Undaunted: The Real Story of Americas Servicewomen in Todays Military

Synopsis

As she did so provocatively with military spouses in Army Wives, Tanya Biank gives us the inside story of women in today's military-their professional and personal challenges from the combat zone to the home front. Since 9/11, more than 240,000 women have fought in Iraq and Afghanistan-more than 140 have died there, and they currently make up 14 percent of the total active-duty forces. Despite advances, today's servicewomen are constantly pressed to prove themselves, to overcome challenges men never face, and to put the military mission ahead of all other aspects of their lives, particularly marriage and motherhood. In this groundbreaking insider's look at the women defending our nation, Tanya Biank brings to light the real issues-femininity, belonging to an old boys' club, veiled discrimination, dating, marriage problems, separation from children, questions about life goals, career trajectories, and self-worth-that servicewomen are facing by focusing on four individual stories. Brigadier General Angela Salinas, the Marine Corps' first Hispanic female general, faces the challenge of commanding an all-male institution. Second Lieutenant Bergan Flannigan finds herself on the front lines in Afghanistan, serving in the same military police company as her husband. As a marine drill instructor, Sergeant Amy Stokley demands the very best from the recruits at Parris Island. And Major Candice O'Brien deals with deployment to Afghanistan, with two young children and a strained marriage back home. Undaunted is the story of these courageous trailblazers-their struggles, sacrifices, and triumphs in the name of serving the country they love. "Undaunted contains fascinating multiple portraits of the real-life experiences of women in the military, from young enlisted women to a seasoned and celebrated general. Tanya Biank explores these lives with inside knowledge, compassion, and wit. This important book reads like a novel, and as I read, I couldn't wait to see how these brave women's lives would unfold."-Amy Dickinson, New York Times bestselling author