On October 22, 2002, more than 125 of the world's finest photographers set out on a unique global mission. Their instructions were simple: look beyond the daily news headlines, dig beneath the breaking stories, and capture what life is like on an ordinary day for the men and women of the United States Armed Forces around the world. For 24 consecutive hours, this prize-winning team of civilian and military photographers -- working with the cooperation and support of the Department of Defense -- chronicled daily life in the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard. The resulting book of photographs documents the lives of elite units and freshly minted recruits; of cadets, generals, fire-fighters, medics, and MPs; of soldiers at desolate outposts and on strategic bases. It illustrates life in the cockpit of a fighter, on a Trident submarine, in an underground missile silo, and at computer terminals in a war room. It shows personnel patrolling borders, jungles, mountains, and harbors; training for special operations; and fighting terrorism. It is a timeless portrait -- in indelible images and eloquent words -- of the men and women who wear the uniforms of the American military. They are your sons, daughters, spouses, neighbors, and friends. Together these photographs provide an inspiring visual reminder of the routine and heroic operations, the sacrifices and dedication, that are necessary to defend America's freedoms 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Adult/High School-These full-color photographs of Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, and Coast Guard personnel offer a dramatic and poignant portrayal of men and women engaged either in safeguarding our country's interests or in training to carry out national commitments. The factual, descriptive captions are embellished occasionally by personal quotations. Stateside facilities featured include Colorado's Cheyenne Mountain headquarters of the U.S. Northern Command; San Diego's Marine Corps Recruit Depot; Key West's Army Special Forces Underwater Operations School; Arizona's "boneyard," where thousands of military aircraft are mothballed in the desert; and Missouri's Whiteman AFB, home of the B-2 stealth bomber. Overseas pictures show troops serving in rugged terrain in the Philippines, performing aerial support missions over Kosovo, engaging in jungle training in Okinawa, erecting tent cities in Qatar, and conducting undersea operations on board a Trident submarine. Readers unfamiliar with the global scope of U.S. military operations, particularly the humanitarian and peacekeeping missions, will find this rich visual depiction of roles to be educational, and students with a career interest in the field are likely to find positive reinforcement in the personal, human face this book places on those who opt for a future in the armed forces. Lynn Nutwell, Fairfax City Regional Library, VA Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc. “We are America, and the photographs on these pages are our family album.” (People) “The results…are pretty stunning. No other day in our history is likely to be recorded.” (USA Today) “A Day in the Life of America captures this huge country in all its mundane and marvelous spirit.” (Travel & Leisure) “A Day in the Life of America is a great book.” (Detroit Free Press) “Alive with quirks, rich with tradition and blessed with an exceptional people.” (Newsweek) “Powerful. The impossible job of representing a complex, diverse and huge nation has been accomplished.” (Baltimore Sun) “We can hold in our hands a collection of images that define...America...on a pleasant day in May.” (Chicago Tribune) “Fascinating...folksy, often funny, always thoughtful.” (Washington Post) “Dazzling ... a gripping portrait.” (Publishers Weekly) “Poignant. Take a few minutes to celebrate the lives of the folks who keep your ass safe.” (Maxim) “There is a poignancy in looking at a standard-issue day shortly before all hell breaks loose.” (Playboy) “One of the most elegant pieces of...publishing ever undertaken by a U.S. publishing house.” (PW Newsline) “Incredible. An amazing testament to the diversity...of the U.S. military. We’re everywhere, doing a little bit of everything.” (Cox News Service) After graduating from medical school, Dr. Matthew Naythons juggled a career as an emergency-room physician with world travel as an award-winning photjournalist for such publications as Time magazine, Newsweek, and the National Geographic, covering such stories as the fall of Saigon, the Jonestown massacre, and the Central american civil wars. In 1991 he founded Epicenter Communications in Sausalito, and continues to serve as the chief executive officer and publisher. Under his direction, Epicenter pioneered a series of user-friendly consumer guides to the world of new media as well as award-winning photojournalism book projects. In 1999, Dr. Naythons joined PlanetRx.com, an online pharmacy and health information website as vice president