Average Reviews:
(More customer reviews)Hoyt is both a noted journalist and military historian whose previous books include CARRIER WAR, HITLER'S WAR, and YAMAMOTO. His primary interest has been the Second World War so perhaps SEALS AT WAR: THE STORY OF U.S. NAVY SPECIAL WARFARE has taken him somewhat out of his element. The title of this curious book is misleading as the Seals do not even appear until page 119, about halfway through the book! The subtitle is, or should be, the actual title as Hoyt begins with the Underwater Demolition Teams (UDTs) of World War II, continues with the establishment of the Sea, Air, and Land special forces (SEALS) in 1961, and concludes with the Persian Gulf War of 1991. Perhaps this is not the book the author intended to write or what the publisher expected as it is rather disjointed and appears to have been hastily put together. In fact, there are two books lurking within as there is a heavy emphasis on the UDT's efforts to clear beaches for amphibious assault in World War II and the SEALS brutal counter-terrorist activities in Vietnam. Only brief chapters are dedicated to such conflicts as Korea, Grenada, Panama and none at all detailing clashes with Iranian forces in the Persian Gulf in 1988. Overall, Hoyt presents a superficial overview instead of an indepth history of U.S Navy Special Warfare which is anecdotal rather than analytical. The lack of a conclusion or speculation regarding the future role of the SEALS is disappointing. His chapters are uneven and unsymmetrical with some as short as three pages and others as long as nineteen. His bibliography is impressive but his chapter notes are terse and specific documentation is non-existant as is an index. Despite its faults, SEALS AT WAR does provide a glimpse of the dedication, discipline, and heroism of the men who have made up the UDTs and the SEALS. It is an adequate introductory study but those seeking a more substantial account will have to look elsewhere. One hopes that subsequent editions will be revised and upgraded as this book's true potential has yet to be realized.
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A look at the Navy SEALS describes their use by the military and discusses their experiences in such ""theaters of operation"" as Omaha Beach, Vietnam, and the Persian Gulf.
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