The book, US Special Forces 19141 - 1987, reviews the force structure and activity of the United States "Special Forces" from the beginning of America's involvement in Word War II through the late 1980s.  This book illustrates the tremendous diversity of US Special Forces units, the range of specializations, the toughness of their training and the realities of their many operations in all parts of the world during the 1941 - 1987 timeframe.  The US Special forces are set apart by their unique skill-set, as well as, the hazardous and special duties they have undertaken, on land, under and on the water and from the air.  The modern US Special Forces have as forebears, the Marine Corps Raiders and parachute and glider troops, the US Army Rangers and the Clandestine Office of Strategic Services (OSS) forerunner to the modern Central Intelligence Agency (CIS).  The super elite among this group of special forces during World War II were the US 1st Special Service which learned their trade from the Great Britain's famous Special Air Service (SAS) commando unit.  Depleted after World War II in the initial postwar downsizing, the Korean Conflict and later the Vietnam War brought renewed interest in the capabilities of the US Special Forces.  It was during the Vietnam War, when the celebrated Green Berets became operational and known to the public as the United States Army's elite special forces.  In Vietnam, as in other past conflicts, the Green Berets were routinely involved in the most dangerous and difficult missions often behind enemy lines.  Since Vietnam the US Special Forces have continued to play an important part in American defense including their role in the short military conflict in Grenada in 1983.  The major sections of this book are as follows: 1) Introduction; 2) USMC Special Operations: World War Two; 3) US Army Rangers: World War Two; 4) Office Of Strategic Services: World War Two; 5) 1st Special Service Force: World War Two; 6) 10th Mountain Division: World War Two; 7) US Army Rangers: The Korean War; 8) US Army Rangers And LRRPs: The Vietnam Wars; 9) US Special Forces: The Vietnam Wars; 10) USMC Recons: The Vietnam Wars; 11) USAF Special Operations Units: The Vietnam Wars; 12) SEALs: The Vietnam Wars; 13) US Army Rangers: Since Vietnam; 14) US Special Forces: Today; 15) USMC Recons And USAF CCTS: Today; 16) Acknowledgements; 17) Bibliography and 18) Index.  In addition to an informative narrative and photograph captions, "US Special Forces 1941 - 1987" includes approximately 200 black and white photographs.  "US Special Forces 1941 - 1987" is sure to appeal to both the "armchair" general and military historian.  This book is 121 pages and is in excellent condition.  The author is Leroy Thompson.  Edition published in 1987.