Synopses & Reviews
The first written use of the word "sniper" was in a soldier's letter from India in 1773, and in fact, the slaying of King Harold at the Battle of Hastings in 1066 by an enemy archer may well be one of the earliest recorded instances of the art of the sniper. Tracing the role played by this unique soldier, from the time of the English Civil War and the American Revolutionary War to the Gulf War and Bosnia, Sniper also goes behind the scenes at the world's top sniper schools and shows what it takes to zero in on a human target from over half a mile away and then disappear before anyone even knows you're there. With riveting real-life anecdotes, detailed information on sniper rifles and ammunition, and in-depth diagrams explaining sniper tactics in the field, Sniper represents a unique and comprehensive volume on this specialized art of war. This second edition is updated for developments over the past five years, including new technology and the military operations in Afghanistan and Iraq. "Engrossing." --
Publishers Weekly"Comprehensive." --Military Book Club
Synopsis
An acclaimed military historian leads you into the world of the combat sniper-on the safe side of the crosshairs...
From the black-powder chaos of the American Revolution to the bitter carnage of Vietnam, he is a presence as familiar to war as death itself. He is the combat sniper-revered as the ultimate warrior by some and reviled as a monster by those who have known the terror of his invisible ambush.
As the Wild Boys who crawled the no-man's-land between the trenches in WWI, terrorizing the enemy and dodging fire from the shelter of shell craters.
As the officer-hunting German snipers is WWII's Normandy-so unnerving that hardened commanders began to disguise their rank.
As the men who boasted a shot/ill ration of 1.7 to 1 in Vietnam-a figure that was 50,000 to 1 among general soldiers.
From the evolution of the art, to firsthand accounts of legendary exploits, through the basics of sniper training, Sniper traces the development of these feared huntsmen, marking their historical battles and their pivotal role in modern forces.
Includes 8 pages of authentic action photographs!
About the Author
Peter Brookesmith is a freelance writer and editor whose work and interests cover much of the military and scientific spectrum. He is the co-author of The Fighting Handgun, and has contributed to the Larousse Encyclopedia of Science and Technology and the Encyclopedia Britannica. He lives in England.