A renowned historian contends "that the American warrior, not technology, wins wars." (Patrick K. O'Donnell, author of Give Me Tomorrow) John C. McManus covers six decades of warfare in which the courage of American troops proved the crucial difference between victory and defeat. Based on years of archival research and personal interviews with veterans, Grunts demonstrates the vital, and too often forgotten, importance of the human element in protecting the American nation, and advances a passionate plea for fundamental change in our understanding of war.