I did take some kendo training once. And as far as the military stuff is concerned, i guess i do have an interest in military history that is part of a more general interest in history. And, from time to time in the books i've been writing recently, it's necessary to describe some kind of military action in detail. So i'll go and bone up on some recent military tactics and weapons. I doubt the Cowboy Hero is dead, but maybe he's on hiatus for a while.
Most cultural trends oscillate back and forth rather than sticking to one trend forever.
If the role of the cowboy-hero is changing, i'm sure it's only cyclical. I mean, if power becomes too concentrated in any one group, then they will probably use technology to do whatever bad things they want to do. Probably sometime during the calender year of 2001. In historical books, there is a bio of Hitler by IAn Kershaw which came out last year. It's the first volume in a 2 vol set.