The American Home Guard: State Militias from World War I to Today, 2nd Edition by military historian Barry M. Stentiford is THE most comprehensive history book covering on America’s State Guards, State Defense Forces, Home Guards, and other state military organizations.
From the Home Guards of World War I and the massive State Guard mobilizations of World War II through the Cold War and the modern State Defense Force era, Stentiford traces how states created military forces to remain under gubernatorial control when National Guard units were called into Federal service. The book examines the critical missions these forces performed, including guarding vital infrastructure, maintaining public order, supporting disaster relief, training future military personnel, and providing states with an organized military capability during national emergencies.
This newly updated Second Edition extends the history into the twenty-first century. The original 2002 edition concluded with the development of State Defense Forces under the Total Force concept, while the new edition adds an entire chapter devoted to “State Defense Forces After 9/11,” bringing the story into the modern homeland-security and emergency-response era.
The book contains 268 pages, 30 photographs, a glossary, extensive chapter notes, bibliography, and index. Topics include the origins of the modern militia system, the Home Guards of the First World War, preparations for World War II, wartime State Guard operations, the Cold War, the Total Force era, and the evolution of State Defense Forces following September 11, 2001.
About Author Barry M. Stentiford, Ph.D.
He served in the United States Air Force, Army National Guard, and Army Reserve and is a professor of military history at the U.S. Army School of Advanced Military Studies at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas. His combination of military experience and historical scholarship makes the book, The American Home Guard, an essential book every State Defense Force member, military historian, researcher, policymaker, and anyone interested in America’s state military forces should own.
By purchasing this book through the State Defense Force Online Store, you are also directly supporting our mission. Proceeds support our programs, including StateDefenseForce.com, historical research and education, the State Guard & Defense Force Council, and our Office of Government & Legislative Affairs as we work to strengthen, preserve, and advocate for State Guards and State Defense Forces throughout the United States.
Format: Softcover, 7″ × 10″
Pages: 268
Photographs: 30
Publisher: McFarland
Copyright: 2026
ISBN: 978-1-4766-5886-5
