Queen of Battle

Graduating as valedictorian of her West Point class is Kate McKeane's first victory. McKeane then walks a tightrope braided with self-doubt, courage, and persistence, as she confronts both the vicious drug lords and the "guerrilla warfare" of America's right wing conservative politicians.

John W. Cooley, lawyer and former U.S. Magistrate judge, is a 1965 graduate of the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, Airborne and Ranger trained, and a decorated Vietnam War veteran. As an Army captain near Khe Sahn during the Second Tet Offensive in 1967-68, he served as a battery commander for a 175mm artillery unit and as a battalion adjutant. In the mid-1970s, as women first became eligible to attend the Academy, he was active in encouraging and recruiting young women to join the ranks of the long gray line. Mr. Cooley practices exclusively as a mediator and arbitrator of complex commercial disputes. His professional publications include: The Arbitrator's Handbook (NITA, 1998); Arbitration Advocacy (NITA, 1997); and Mediation Advocacy (NITA, 1996). He resides in Evanston, Illinois with his wife, Maria. They have two adult children.