The complete history of soldiers for hire.

From Biblical times and the Crusades through the American Revolution up to the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, mercenaries-professional soldiers who contract themselves out to the highest bidder-have played a vital role in most, if not all, military and paramilitary campaigns, helping to determine the victors and the vanquished. Contract Warriors reveals their compelling story for the first time.

Why they fight (and for how much)

How they fight

The unique lifestyle of mercenaries both on and off the battlefield

The spoils and business of war

The current role of mercenaries in the world's arms trade

The significance of the mercenary in popular culture and film

Featuring a special afterword by W. Thomas Smith Jr. and his interview with Richard Marcinko, military consultant and author of the bestselling book Rogue Warrior