The Training Ground

Few historical figures are as inextricably linked as Ulysses S. Grant and Robert E. Lee. But less than two decades before they faced each other as enemies at Appomattox, they had been brothers--both West Point graduates, both wearing blue, and both fighting in the same cadre in the Mexican War. They were not alone: Sherman, Davis, Jackson-nearly all of the Civil War's greatest soldiers had been forged in the heat of Vera Cruz and Monterrey. The Mexican War has faded from our national memory, but it was a struggle of enormous significance: the first U.S. war waged on foreign soil; and it nearly doubled our nation. At this fascinating juncture of American history, a group of young men came together to fight as friends, only years later to fight as enemies. This is their story. Full of dramatic battles, daring rescues, secret missions, soaring triumphs and tragic losses, THE TRAINING GROUND is history at its finest.

Sometimes a chance meeting can change everything. At fifteen, Jamie Maxwell's main goals in life are to make the United States youth national soccer pool, move past the Incident-That-Shall-Not-Be- Named, and maybe-someday-kiss a girl. When she meets Emma Blakeley at a tournament in Southern California, something about the older girl draws her in. And it isn't that she expects to ever get the chance to kiss Emma. Really. When Jamie invites her to sneak out on the last night of Surf Cup, Emma doesn't go because she likes Jamie's smile. She goes because, as the daughter of a surgeon and a nurse, she has a genetic predisposition to try to heal people. And Jamie, she can tell, is wounded. Neither girl suspects that this first last night together will form the basis of a bond that will last across years and miles, from SoCal soccer fields and New York hotels to Portuguese beaches and the streets of Vancouver. But that's how most friendships begin, isn't it? With a smile and a nod and the courage to ask, "Do you maybe, possibly, want to come with me?"

Whether you want to safely start an un-broke or perfect the horse you already have, you can do it by starting... From The Ground Up! Here you will find Kenny Harlow's proven techniques to identify and correct problem areas in your horse's training foundation. If you've always wanted a horse that will work with you as a willing partner, this step-by-step training guide is for you. Start a new relationship with your horse today... From The Ground Up!

Ground training is the key to a safe and pleasurable riding experience. Designed for easy reference while working with your horse, this guide can be hung on a post. Riders of all disciplines and skill levels will benefit from these exercises that reinforce good habits and help develop a strong bond between horse and rider.

Discover how man's best friend can also be our country's greatest weapon in this enthralling account of some of the most skilled working animals on the planet. As a SEAL during a combat deployment in Iraq, Mike Ritland saw a military working dog in action and instantly knew he had found his true calling. He started his own company training and supplying dogs for the SEAL teams, U.S. government, and Department of Defense. Today, Ritland's highly trained dogs are capable of handling both detection and apprehension work in the most extreme environments and battlefield conditions. With this first-of-its-kind book, readers are offered an inside look at these elite K9 warriors—unwavering in their devotion to duty, tough enough to protect our country against all enemies—and the extreme missions they undertake to save countless lives. "After a stellar career in the Teams, Mike Ritland has gone on to train working K9s for some of the most elite units in the U.S. Special Operations community. If you want to learn about these amazing animals, the sacrifices they've made, and their effectiveness in combat, then read TRIDENT K9 WARRIORS."—Brandon Webb, Former Navy SEAL and New York Times bestselling author of The Red Circle This edition of the book is the deluxe, tall rack mass market paperback.