Reviews (11)

Great Tale By A Great American
Eric Haney I'm sure is proud of his excellent service to his country, but he also has a right to be proud of a spellbinding journal of the formation of the bravest unit this world has ever known. Suffering from political whims, Delta Force has risen above their greatest critics, the United States government, to become an extremely effective and powerful fighting unit. Haney's description of it's formation and his participation is nothing short of breathtaking. Written like a first person journal, it meets all the requirements of a fine read. I thank God for men like Haney who are willing to do the dirty work and rise above the politicians and their indecision. Thanks, Eric for your service and thanks CBS for bringing the unit's remarkable exploits to television.

Wait a minute
Be advised that this is a shortened version for "Young Readers" and not the original book written by Eric Haney. This version starts and ends with the Selection process and leaves out the balance of the various training and operations (about 2/3)ontained in the original book. It is a good read for what it is but the full version is much better. The product description does not make clear that this is a different version.

Excellent intro to anti-terrorist unit
This book is labeled as being suitable for younger (teenage?) readers, and it is; but it's also suitable for adults, as this 56-year-old military veteran can attest.Sergeant Major Haney was recruited for Delta as an Army staff sergeant, stayed with it until retiring at the highest enlisted rank, and knows much more than he tells in this book -- but what he does tell about the group's selection and training procedures is enough to give the reader a fairly good idea of just what Delta is capable of doing.Delta Force prefers to live in the shadows; this little glimpse, while both entertaining and informative, barely scratches the surface, but that's enough to show the sort of exceptional human beings who do nearly superhuman things for the cause of freedom.BTW, the CBS-TV series "The Unit" claims to be based on this book, and SGM Haney is listed as a technical advisor to the show.I highly recommend both the show and the book. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Adventure & Adventurers    2. Army.    3. Children's Books/Young Adult Misc. Nonfiction    4. Children: Young Adult (Gr. 7-9)    5. Delta Force    6. Haney, Eric L    7. History    8. History - Military & Wars    9. History - Military / War    10. Juvenile Nonfiction    11. Juvenile literature    12. Military - United States    13. Military Science    14. Political Science (Young Adult)    15. Prevention    16. Terrorism    17. United States.    18. Juvenile Nonfiction / Adventure & Adventurers   

Reviews (1)

On Being An Air Force Officer
I'll sheepishly admit that I'm not one for dry guidebooks, history texts and the like; they usually put me to sleep. However, I found the "Air Force Officer's Guide" fascinating. The book starts right off with issues of conduct, leadership, and responsibility, beautifully setting the tone for the rest of the material. This is almost certainly idealized to a certain extent, but that's rather the point, I think--this is meant as a guide of behavior to be aspired to.
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Subjects:  1. Handbooks & Manuals    2. History - Military / War    3. Military - Aviation    4. Military Science    5. Reference    6. Air forces & warfare    7. Military life & institutions    8. USA   

Reviews (6)

Good Book!
This is a very good book! My sister and I used it to study for the ASVAB. Don't worry too much about the test, look over this book and relax during the test!

First Part
I just bought this book 5 days ago. I test in 17 days. SO that gives me at the most if I started studying when I bought this book about 22 days total.I will give you an update on how I did.So far I've read everything in the book, but aside from the practice tests, I don't really care too much because it doesn't actually go through and help you with more difficult problems. I've taken the asvab before, but for the job I want I need to score a little higher to be a linguist in the general section. I'm just studying my VE & Arithmetic since those are the only two that matter. I'll give you a future update.

Few Errors
If you read a "Dummies" book before then you know the format.The first part of the book is divided into lessons, then there are three sample tests in the back.Read more

Subjects:  1. Armed Forces    2. Armed Services Vocational Apti    3. Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery    4. Examinations    5. Military Organization And Administration    6. Military Science    7. Study Guides    8. Technology    9. Test Prep    10. Tests    11. United States    12. Education    13. Land forces & warfare    14. Study Aids / Tests   

Reviews (19)

Greatest swordsmith?
This is the book which introduce many people outside Japan to understand modern Japanese sword making. It also helped Yoshindo Yoshihara to become one of the most recogniseble face amongst swordmakers in the West. Even so one must point out that although Yoshindo is very highly ranked in Japan he is by no means the finest swordmaker as we speak. His brother Shoji Yoshihara (who appeared in the Last Samurai)is considered more skillful and he is not alone amongst swordsmiths. However one cannot underestimate the contribution the author and Yoshindo san has made for swords by being involved in this wonderful publication.

Yoshindo Yoshihara Sensei
I known this swordsmith in Turin - Italy (April 2005): will showcase some of the phases inherent in the forging of a traditional katana (Japanese sword) using a forge built for the occasion by the master himself.
just what i was looking for
a great book in english not only for the old blade collector: it gives you a detailed idea of the stages involved in the creation of a nihonto and also takes a picture of moder days swordsmiths. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Art & Art Instruction    2. Asian    3. Crafts & Hobbies    4. Hobbies/Crafts    5. Japan    6. Metal Arts And Crafts    7. Metal Work    8. Military Science    9. Swords    10. Base metal & ironworking    11. Militaria, arms & armour   

Editorial Review

Little is known--and less has been published--about American submarine espionage during the Cold War. These submerged sentinels silently monitored the Soviet Union's harbors, shadowed its subs, watched its missile tests, eavesdropped on its conversations, and even retrieved top-secret debris from the bottom of the sea. In an engaging mix of first-rate journalism and historical narrative, Sherry Sontag, Christopher Drew, and Annette Lawrence Drew describe what went on.Read more

Reviews (296)

A Fascintating Readfor Fiction or Non Fiction Devotees
This fascinating book has it all. True history, science fiction [the workings of modern subs is out of science fiction], war thriller, spy/espionage thriller, etc..
"After we left station . . . Whiskey-a-go-go"
After being silent for so many years, "Blind Man's Bluff" opened the door for us submariners to share some of our experiences.After one of our longest dives, and a narrow escape from people that wanted to do us harm, this book filled me in on the "boat" that took over our station.Evidently, the folks on the surface learned something after we got away, and "caught" our replacement . . . so I focused on "Chapter Two".Many times, I listened on the passive Sonar to a Whiskey Class submarine passing directly overhead . . . out every morning, back into port every evening."They" didn't know we were there.Even among submariners (pronounced sub-ma-RIN-ers), little is shared between "boats", so we appreciate the information finally shared in this book.The silent service is a young man's game and life changing.This book gives an excellent look at a small corner of the life that we experienced, a life saturated with the smell of diesel oil, no sunlight, and sixty days without showers.Recommended to all those who love submarines and wish to look behind the curtain during that transition between our "diesel boats" and the nuclear age. . . a time when we risked our lives, and loved our work, without the bravado of a "hot" war.

Blind Man's Bluff - Fidler
Very well written, engrossing. Contained material I did not know prior to reading. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Espionage, American    2. History    3. History - Military / War    4. Intelligence service    5. Military    6. Military - Intelligence/Espionage    7. Military - Naval    8. Military - United States    9. Military Science    10. Military intelligence    11. Modern - 20th Century    12. United States    13. History / Military / General    14. Modern fiction   

Reviews (12)

A keeper
This is a classic. I bought one for myself and read it and then sent a copy to my son when he was stationed in Iraq. This should be a "must read" for military of all ranks and branches as well as the politicians who send them in harms way.

Officer Candidate Wilson
Very helpful. Will definitely reference this text throughout my career. I hope every soldier reads this and takes to heart the fact that it is our responsibility to be prepared, and to prepare those around us for whatever may come.

Telling it like it is
This book terrified me and gave me hope.
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Subjects:  1. History    2. History - Military / War    3. Military    4. Military - General    5. Military - Strategy    6. Technology / Military Science    7. Guerilla warfare    8. Infantry    9. Infantry drill and tactics    10. Military Science    11. Military Tactics And Strategy    12. Military art and science    13. Technology   

Subjects:  1. History - Military / War    2. Military - General    3. Military Science    4. Science/Mathematics    5. Technology    6. Yearbooks & Annuals    7. Encyclopaedias & Reference Works    8. History / Military / General   

Reviews (9)

"What does 'rky' mean? Oops!"
Since the current U.S. Administration saw fit to cease publication of CHART NO. 1, the government's own guide to reading maritime maps, back in 2000 (maybe they figured Dubai might pick up the slack around our harbors), HOW TO READ A NAUTICAL CHART is an absolutely crucial educational volume for those of us new to reading charts.
Nigel is among the most informative
Got about all Nigel's books - as I had expected, he gives a good clear insight on nautical charts and how to read them. Not much else to say! Thanks Nigel for helping make the dream come true!
great resource
A great resource even for experienced skippers.Also makes you very aware of the limitations of modern cartography (ie how many charted depths are based on a survey done 50 or 100 years ago!). ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Boating - General    2. Boating And Sailing    3. Military Science    4. Nautical charts    5. Navigation    6. Sailing - Navigation    7. Ships & Shipbuilding - Engineering    8. Sports & Recreation    9. Symbols    10. Transportation    11. Boating    12. Sports & Recreation / Sailing   

Reviews (17)

If Sun Tzu were a Marine....
The US Marine Corp's version of Sun Tzu's Art of War.Concise and direct as would be expected from the Marines, yet with depth enough to make the points clear.A wonderful work for explaining how the Marines fight wars and a good resource for a competive advantage in any context.A handy resource for the military or military history enthusiast.A must read for every Marine.Insight for business leaders and more.

Outstanding!
I liked this because it's direct(no psychological excuses for your inadequacy). It's short so there's no wading through opinion and hearsay. It's timeless because it's based on principle. It's applicable like Danforth's "I Dare You"(you have to think:"how does this apply to my life"). It's fully referenced so you can dig deeper.I catch myself going back and rereading it all the time(no you can't borrow mine).

Sun Tzu and Clausewitz distilled for the MTV generation
Great book that takes elements of traditional knowledge about war making (Sun Tzu, Clausewitz, etc) and combines it with the know-how of war as gathered by the United States Marine Corps in the modern era.
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Subjects:  1. Business / Economics / Finance    2. Business Life - General    3. History: American    4. Leadership    5. Military Science    6. Business & Economics / Business Communication    7. Defence strategy, planning & research    8. Naval forces & warfare    9. USA   

Reviews (2)

They're not "Small Wars" if you live there. . .
Merom's book, and Lusavardi's review essay which endorses it, share a subscription to an unhappy intellectual current: "the stab in the back" -- the idea that a worthwhile military effort is undermined by "intellectuals" back home, and that if we'd only been able to "take the gloves off" and be just a bit more brutal -as demanded by circumstances, of course-- then everything would have turned out OK.
Small Wars Lost At Home Not on Battlefield
How Democracy Loses Small Wars is perhaps one of the most-timely, but unrecognized books dealing with the so-called "quagmire" and war prisoner abuse situations the U.S. has encountered in Iraq in 2004. Gil Merom addresses how modern democracies lose small wars against weaker forces.Merom writes that small wars are lost mostly at home not on the battlefield when a highly media-visible minority of the educated upper middle class selectively views with moral revulsion the brutality and casualties necessary to win war. In response, government war leaders resort to repress the ugly realities of war by deceit, censure, and crackdowns, attracting even more media attention. Read more

Subjects:  1. France    2. History    3. International Relations - General    4. Israel    5. Low intensity conflicts (Milit    6. Low intensity conflicts (Military science)    7. Military    8. Military - General    9. Military Science    10. Military doctrine    11. Politics / Current Events    12. United States    13. International relations    14. Political Science / International Relations    15. Warfare & Defence    16. World history: postwar, from c 1945 -   

Subjects:  1. Children: Young Adult (Gr. 10-12)    2. Encyclopedias    3. History - Military & Wars    4. History - Military / War    5. Juvenile Nonfiction    6. Military    7. Military - General    8. Military Science    9. Military history    10. Reference - Encyclopedias    11. Technology & Industrial Arts    12. World - General    13. BCE to c 500 CE    14. Modern period, c 1500 onwards    15. Reference works    16. Revolutions & coups    17. War & defence operations    18. World history    19. c 1000 CE to c 1500    20. c 500 CE to c 1000 CE   

Reviews (3)

Technology alone just doesn't cut it....
This book contains an awful lot of wisdom for such a slim volume (it clocks in at just under 200 pages). Concise overview of military revolutions
This book is the volume one should buy if he or she is searching for the best, consise overvue of the history and processes involved in the military innovations of the Western world.

The Heart of Asymmetric Advantage is NOT Technology
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Subjects:  1. Europe    2. History    3. History - Military / War    4. History: World    5. Military - General    6. Military Science    7. Military art and science    8. Modern - General    9. Renaissance    10. Revolutions    11. Strategy    12. History / Renaissance    13. Modern period, c 1500 onwards    14. Revolutions & coups    15. Strategy--History    16. Warfare & Defence    17. World history    18. c 1000 CE to c 1500   

Editorial Review

This bold and important book strives to be a practical "strategy for a Second American Century." In this brilliantly argued work, Thomas Barnett calls globalization "this country’s gift to history" and explains why its wide dissemination is critical to the security of not only America but the entire world. As a senior military analyst for the U.S. Naval War College, Barnett is intimately familiar with the culture of the Pentagon and the State Department (both of which he believes are due for significant overhauls). He explains how the Pentagon, still in shock at the rapid dissolution of the once evil empire, spent the 1990s grasping for a long-term strategy to replace containment. The terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, Barnett argues, revealed the gap between an outdated Cold War-era military and a radically different one needed to deal with emerging threats. He believes that America is the prime mover in developing a "future worth creating" not because of its unrivaled capacity to wage war, but due to its ability to ensure security around the world. Further, he believes that the U.S. has a moral responsibility to create a better world and the way he proposes to do that is by bringing all nations into the fold of globalization, or what he calls connectedness. Eradicating disconnectedness, therefore, is "the defining security task of our age." His stunning predictions of a U.S. annexation of much of Latin America and Canada within 50 years as well as an end to war in the foreseeable future guarantee that the book will be controversial. And that's good. Read more

Reviews (105)

Globalization Groupie
This is an interesting and insightful analysis of the current (as of January 2004)geopolitical environmennt with a particular focus on globalization and its projected overwhelming importance (in Barnett's opinion) in structuring the globe for the next several generations.Readers will be fascinated to read that the Pentagon and by extension, the Bush Administration and at least one major multi-national investment/financial service firm (Cantor Fitzgerald), are apparently presuming that the future will be characterized by unrestricted global flows of capital, information, labor, and "security services"."Security services" refers to US military intervention, as needed to insure the stability of the "Core" nations that participate in the aforementioned flow of capital, information and labor (yes, that means unrestricted immigration!).Nations not qualifying as members of the "Core" are characterized as "Gap" nations, who will suffer from the absense of the information, capital, and labor enjoyed by the "Core".They apparently will not miss out completely though, because those "security services" are likely to come their way.Written for the most part in late 2003, the strength of the author's analysis is significantly undermined by his enthusiasm for the invasion of Iraq.He seems to be willing to assume the success of that intervention, despite the fact that the criminal incompetence demonstrated by the administration was already evident in Iraq prior to publication.I presume this to be evidence of a strong partisan bias.
Global cop
Barnett's main thesis in "The Pentagon's New Map" is that the world is composed of two types of states: those that are part of an integrated and connected "Core," which embrace globalization; and states of the "Gap," which are disconnected from the effects of globalization. Barnett proclaims that globalization will move the world into an era of peace and prosperity, but can only do so with the help of an indispensable United States. He writes that America is the lynchpin to the entire process and he believes that the United States should be midwife to a new world that will one day consist of peaceful democratic states and integrated economies. Barnett is proposing no less than a new grand strategy - the historical successor to the Cold War's strategy of containment.His approach to a future world defined by America's "exportation of security" is almost religious in its fervor and messianic in its language.
Ambitious, pleasantly arrogant, often thought provoking, occasionally convincing.
Barnett is very ambitious in this book, pleasantly arrogant in tone, slightly presumptuous in his conclusions, but often thought provoking and occasionally convincing.
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Subjects:  1. 1989-    2. Government - U.S. Government    3. History    4. International Relations (General)    5. Military    6. Military - General    7. Military Science    8. Military policy    9. Military-Political Relationships    10. Political Freedom & Security - International Secur    11. Politics / Current Events    12. United States    13. World politics    14. History / Military / General   

Reviews (10)

Absolutley brilliant!
This book is a very well illustrated study on the armour, weaponry, tactics and soldiers of both the Greeks and the Romans. This is a great book for someone starting off in this subject and yet it is thorough enough to be used and referenced by proper scholars as well. I think this book is a must-have for anyone interested in classical warfare but I have noticed that on the American site this book is listed as out of print. Therefore I highly reccomend that anyone who wishes to purchase this book for a decent price (since I have noticed that the used books available on here go up to $80!!) go to the UK Amazon site (www.amazon.co.uk) where this is still in print and is around 19pounds and shipping to the states is very reasonable. Enjoy!!

The Best Modern Source on the Market
Connolly's Greece and Rome at war is the best one-volume work on warfare in the classical age.The book begins with a detailed account of the Second Persian invasion of Greece.It goes on to describe in the most scrupulous fashion the appearance, arms, armor, tactics, organization, and leadership structure of the Greek armies.
This is a Great book
I really enjoy reading this book. It has great information about the various military structures of the greek and roman armys. The book goes in detail about how they fought, what armor they wore, how the marched, even what kind of food they ate. But this is only about half the book. The other parts of the book talk about differnt wars, battles, and campaigns. One of my favorite part of this book is about how the romans gradualy took over italy. I thought this was very intersting. I am a big military history fan so I already knew some things about Marius, Ceaser, and the Punic wars, but never had I come upon a detailed acount of how the romans really came to power in italy. It was also intersting to read about the early italian military systems.
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Subjects:  1. Ancient - General    2. Greece    3. History    4. History - Military / War    5. Military    6. Military - General    7. Military History - Ancient    8. Military art and science    9. Rome    10. Weapons, Ancient    11. Ancient Greece    12. Ancient Rome    13. European history: BCE to c 500 CE    14. History / General    15. Warfare & Defence   

Reviews (2)

Zaggats of cruising
I am not a world cruiser and have only ventured a few miles from shore and then not too far from the other side of the sound within which we sail every summer.This book was a disappointment.It is basically a distillation of the periodic surveys the author conducts of people who cruise in small yachts either on their own or as part of an offshore rally such as the ARC.The problem for me is that the book amounts to a collection of advice, not from people who necessarily know that much about cruising, but instead from those it was convenient for Cornell to interview.It's like a Zaggat guide, filled with lots of pepole's opinions but not necessarily people who know anything about food.Frankly, I don't know enough to judge whether this interviewees ideas are right on, or that interviewees ideas are nonsense-- that's not my point.I was looking for a single authoritative voice, not a report on what a collection of people with the funds and gumption to cross oceans happen to believe.This one is going back.

Excellent source of information
Cornell offers his own viewpoints as well as those of others, does a good job of labeling facts vs. options, and answers a lot of questions I had about cruising. Safety equipment, storms, piracy, dangerous areas, firearms, and communications are all covered well. Common equipment failures are given, along with statistics to back them up. For example, how often does the mast of a cuising yacht really fail, and how? ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Boating - General    2. Boating And Sailing    3. Equipment and supplies    4. Evaluation    5. Military Science    6. Recreational surveys    7. Sailing - General    8. Seamanship    9. Sports    10. Sports & Recreation    11. Yachting    12. Motor / power boating & cruising    13. Sailing    14. Sports & Recreation / Sailing   

Reviews (3)

Standard Catalog of Military Firearms
I was looking for a comprehensive guide specific to Military Firearms in order to identify and appraise weaponry. I found that unlike other price guides this one offered a higher degree of credibility due to it's titles and composition. I felt it was a great value for the price.

Standard Catalog Of Military Firearms: The Collector's Price & Reference G
Good reference book.Has nice comments on some of the more significant models.Not quite as inclusive as I would like but still very good.

GET IT!!!!
If are a milsurp collector and you want a reference book on condition and price of guns, this book is a MUST have! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Antiques & Collectibles    2. Antiques / Collectibles    3. Antiques/Collectibles    4. Firearms & Weapons    5. Firearms And Gunsmithing    6. Military    7. Military Science    8. Personal Weapons (Military Science)    9. Militaria, arms & armour    10. Reference works   

Reviews (5)

A must have for your Leadership Development library
Mr. Puryear wastes no time with fluff. He gets right to the heart of leadership in this wonderfully written book. He has done a superb job in researching and interviewing each of the men he writes about. So, the information you'll receive from this book is both accurate and personal. You can read it casually or blaze through it. Either way, I believe you will be pleased with the nuggets of leadership wisdom revealed by some of the world's finest military leaders.

Great Book!
This book is well written and keeps me interested; it is not dry at all.It really gives me insight towards becoming a good manager and leader for any situation.

Good history.Ex`cellent insights
This is an excellent book for anyone interested in what it takes to be a leader.Filled with many excellent tidbits of history and personal insights from the leaders themselves, Puryear has put together a really good book, one that I will recommend to many others.Of particular note, in my opinion, are his references to leaders embracing change (p.70 and 32), Marshall's decision-making (p. 56-57), the importance of your chief of staff (p.90), how to react to decisions that don't go your way, matching leaders to their jobs, and his thousands of quotes and anecdotes from Ridgway, Marshall, Westmoreland, Eisenhower, Powell, MacArthur, etc. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. History    2. History: World    3. Military - General    4. Military Science    5. Technology & Industrial Arts    6. United States - General    7. History / Military / General    8. Rank & titles    9. USA    10. Warfare & Defence   

Reviews (44)

Where Was This Book in 1965?
I always felt that my basic training experience back in 1965 would have been much better had I known something about what I was going to endure. Now, modern day Army recruits have at their finger tips, "The Ultimate Basic Training Guidebook" for surviving "boot camp"; and this is no exaggeration! Author Sgt. Michael Volkin has done a very creditable job of capturing all the needed information to survive basic training.
Perfect
This is perfect for anyone thinking of going in any branch of the military. If you want to do well in BCT you need this book.
Outstanding
This book is a straightforward delivery of important information for anyone entering or considering entering the United States military.
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Subjects:  1. History    2. History: World    3. Military Science    4. Reference    5. Technology & Industrial Arts    6. History / Reference    7. Land forces & warfare    8. Military life & institutions    9. USA   

Reviews (3)

Essential reading for the seriuos student of strategy.
The purpose of "The Making of Strategy" is to give the reader an insight into how strategy has been made in the past. This is done through various historical case studies which range from Ancient Greece to American Cold War nuclear policy. Each essay tries to show events from the perspectives of those who were involved and attempts to get inside the mindset of the people who had to forumlate and then implement the various strategies. Essential for strategy in any field of action
The book brings back historically those features that are essential in any strategy for most activities, altgough is focused in war.Basic reading for bussines.

Excellent & Easy reading
"The Making of Strategy" examines the strategy-making processes through the cultural, social, political, organisational and historical ( not just the military ) lenses, starting from the Peloponnesian Wars to theNuclear Age. The book is also excellent in inrtoducing the concept ofWeltanschauung; how a nation's strategic choices are often products of itsstrategic culture. This helps the reader to understand that despiteadvances in military technologies; why most wars are fought the way theyare fought. Very easy reading and excellent book on the little knownprocess of how strategy is often made. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. History    2. History - Military / War    3. History: World    4. Military - General    5. Military Science    6. Reference    7. World - General    8. Defence strategy, planning & research    9. History / World    10. Strategy--Case studies   

Reviews (1)

For the Professional Rocket Scientist
This book is essentially an update of the author's previous work, The Satellite Thermal Control Handbook, and is the collective writings of dozens of engineers who specialize in the design and analysis of spacecraft thermal control systems.While his first book focused on thermal control systems for unmanned Earth orbiting satellites, this new book expands on this information and includes interplanetary probes, the space shuttle and the most recent advances in thermal control system hardware.
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Subjects:  1. Aeronautics & Astronautics    2. Astrophysics & Space Science    3. Cooling    4. Military Science    5. Science/Mathematics    6. Space vehicles    7. Technology    8. Technology & Industrial Arts    9. Thermodynamics    10. Aerospace & aviation technology    11. Satellite communication    12. Space science