Mir Bahmanyar Author Page

IN STORES NOW

*SEALs: The US Navy’s Elite Fighting Force (Osprey Publishing, 2008) by Mir Bahmanyar with Chris Osman*


			“For those readers looking to become SEALs I suggest you read this book cover to cover and then read it again… For those readers just wanting to gain knowledge and an understanding about the SEALs and the SEAL community there is no other book you need read…” – Marcus Luttrell, US Navy SEAL - Author of Lone Survivor * An eye-opening inside look at SEAL operations * Rare interviews with former and current SEALs who provide first-hand accounts and color photos from their private collections * Over 200 photos, many taken by SEALs themselves while on operations, never before published




*COMING SOON*

*Vanquished: Battle of Annihilation from Ancient Rome to the 21st Century (Osprey Publishing, November 2009) by Mir Bahmanyar*

			Throughout time, battles have changed the course of history and shaped nations and empires. Such battles are rare, but even if they have failed ultimately to win the war, they have since antiquity captured the imagination. The battle of Cannae in 216 BC, where Hannibal destroyed an entire Roman army, has achieved immortal status, inspiring generations of military thinkers to discuss and imitate this feat. After humiliating defeat by Napoleon’s army at Jena in 1806, Prussian military infrastructure was reinvented, leading to its Generals Blücher, von Scharnhorst, von Clausewitz and Gneisenau achieving a wave of victories. In World War I, Germany’s Schlieffen Plan was instructed by Cannae in its policy of the Blitzkrieg. In this book, Mir Bahmanyar examines battles of annihilation from Cannae to Iraq in 2001, some well known, others less so, but all equally extraordinary, to discover what sets these engagements apart, whether they achieve a decisive strategic advantage in war, and why there are fewer battles of annihilation in modern times. The result is both an incisive analysis and a compelling narrative of the most significant battles in history.



*Soldiers of Fortune: From Ancient through Modern Times (Osprey Publishing, 2010)*

			Soldiers of Fortune will look at one of the oldest professions in the world - the Mercenary. From Ancient through Modern times, this book will cover the journeys of the Greek mercenaries fighting for Persian kings, to those who followed Hannibal across the Alps, then through those who participated in small African Wars of the 20th century, right up to the modern-day contractors in Afghanistan and Iraq. Featured Mercenaries will include Xenophon, Hannibal, Hawkwood, Robert MacKenzie, and Blackwater.




*PREVIOUS TITLES*


*Afghanistan Cave Complexes 1979–2004: Mountain strongholds of the Mujahideen, Taliban & Al Qaeda*

			Following the Soviet invasion in 1979, the Mujahideen defenders of Afghanistan developed and reinforced many natural cave systems to use as supply bases and defensive positions. The Taliban and Al Qaeda further strengthened these positions in the 1990s. Following the events of September 11, 2001, these cave systems have once more come to prominence and sites such as Tora Bora and Zhawar Kili have featured in news headlines around the world. This title provides an analysis of these caves and underground systems, and discusses the U.S.-led Coalition’s tactical approach to dislodging the enemy from these fortified positions.



*Darby’s Rangers 1942–45*

			This title follows one recruit through commando, raiding and amphibious training in Scotland, and into action. It shows how the Rangers differed from the standard infantryman in both their combat mission and their combat skills, and how tactics were modified in the light of lessons learned. The experiences of battle covered include the Rangers’ first action during the 1942 Dieppe raid, fighting elite Italian Bersaglieri units at Station de Sened and the Afrika Korps at Dernaia Pass in 1943, spearheading the invasion of Sicily and Italy in late 1943, and the grueling combat up the Italian boot until war’s end. Packed with first hand accounts, and many unpublished photographs, it provides a vivid description of life among the elite soldiers of Darby’s Rangers.



*Shadow Warriors: A history of the US Army Rangers*

			No American military unit can claim as colorful and volatile a history as the Rangers, who have led the way in America’s wars for well over 300 years. This book traces the Rangers from the time of Robert Rogers during the French-Indian War of the 18th century to the most recent combat operations in Iraq. With a focus on today’s Army Rangers, who combine the rugged individualism of American frontiersmen with the finely honed ability to operate as a close-knit team, wreaking havoc behind enemy lines, this fascinating volume incorporates many first-hand accounts of dramatic Ranger actions by the combatants themselves.



*US Army Ranger 1983–2002: Sua Sponte – of their Own Accord*

			This study of the US Army Ranger takes the reader through the distinct stages of training and acceptance, including the Ranger Indoctrination Program and Ranger Battalion training, and details the developments in Ranger weaponry, equipment and clothing since the early 1980s. Using first hand accounts, it shows what it was like to fight in Panama in 1989, in raid missions in Iraq in 1991 and Somalia in 1993, and brings the unit up to date with the 3rd Battalion’s deployment to Afghanistan in Operation Enduring Freedom. It also covers the culture of the Rangers, from their special language and terminology, to the rites of passage that lie behind the formal training program.



*US Navy SEALs*

			After the United States’ failures in special operations missions during the late 1970s and 1980, a decision was made to revamp its unconventional military capabilities. The subsequent reorganization and re-designation in 1983 created the SEALs as they are known today, and later the all-encompassing command for US special operations forces under which they operate. Since then, these Navy Special Warfare (NSW) forces have operated in Grenada, the Persian Gulf, Panama, Somalia, Bosnia, Haiti, and Liberia. NSW units have also participated in the ongoing missions of Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan and Operation Iraqi Freedom in Iraq. This book looks at the history, organization, training, uniforms, equipment and missions of the US Navy SEALs since their re-designation