From the Carolina Swamp Fox to the Afghan Mujahideen, this book analyzes 40 guerrilla struggles across five continents, profiles important figures, and gives extensive bibliographical information. With an emphasis on causes and effects, Part I surveys and analyzes all major guerrilla struggles and many less well known wars from the American Revolution to 20th-century post-colonial conflicts. Drawing a distinction between guerrilla warfare and terrorism, the author focuses on guerrilla activity. He seeks to answer such questions as the genesis and context of an insurgency, its resemblance to other guerrilla conflicts, what factors contributed to victory or defeat, which factors are unique to a conflict, and what factors are common to many conflicts.

Part II profiles individuals who are important to the subject, including guerrilla chieftains, military commanders, government officials, party leaders, theorists, and instructors who exerted notable influence. Part III surveys the major English-language literature on guerrilla warfare, providing a a wide-ranging, representative, and intensive collection of works.