The National Guard: An Illustrated History of America's Citizen Soldiers

Description

The National Guard is the compelling account, in words and pictures, of the nation's oldest military institution. From the defense of the Jamestown settlement in 1607 to peacekeeping missions in the Balkans and, most recently, to their participation in the war on terrorism, the citizen-soldiers of the National Guard have always been an integral part of America's first line of defense. The guard fought at the battles of Lexington and Concord, Bunker Hill, New Orleans, First Bull Run, San Juan Hill, the Meuse-Argonne, Omaha Beach, Operation Desert Storm, and in many, many other engagements. With nearly half a million members in the year 2002, the Air and Army National Guard are as important as ever to America's security. Featuring a wide array of rarely seen prints, vivid photographs, and informative narrative text, this handsome volume tells the inspirational story of those dedicated part-time soldiers who, throughout the past 400 years, have provided full-time service to their states and to their nation. It charts the National Guard's evolution from ragtag militias to sophisticated, modern armed forces by describing units, individuals, weapons, equipment, vehicles, and service throughout the guard's storied history. The paperback second edition features updated text and twenty new photos to cover the National Guard's recent service in Afghanistan, Iraq, homeland security, and the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.The first comprehensive illustrated history of the guard ever published, The National Guard will be treasured by citizen-soldiers, by their families, and by military history enthusiasts nationwide.

Michael D. Doubler holds a doctorate in military history, is a retired Army National Guard colonel, and is the author of Closing with the Enemy: How Gls Fought the War in Europe, 1944-1945, winner of the Forrest C. Pogue and New York Military Affairs Symposium awards. John W. Listman, Jr., a retired Army National Guard chief warrant officer, is the coauthor of The Tradition Continues: A History of the Virginia National Guard, 1607-1985. Both authors live in Alexandria, Virginia.

"The history of war in America is the history of the citizen-soldier, a story that has often been neglected. . . . Michael Doubler and John Listman, Jr., have done an admirable job in telling the story of the National Guard and the citizen-soldier, with illustrations and text that clearly demonstrate the importance of their role in American military history."--From the foreword by Donald M. Goldstein, professor of international and public affairs, University of Pittsburgh--Donald M. Goldstein