The Centurions

Marc Notes: Translated from the French.; Previous edition of this translation: London: Hutchinson & Co., 1961.; When 'The Centurions' was first published in the 1960s, readers were riveted by the thrilling account of soldiers fighting for survival in hostile environments. They were equally transfixed by the chilling moral question the novel posed: how to fight when the 'age of heroics is over.' As relevant today as it was half a century ago, this is a gripping military adventure, an extended symposium on waging war in a new global order, and an essential investigation of the ethics of counterinsurgency. Biographical Note: JEAN LARTEGUY (1920-2011) is the penname of Jean Pierre Lucien Osty, who served as a soldier in Korea and North Africa before becoming a distinguished journalist and novelist. ALEXANDER (XAN) WALLACE FIELDING (1918-1991) served as a Special Operations Executive in the British Army in Crete, France, and the Far East. The author of several books, he also translated French works including Pierre Boulle's "The Bridge over the River Kwai" and "Planet of the Apes." ROBERT D. KAPLAN is the author of many acclaimed books on the military, foreign affairs, and travel, including "Balkan Ghosts, The Revenge of Geography, " and "Imperial Grunts.""Publisher Marketing: The military cult classic with resonance to the wars in Iraq and Vietnam now back in print When"The Centurions"was first published in 1960, readers were riveted by the thrilling account of soldiers fighting for survival in hostile environments. They were equally transfixed by the chilling moral question the novel posed: how to fight when the age of heroics is over. As relevant today as it was half a century ago, "The Centurions"is a gripping military adventure, an extended symposium on waging war in a new global order, and an essential investigation of the ethics of counterinsurgency. Featuring a foreword by renowned military expert Robert D. Kaplan, this important wartime novel will again spark debate about controversial tactics in hot spots around the world. For more than sixty-five years, Penguin has been the leading publisher of classic literature in the English-speaking world. With more than 1,500titles, Penguin Classics represents a global bookshelf of the best works throughout history and across genres and disciplines. Readers trust theseries to provide authoritative texts enhanced by introductions and notes by distinguished scholars and contemporary authors, as well as up-to-datetranslations by award-winning translators."

Contributor Bio:  Larteguy, Jean JEAN LARTEGUY (1920 2011) isContributor Bio:  Fielding, Xan ALEXANDER (XAN) WALLACE FIELDING (1918 1991) served as a Special Operations Executive in the British Army in Crete, France, and the Far East. The author of several books, he also translated French works including Pierre Boulle s The Bridge over the River Kwai and Planet of the Apes. Contributor Bio:  Kaplan, Robert D Robert D. Kaplan is the author of over a dozen books on foreign affairs and travel, including "Balkan Ghosts", "Eastward to Tartary", and "Warrior Politics".