Policy advisor and historian Max Boot has written “the” history book to guerilla warfare. His 750-page narrative (including a 66-page bibliography and 41-page index) details guerilla warfare going back to the year 66 A.D. However, it is not until we come to the American Revolution that guerilla warfare and counterinsurgency tactics start to raise parallels with the war we are in today. Max Boot tells of how America was victorious against the British army because of guerilla warfare and changing public opinion. And he illuminates the charismatic leaders who have led armies of civilians to take up arms.

As he faithfully recounts counterinsurgency tactics that succeeded and failed throughout history, one question remains: how will the U.S. war on terrorism end? Does Boot’s book provide an answer, or add to the questions? Will military officials read his book and be influenced by Boot’s accounts? Max Boot joins Larry to talk about “Invisible Armies,” guerilla warfare, and the war we face today.

Guest:
Max Boot, author of Invisible Armies: An Epic History of Guerrilla Warfare from Ancient Times to the Present