Editorial Review

Imagine the power, economic and military, that would fall into the hands of the person who figured out how to bypass the ordinary laws of physics, defy gravity, and travel near the speed of light.Read more

Reviews (68)

Wild Ride!
The book takes the reader on a journey through the author's investigation into the post WW2 era recruitment of Nazi scientists and acquisition of science developement. This worldwide quest culminates in applications within modern technical developements, especially in aircraft and space applications.

The Black world of Secrets
An Absolute Must read for anyone interested in the esoteric BLACK world of aviation development.Mr. Cook is a noted aviation editor for Jane's Defence Weekly.His investigation into this secret world is enlightening to say the least.He talks to the right people and investigates the "right stuff".His assumptions are spot on and only whets the appetite for more.I do hope there is a follow-up to this most interesting investigation.The good news is that Mr. Cook writes in an easy laid back style that the layman can understand,not too many gee-whiz words and the concepts are explained in down to earth layman's language.As a retired military and airline pilot I became so engrossed in the book that I read it in one night.Again, Highly informative and a must for those interested in the "whys" and "how comes" of today's secret aviation world.The historical background on German WW II Black Programs was extremely interesting and worth a whole new examination of that sordid part of OUR historical record.
Very interesting
It's a very interesting reading, actually almost a thriller. The author provides a lot of historical facts, his own adventures, thoughts, investigations - however, most of the questions he poses still remain unanswered after you close the back cover of the book, but nevertheless, it's enjoyng to read the book! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Aeronautics & Astronautics    2. Controversial Knowledge    3. General    4. History    5. Political Science    6. Politics/International Relations    7. Technology & Industrial Arts    8. Technology / Military Science   

Reviews (3)

Wow
With 600+ pages, this is a fat book.It must way a ton, but based on the first few pages, it looks real good.It is descriptive, intelligent, and long.I would never have to go to the library again.Ill just look at this book, but only if its for reports that im doing.I only do reports on war stuff, since my other teachers dont give us reports.

Nice!
I loved it. USMC is the ultimate Marine coffee table book for Marines, Marine Corps historians, and Marine Corps buffs. It can be used as a tool to settle arguments or--when the recalcitrant refuse to be convinced--as a formidable weapon!

More a coffe table reference
Don't buy this book expecting the definitive history of the United States Marine corps.Think of it more as reference book.Every single significant event that a date can be attributed to is listed, in that sense the book is great.But it does not give the reader a true sense of "Esprit de Corps" ... Read more

Subjects:  1. History    2. History - General History    3. Marines    4. Military    5. Military - United States    6. Military Science    7. Naval forces & warfare    8. Photography & Photographs    9. USA   

Subjects:  1. Armored Land Forces    2. History    3. History: World    4. Military - General    5. Military History - World War II    6. Military Science    7. Political Freedom & Security - International Secur    8. Tank warfare    9. Technology & Industrial Arts    10. Former Soviet Union, USSR (Europe)    11. Political Science / International Security    12. War & defence operations    13. World history: Second World War   

Reviews (21)

The devil went down to...Okinawa?
I had no idea that Charlie Daniels was a ninja.But, apparently he is.He sits in on this diatribe with the good "doctor."Doctor of what, they don't tell you.But, if "Dr." is good enough for the legendary fiddle player, it's good enough for me.Sign me up.

Wisdom and practice...
Everyone seeking wisdom in the art of Ninjutsu,i really reccomend this book since the Soke himself answers to many interesting questions. Everyone seeking to learn Ninjutsu through a book should instead train for real.
Whats Japanese for "Crap!"?
Hatsumi is right up there with scientology.Complete fabrication that people can't wait to pay for.Not one useful piece of information is this book. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. 1931-    2. Exercise    3. Hand-to-hand fighting, Orienta    4. Hand-to-hand fighting, Oriental    5. Hatsumi, Masaaki,    6. Martial Arts    7. Martial Arts & Self-Defense    8. Ninjutsu    9. Self-defense    10. Sports    11. Sports & Recreation    12. Combat sports & self-defence    13. Hatsumi, Masaaki    14. Sports & Recreation / Martial Arts & Self-Defense   

Reviews (19)

Excellent Overview
Massad Ayoob provides an excellent overview of combat shooting.He covers the latest techniques, equipment and accessories.In addition, Ayoob does a good job of discussing most of the controversies: revolver vs. pistol, SA vs. DA, stock vs. modified, point shooting vs. aimed fire, etc...
informative, although too much on competition
This book covers a lot more competitive shooting, (haven't finished the book, so I gave it a 3) so far than self-defense and handgun tactics. However, there is a lot of information about handguns, and I think it will get more interesting as it goes on. Since I've never shot a handgun, I bought this book in hopes of giving me some basics so I can use this to help me train when I do go to the range. Since I don't know much about guns, I'd say this book does a good job of giving me an idea of what's going on and proper ways of shooting. Very informative. Again, I would've given the book a 5 star rating, but I haven't finished it. One bad thing is, the book seems SOOOOO old, kinda disappointed in the paper quality. But I believe if i finished the book, I would've given it a 5.

Full of Useful Info
This book not only covers the various aspects of handgun selection, but also the many ways to use it effectively.
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Subjects:  1. Combat    2. Martial Arts & Self-Defense    3. Military Science    4. Pistols    5. Self-defense    6. Shooting    7. Sports    8. Sports & Recreation    9. NATURAL HISTORY, COUNTRY LIFE & PETS   

Subjects:  1. Armed Forces    2. Educational Tests And Measurements (Higher Education)    3. General    4. Military Science    5. Study Aids    6. Study Guides    7. Test Prep    8. Testing & Measurement   

Reviews (11)

Thought Provoking Study
The material on Washington's strategy during the Revolution was excellent and showed that he actually pursued a brilliant strategy. Likewise, the analysis of the Civil War convincingly contradicted what I had learned about Grant and Lee's strategic abilities during college.Weigley also wrote the first really good analysis of the strategy of World War II that I have read.He discusses Jomini, Mahan, and others who influenced American military strategy.
What in the Name of George S. Patton?
Well I just received my copy of The American Way of War by R. F. Weigley today, and full well admitting the fact up front that I have not yet read the book, I already have a problem with it. The cover is BRIGHT PINK!!! Now I don't mean to be either crass, unimaginative or unappreciative, but what was the publisher thinking? I mean BRIGHT PINK? Maybe for a book on cooking utensils okay, but for a book on America's war fighting methods? I would have expected perhaps blood red (as the depiction on the website looks) or maybe O.D. Green, or better yet woodland camouflage scheme. Does the pink cover contain some secret meaning? Perhaps alluding to the DoD's rather recent fangled "Dont-ask-Dont-tell" policy? We shall see I guess. Now I know you're not suppose to judge a book by its cover, but I think I will break out the tape and scissors, some OD green paper and put things right...JPW

The evolution of the American military
This book is essentially an exploration of the way America has conducted war, from the Revolutionary War to Vietnam.Weigley attempts to show the development of American military thought, from hit-and-run tactics of the Revolution to global policing and the containment of communism in the mid twentieth-century.Throughout it all Weigley focuses on key figures--Washington, Grant, a couple of Marshalls and a couple of Mahans, among others--who played important roles in the way the military thought and acted.Read more

Subjects:  1. History - Military / War    2. History, Military    3. History: American    4. Military - Strategy    5. Military - United States    6. Military policy    7. Strategy    8. United States    9. History    10. USA   

Subjects:  1. 19th century    2. History    3. History - Military / War    4. Military    5. Military - Naval    6. Military Science    7. Naval History - Modern    8. Naval art and science    9. Reference   

Reviews (7)

A well teaching book for the coast guard
It teaches about ROTC and the uniforms during your hopefull coast guard career. It also teaches all the necessary tools you need to be in the coast guard.

Great book for all
I am in the Coast Guard myself and when I was in boot camp they even handed out copies of this book to us to learn what we needed to know about the USCG. It covers everything from a brief history to customs and courtesies and to Maritime Law Enforcement. It talks about the different knots we use and how to properly tie the knot. There's history on the USCG's uniforms and the different ships we use to the different jobs that we offer. It's a great book for all and I even find myself at times referring to it whenever I need to know something! So I recommend it for anyone who is entering the Coast Guard, looking to up their seamanship skills or just want a refresher!

Still Excellant
I was issued one of these in boot camp back in 79.As a AmericanLegion Commander now, I needed to know how to properly handle a weapon whilemarching and doing drills.Darn I wish I had of keep it.But I orderedthe latest edition and see it is still the great manual it always was andstill has the commands and theexamples of how to do proper manual ofarms. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Coast Guard    2. Handbooks & Manuals    3. Military    4. Military Science    5. Political Freedom & Security - Law Enforcement    6. Politics / Current Events    7. Sailors' handbooks    8. Technology    9. United States    10. United States.    11. Naval forces & warfare    12. USA   

Reviews (6)

Despotism the default state of human governance.
Professor McNeill describes this 1982 book as a "footnote" to his famous 1963 "The Rise of the West", and as a companion to his even more famous 1976 "Plagues and Peoples".The subject of "The Pursuit of Power" is warfare rather than disease, as in "Plagues and People", but Prof. McNeill's conceptual approach is the same.In fact, in the introduction to this book he describes armed force as "microparasitism" of the human race.
Starts Strong But Quickly Devolves Into Minutia
...imho, mcneill's book starts strong, makes cogent points, but then quickly devolves into a morass of minutia...resulting in a tepid ending with no clearly stated thesis, and lukewarm impact all the way around... A series of wars punctuated by brief periods of peace
McNeill shows how military conflict and the advances in technology have stimulated mankind to better itself within the flux of a constantly changing balance of power."Of War and Men" by Robt O'Connell also addresses this time honored conflict with a focus on culture, weapons technology and warfare.Read more

Subjects:  1. General    2. History    3. History: American    4. Military Science    5. Military art and science    6. Military history, Medieval    7. Military history, Modern    8. Sociology    9. Western Europe - General    10. World politics    11. Technology / Military Science    12. USA    13. War & defence operations    14. World history   

Reviews (11)

good information, good reading
this book tells of history of different special operation forces. however it should go into more detail with each, but i guess this makes a good eye opener of what each group is and how they're different. there were some cool things about the air force, but i thought they could've removed the part about coast guard.

So Far So Good.
I'm on the chapter about the 10th Mountain Division and so far this book is a great read.I know a lot about SOF but this book tossed in a few things I didn't know.I've never known much about the 10th Mountain Division.And the Coast Guard spec ops guys aren't really special operations.They're Special Operations Capable.I think the Marin Force Recon is gonna be considered SOF now cause they committed a select few to SOCOM in 02.It's about timeis all I can say.The Navy didn't want SEALs under SOCOM's command but look where it's gotten them.Although they lost a lot of men at Patilla Airfield in Panama, they still accomplished the mission.This is definately a good read for anybody interested in U.S. SOF.

Great Little Book
I was suprised at how small this book was, but it's still a very good book on US Special Operations Units. It gives a brief history of each unit, describes the selection and training programs, and lists the missions each unit has taken part in. There is also a section on the equipment and weapons they use. This book and "America's Special Forces" by David Boher are probably the two best books on the subject. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Armies    2. History - Military / War    3. Military    4. Military - General    5. Military Science    6. Military art and science    7. Special Forces    8. Special forces (Military science)    9. Technology    10. U.S. Special Operations Command    11. United States    12. Special & elite forces    13. USA    14. Military history   

Reviews (22)

Infanteri grieft an
For many years I have been looking for an original copy of Infanterie Grieft an without success. This is a satisfactory rewrite.

Outstanding book
Rommel writes of his experiences in WWI fighting primarily in Rumania andwhat is now northern Italy.In each chapter, he details a specific operation, the problems they faced and how he solved them. He uses the stories to show how a commander should deal with certain common situations. For his leadership he won the "Blue Max"not bad for a junior officer! The illustrationa are quite helpful as the descriptions he gives are very detailed. It's probably the finest military book I have ever read, well worth the price.A fine book by a true leader...
Maneuver Warfare in Rommel's Own Words.
As is well known, Erwin Rommel became famous in World War II. Often ignored, however, in any study of Rommel is why Rommel was even selected to remain in the German army after World War II. If you remember the situation, the German army was reduced to only 100,000 officers and men after they lost in World War I.
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Subjects:  1. Campaigns    2. History - Military / War    3. Infantry drill and tactics    4. Military - General    5. Military - World War I    6. Personal narratives, German    7. Rommel, Erwin,    8. World War, 1914-1918    9. Rommel, Erwin   

Subjects:  1. Asia - Southeast Asia    2. Europe - France    3. History    4. History: World    5. Military - Other    6. Military Science    7. Technology & Industrial Arts    8. France    9. Theory of warfare & military science   

Reviews (5)

$225.00 bucks for this, you're crazy!!!!!
I paid $19.95 give or take plus shipping for this book a couple years ago. I was very disappointed with the book when I bought it, for the price that I bought it. I can't let someone pay $225 for this book.
Worth It?
This book was originally $19.95 and worth every penny of that sum! Most of the information included is from previously published Military Vehicle Magazine. A purist would be hard pressed to take much from this, all of the information is contained the G-741 Tech manual. Sorry Dave!

Save your money
If you buy this book with the idea that it will guide you in the restoration of your M37, save your money because it does not do that.There are a few useful suggestions but very few specific restoration tips.The book is worth its original issue price of $20 but not much more than that.It's an interesting read but not a how-to book. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Antiques & Collectibles    2. Antiques/Collectibles    3. Automotive    4. Automotive - Antique & Classic    5. Automotive - Customizing    6. Automotive - Repair & Maintenance    7. Dodge automobile    8. Handbooks, manuals, etc    9. Maintenance and repair    10. Military Science    11. Preservation    12. Transportation    13. Vehicles, Military    14. Vehicle maintenance   

Reviews (4)

Beautifully illustrated
The author of this book has managed to find a lot of great photos of various B-47s in different configurations.It's a nice large format book with high-quality printing.Definitely worth getting if you are interested in this aircraft.

Boeing's B-47 Stratojet
This book arrived very quickly and was in perfect condition.We are very pleased with your service.

Breakthrough
As a child, my family often drove through Plattsburgh and once stopped at the former SAC base. There sat "The Pride of the Adirondacks", a B-47 on permanent display at a quiet park by Lake Champlain. It was striking. Its sleek, graceful lines and shiney aluminum marked it as thoroughly modern. Decades after its last flight, it was still poised to take-off.
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Subjects:  1. Aviation - History    2. B-47 bomber    3. History - Military / War    4. Military - Aviation    5. Military - United States    6. Military Aircraft    7. Military Science    8. Transportation    9. United States History (Specific Aspects)    10. Air forces & warfare    11. Aircraft: general interest    12. Transportation / Aviation / Piloting & Flight Instruction    13. USA   

Reviews (40)

Not one of Keegan's better works
This is a disappointing work by the esteemed historian John Keegan.His thesis is that, despite many platitudes to the contrary, intelligence is rarely if ever the decisive factor on the battlefield; battles and campaigns are won by the application of maneuver and firepower.Unfortunately, the campaigns that Keegan uses to illustrate this fail to do so.
Some good examples of intelligence
From the title, we would think that we would get as much about Al-Qaeda as about Napoleon; however, that is not the case.The former is merely a bit of an afterthought on the rest of the book, which goes into specific instances where intelligence went awry through misunderstanding or misuse.
Not Keegan's best, but still an important book
It would seem that many of this book's reviewers have completely missed Keegan's point in writing `Intelligence in War'. This book was never intended as a comprehensive account of any particular campaign or battle (much less an entire theatre of WW2!) and nor was it intended as a general history of the role intelligence has played in wars throughout history (though the publisher does seem guilty of marketing it as such a general history, which may explain why many people who purchased the bok were disappointed with it).
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Subjects:  1. History    2. History - Military / War    3. Intelligence Operations    4. Intelligence service    5. Military    6. Military - General    7. Military - Intelligence/Espionage    8. Military Science    9. Military intelligence    10. History / Military / General   

Reviews (5)

Decent, but lacking much, and contains some usless ones
This is a pretty great book, it's layout and design is very simple and straightforward, and if you're strictly into traditional handguns, and traditional rifles I.E: hunting and target shooting, then this book is probably fine for you, however there are some serious issues with what it lacks, particularly in terms of military weapons, and some newer guns.I will be right to the point and just list all of the guns which this book does not contain, but really should have, they are (in no particular order): AK74, Dragunov SVD, RPK, M60, Hi-point guns, Kel-Tec guns, Kahr guns, AR-18, Barrett guns, Saiga shotguns, Saiga rifles, Tikka rifles, Blaser rifles, HK G-36, HK MP5-K, IMI Tavor, FN Five-seveN, FN Police rifle, Makarov pistol, Springfield XD, Beretta CX4 storm, Beretta PX4 storm, Taurus 24/7, Taurus Tracker, HK UMP, and Suomi M-31.This is just some of the guns which I could not find in the book, and granted, while some of the guns are fairly new (coming out in 2004), many of these I was shocked were not in the book, like no Saiga rifles or shotguns, no AK74, no Dragunov, no HI-points, no Kel-Tecs, no Makarov.And other little things like how things are listed is sometimes frustrating, like the AK47 is listed under "Mitchell arms"??? And there aren't many diagrams for the moderns typical AR-15, just the original Colt style M16.I guess the major problem is that while it lacks many military and otherwise typical guns, at the sametime this book devotes many pages to totally useless, obscure, and obsolete guns which many people have never heard of.SO it isn't that there is not enough space for all these guns which aren't in the book, there are just several guns in the book which don't need to be there, and should be replaced with those which aren't in it.Like they have a diagram for the Wilkinson "Linda" which is a Tec-9 look-alike, I mean come on, how many people have a freakin Wilkinson "Linda", definitely far fewer than those who have Saigas, Kel Tecs, Hi Points, or even Barrett .50 cal rifles.

A MUST HAVE!!!!!
I can only say, if you are in the business, it's like having a larger "Gun Parts" book.I have only found one other reference better.This is a MUST HAVE.I use it all the time.If you can work from exploded views, this is for YOU!

A fascinating and highly practical resource for serious firearm enthusiasts
The Gun Digest Book Of Exploded Gun Drawings: 975 Isometric Views is a visual reference book especially for collectors, gunsmiths and hobbyists. Featuring detailed, black-and-white diagrams of the many complex pieces in a gun, which labels each piece and shows how each piece fits with the others, The Gun Digest Book Of Exploded Gun Drawings reveals at a glance how hundreds of different handguns, shotguns, and rifles are put together. Very little text is present in The Gun Digest Book Of Exploded Gun Drawings, a massive volume devoted almost entirely to the diagrams themselves, with a complete directory of firearms trade resources and a selected shooting sports bibliography. A fascinating and highly practical resource for serious firearm enthusiasts.
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Subjects:  1. Antiques    2. Antiques & Collectibles    3. Antiques / Collectibles    4. Antiques/Collectibles    5. Firearms & Weapons    6. Firearms And Gunsmithing    7. General    8. Military Science    9. Small firearms, guns & other equipment   

Reviews (59)

Ambitious in scope, engaging in style
Few books in the market provide a better general overview of the history of warfare since the dawn of war-making. In this ambitious piece of work, Keegan ranges effortlessly across epochs and continents to tell the story of more than four millennia of world history. If all this sounds a little daunting, the book is written in an accessible style that constantly engages the reader and ensures that you'd probably not need to go over a paragraph twice.
First-rate, despite some problems
"A History of Warfare" could easily be considered Keegan's best if it weren't for the comparable excellence of "The Face of Battle" and "The Mask of Command". Fluidly-written and compelling, Keegan manages to pack an uncanny amount of interest into every sentence.This is as close to being a page-turner that any history can hope for, and yet it also exhibits the erudition, information density and completeness that one demands from a professional historian.
great book on the evolution of warfare.
Although this book is strangely organized it is extremely fascinating.It is a good introduction to the field but has a lot to offer the expert.Keegan was a professor at Sandhurst.The book is mostly about ancient history.Worth a read. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. General    2. History    3. History - Military / War    4. History: World    5. Military - General    6. Military History (General)    7. Military art and science    8. History / Military / General   

Subjects:  1. 1989-    2. Deterrence (Strategy)    3. Government - National    4. Military - Nuclear Warfare    5. Military policy    6. Political Freedom & Security - Civil Rights    7. Political Freedom & Security - International Secur    8. Political Science    9. Politics / Current Events    10. Politics/International Relations    11. United States    12. War on Terrorism, 2001-    13. World politics    14. Defence strategy, planning & research    15. International relations    16. PREEMPTIVE ATTACK (MILITARY SCIENCE)    17. Technology / Military Science    18. Theory of warfare & military science    19. UNITED STATES_MILITARY POLICY    20. WORLD POLITICS_1989-   

Reviews (6)

Warfare in the EIghteenth Century
I bought this book recently and just finished reading it. Although it has many nice pictures and maps that make it easy to follow things, I take issue with some of his focuses.
Improper focus
The stated purpose of Cassell's History of Warfare series is to provide a richly illustrated survey of, well, the history of warfare. Series editor John Keegan has assembled a team of distinguished historians to write this history. For the eighteenth century, he has chosen Jeremy Black, who is known for his support of the 'Military Revolution' thesis.
Warfare in the Eighteenth Century
Readers familiar with Jeremy Black's work will recognize Warfare in the Eighteenth Century as another solid effort by the author.This book is richly illustrated and has several good maps to help aid the book's presentation.However, if not for the many illustrations and maps, the book might barely be half as long as it is.Black does not really challenge the reader with new theories, in fact this is essentially a continuation of theories set for in his earlier work, European Warfare, 1660-1815.Read more

Subjects:  1. 18th Century World History    2. History    3. History - Military / War    4. History: World    5. Military - General    6. Military - World War II    7. Military History - Modern    8. Modern - 18th Century