The first book of its kind, Against the Tide objectively examines the American soldier from every angle and under every condition—in training and combat, off and on duty, as subordinate and as leader, as individual and as part of a group. In these pages, American soldiers answer questions that reveal their true feelings about country, superiors, buddies, enemies and killing.

Buttressed by six years of extensive research, Col. Peter Petersen gives a realistic picture of today's GI. Drawing on questionnaires, interviews, professional studies and his own insights, he mounts an attack on the myths and mistruths that have sullied the image of the American fighting man.

The author probes current literature about our soldiers, shows how unfairly they have been portrayed. He zeroes in on four canards:

• Army training brainwashes "normal well-adjusted" persons, turning them into robots.
• Vietnam veterans are disoriented and tend to be detrimental to society.
• Career soldiers are autocratic "hardheads"—anachronistic knights-errant in today's society.
• Privates are oppressed pawns; junior officers, naive; and senior officers, manipulators.

With a wealth of new data obtained from over 4,000 soldiers, Col. Petersen answers a host of vital questions: What attitudes must the soldier develop to make it through Officer Candidate School? Do these attitudes remain after he leaves training? Do they survive after he leaves the Army? Does combat twist the infantryman? Can he still function as a social being? What makes some men choose the Army as a career? How do their attitudes differ from those of civilians?

Over fifty tables and charts present statisical data and trends—all illuminated by Col. Petersen's perceptive commentary.

The author winds up his fascinating study with bold new ideas for a more effective Army — in recruiting, in training, and in attracting good career men.