A history of the special forces worldwide since 1945 from the SAS to the US Navy Seals, and other International Special Forces from Europe and beyond. A thorough investigation of the rise of the armed forces elite groups from their inception during World WarII to the present day. including an examination of their operational role during wartime and at peace; their use as anti terrorist specialists and their future as instant response units. The book also looks at the basics how members of the Special Forces are recruited and how the recruits are trained. Using numerous 1st hand accounts, this is a book not glorifying the heroics of the gung ho squaddie , but a rational look at the most professional of the professional soldiers and their role in a world which is becoming ever more high tech and sophisticated.