Critical Analysis of Shaping the World from the Shadows - Book Report/Review Example

Lecturer’s 1st Special Forces Operational Detachment-Delta otherwise known as Delta force is an elite special operations forcethat emanated from the U.S Army. Although the force is not officially acknowledged by the U.S government, it has been in operation since October 1977. It was created by U.S. Army Colonel Charles Beckwith. This elite force is tasked with counter terrorism assignments that involve hostage rescue missions, reconnaissance, and barricade operations. Recruits to the Delta force are drawn from other elite units within the military who then undergo a rigorous six months of special training before graduation and deployment for various assignments throughout the world. The delta force is shrouded in a cloud of secrecy probably due to the sensitive nature of the activities they are involved in. Due to this, detailed information on operations that this elite force has been previously engaged in are scanty. Revealing of such information would place the officers’ lives in danger and would therefore jeopardize some of their missions. Even with little information available about this elite unit, "Shaping the World from the Shadows; the (Open) Secret History of Delta Force, Post 9-11." By Chris Martin offers insight of this shadowy unit. The book is a compilation of information that has been extracted from various sources. The author has put together pieces of information sourced from different articles, books and other literature to form a relatively short book exclusively for the Delta Force. The transition from one topic to another is done in a graceful way to ensure the reader flows smoothly though the different issues that have been raised in the book. While this information might be seen as a small slice from the much bigger cake of the missions the force has been involved in, the book delves into the various missions the unit has undertaken since the 9/11 terrorist attack.. An analysis has been conducted on the involvement of the unit in the most recent wars in Afghanistan and Iraq. Declassification of the different missions has been done in an elaborate easy to understand language that invokes curiosity on the part of the reader. This is further enhanced by the existence of the footnotes containing numerous reference points for those who would want to find out more on the specific missions that have been highlighted. The book gives a picture of the nature of the elite force for the last decade. The major highlight of the book is the role the unit undertook in stabilization of the insurgency that was witnessed in Iraq. The force through its efficient tactics, techniques and procedures (TTP’s) as is known in the military world was able curtail the activities of the insurgents. For a unit whose core activities overlap with those of another more commonly known elite force; Naval Seal Team, the book offers exclusive insight on Delta Force that has over the years been off the public eye. The invisibility of the unit in the special operations it has been involved in has maintained its efficiency. This highlights the professionalism through which the soldiers in this elite force carry out their work with. The differences between the Delta Force and the other Special Forces have also been looked at in the book. These differences are seen to arise in the philosophies of each unit. While maintaining the unique nature of each force, these unique characteristics have played a major role in ensuring they work together when called upon to do to ensure the success of the joint missions. This is well highlighted when the book looks at Operation Anaconda which took place in Bigram, Afghanistan. The operation involved various units of the U.S army among them the Delta force and targeted the sealing of all escape routes of al Qaida and Taliban fighters who were in Shah-e-Kot valley. The book tells of how the Delta force were included and worked side by side with other units in the Advanced Force Operation. Such information is crucial as it shows the level of discipline among the various forces. Shaping the World from the Shadows; The (Open) Secret History of Delta Force, Post 9-11." Has been written with the interest of different readers in mind. Through the explanation of the various missions undertaken by the elite force, various readers can find the book useful. The intensity of the details given shows the courage and bravery the soldiers have as they work to safe guard and enforce the United States policies. The meticulous planning and efficiency of the force as shown in the book may encourage potential recruits apply for joining the force. The book also gives the reader (Martin 137) a feeling of how working and operating in environments such as the ones the Delta Force works in. such information creates a deep respect for the members of the Force that works away from the limelight. The parents of the officers who conduct these operations also have a unique chance of reading and understanding the nature of the work their sons engage in. Though the book is relatively short, it contains fascinating information about a topic which has since its inception operated from behind the curtains and shaped the world from the shadows, just as the title states. The author has stated the facts step by step format and in a logical process while steering clear of unfounded and unsupported claims. This has further been elaborated by the availability of the sites from which the citations have been drawn. However, even with all the positives that the book brings, it falls to explain various issues that would have been relevant for the topic. The organization of the unit as well as their training has not been dealt with effectively. While it’s important to appreciate the secrecy of the organization, the book leaves the reader with a feeling that more information may as well have been provided in terms of mission stories. Some issues have also been scantily discussed and indeed would have been better understood through the use of more elaborate examples. The author also left out a recount of the unit’s history (Martin 174). For readers who would be interested in learning more on the history of the Force, they would have to turn to other sources. The book paints a colorful picture of the soldiers under the Delta Force and refers to them as highly trained individuals who draw great admiration and wide respect from soldiers in other military units. The book though founded entirely on secondary sources gives information in a clear and concise way and includes little of the author’s personal analysis thus enhancing the accuracy of the information given. He goes ahead to cite the sources from which he has obtained the information given. This ensures the reliability of the information since it shows that the author had done adequate research before commencing the writing of this book. The relatively brief nature of the book is compensated by the intensity under which it gives the information about one of the most secretive units in the U.S army arsenal. All in all, the book is important for anyone who would be interested in learning more about the 1st Special Forces Operational Detachment-Delta better known as Delta Force (Martin 207) References Martin, C. Shaping the World from the Shadows; The (Open) Secret History of Delta Force, Post 9-11. Read More