Summary

“By Way of Introduction” The author refers to a variety of experiments undertaken by scientists and the American military to reduce the costs, both human and material, of the frequently destructive collisions between birds and aircraft. She comments that this is the kind of military experience that drew her to writing about the armed forces, saying that sometimes, heroes are not the ones who go into combat. “Sometimes,” she says, “courage is nothing more than a willingness to think differently than those around you” (16-17).

Chapter 1, “Second Skin: What to Wear to War.” In this chapter, the author explores the necessary qualities of military clothing, from uniforms to underwear. She frames her explorations as a sometimes present-tense guide through a facility where, among other things, various fabrics and chemicals undergo rigorous experiments to determine which ones minimize various problems and maximize various strengths. She...