SKU: 65960589584

Before the First Shots Are Fired

Sale price$17.59 Regular price$19.54
Save 10%

Pay in installments of $4.88 with ShopPay, AfterPay and Klarna

Shipping Estimate
USA
  • USA
  • CAN

Ships within 48 hours · Estimated delivery Sep 23 - Sep 28

Promo Codes Available:

For Your Every Summer RSVP, with Code: SUMMER15

Description

Before the First Shots Are FiredFor the better part of the last half century, the United States has been the World's Police, claiming to defend ideologies, allies, and our national security through brute force. But is military action always the most appropriate response? Drawing on his vast experience, from combat in Vietnam to peacekeeping in Somalia, to war games in Washington, DC and negotiations with former rebels in the Philippines, retired four star General Tony Zinni argues

For the better part of the last half century, the United States has been the World's Police, claiming to defend ideologies, allies, and our national security through brute force. But is military action always the most appropriate response? Drawing on his vast experience, from combat in Vietnam to peacekeeping in Somalia, to war games in Washington, DC and negotiations with former rebels in the Philippines, retired four-star General Tony Zinni argues that we have a lot of work to do to make the process of going to war--or not--more clear-eyed and ultimately successful. He examines the relationship between the executive and the military (including the difference between passive and engaged presidents); the failures of the Joint Chief of Staff; the challenges of working with the UN, coalition forces, and NATO; the difference between young, on the ground officers and less savvy senior leaders; the role of special forces and drone warfare; and the difficult choices that need to be made to create tomorrow's military. Among his provocative points:
* Virtually every recent American military operation follows a disconnected series of actions that lead to outcomes we never foresaw or intended.
* We need to assign accountability for the political decisions that can make or break a mission.
* Words and ideas are as important to victory in today's conflicts as bullets.
* The cyber "war" is ongoing. Either you must build better tech than the other guy, or you must steal it.
* Our foreign aid budget is pitiful, our State Department, USAID, and the other government agencies that we critically need to be on a par with our military are underfunded, undermanned, and poorly structured for their current objectives.
From the Oval Office to the battlefield, Before the First Shots Are Fired is a hard-hitting analysis of the history of America's use of military action and a spirited call for change.



Binding Type: Paperback
Publisher: Griffin
Published: 09/15/2015
ISBN: 9781250075055
Pages: 256
Weight: 0.60lbs
Size: 9.20h x 6.10w x 0.60d
Shipping Notes
  • Free Standard Shipping on $100+ Orders to the USA.
  • Except Preorder products are shipped in 48 hours.
  • Delivery to the USA:
  1. Standard Shipping : 3-10 business days
  • If time is of the essence, please consider selecting expedited delivery for faster service.
Exchange/Return Notes
  • We offer a 30-day return/exchange service after receiving.
  • Final sale items are not eligible for returns or exchanges.
  • To process your return/exchange, please contact us at [email protected]
  • Please click here for more details>>> Return & Exchange Policy
SKU: 65960589584

Discover Niche Categories That Outsell

Top-Converting Item to Boost Your Average Order

4.4 ★★★★★
Based on 6 reviews
Sort
Highest Rating
Newest First
Oldest First
Product Reviews
A
Verified Purchase
Amazon Customer
Lexington, US
★★★★★ 5
Very practical for the price.
Color: Black
Very practical for the price.
WAS THIS REVIEW HELPFUL?YesReportShare
Reviewed in the United States on May 25, 2026
J
Jeni & Mark
Belleville, US
★★★★★ 4
Good for a quick backdrop
This works well for what I needed – a simple background for my kids’ online school. It’s lightweight and very easy to put together, and it stands up fine without needing to mount anything. The color is listed as black, but it’s more of a dark gray in person. Not a huge deal, just something to be aware of. It’s not super heavy duty, but it does the job for privacy and as a video backdrop. Overall, a good, portable divider that’s quick to set up and works well for light use.
WAS THIS REVIEW HELPFUL?YesReportShare
Reviewed in the United States on February 21, 2026
R
Verified Purchase
Robert A. Bertsche
Belleville, US
★★★★★ 5
Essay to assemble
Color: Grey
Very nice. Did the job the way I wanted.
WAS THIS REVIEW HELPFUL?YesReportShare
Reviewed in the United States on April 28, 2026
K
Verified Purchase
Kevin
Phoenix, US
★★★★★ 2
Low budget option
Color: Grey
Budget low quality if thats what youre looking for
WAS THIS REVIEW HELPFUL?YesReportShare
Reviewed in the United States on April 27, 2026
K
Verified Purchase
Kelly W.
Omaha, US
★★★★★ 3
Hard to assemble
Color: Grey
This is extremely hard to put together, but once its together it is pretty good. You will need to secure it to something. It falls over.
WAS THIS REVIEW HELPFUL?YesReportShare
Reviewed in the United States on March 6, 2026

recommand products