"The story of the privatization of America's national security and the rise of a bold new industry of private military and security companies - how and why it happened and why all Americans should be concerned."-- Provided by publisher.

Transformation. Beginnings --Out of the shadows -- A watershed year -- The faint hum of secrecy -- Rules of engagement -- Privatized mayhem -- Reaction. Sounding the alarm -- "A remarkably unprecedented experiment" -- Conquering chaos -- The General and Kadhim -- "What's all the fuss about?" -- A thicket of ironies -- Expansion. Shell games -- Beyond Iraq -- Riding the wave -- And now, the debate? -- "Full speed ahead" -- Big Brother's big brother.