The word Islam means "Peace," but for nearly 1,400 years its adherents have waged war--frequently on the grandest and most successful scales in history. This book introduces some of Islam's greatest military figures and analyzes significant events that are shaping the modern world.

Over the past decade, the Chinese Navy has embarked on a modernization program with the goal of being the preeminent regional power in East Asia. By acquiring some of the world’s most impressive naval technologies from abroad while simultaneously building advanced indigenous submarines, combatants, and naval aircraft, China is positioning itself to play a growing role in regional and trans-regional affairs.