This book is a collection of profiles of superlative warriors of such strength, skill, courage and ferocity that they could - and often did - turn the tide of battle. It follows Kirchner's earlier collection, The Deadliest Men , published in 2001, but the individuals included in this second edition are in no way second to those in the original volume. Each of the warriors herein dominated a violent environment and triumphed against overwhelming odds. They fought for blood, not sport, with the weapons of individual combat: fist, knife, sword, bow, pistol, rifle and machine gun. They range from Western lawmen to big-city cops, from crusaders to fighter pilots, from a boy shepherd in Judea to two women ranchers in Kenya. Most of them fought for something beyond survival - a cause, a code, a creed or a country - while others fought solely in defence of their lives, a worthy enough purpose in itself. Some of them are well known; others are not so well known, though they deserve to be.

It seems that the least we owe the hero is that we remember him. Without remembrance, without honour, we cannot expect to have such men when we need them. Without an awareness of what has been done, we do not realise what can be done, nor are we inspired to do that which should be done.

About the Author

Paul Kirchner has been a writer and illustrator for more than 25 years. His work has appeared in publications ranging from Marvel comics to The Wall Street Journal to Paladin author Jeff Cooper's books.