If you are a military-history or -strategy buff with an interest in the cloak and dagger side of things, "Fighting Dirty" is a must. Harclerode's volume is extraordinarily rich in details and facts.

The book's title is a bit deceptive; the author's coverage of clandestine operations starts during World War II. Harclerode presents comprehensive accounts of secret operations in Albania, Indochina, Malaya (now Malaysia), Korea, Algeria, Borneo, Tibet, Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos. The work ends with a detailed examination of the Soviet Union's war in Afghanistan.

"Fighting Dirty" is not an easy book to read. It is neither a history of secret wars nor a presentation of military theory on clandestine operations. Rather, it is an encyclopedia of one fact after another, with no attempt at narration. Thank goodness there is a glossary of terms at the end of the book: The names of obscure guerrilla groups and operation code names will overwhelm the average reader.

Harclerode is a former soldier and is not interested in moralizing about military conflicts or talking about the moral issues governments face when conducting covert operations. He is interested in presenting the cold facts of war.

There is only one conflict reviewed in this book – the Soviet war in Afghanistan from 1979-1989, in which the author attempts some form of intellectual reflection – and his conclusion is difficult to disagree with. That war left an ugly reality in its wake: Highly motivated international terrorists trained and equipped with the latest Western technology.

"Fighting Dirty" does not tell you why secret wars are fought – just how.

For Moscow-based readers, "Fighting Dirty" can be found at Anglica British Book Store for 1,100 rubles.