Reviews (25)

Not the typical Napoleon biography
Swords Around a Throne is not your typical Napoleon book.Elting concentrates on topics which MAY rate a sentence or paragraph in other biographies.Elting concentrates on the different divisions of the Grand Arm�e including uniforms, in-depth looks at his marshals and the navy instead of regurgitating the different battles he fought.Swords Around a Throne is a good change of pace to the other biographies of Napoleon as it provides a different aspect to the Napoleonic Wars and his empire.Well worth the time to read.

Generalization
The problem with thick books that try to capture large subjects is that they must generalize and leave out a lot of data, and here there is no difference. If you are looking of a general overview of the Grande Armee during more then two decades of the French First Republic and Empire, this book will inform. However it is not meant to provide or be a definitive statement on any of the topics discussed in the chapters. Its a guide, rather then a scholarly work. This is particularly true where armies other then French are discussed, or where equal space has been given to its largest corps, the Infantry or Cavalry.
Informative and Interesting
This is an excellent book, both informative and interesting.Even while discussing rather dry topics, the author manages to work in humourous anecdotes or observations.
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Subjects:  1. 1789-1815    2. Armee    3. Armâee.    4. Europe - France    5. France    6. France.    7. Grande Armee    8. Grande Armâee    9. History    10. History - Military / War    11. History, Military    12. Military - Napoleonic Wars    13. Military History (General)    14. Napoleonic Wars, 1800-1815    15. Regimental histories    16. History / General    17. History of specific subjects    18. Land forces & warfare   

Reviews (3)

Very Good Book; Much Too Bad It's OOP!
I can't believe this title is out of print...I wouldn't say the book is anywhere near perfect (it feels just that much more "serious" or "scholarly" than the typical History Channel or Learning Channel program), but it seems to be the only book about early enlisted life in the U.S. Army (namely, boot camp and one's first duty station) -- certainly the most recent, unfortunately! Excellant
George Wilson is an excellant author and gives the truth in this book. I wrote to Mr Wilson and at the time my husband to be was in basic as a mud soldier and Mr Wilson autographed and sent me a copy of his wonderful truebook. A must read for infantry.

An excellent look at the life of a U.S. Army infantryman
George C. Wilson captures the true essence of the life of an infantryman during the waning years of the cold war.He exposes a side of the military in an objective way, in which few people truly see.Mr. Wilson makes it clear that the military needs to place that invaluable American asset, thesoldier, on a level of extreme importance.He shows that our military isfacing a leadership crisis, especially at the middle management position. The Washington bureaucrats need to read this book, and get a grip on thetrue state of our United States Army.Good job, Mr. Wilson! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Army    2. Army.    3. Battalion, 2nd    4. Battalion, 2nd.    5. Charlie Company    6. History    7. History - Military / War    8. History: American    9. Infantry Regiment, 16th    10. Infantry Regiment, 16th.    11. Military - General    12. Military life    13. Regimental histories    14. United States    15. United States.    16. Vietnam War, 1961-1975    17. USA   

Features

• Abridged
• Audiobook

Subjects:  1. Abridged Audio - Fiction/General    2. Audio Adult: Books On Tape    3. Espionage/Intrigue    4. Military History (General)    5. Military Science    6. Persian Gulf War, 1991    7. Special forces (Military science)    8. Technology    9. United States    10. Vietnamese Conflict, 1961-1975    11. Fiction / General   

Reviews (1)

A 10!Inside story of 1 of world's greatest feats in aviation
For the first time, the exciting inside story of the breaking of the sound barrier as told by Chuck Yeager and his X-1 team members. World renowned stunt pilot Bob Hoover was Yeager's chase pilot that fatefull morning. It is a beautifully illustrated book with 125 photos, many from the authors private collections that have never been seen by the public or published before. It also includes a chapter on famous aviatrix and motion picture stunt pilot Pancho Barnes and her Happy Bottom Riding Club. Pancho offered a free steak to the first man to break the sound barrier (Mach One) and Yeager collected that steak on Oct. 14th 1947. Pancho's Club was the fraternity house for the test pilots, where they could share lessons learned in flying the new jets and to celebrate surviving for one more dayRead more

Subjects:  1. Aerodynamics, Supersonic    2. Aeronautics & Astronautics    3. Air Forces    4. Aircraft    5. Bell X-1 (Supersonic planes)    6. General    7. History    8. Interviews    9. Military - Aviation    10. Military Science    11. Research    12. Technology    13. Test pilots    14. Transportation    15. United States    16. Air forces & warfare    17. Aircraft: general interest    18. History / General    19. History of engineering & technology    20. c 1945 to c 1960   

Reviews (9)

The Italian Sun Tzu
If warrior culture is your interest, rather than becoming a sycophant of the Eastern warrior cultures, pair this with George Bird Grinnel's Fighting Cheynne, and you will not only enrich your understanding, but bring it home.

Good translation, interesting history --
-- but I found Macchiavelli's content frankly disappointing. The translation is modern and readable, I have no problem with that. The original was centuries behind Sun Tzu's book of the same name, even though Sun Tzu wrote around 500BC, 2000 years before Macchiavelli. Macchiavelli gives a bit of advice about soldierly temperament and training. There's also a brief checklist, just two pages, of strategic advice, near the end of the book. That's all that really has lasting value.
A Great First-Half
Machiavelli's "The Art of War" is only half the story.To fully understand the point and purpose of these conversations, you must read Machiavelli's other and more important book: "The Prince".Both books are exercises in the logic extending from the premise that the ends justify the means.
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Subjects:  1. General    2. History    3. History - General History    4. Military    5. Military - General    6. Military Science    7. Theory of warfare & military science   

Reviews (13)

An Essential Fencing Student Primer!
Aldo Nadi was an undefeated World Professional Fencing Champion.Know that many fencing instructors consider Nadi to be the consumate Master of sport.
Invaluable
I fenced for 8 years before I read this book and ONLY THEN did I truly understand how to lunge.Aldo Nadi's technique and approach to fencing is incredible and timelessly effective.No fencer can afford not to read this book.
Brilliant
Excellent book. My experience in the martial arts is not in fencing. Nonetheless, Nadi's book offers enough insight and analysis on the proper training approach and mindset for the weaponless self-defense practitioner, non-fencers, to appreciate.Read more

Subjects:  1. Essays    2. Fencing    3. Sports    4. Sports & Recreation   

Reviews (24)

Woof woof. Who is that howling?
Paul Williams has put out a book, with a big emphasis on sources and footnotes and a scholarly appearance. Professionally put together it seems. He warns that Osama has dozens of nukes within the United States already and that the "American Hiroshima" is coming soon.
A Copy Should be Placed by Every US Front Door!
When you finish this book you will be depressed as hell and then you will realize that you ought to spend every waking moment enjoying life.Paul Williams writes well about the end of the world as we now know it and he gives great footnotes and a wonderful index for those who are into checking and rechecking.
Good Read
I read many books on the subject of Al Qaeda and this was one of the more interesting and entertaining reads.... As another reviewer already said, this book is not for the faint hearted..... ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Drug traffic    2. International    3. Military Science    4. Nuclear weapons    5. Organized Crime    6. Political Freedom & Security - Terrorism    7. Political Science    8. Political Terrorism    9. Politics / Current Events    10. Politics/International Relations    11. Transnational crime    12. War Crimes And Criminals    13. Islamic studies    14. Terrorism, freedom fighters, armed struggle   

Reviews (41)

good book
I picked this one up ,and enjoyed it through the whole thing. I enjoy short stories. And thats what this book has. The only annoying thing was that in between some of the stories, a chapter would be put in explaining snipers and random stuff. It kinda threw off the flow of actually reading a persons one story. But do what I did ,and skip those chapters. I'm pretty sure there was interesting stuff in those chapters ,but I read one and a half of them ,and was bored. On to the stories. Well worth checking out

BS
I bought this book then found out it regurgitated Soviet Propaganda concerning Major Koenig, Berlin Sniper School and the famous duel.I've read in many places that are very believable (like Vasily Grossman, Writer at War) that this just did not take place and cannot be verified anywhere.I refuse to read a book that fronts fiction as truth.If you are fiction, then say it.

great reading
This was a book about the stories of what the sniper's did in different wars. There's nothing much else to say about it. More than anything, i'd say that this book gives you more of a perspective on how the snipers thought. I thought that was pretty important especially if you really want to become a sniper or if you really want to understand what being a sniper is like. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. History    2. History - Military / War    3. Military    4. Military - Other    5. Military - Vietnam War    6. Military Science    7. Crime & mystery    8. History / Military / General   

Reviews (28)

dry, but definitive
Robert Shaw knows all there is to know about ACM and BFM.His book is a no-nonsense treatise on modern air combat techniques.It can be a bit dry if you're looking for an engaging "popular science" sort of approach, but if you're looking for a manual with all the accumulated knowledge of fighter pilots since man first took a pistol into a biplane, this is the definitive work.

an excellent textbook
This book is a truly outstanding source of information on fighter combat.It reads as smoothly as a school textbook.There are no pictures.The text is not entertaining.It is in fact rather difficult to digest and requires scrutiny of diagrams, cross-referencing of previous chapters and overall concentration. A professional's book
As someone with some experience in the real world of fighter aviation (316 combat missions, F4 Phantom II RIO), Shaw's book is one of the best single-source volumes on the complexity of modern aircraft combat maneuvering. It is not light reading, but fighter aviation is deadly serious - high speed, three dimensional chess where the loss of the game is a very ugly death.Read more

Subjects:  1. Fighter plane combat    2. History - Military / War    3. Military - Naval    4. Military Aircraft    5. Military Science    6. Air forces & warfare   

Reviews (4)

"Many people would sooner die than think-
- in fact, they do so"
Excellent Book
From my experiences in reading historical non-fiction, there are generally two types of books. One of these simply tells you what happend, while the others, while also accomplishing the recount, also provide an analysis of perhaps why soemthing happend.
Excellent
I read this book this semester in Professor Ohnuki-Tierney's class on Political and Cultural Symbolism. A must for any undergraduate student of symbolic or political anthropology. The book traces the use of the cherry blossom as a symbol throughout history, eventually arriving at the tokkotai (kamikaze) pilots of WWII.
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Subjects:  1. Aerial operations, Japanese    2. Asia - Japan    3. Education and the war    4. General    5. History - General History    6. History: World    7. Kamikaze airplanes    8. Kamikaze pilots    9. Military - World War II    10. Military Science    11. Technology    12. World War, 1939-1945    13. Anthropology    14. Asian / Middle Eastern history: Second World War    15. Cultural studies    16. History / Military / World War II    17. Japan    18. Second World War, 1939-1945   

Reviews (2)

spec ops fashion show
this is the second of eric micheletti's book on special forces in the middle east conflicts,the first dealing with afghanistan.if you liked that book,you'll like this one.if you did'nt,well..sorry..you probably wont care for this one.this book is a photo collection of special forces in iraq,along with a few"runway models"displaying the latest in spec ops fashion.if you are interested in military uniforms and gear(you are called a "geardo"...sounds like weirdo)this is one for your library.some of the pictures are from digital cameras and are a bit fuzzy(or is that "pixilated"?),but you will see plenty of pics of special forces,SEALs,marine recon and AFSOC.even CIA,SAS,grom and others.i do think the chapter on the operators of the other nations involved(coalition forces)is too short.and you wont see much of the new"digital"camo patterns that are all the rage in military fashion.also note...this book is not a "rah rah"account of the war in iraq.the author is a long time combat journalist.he has been around the uglier parts of the world and"seen the elephant"more than even the most jaded CNN reporter.he takes no cheap shots at the soldiers,but nor does he sugar coat the conflict.that he is french may upset some.nonsense.if you know anything about eric's work,you know he has a deep admiration of the troops,of many nations.long story short..if you have an interest in military gear as a collector,collect action figures,or just want to see some pictures to go with those"i was there"books(think jawbreaker or roughnecks or such)this book is a good start.also,the book ends with pictures of some of the operators who gave their lives in iraq.did you know 2 of the"green berets"lost where women?they belonged to the civil affairs units,which are part of special forces.they are airborn trained and wear the green beret,even though they arent what we think of when we think of special ops.remember them....all of them.

pretty good
Once again I'm pretty impressed with this line of books(the first one being Special Forces War in afghanistan). People complained about the first book being inaccurate and other stuff that really didn't matter. The truth is that this book has "examples"of what special forces has over there as well as real pictures of soldiers in action. It's a very visual book with tons of cool stuff that people like me ,like to see. The facts I haven't really gone over to know how accurate it might be, but take into consideration that this is a book done by somebody making books, not some guy actually in the Special Forces. Half of the stuff that probably goes on ,the public will never really know. So take evrything with a grain of salt ,and you'll be all right. I love these books. Although the first one was a little better, but who cares, at least they brought another one out. Enjoy ... Read more

Subjects:  1. History    2. History - Military / War    3. Military    4. Military - General    5. Military - Iraq War    6. Military - Other    7. Military Science    8. Transportation    9. 21st century    10. Asian / Middle Eastern history: postwar, from c 1945 -    11. History / Military / Other    12. Iraq    13. Special & elite forces   

Reviews (2)

New Third Edition Updates Computer Area Significantly
The military has pioneered the concepts of logistics -- indeed napoleon was responsible for the development of canning foodstuffs to provide for his armies. As the military has gotten more complex but must still provide for everything their soldiers need, the military's development of what's now called ILS (Integrated Logistics Support) has gotten more developed. Beyond the military, various commercial ventures must also provide for logistics support. When your automobile has a problem you expect the dealer to have parts. These types of companies have developed commercial systems that are based on those of the military.
Excellent ILS reference, with potential commercial uses
My motivation for buying this book came from my extensive experience with material maintenance management during my 22 year career in the navy, and subsequent experience with integrated logistics in Department of Defense contracting. I used the first edition of this book as a reference when I was on a proposal team for a DoD contract, and found it to be one of the best references available because it distilled tens of thousands of pages of directives, instructions and related material into less than 500 pages. It covered the topic in sufficient detail as to serve as an authoritative reference as well as to get other members of the team up-to-speed in ILS.Read more

Subjects:  1. Armed Forces    2. Handbooks, manuals, etc    3. Industrial Technology    4. Logistics    5. Manufacturing    6. Military Science    7. Procurement    8. Science/Mathematics    9. Supplies and stores    10. Technology    11. Technology & Industrial Arts    12. United States    13. Production & quality control management    14. Technology / Manufacturing   

Reviews (20)

DANGER, DANGER, WILL ROBINSON
Danger, danger, is very much the message put forth in this book and it should be heeded before it is too late. Some reviewers have mentioned Sun Tzu and his rules of warfare. Sun Tzu puts forth a very reasoned and systematicset of rules that define a nations path to victory or defeat. By definition, our present leadership has us solidly on the path of defeat. Our people in the field have to both fight our Eastern enemies as well as carry a great weight of poor leadership at the highest levels. This book is very informative and is for the most part, completely accurate and frightening.
Inside Out
I read all these reviews and in the main agree with them.However, the real "way of western combat" is exemplified right here:we -- AT THE BOTTOM LEVEL -- are discussing all this and implementing it as we go.And as another reviewer mentioned, our soldiers are getting at it and learning from this NOW.Here's the clincher:does the oriental soldier or citizen do this.No way.It's not in their culture.Hasn't been for thousands of years.Unlikely to be unless huge changes occur in their citizenry.West = democracy / more free / BOTTOM-UP APPROACH.East = tyrrany / less free / TOP-DOWN APPROACH.
Technology is the practical application of knowledge
"Phantom Soldier" should be on the reading list of every force professional in America--despite author Poole's almost arrogant assertion that Americans do everything wrong.As with most prophets, he overstates the case.For example, Poole keeps harping on how America is focused on "technology" when he means "hardware."Technology is much more than hardware--it is the practical application of knowledge.The tactics and techniques discussed in "Phantom Soldier" are knowledge, practically applied.It is true that American military people brag about "American initiative" while tightening top-down control over the individual front-line infantryman.It is also true that infantry training could be better.The current wars in Iraq and Afghanistan are changing the military--with large numbers of Internet-savvy soldiers and Marines on-line, tips and tactical techniques are being swapped with a speed that makes the ossified TRADOC (Training and Doctrine Command) seem AWOL.Many of Poole's recommendations are being put into practice already.There's still a lot to be done.
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Subjects:  1. Armed Forces    2. Asia    3. Asymmetric warfare    4. Drill and tactics    5. History    6. Infantry    7. Maneuver warfare    8. Military    9. Military - General    10. Military - Strategy    11. Military Science    12. Military doctrine    13. Technology & Industrial Arts    14. Infantry drill and tactics    15. Marine Corps    16. United States   

Reviews (13)

An extraordinary story of POW captivity.......
In January of 1968, helicopter pilot Warrant Officer Frank Anton was shot down in Southern Vietnam and spent 5 years in captivity.Many prominent books have been written of U.S. POW's in Hanoi's prisons but this story is a riveting look at POW's held in prison camps in Southern Vietnam which may have been worse. Simply one of the best
This is a powerful book that gets to the heart of what it was like to have been a POW in the jungles of South Vietnam. Anton's account is a remarkable account; a gut-wrenching story that will take you to the edge on a veryreal nightmare, teach you something about perseverence, and give you hope.It is a story that must be included in any war books you have on yourshelves.I urge you to buy this book.

Heart Rendering Account of Intrepid Survival & Betrayal
This book is quite different from what folks might come to expect from a "war" book. This story brings the raw truth of the personal account of being a soldier and captured. I agree with another reviewer thatthis account is completely different in that it is about an Army pilotbeing imprisoned in South Vietnam before being sent up the Ho Chi Minhtrail to the North. The years of endurance and emotional drain are hard toeven imagine. And then, in the end, find out that your military knew ofyour locations and only took your picture! Hanoi Jane could do no worse. Iserved with a sister unit of the 71st in the 178th Boxcars at Chu Lai andwas in country when Frank was captured(though we didn't know it that time}.I was getting ready to go home in just a few weeks - Frank's tour gotextended by 5 years. Sorry Frank, if we knew where you were it would havebeen different or we would have been dead. I have the highest respect forthis story, the truth, Frank and all the POWs who served their country butthe "higher ups" could have done alot more to help but chooseonly to "observe" instead of have the guts the POWs did. Readthis book and put yourself in Frank's shoes and you would ask the samequestion he did - AND he's right! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. History - Military / War    2. History: American    3. Military - Vietnam War    4. Military History - Vietnam Conflict    5. Military Science    6. Personal narratives, American    7. Prisoners Of War    8. Prisoners and prisons, North Vietnamese    9. Prisoners and prisons, Viet Cong    10. Technology    11. Vietnam War, 1961-1975    12. Vietnam War,1961-1975    13. Anton, Frank   

Reviews (12)

Great Resource
Leahy does an excellent job into giving us a day to day impression inside RTC, Great Lakes. I was recommended to read this book from the experienced Sailors in the military.com forums. Not only did it answer some of the smaller detailed questions that you may not find on the Navy websites, it gave me an understanding of what the recruits of Division 005 went through, psychologically and physically.
Going to the Navy? This is the Book for you!
I bought this book because, like most of the reviewers, I'll be joining the Navy on May. It's very clever to learn as much as you can about Boot Camp BEFORE you get there. This book covers the trials and tribulations of Division 005 as they march through Boot Camp. From the first day they step on Great Lakes until the day they leave. THIS BOOK IS GREAT. The author covers everything that you will experience in Boot Camp with graphic detail, and then he interviews both Recruits and RDCs so you can get both perspectives. As one reviewer said, not too many pictures, but the info within is really precious. If you want to see pictures, just go the the Great Lakes web site and you'll see many there.I recommend this book!

Great Book
I am thinking about joining the Navy and I have been reading a million different books and articles about boot camp and the military in general and this book by far is my favorite.It tells you what these recruits were going through each step of the way through boot camp.It is very motivating and you feel so proud of these people for making it through.By the end of the book you feel so connected with them and are so excited for their graduation.I would recommend this book to anyone; if you're joining the military or not, or if you are just curious.I graduate wait from college in May and I cannot wait to ship out. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. History    2. History - Military / War    3. History: American    4. Military - General    5. Military - Naval    6. Military Science    7. Naval education    8. Navy    9. Sailors    10. Training of    11. United States    12. American history    13. Maritime history    14. Naval forces & warfare    15. USA   

Reviews (7)

The Faith of the American Soldier
Very good book. I highly recommend it.It is an easy and quick read, but very worthwhile and meaningful.

Revealing and Touching
This book is well written and a fast read.The author expresses the seniments of many concerning the youth produced by this nation; youth who are themselves the product of the WW2 baby boomers and the Viet Nam era flower children.It is with surprise, and great depth of feeling one discovers that our fighting youth are people of honor and depth, searching for a spiritual base on which to anchor their lives and souls.This reader espresses shame and regret that they are barred from companionship in battle circumstances with their chaplins which could, perhaps, give them the base they need.Hooray for our troops!!!!

The Faith of the American Soldier
Mr. Mansfield has given readers an opportunity that few have, that of becoming aware of experiences, motivations and desires of our American service people.My grandson who was injured in the July suicide bombing of the building where he and others were training Irag soldiers, recommended this excellent book.
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Subjects:  1. Chaplains, Military    2. Christian Life    3. Christianity - Christian Life - Character & Values    4. Faith    5. Inspirational    6. Iraq War, 2003-    7. Military Science    8. Military Science (Specific Aspects)    9. Religion    10. Religious aspects    11. Religious life    12. Soldiers    13. United States    14. Body, Mind & Spirit / Spirituality / General   

Reviews (3)

A brilliant intellectual defense of the study of military history
American strategic thought is cyclic. Ever since the end of the Civil War the study of military history has fallen in and out of style, even within U.S. Military War Colleges and Command and Staff Colleges.During the 1960s, the organizational and business accounting theories of Secretary of Defense RobertMcNamara and his "whiz kid" advisors stated that war could be reduced to number crunching and statistical analysis. As a result military history suffered.By the 1980s, military history was reborn with the wide acceptance of the writing of Carl von Clausewitz.The application of his theories played a major part in the complete rebuilding of American military operational art and the success of Operation Desert Storm.By the mid-1990s, the tide began to shift. "New" theorists began to opine on the wonders of "network-centric" warfare and "effects-based operations". Once again the study of history was replaced by computer networks and mathematical formulas.
Doomed to Repeat History
We all think that our times are unique. And little makes this as clear as the opening few pages of this book.
Good food for thought
The editors of this book have put together an outstanding series of essays derived from a conference at the Royal Military College, Sandhurst, and later presented at the Marine Corps University, Quantico.The book's theme is stated in the subtitle; "The Importance of History to the Military Profession;" its view point is that the study of military history is critical for the military.There are two introductory chapters.The first, by Editor Williamson Murray, argues that only by studying military history can a soldier begin to understand war.Not that there aren't pitfalls and, "for history to be of any use, its very complexities demand skeptical inquiry rather than reliance on a smattering of inevitably oversimplified historical anecdotes."The second chapter, by eminent military historian Sir Michael Howard, argues that only military history can provide contextual understanding for many more conventional historians in explaining many issues, such as the impact of World War's I and II on society.
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Subjects:  1. History    2. History - General History    3. History - Military / War    4. History: World    5. Military - Strategy    6. Military Science    7. Military art and science    8. Military history    9. Renaissance    10. Study and teaching    11. History / Renaissance    12. Warfare & Defence    13. World history