Machine derived contents note: Acknowledgements; A soldier of the Chihlian (Zhili) army, 1926; Introduction; 1. Sources of soldiers; 2. Going into the army; 3. Life in the army; 4. Officers and men; 5. Bandit/soldier - soldier/bandit; 6. Grey rats and grey wolves; 7. Bad iron; 8. Leaving the army; 9. Militarism and chronic violence; Appendices; Notes; Bibliography; Index