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Reviews (52)

the art of war
The book itself is not the problem.If I had known it was only two inches square I never would have bought it.I was expecting a regular sized book, regardless of the amount of it's contents

The Art of War
The book is, of course, a great classic and a historicly significant treatise, which requires no review. One could just as soon "review" Clausewitz or Thucydides.
book or matchbox
this book is ridiculously small. although it an interesting bit of information. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Eastern - General    2. Military Science    3. Philosophy    4. Warfare & Defence   

Reviews (3)

A RealisticApproach To Solving Problem
Once again George McGovern makes a logical and realistic view on an important world issue. I would suggest all read this volume and give serious consideration to the plan suggested. Thank you to both authors!

A decent,sound way to make Americans and Iraqis safer.
This book is so much more than a lot ofextremely important information about Iraq.It proposes an American withdrawal based on our highest American ideals -- treating the Iraqis as we would want to be treated in similar circumstances.
Best Book on Iraq Yet
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Subjects:  1. 2001-    2. Foreign relations    3. History - U.S.    4. International Relations - General    5. Iraq War, 2003    6. Military - Iraq War    7. Military Policy    8. Military Science    9. Modern - 21st Century    10. Politics / Current Events    11. Politics and government    12. Science/Mathematics    13. Technology    14. U.S. Foreign Relations    15. United States    16. United States - 21st Century    17. History / United States / 21st Century   

Reviews (27)

A Good Rescue Story, BUT....
I couldn't help but come to two entirely and separate conclusions in reading this book:
Don't let the cover fool you, this is a Clancy-esque non-fiction story that's not just about Special OPS!
Don't be dissuaded by reviewers who haven't read this book!
this is propaganda and lies
If this man took a the time to know the history of U.S. involvment in Panama he would know that it was the U.S. that put Noriega in power in the first place.it was also the U.S. that killed the previouse leader of Panama,Omar TorriJos.Who apposed U.S. control of his county.
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Subjects:  1. 1981-    2. Americans    3. Biography    4. Biography / Autobiography    5. Central America - History    6. History    7. Latin America - Central America    8. Military Science    9. Muse, Kurt    10. Panama    11. Political    12. Science/Mathematics    13. Social conditions    14. Special Forces    15. Technology    16. History / General    17. Revolutions & coups   

Reviews (6)

Makers of Modern Strategy
"Makers of Modern Strategy" is a scholarly collection of high quality papers on strategy since Machiavelli to the present nuclear age. The beauty of the book is that one can focus on the era that one is interested in. There is no need to read the book cover to cover as the various essays are stand alone although they are presented sequentially and related papers are adjacent to each other. I have read and re-read some of the papers. The book is about strategy and the realities of war. The essays are clearly balanced and not biased. The phenomenon of war was clearly explained from the studies of past wars. It is clear that war has been a fundamental reality of social and political existence from an early stage of political organisation to the present times. The tragic aspects of war and the intellectual and emotional disturbances it creates could be discerned from the essays.
Mandatory Reading for Army Staff Majors
As the title indicates, the Army's Command & General Staff College requires students to read Makers of Modern Strategy in the core history class.Professors can make best use of this book as a supplement.As other reviewers have noted, the chapters are disjointed with each other.Taken separately, however, many of the chapters help the history student or enthusiast to develop a depth of understanding on a particular subject.Authors such as John Shy, Douglas Porch, Michael Howard, and Condoleeza Rice, just to name a few, explore many of the strategic issues involved with the evolution of military thought. Good general military history overview.
One of the essentials, a good starting point for the study of military history and strategy. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. History    2. History - Military / War    3. Military    4. Military - Strategy    5. Military Science    6. Military art and science    7. Military history    8. Military history, Modern    9. Strategy    10. World - General    11. Defence strategy, planning & research    12. European History    13. History / Military / Strategy    14. Political Science and International Relations    15. World History/Comparative History   

Reviews (23)

All warfighters should read this
This book should be read by a variety of folks that desire to understand even a little bit more about what is happening and happening to US in the middle east. It is not a book that spends countless pages complaining about the state of union. This book will enable the tip of the spear as we are so fond of refering to our fighting forces, concise and credible information with regard to the mindset of thier opposing forces. I have been told over and over, that you cannot defeat an opponent unless you understand how he/she thinks. It does shed some light on how the military-industrial complex is steering the people of many countries wrong by proposing extensive, expensive weapon systems that separate the men from the battle and advertise a zero loss of life war for our side. (Both sides should just throw rocks, it'll be simpler) And above all it mentions the one issue that is generating higher and higher turnover rates, ARMCHAIR warfighters, and the military personnel system, that rewards compliance and not innovation, that condones indivualist and fails to properly reward teamwork. Battles should be fought from front to back and not the reverse as we are doing. I reccomend this book to all, and not just to those in uniform.

Good read
The book was very informative though appeared padded by newspaper accounts of terrorist activities which made the book longer than it really needed to be. Excellent historical background which linked the past with the present, providing a how and why of our present circumstances.

Peering Into the Shadows
H. John Poole takes up the banner he flies in his earlier work The Tiger's Way.He addresses the challenges of what he calls Eastern-style light infantry fighting a Western-style force with the added wrinkle of Middle Eastern guerilla/insurgency.Poole's work in Crescent Moon is needed.Westerners look down our collective noses at Middle Eastern military capability.Poole attempts to shake us out of our arrogant torpor by analyzing just how the Afghans defeated the Soviets, how the Chechens are defeating the Russians, and how the Iraqi insurgency is making progress in Iraq.Unfortunately, Poole does not offer many specific solutions.However, I can overlook this shortcoming because I believe Poole's real focus is on convincing his readers that there is a problem.No solution will be palatable to Westerners until Westerners believe a solution might be needed.
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Subjects:  1. History    2. History - Military / War    3. History / Middle East    4. Military    5. Military - General    6. Military - Strategy    7. Technology / Military Science   

Reviews (125)

Difficult but worthwhile read
I read this when it came out and again recently. It is not an easy read but the author has obviously done his homework on the subject of killing from a military point of view. Having been a Marine sniper for two years in Vietnam I was interested in his research and findings and found them fascinating. With the young men and now women returning from Iraq this is a tough but necessary read for loved ones. The author details various aspects of the impact of doing this work and this is a good work.

Stunning and In Depth!Remarkable!
I have only read half of this book and it is excellent.A must read for anyone in the military or law enforcement fields.

May change your perspective on combat
As I wasn't familiar with Gen. S.L.A. Marshall's study previously, Grossman's presentation of low firing rates prior to the Korean conflict was new and intriguing to me.
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Subjects:  1. General    2. History    3. Military    4. Military - General    5. Military Science    6. Psychology    7. History / Military / General    8. Warfare & Defence   

Reviews (16)

The Best Edition

ART OF WAR Sun Tsu
Many points that apply not only to wars and Governments, but to living.

Foundation of Military Science

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Subjects:  1. Eastern - General    2. General    3. History    4. Military    5. Military - Strategy    6. Military Science    7. Philosophy    8. Philosophy / Eastern    9. Technology-Military Science   

Reviews (40)

Used book to Pass Army Flight Test
I was surprised that this book was "on it" when it came to the test questions that they ask you. I can't speak how well it is when it comes to the other branch tests, but it helped me prepare for the test giving me a passing score.
Great Help
This book really helped, but I am sure the tens of reviews before mine already assured you of this fact.

Good Book for AFOQT
This is a good book for the AFOQT, I just took the test and it has it all.My advice is study hard and practice timing yourself.This book has all the subtests found on the AFOQT, study some math if your rusty. GOOD luck! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Air Forces    2. Airplanes, Military    3. Armed Forces    4. Educational Tests And Measurements (Higher Education)    5. Examinations    6. Examinations, questions, etc    7. Military Science    8. Military airplanes    9. Piloting    10. Study Aids    11. Study Guides    12. Test Prep    13. Testing & Measurement    14. Study & learning skills    15. Warfare & Defence   

Reviews (18)

Very interesting read
Having read another book about a German sniper which proved to be absolutely fictional I was curious about this release. I have a huge collection of WWII memories and am happy about any books covering the German side. The story told is much different from too many "heroic" stories of the good G.I.s bragging about killing tons of bad "Krauts" - and we know what true WWII veterans say about people that tell about their "kills" (usually these people haven't seen any action at all). In fact, it is shocking to see how some readers/authors still consider all the German soldiers to be nazis and considering Soviet atrocities to be merely German propaganda. For these people this book will come as a revelation and a gripping account of a WWII veteran who can tell a gripping story without having to mention the most gruesome details of what an enemy looked like when he was shot.

Waste of time and money
There is surprisingly not much of sniping in the memoirs.
Great read
Sniper on the Eastern Front is one of the most astonishing World War II books I have read so far. This is a must read for any World War II freak. Sepp Allerberger is reliving his vivid memories in great detail throughout this book. It is fascinating to experience the life of a German sniper during World War II. We are so used to reading about the invasion of Normandy and the allied forces demolishing the German Wehrmacht, that we don't consider the other side of the story. This book manifests the struggle for survival and retreat of Sepp Allerberger's unit on the eastern front. Once you pick this book up you can't put it down. Great read! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. History    2. History - Military / War    3. Military    4. Military - World War II    5. Military Science    6. Former Soviet Union, USSR (Europe)    7. History / Military / World War II    8. Land forces & warfare    9. Second World War, 1939-1945    10. True stories: Second World War   

Reviews (11)

Good explanation of a confusing subject
The book gives a good acccount of the various Islamic militant factions and their interactions. The opinions seemed a bit "armchair general" and opinionated at times, but they made several good points. I'd recommend the book although it had the following drawbacks for me:
PLACE IT IN A ZIPLOCK BAG AND PUT IT IN YOUR RUCKSACK!
First off, all John Poole's books should be read by the Secretary of Defense on down to the grunt in the field and more military outfits should go through his course. [...] Secondly, this particular book and his previous work Tactics of the Crescent Moon: Militant Muslim Combat Tactics should be MANDATORY READING for every soldier, sailor, airman, or Marine deploying to Iraq or Afghanistan. If you're headed that way buy these books! Put them in a ziplock bag and place them in your rucksack. If you have a loved one who's deploying to these theaters of operation and they don't know about these books buy them these books! These books may very well save their lives!

The usual stupidity in high places
Pooles's books reminds me of "the Game Of Nations" by M. Copeland, which was published almost 50 years ago. In it Copeland quotes Nasser, the dictator of Egypt, as saying that originally he thought that US foreign policy was very subtle and devious, then he realized that it was simply very stupid.
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Subjects:  1. Armed Forces    2. History    3. History - Military / War    4. Infantry drill and tactics    5. Military    6. Military - General    7. Military art and science    8. Military history    9. Political Science / Political Freedom & Security / Terrorism    10. Research    11. Technology / Military Science    12. Afghan War, 2001-    13. Afghanistan    14. Counterinsurgency    15. Insurgency    16. Iraq War, 2003    17. War on Terrorism, 2001-   

Reviews (6)

Covers Much More than the Title indicates
I thoroughly agree with Mr. Dougherty's enthusiastic reader review. The authors have put together a virtual encyclopedia on modern sub design and construction with real insight into what the subs were intended to do, and how some politicians and bureaucrats sabotaged the projects. I found particularly illuminating how each side of the Soviet-US conflict used the records and existing prototypes of Nazi Germany's U-Boat experiments. Baker's line drawings and diagrams are quite helpful in visualizing the boats, as are the ample photos of the real subs and scale models. This is a book to which I will return again and again whenever there is some news item about
Amazing Material
This material is really good... An impressive source of information about de development process of US and Soviet submarine.This work left behind the traditional american military propaganda and let us know the very good machines the soviet had.I highly recommend it...

A lok behind the scene
This is an excellent book! Full of detailed references it is the first book on early to modern submarines that gives us a look behind the scene. It explains very well the important role the submarines played during the cold war. We learn how design decisions were made in the U.S. as well as the Soviet Union, how such decisions were implemented, and we learn that rather few personalities played a very decisive role on both sides of the iron curtain. Near the end of the cold war, both, the U.S. and the Soviet Union were struggling with the problem of having to design a new generation of submarines which however started to be excessively expensive to build. Only the very knowledgeable reader may be missing here and there a more detailed account concerning "the design and construction" issues. It is clear that the authors have collected more information on these questions than what they were able to put in a single volume of reasonable size. But then this was probably also not their main goal, and the title of the book is exactly right: this is information about the cold war, on the people who fought this war, their political views and the way these views influenced the construction of the submarines they built to fight this war. Truly interesting. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Cold War    2. History    3. History - Military / War    4. History: World    5. Military - Naval    6. Military Science    7. Modern - 20th Century/Nuclear Age    8. Soviet Union    9. Submarines (Ships)    10. United States    11. Former Soviet Union, USSR (Europe)    12. History / Military / Naval    13. Military vehicles    14. Naval forces & warfare    15. USA   

Subjects:  1. Military Science    2. Science/Mathematics    3. Technology    4. Theory of warfare & military science   

Reviews (16)

great
Item came on time and as promised.Could not ask for a better delivery situation.

Most USEFUL leadership book. Bar-none.
I have read dozens of leadership books over the years including many from both business and military perspectives. This is bar-none the best. I currently have four managers, about thirty staff and multiple projects I am responsible for and this is the book that I repeately reach for because it is a "how to" book. I reach for it to solve problems and I reach for it to teach my staff and managers "how to".
An Interesting Book on Leadership
This book was written for officers in the United States Army.It gives officers an idea of how to manage and develop the soldiers under them.Particularly it gives good advice on how to recognize and deal with certain types of soldiers based on a skill, will, and teamwork scale.To tell the truth, I'm not in the army, but I bought this book to gain some insight into the army's way of managing and developing soldiers.I believe that if you are a businessperson or a teacher, you can learn a lot about how to treat different employees or students.Each person has individual needs that need to be handled in different ways, and I think this is something that this book does a good job of introducing.If you're in the army, you definitely need this, and if you're not, you can still gain a lot of knowledge by reading this. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Command of troops    2. History    3. History - Military / War    4. Leadership    5. Military    6. Military - General    7. Military Combat Units    8. Military Science    9. Defence strategy, planning & research    10. History / Military / General   

Reviews (8)

Excellent
Bought a copy. Lost it. HAD TO buy another to replace it. An excellent book, Sawyers commentaries modernize and place in context applicable to today's managers. Clearly a lot of work went into his explanations. A must have, must read, must study. Provided me with months worth of reading material at lunch.

The teachings of the greatest military geniuses of all time.
Sun Tzu collected his teachings into the ancient Chinesetreatise on military strategy known as "The Art of War" about twenty-five hundred years ago. Afterward his teachings were passed down through the Sun family, or a group of disciples, who edited or expounded upon the original writings until they assumed their current form. Sun Pin was the great-grandson of Sun Tzu, and he used the teachings of his brilliant ancestor to develop his Treatise "Military Methods". This wonderful translation by Ralph D. Sawyer includes both of these ancient texts. Sun Tzu and Sun Pin are timeless
The Art of War is the oldest and best military treatise this world has seen.It is amazing how Sun Tzu can talk about strategy and warfare in thirteen short chapters.His book is just the best about competition and strategy. And now we get to Sun Pin, the military strategist.I have awesome respect for him.He was betrayed and mutilated by his best friend, and still, he survived.He defeated his nemesis in a great strategic way that Sun Tzu would have mostly likely done.These two are the best and if they were in this world today, they would won every war that we fight, by their ability to adapt.If you want to get Ancient Strategy and Chinese Culture, get this book. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Early works to 1800    2. History - Military / War    3. Military - Strategy    4. Military Science    5. Military Tactics And Strategy    6. Military art and science    7. Science/Mathematics    8. Technology    9. Business strategy    10. History    11. Mind, body, spirit: disciplines & techniques    12. Other prose: classical, early & medieval    13. Warfare & Defence   

Reviews (8)

Some good information, but lacking in many areas
The book does provide detailed footnotes as it is a series of essays where the writer of each "chapter" presents their viewpoint and analysis.However, this book provides no tables or charts to support any of the analysis or discussions presented.It would have been very helpful if there were a table or chart comparing each nation's "innovation" in each category described in this book, examples: armored warfare, strategic bombing, carrier development, etc.
Military Innovation in the Interwar Period
This book is a necessary for those who want to understand the relationship between development of technology and military innovation. It is not an easy book to read, but contains tremendous amount of information along with accurate historical records. Must for military tacticians and historians alike.

Essential Addition to the Study of the Inter-war Period
The acclaimed scholarly team of Williamson Murray and Allan R. Millett have edited an anthology of essays encompassing the technological innovations in weaponry during the 1920's and 1930's. These innovations span the research and developments of all the major belligerents that play a major role in the coming global conflict. Each scholar was instructed to compare and contrast his or her topic country with two other countries making this work not only a significant contribution in and of itself, but also a vital comparative study as well. In addition, the researchers were asked to structure their essays around three concepts: the strategic framework of the period, the organizational factors of the institutions under study, and the doctrinal framework of the services. Many of the contributing factors to victory and defeat in World War II are covered within the pages of this important work. Williamson Murray takes a look at "Armored Warfare: The British, French and German Experiences," and "Strategic Bombing: The British, American and German Experiences." Richard R. Muller examines "Close Air Support: The German British and American Experiences, 1918-1941." Geoffrey Till discusses "Adopting the Aircraft Carrier: The British, American, and Japanese Case Studies." But perhaps the most important chapter is Allan R. Millett's "Assault From the Sea: The Development of Amphibious Warfare Between the Wars-the American, British, and Japanese Experiences." Millett compared the development of amphibious doctrine in Japan, Britain, and the United States. The author concludes the U. S. led the way in amphibious warfare doctrine, initiating combined arms operations between air, sea and land that would prove to be a critical advantage in the pacific campaign. According to Millett, Japan started out impressively as was evident by its ever-expanding Pacific empire in the 1930's. Since every landing force became an isolated island garrison, however, Japan's whole amphibious program literally faded away. Great Britain, on the other hand, never had the economic resources necessary to implement a successful amphibious program. Millett concludes that factors such as budget and innovative foresight are vital contributing factors in technological innovation. The author is also quick to point out that in many cases, new weapons become obsolete as soon as hostilities begin. Generally, books of essays are usually disjointed and inconsistent. The guidelines and structure the editors have chosen have tied all the chapters in this book together nicely. This is arguably the best work on the inter-war period to emerge in years. Highly recommended. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. 1919-1932    2. 20th century    3. History    4. History - Military / War    5. Military    6. Military - General    7. Military Science    8. Military art and science    9. Military history, Modern    10. Modern - 20th Century    11. Political Freedom & Security - International Secur    12. Technological innovations    13. Technology    14. World politics    15. History / Modern / 20th Century    16. Inter-war period, 1918-1939    17. Military history, Modern--20th century    18. Warfare & Defence    19. World history: from c 1900 -   

Subjects:  1. International Relations - General    2. Military Science    3. Political Freedom & Security - General    4. Political Science    5. Politics / Current Events    6. Politics/International Relations    7. Security, International    8. Social aspects    9. Technology    10. Terrorism    11. Defence strategy, planning & research    12. Impact of science & technology on society    13. Political Science / International Relations    14. Religious conflict    15. Terrorism, freedom fighters, armed struggle   

Editorial Review

To learn a Japanese martial art is to learn Zen, and although you can't do so simply by reading a book, it sure does help--especially if that book is Read more

Reviews (103)

A study of conflict
This book is great for anyone interested in personal development.It is a guide in focused self-discipline.It is also a guide to successful navigation of conflict.
GREAT 17th CENTURAY SAMURAI SWORDSMAN'S ADVICE ON STRATEGY
Based on my readings, Musashi's motive in writing his Book of Five Rings had been to correct misrepresentations of his views on swordsmanship by his contemporaries. Having become a legend in his own time, Musashi's reputation was being exploited by ambitious rivals claiming to have adopted the master's martial techniques and philosophies. Thus Book of Five Rings was intended by its author to establish his point of view for correcting misconceptions.
An excellent treatise on swordsmanship.....and life
Admittedly, I do not own this edition, but I bought it as a Christmas gift for a friend.This Musashi classic explains about the necessary fundamentals of samurai swordsmanship.While written centuries ago, the book also has strategic applications for handling life.This edition is good for simplicity and the lay reader. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Business & Economics    2. Business Life - General    3. Early works to 1800    4. Management - General    5. Martial Arts & Self-Defense    6. Military    7. Military Science    8. Military art and science    9. Personal Growth - Success    10. Strategic Planning    11. Swordplay    12. Self-Help / General    13. Sale Books   

Reviews (18)

Many Wars, Many Rackets
Smedley got it right.I'd also add that there are many wars that serve as rackets, including the War on Drugs and the War on Immigrants, both of which provide all sorts of business for our growing prison industrial complex.
An Entertaining Little Book That Gets a Lot Wrong
Smedley Butler wrote this book after a sudden conversion to pacifism. Unfortunately the rightousness of his conversion comes through with a number of mistatements and twists (or perhaps ignorance given Butler's lack of higher eductaion in national security affairs). Like the "Merchants of Death" hearings by Republican Congressmen in the same time period, a position is staked out, ie. "War is Bad and is Caused by War Profiteers" and seeks to prove it.
Brilliant , Gemof a book
Author a reputed soldier who served in the US Marine Corps,in nutshell, talks abouthorrors of war.Having engaged in lot of close quarter combat General Butler came to despise war.
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Subjects:  1. General    2. History & Theory - General    3. Industries - General    4. Military Science    5. Peace    6. Political Science    7. Politics / Current Events    8. Politics/International Relations    9. War And Peace    10. History / United States / 20th Century    11. POLITICS & GOVERNMENT    12. Peace studies    13. Political Science / International Relations   

Reviews (8)

Nice research, though lot of it unsubstantiated
This book is an excellent piece of work on Nuclear Proliferation. Things that I would have liked to see in this book :
The History of the "Nuke's R Us" Network

Ego = mc squared
The nuclear five missed an opportunity to give up their arsenal and get everyone's covenant to stay away from the bomb.It is only natural that some states and some nations sought to avoid the "less than equal" status by joining the nuclear club overtly and covertly.
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Subjects:  1. Asia - Pakistan    2. International Relations - Arms Control    3. Military Science    4. Nuclear nonproliferation    5. Political Freedom & Security - International Secur    6. Political Science    7. Politics / Current Events    8. Politics/International Relations    9. Security, International    10. Technology & Industrial Arts    11. Political Science / Arms Control    12. Politics | Comparative Politics | Africa   

Reviews (4)

Pure modeling eye candy
Sure it's spendy, but you will spend countless hours drooling over this book by one of the premier modellers in the world right now.As mentioned, every facet of AFV modeling is covered in this publication.From equipment to the process of painting the entire vehicle, groundwork, accessories, etc.
Best AFV Work Book To Date!
Up until now Tony Greenland's book "Panzer Modeling" was the one book I pulled out when I start a new AFV. Mig's Book F.A.Q. will now sit on my workbench for a long time. This book is to be used as a reference anytime you are looking for a step-by-step way to paint anything from an Ammo Crate to an entire Tank! It's definitely worth the $ Dollars spent. My book was advertised as a hardcover from an Amazon retailer but came to me as a soft cover. This book will probably never see my bookshelf and is made to sit next to you as you work.
The "Masterclass" for finishing techniques
If Tony Greenland's book set the standard for building AFV's then Mig's "FAQ" has just set the standard for finishing AFV's. Like the title suggests, Mig lays out basicly everything you would want or need to know (and then some!) about different finishing techniques in this book. From what tools and materials are used, to tips on how to paint and prepare groundwork, and everything in between.The book is printed on nice, heavy stock glossy paper, it's laid out well, and the pictures are nothing short of gorgeous. I have heard one person who bought the book complain that there wasn't enough text to explain things, but the pictures more than speak for themselves and it is easy to see what Mig is explaining. To conclude, if you build AFV's get this book, I'm sure you will find yourself referring to it very often. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. History    2. History - Military / War    3. Military    4. Military - Other    5. Military Science    6. History / Military / Other    7. Models & model-making