The peacekeeping operations of the United Nations have grown in number and importance in recent years, producing a thicket of bewildering acronyms (UNIKOM and UNIPOM, UNOMUR and UNAMIR),and for participants a corresponding number of awards, which are often confusingly similar in appearance. For the first time this is all sorted out, in this well-produced guide.

The book features excellent color illustrations of the medals, ribbons, and insignia, with information on the historical context, mandate (mission), participant countries and strengths, fatalities incurred, and number of medals issued. There is also a chronology, a world map of operations, a splendid section on Korean War medals and variants, background essays, bibliography, index, and more, providing comprehensive coverage of this relatively neglected area. Borts' admirable work will likely be the standard on the subject for many years to come, and will be of particular interest to students of contemporary military affairs as well as collectors.