preventing smuggling of illegal drugs, maintaining navigational aids, patrolling the North Atlantic Ocean for icebergs, responding to environmental disasters such as oil spills, promoting boating safety, keeping waterways open and safe, and providing coastal defense of foreign shores such as in Iraq, are highlighted for the reader. Chapters also cover the coast guard's organization by hierarchy, including a sidebar of officer and enlisted ranks, its work as part of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, the duties of the Coast Guard Auxiliary and Coast Guard Reserve, requirements for enlistment, training, and the Coast Guard Academy. The book also describes coast guard assets such as cutters, boats, and aircraft including the HC-130 Hercules airplane, the HH-60 Jayhawk helicopter, and their duties, size, and range, and the coast guard's current and future plans to upgrade equipment. Full-color photographs, sidebars, fun facts, a graphic timeline, a glossary, and an index accompany this easy-to-read text.