Savage Peace: Americans At War In The 1990s

by Daniel P. Bolger

Today America endeavors to keep the peace, no easy task on a planet torn by fighting. The news media feeds us haunting images of our less-than-peaceful world - ethnic cleansing in former Yugoslavia, killings in Somalia, bloody upheaval in Haiti. Americans see the misery and feel compelled to do something. And, when asked by the United Nations, it seems it is the obligation of a superpower to take up the challenge. As always, Uncle Sam's young soldiers, sailors, aviators, and Marines answer the call. It wasn't supposed to turn out this way. When the Berlin Wall crashed down in November 1989, many imagined that world peace had finally arrived. Yet it wasn't the dawn of global concord glowing at the horizon, but the blaze of internecine conflagration as long-suppressed tribal hatreds flared to the surface. Around the globe, Third World countries lurched into revolution. America responded. Now these sad circumstances have become our problems, each with its price tag - blood, treasure, and prestige. Where will it all lead? Daniel Bolger, a serving professional soldier and aspiring military historian, tackles the thorny subject of "peacekeeping." He examines the historical perspective, the political and military context of today's missions, and what all this tells us about the role of America in the future world order. Bolger's insightful, intelligent analysis reveals the reality behind today's shocking media images.

448 pages, Hardcover

First published June 1, 1995

About the author

Daniel P. Bolger of Aurora, Illinois is an author, historian, and retired Lieutenant General (promoted 21 May 2010) of the United States Army. He currently holds a special faculty appointment in the Department of History at North Carolina State University, where he teaches military history.

Lt. Gen. Bolger retired in 2013 from the Army. During his 35 years of service, he earned five Bronze Star Medals (one for valor) and the Combat Action Badge. His notable military commands included serving as Commanding General of the Combined Security Transition Command in Afghanistan and Commander of the NATO Training Mission in Afghanistan (2011-2013); Commanding General of the 1st Cavalry Division at Fort Hood, Texas (deployed to Baghdad, 2009-2010); the Coalition Military Assistance Training Team in Iraq (2005–06); and U.S. Army Assistant Chief of Staff for Operations. He is also the author of books, such as Why We Lost, Americans at War, The Battle for Hunger Hill, and Death Ground.