The Marines (Hardcover, illustrated edition)

Semper Fidelis, "always faithful" is much more than a motto to the U.S. Marine Corps -- it is a way of life. Since 1775, the Marines' success as an elite fighting force has been due to their strong code of character and esprit de corps, the spirit of devotion to the Corps and to their fellow Marines. Now, for the first time, the spirit and essence of the Marine Corps is celebrated in a definitive, magnificently illustrated book.

Written by an outstanding team, including past and present Commandants of the Marine Corps, as well as other distinguished Marines and Marine scholars, The Marines has 320 pages of riveting and informative text and stories of the Corps experience: from the history and future of the Corps; to the uniforms, weaponry, amphibious landing craft and aviation; to the Marine Band; the Commandants; and even Hollywood's portrayal of the Marines. The thoughtful incorporation of full-color and vintage photography, portraits, recruiting posters, historically inspired paintings, and maps complements the text while adding the excitement that only spectacular illustrations can bring to a book.

The Marines enables the history of the Corps to be cherished permanently in a handsome packaged that every Marine will be proud to own and display. This book will be read again and again by past and present Marines, their families and friends, and the countless others that have been inspired by the Marine Corps.

Brigadier General Edwin H. Simmons, USMC (Ret.), a veteran of World War II, Korea, and Vietnam, has commanded in combat every size unit from platoon to division and received the Silver Star and the Purple Heart. For twenty-five years he was the head of the Marine CorpsHistorical Program, and is now its Director Emeritus. He is a founder of the Marine Corps Heritage Foundation and a recipient of its Distinguished Service Medal. He has written or books, published more than three hundred articles, essays, and reviews, and lectured around the world.