In 1976 alone there were over 40 instances of sustained armed conflict involving 45 of the world's 165 nations. In nearly every case, the major military powers were involved sponsoring revolution and guerrilla warfare or committing their own special forces to the conflict. Some of the most spectacular military successes in recent times have been won by these special forces. The raising of the Iranian Embassy siege in London and the rescue of hostages at Entebbe and Mogadishu demonstrated some of their capabilities. But there have been equally spectacular failures, such as the abortive US rescue mission to Iran. It is these special forces that form the cutting edge of today's wars and play an increasingly prominent part in the planning of future strategy. Who trains these special forces? Who controls them - and how effective are they? The work and training of these forces for both peace and war are kept hidden from public scrutiny. Drawing on previously unpublished material, James Adams, the Defence Correspondent for the London Sunday Times, reveals the triumphs and disasters of these secret armies and guerrilla warfare since 1945, including a mission by Britain's SAS to put down a coup in Gambia in 1971 and the debacle of the US invasion of Grenada in 1982.