Undaunted: The Real Story of America's Servicewomen in Today's Military

Description

As she did so provocatively with military spouses in Army Wives, Tanya Biank gives us the inside story of women in today's military-their professional and personal challenges from the combat zone to the home front... Since 9/11, more than 240,000 women have fought in Iraq and Afghanistan-more than 140 have died there, and they currently make up fourteen percent of the total active-duty forces. Despite advances, today's servicewomen are constantly pressed to prove themselves, to overcome challenges men never face, and to put the military mission ahead of all other aspects of their lives, particularly marriage and motherhood. In this groundbreaking, insider's look at the women defending our nation, Tanya Biank brings to light the real issues-of femininity, belonging to an old boys' club, veiled discrimination, dating, marriage problems, separation from children, questions about life goals, career trajectories, and self-worth-that servicewomen are facing by focusing on four individual stories. Brigadier General Angela Salinas, the Marine Corps' first Hispanic female general, faces the challenge of commanding an all-male institution. Second Lieutenant Bergan Flanagan finds herself on the frontlines in Afghanistan, serving in the same military police company as her husband. As a marine drill instructor, Sergeant Amy Stokley demands the very best from the recruits at Parris Island. And Major Candice O'Brien deals with deployment to Afghanistan, with two young children and a strained marriage back home. Undaunted is the story of these courageous trailblazers-their struggles, sacrifices, and triumphs in the name of serving the country they love.

Tanya Biank is an author and a journalist. Her book, Army Wives, is the basis for Lifetime's hit series, Army Wives, and she serves as a consultant to the show. Tanya is the daughter, sister, and wife of Army colonels, and during her days as a newspaper reporter she traveled around the world with troops. Her coverage of the Fort Bragg Army wife murders in 2002 led to congressional inquiries and changes in Army policy. Her work has appeared in a number of publications, including The New York Times.

"Tanya Biank's Undaunted is a fascinating, eye-opening account of the women in uniform who put their lives on the line every day for the sake of their nation." -W. E. B. Griffin, author of Black Ops "Biank analyzes the increasingly important role played by women in the military...An eye-opening account of a military in transition."-Kirkus Reviews "These engaging glimpses into the life of military women are more than worth reading."-Publishers Weekly "Undaunted expertly captures the struggle women face in the rapidly changing 21st century military. If you have ever wondered what it takes for women service members to 'be all they can be,' you must read this book." -Siobhan Fallon, author You Know When the Men Are Gone