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To Dare and to Conquer: Special Operations and the Destiny of Nations, from Achilles to Al Qaeda | 
| Author: Derek Leebaert
Category: Book
List Price: $29.95
Buy New: $7.24
You Save: $22.71 (76%)
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Rating:  14 reviews
Sales Rank: 452168
Format: Bargain Price
Media: Hardcover
Pages: 688
Number Of Items: 1
Shipping Weight (lbs): 2.2
Dimensions (in): 9.3 x 6.1 x 1.4
ASIN: B000JBY0RE
Publication Date: March 23, 2006
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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Product Description
From the Trojan Horse to the present first war of the 21st century, special operations and the men who implement them have lived at the intersection of carnage, legend, and human progress. They have created and destroyed dynasties, nations, and empires and today are sharp instruments in the arsenals of every major state. In TO DARE AND TO CONQUER, Derek Leebaert uncovers the stories of special forces, from those glorified in ancient myths to todays Delta Force. He shows how precise, high-risk assaults can use speed and surprise to turn the enemys resources against him, and how these risky operations have evolved to accommodate social change and new technology. TO DARE AND TO CONQUER introduces readers to historys most high-stakes showdowns, describes the magnetic leaders behind the actions, and explains how such combinations have shaped the world. And by showing us what happened and why, Leebaert constructs a brilliant theory of war and politics, illuminating why some giants fall and others do not.
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| Customer Reviews: Read 9 more reviews...
 Most comprehensive book available on history of special operations February 19, 2009
Don Gordon (Patton Township, PA USA)
Predictably this superb text written by Derek Leebaert describing the open source history of special operations (also called unconventional warfare, direct action, espionage, sabotage, and raids) will become a classic in the near future. The subject is difficult for even practiced historians not yet initiated in the covert and clandestine aspects of military history. The text written in plain English is well organized, thoroughly researched and cited and provides a mostly accurate chronological summary of many significant special operations and operators from pre biblical time to the failed April 1980 Desert One operation intended to rescue American hostages in Iran. In some instances Leebaert depends too much on the propaganda effort of those selling particular accomplishments or lack thereof. At this point (1980) Leebaert departs from substantive research and writes contemporarily without benefit of complete open source facts. Its to soon to find those facts. Many special operations and additional CIA screw-ups from 1980 forward are absent. It is evident that this text is a work of exceptional dedication by Leebaert. This is the only open publication of which I am aware that touches on the unorthodox and unconventional operations of Donald Nichols, USAF Special Investigations Unit during the Koran War (see p.511 onward). That story alone is worth the price of the book and touches on probably the first use of water boarding (or worse) by US agents (see p. 512). If only Nichols could be cloned. To Dare to Conquer should be a core tutorial for the CIA and its officers. The book is a good gift for those serving the military, State Department, Executive Branch, and those few not addle minded in Congress. It's also a good adjunct text for university level history courses. Donations of this book to the CIA should be a duty.
 Dense but Worth the Read December 17, 2008
D. S. Bornus (St. Paul, MN)
This book spans the activity of military "special operations" in Western civilization, from the Biblical times of Gideon to the present day post-9/11 world. As such, it covers quite a bit of epochs and individuals.
I felt that the earlier chapters of the book were the most engaging, while it seems to bog down a bit after the introduction of gunpowder, piracy, and conquest of North America, as we look into the minutiae of certain notable individuals and how their stories illustrate evolving concepts of "special operations" (those which are qualitatively different from the traditional military approaches of the time). As such, the innovators are often the "special operators" who are able to apply audacity, technique or technology in innovative ways, to gain an edge on their contemporaries.
The book seems to bog down even more in the concluding chapters closer to the modern day, although there are interesting passages regarding notable indiviuals like Otto Skorzeny.
I felt that the book would have benefited from closer editing. There are unwieldy sentences and phrasing throughout. Also, I felt that the author was not completely clear regarding the point he was making, or what principles he was illustrating with particular examples.
In general, the overall theme seems to be that special operators do not necessarily need to be trained in military discipline, and in fact many innovators of the past were untutored mavericks who applied unique or original insights into contemporary tactical situations, so as to apply new weapons or approaches that others have not anticipated. In addition, the qualities of a special operations innovator frequently involve a borderline audacity, confidence, or mentality that might be considered unsuited to traditional military discipline. Today's milieu of special forces "professionalization," with ongoing credentialing, training, education, etc. in military doctrine, may stifle that quality in the future. As a result, special operators of the future may develop tactics and strategies once again which traditional military doctrine does not anticipate, as "war" finds new venues in the online world, economic, biological, nuclear, etc. Since modern technology and interdependence provides ever-growing potential for rapid and sweeping devastation or disruption, we are moving into a very dangerous future in which the "lever" of the determined minority may exert great force upon the inertia of the large majority. And this may be inevitable.
While this book was somewhat dense and "dry" like a textbook, I nevertheless found it an interesting read for the various descriptions of historical individuals. The target audience is probably those with a strong interest in military doctrine, particularly that surrounding special forces, rather than the casual reader.
 Flawed Attempt at a New Perspective June 13, 2008
Somyunguy
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
This book has an interesting and not altogether wrong take on unique tactics, units and situations throughout history. Like most history-type books, there is some value to be gained from reading it, despite it's flaws. It's also not altogether a dry read, as the author continually (over)dramatizes things.
Unfortunately, he continually uses as many terribly bad, inaccurate references as often as good ones, and his phrasing is consistently awkward. He contradicts himself quite often. He constantly twists, phrases, and exaggerates things throughout the book to bring historical undertakings into line with a modern view of special forces. Dragging all such things into the category of modern special operations, though not entirely wrong, is a skewed perspective, and by his logic, again not entirely wrong, would bring every modern terrorist cell and other undesirables under the definition of "special forces."
The major low point of the book is the chapter on the Conquistadores, which he also counts as special operations units. He has proven himself to be particulary susceptible to the Black Legend of Spain, constantly underestimating, degrading and deriding the conquistadores while playing up their native opponents, using completely erroneous sources, and constantly contradicting himself with other evidence in the process. In particular, he has no knowledge of Spanish military doctrine and skills of the time, chalking it up (again, constantly contradicting himself) to luck and intuition on their part. He also constantly downplays Spanish technological advantage to reinforce his view that they succeeded not due to skills, steel, or political guile, but solely because they were operating like modern special forces units. The only part he truly correctly downplays is the Spanish use of guns and the effect of disease.
Altogether, it's worth a read if it's in line with your interests, but it's an interesting, if flawed attempt at a new perspective.
This Is The Book I've Always Wanted Someone To Write February 13, 2008
Scott Bane (Northwest Indiana)
Chapter One lays the foundation for Leebaert's approach to the topic of special operations. If I understand him correctly, the author's purpose is not so much the analytical retelling of world-altering missions as much as it is the exposing of the common thread that is laced throughout the history of daring, "special" missions. And this is what I love about the book. In my opinion Leebaert captures the special operations paradigm. He is able to show us the common thinking that unites these warriors throughout history.
TO DARE AND TO CONQUER is history at it's best. The writing style makes the book fun to read. When Leebaert talks about the warriors of Sparta or of Alexander the Great, he is able to reveal the parallels between those warriors and modern special operators, bringing the readers back and forth from their time and ours. It has all the academic quality of a text book, but all the enjoyment of pleasure reading.
To Dare and to Conquer: Special Operations and the Destiny of Nations, from Achilles to Al Qaeda July 15, 2007
Andre N. Minuth MD (Fresno, CA USA)
0 out of 1 found this review helpful
Excellent compilation of data from very diverse sources that escapae the conventional witerS of history.
Andre Minuth, MD
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