Reviews (1)

Ellet's Brigade -- a great yarn
When many people think of naval action in the Civil War, they likely think of the battle of the Monitor and the Merrimack. Ellet's Brigade is about the "brown water" action that took place around Vicksburg beforeand after the seige of that Confederate city. The brigade was run by avisionary, Charles Ellet, Jr., who believed the way to defeat theConfederate river navy was to use inexpensive, expendable rams. Histhinking led to the Union victory at Memphis, where he was killed. AfterEllet's death, no one knew what to do with the fleet of rams. Rear AdmiralPorter, with the help of Ellet's relatives, developed a Marine unit andused the rams as part of acounter insurgency group against rebelguerrilla activities. Ultimately this effort failed, because there was noeffective chain of command over the brigade. The brigade essentially ranitself and during the years following Memphis hurt the Union effort in thewest as much as it helped it. Author Chester G. Hearn does a great jobmoving the story forward and documenting the facts. This is a good read andwell worth any Civil War buff's time. I strongly recommend it. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Army    2. Army.    3. Civil War, 1861-1865    4. History    5. History - Military / War    6. History: American    7. Military - Naval    8. Military - Other    9. Military - United States    10. Military History - U.S. Civil War    11. Military Science    12. Mississippi Marine Brigade    13. Mississippi River Valley    14. Naval Combat Units    15. Riverine operations    16. United States    17. United States - Civil War    18. United States.    19. American history: c 1800 to c 1900    20. Ellet, Charles    21. Naval forces & warfare    22. Stanton, Edwin McMasters    23. USA   

Reviews (7)

Excellent overview from a diverse group of warriors.
Warriors is an excellent book that delivers a diverse group of viewpoints on what it means to be a warrior.
Wonderful 10 stars
I bought this from Loren Christensen's website and he signed it. It a fantastic book written by warriors from the military, the police, martial arts and other places. Most are incredible articles that tell you what it's like to be a warrior in their respective fields. I like Loren's articles but then I've bought most of his books. I highly recommend this book and On Combat too.

Wonderful x 10
Warriors is a fabulous book that should be read by every cop, soldier and relative of one. Christensen wrote ON COMBAT with Col. Dave Grossman and that book should also be in every warrior's library.
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Subjects:  1. Ethics & Moral Philosophy    2. History - Military / War    3. Military - General    4. Political Science    5. Political Freedom & Security - Law Enforcement    6. Technology    7. Military Science   

Reviews (42)

The British Band of Brothers
This is a book about glider troops from the UK.I wondered if I would be able to be engrossed in this book to the same degree I was engrossed with the story of E company in Band of Brothers.
Nice story telling but don't expect high drama
Mr Ambrose had the talent to write in an exceptional way, making complicated things to seem very simple and with an immediacy which is absolutely fascinating. The story of Company D's daring raid on Pegasus and Horsa bridges near "Sword" beach is told in detail, but although that small tactical British victory was important indeed, it didn't involve heavy fighting. The British gliderborne troops mad a perfect landing and captured both their targets in just 10 minutes. Then, when the Germans counterattacked the British knocked out a tank with a good PIAT shot and that was all! The rest of the fighting was done by other units of the 6th Airborne Division and Major Howard's men didn't have much to accomplish. Despite this poor combat record, it remains an interesting story of an aerial coup de main. The last chapter about the soldiers' lives and carreers after the war, was also excellent.

Excellent book
I thoroughly enjoyed this book as I've enjoyed everything I've read by Ambrose on WWII.This is a great job of giving some attention to those who landed on enemy soil prior to the allies hitting the beaches.I would highly recommend this book to any fan of WWII. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Campaigns    2. France    3. History    4. History - Military / War    5. History: American    6. Military - World War II    7. Military Science    8. Normandy    9. Normandy (France)    10. World War, 1939-1945    11. Europe    12. European history: Second World War    13. History / General    14. USA    15. World history: Second World War   

Subjects:  1. Europe - Great Britain - General    2. History    3. History - Military / War    4. Military    5. Military - Aviation    6. Military - World War II    7. Military Science    8. Aerospace & aviation technology    9. History / Military / Aviation   

Reviews (35)

War in South Pacific
I bought this book, and the companion book, Fire in the Sky by the same author. I bought them becasue my father spent from May 1942 until near the end of the war in the South Pacific. These books are NOT cronological history books, but rather an IN DEPTH discussion of why the US won and why the Japanese lost. Most of the book is taken up with quotes from the veterans who fought the war. Fire in the Sky had a few pages of quote from one of my Dad's friends from the 17th Weather Squadron.

A well-written and highly detailed review of the Pacific air war
"Fire in the Sky" is an extraordinarily detailed yet highly readable account of the air war in the South Pacific. Whilelengthier than its predecessor--"Touched With Fire," a chronicle of the land war in that godforsaken portion of the Pacific theatre of operations--Dr. Bergerud's book is an excellent companion volume and is a must-read for anyone who has read "Touched With Fire" or who is a student either of the South Pacific battles of World War II or of airpower. The impact of both Allied and Japanese airpower--bombers, fighters, and the all-important but unsung transport services--are analyzed in keen detail, along with the effects of radar and antiaircraft units. Interspersed throughout, as in Dr. Bergerud's prior works, are compelling and captivating first-person interviews and vignettes with veterans. The book also provides full justice to the other "half" of the Allied airpower team whose story is somewhat less well known in the U.S., the Royal Australian and Royal New Zealand Air Forces, but whose contributions were most impressive and served as another critical tool for Allied victories over Japan in New Guinea and the Solomon Islands. It is hard for this reader to imagine any future book that would be the last word on this topic or excel over Dr. Bergerud's well-written (and incredibly well-researched) text.

My favorite history on the Pacific airwar
I just re-read this entire volume after purchasing it when it was first released.A thorough examination of the South Pacific campaign, specifically the Solomon Islands airwar.Excellent first-hand accounts from both sides of the conflict.As one reads the narrative, one can feel the momentum shift as the U.S. begins it's technological and numerical ascendency of aircraft types over the Japanese.Yet, pilot skill was still ultimately paramount as well as combat technique and even culture.Very highly recommended. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. History    2. History - Military / War    3. History: World    4. Military - Aviation    5. Military - World War II    6. Military Aircraft - World War II    7. Military Science    8. Military Tactics And Strategy    9. Air forces & warfare    10. Second World War, 1939-1945    11. South Pacific    12. World history: Second World War   

Reviews (4)

An Accessible Analysis of the Art of War
Michael Handel's third and final version of his "Masters Of War" may be the most accessible analysis of classical military thought available to the military professional or academic.Handel's patient, methodical, side-by-side textual analysis of the works of Sun Tzu and Clausewitz overcomes the deceptive simplicity of Sun Tzu's precepts and the equally deceptive dense verbiage of Clausewitz's "On War."The result is an enlightening exploration of what may be mankind's most complex and most dangerous collective activity.For all its wastage and terror, war continues to be a final arbiter of the destiny of nations and ideologies.
Essential reference.
The best side-by-side comparison of Sun Tzu, Clausewitz, and Jomini strategic thought one can find. Included is Mao's strategic approach to completely round out classical perspective on war and strategy. The single best reference for understanding the similarities and differences between the masters of strategy.

Ideal for the academic,
is how I would describe Handel's 'Masters of War'.This however should not deter the keen reader from purchasing the book as it is indeed a wonderful, clear and interesting read.Read more

Subjects:  1. 1780-1831.    2. 6th cent. B.C    3. 6th cent. B.C.    4. Clausewitz, Carl von,    5. History    6. Military    7. Military - General    8. Military Science    9. Military art and science    10. Political Freedom & Security - International Secur    11. Sunzi bing fa    12. Sunzi,    13. Technology & Industrial Arts    14. Vom Kriege    15. Political Science / International Security    16. Theory of warfare & military science   

Reviews (1)

This Book is Awesome!!!
I bought this book along witht he book "ASVAB Basics" and found this book to be a great supplement to the ASVAB Basics book. I recommend studying fromt the ASVAB Basics Book first then study from this book. I found the questions in this book to be harder then what is on the actula exam which made the actual ASVAB easier. I also found that a few of the questions in this book was on the actual exam itself (manily from the Word Knowledge and Arithmetic sections). I needed a GT score of 110 to get into Officer candidate School and ended up getting a 120! This book ROCKS!! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Armed Forces    2. Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery    3. Armies    4. Military Science    5. Study Aids    6. Study Guides    7. Test Prep    8. Tests    9. Warfare & Defence   

Reviews (14)

very useful and concise
I borrowed this book from a friend and liked it so much I bought one for myself. It has a lot of concise useful information for anyone who occasionally comes upon a weapon issue in their work life, great for SCA/ reinactment buffs, it is also a good reference for children who are learning about historic wars.

Weapons organized by function rather than era or region
"Weapons" is rare, possibly unique among reference works on arms; it is organized by function rather than era, region, or alphabetically.Accordingly, you'll see a current police baton on the same page as a several thousand year old club.The functions begin with arming the hand (a rock, for example) and proceeds (more or less) by complexity, ending with aircraft, missiles, nukes, etc.
A brief (and good) overview in weapons.
I enjoyed this book and find it interesting for the more of people who likes to know a bit of everything.
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Subjects:  1. Arms and armor    2. Dictionaries    3. History    4. History - Military / War    5. Military - Weapons    6. Military Science    7. Reference    8. Weapons    9. Weapons & equipment   

Reviews (26)

Makes Ninjas Look Bad
This is one of the few books I would give no stars. You will learn nothing from this book, and you will not have to read much in this book ( becuase there isn't alot of text). The most interesting thing about this book is that you can cut out the pictures, put them in order and make little bearded ninja flip books out of them. These will include crawling in the grass, climbing on a roof or walking past a guy with a big stick. Ooooh.
An Interesting Overview of the Exotic Arts of the Ninja
The Mystic Arts of the Ninja begins with a discussion of the history of ninjutsu and some of its historical figures such as: Hattori Hanzo, Fujibayashi Nagato, and Kato Danjo.This historical view of ninjutsu is then compared with the limited conventional view of the day revolving around moonlit nights with black masked assassins murdering their enemies.
Pretty good
I was trying to decide whether or not to get this book or the Ninja and Their Secret Fighting art also by Stephen Hayes.I didnt buy it off Amazon so I was able to look inside the actual books and see what they were like.The other book kind of seems to be teaching you about ninjas.(I know duh)It looked to me like it was just telling you about ninja stuff but not how to do it.(some of it did but....)I looked in this book and it had pictures and how to do stuff and everything.This probably isnt the greatest choice if you are already involved in martial arts, but it was perfect for me.I like it so much I think I'll buy another one of his books sometime soon. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Martial Arts    2. Martial Arts & Self-Defense    3. Military Science    4. Ninjutsu    5. Sports    6. Sports & Recreation    7. Combat sports & self-defence    8. Sports & Recreation / Martial Arts & Self-Defense   

Reviews (9)

This book was excellent, I couldn't put it down.
As for the other half negative reviews, like it being for a young reader, don't pay any attention to that.Obviously those reviews are written by people that can't look or think beyond their own egos nor actually try to imagine what it must have been like, what the permanent affects were after such an altering event, and obvious emotional scars that must have continued on and on...After I finished the book, I re-read the preface and understood why there seemed to be pieces "I" wanted answers to, but understood why they weren't there.
Hurry up finish
I love reading tales of survival and often wonder how I would have reacted under similar circumstances.
Fascinating Read
You'll like this if you like adventure and the story of man's triumph over impossible odds - well written, almost unbelieve sometimes but Bauer's story is backed up by historical evidence ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Biography    2. Biography / Autobiography    3. Fiction    4. Forell, Clemens    5. Germany    6. Historical - General    7. History    8. Military    9. Military - World War II    10. Military Science    11. Personal Memoirs    12. Personal narratives, German    13. Prisoners Of War    14. Prisoners and prisons, Russian    15. World War II - Europe    16. World War, 1939-1945   

Reviews (6)

5 STAR MILITARY HISTORY
This is a great work of modern military history, by a top notch historian. Most good monographs rate 4 stars, but this is a case of using the Showalter formula even better than Showalter! Thorough, provocative, and very well written.

High Command?What high command?
This is an excellent study of the highest levels of the German Army during WWII.But I think the main lesson is that there was no high command, at least in the sense the British and the Americans had one.Hitler and the generals around him spent their time micromanaging the Eastern Front with occasional interference in African and European battles.Hitler acted as if he were the counterpart of Eisenhower, not Marshall or Brooke.It is as if Rosevelt were to have sent Eisenhower daily detailed instructions on where to attack and what to defend. Shatters some old myths
This book is an attempt to re-write what has been the conventional view of the relation between Adolph Hilter and the German General Staff. After the war, Hitler was conveniently dead and that allowed the German Generals to put out a version of history that was accepted for some years but was at odds with the truth. The German Generals had towed the line that they were politically neutral prior to the 1930?s and that they had not been supporters of Nazi aims. Further that they opposed some aspects of Nazi war aims and acted in a professional way. Lastly they were highly competent and might have won the war if it had not had been for Hitler continually interfering with their operational plans. Read more

Subjects:  1. 20th century    2. Campaigns    3. Command of troops    4. Europe - Germany    5. Generals    6. Germany    7. History    8. History - Military / War    9. History: World    10. Military - World War II    11. Military History - World War II    12. Military Personnel    13. Military Science    14. Oberkommando der Wehrmacht    15. World War, 1939-1945    16. Defence strategy, planning & research    17. European history: Second World War    18. Second World War, 1939-1945   

Reviews (3)

Operation Overflight: A Memoir of the U-2 Incident
This book is certainly a must have for the Cold War, Military Aviation and Spy afficionados out there!While the authors did their best to make the most of what little details Powers did/could provide them - especially about the actual missions he flew for the CIA - they failed to do justice to the historical significance of the event. Powers' actual flights and missions in the U-2 are not discussed in great detail (they never even mention the plane's actual altitude, there are no details about the U-2 except for some hearsay info on its imagined structural integrity (or lack thereof), and they assigned less than a page to discuss the other "special missions"), and there are very few details about the mission the book was actually written about.What you will nevertheless be able to read in detail about are his time spent in Russian prisons, the KGB interrogations, or his kind Latvian roomate Zigurd in Vladimir prison.The final section of the book is spent on the well-justified trashing of the CIA (afterall they gave him the shaft the same way NASA did to the Apollo 13 crew), and Powers provides some great insights into the personal dealings of the Agency.Reading it today, Powers' observations were way ahead of their time! You'll appreciate Powers Jr's epilogue that puts the entire book in perspective.Overall it is a great book, the only first-hand account of the U-2 incident you'll ever have, and as a matter of fact, I'll go and read it again!

The U-2 Incident with Francis Gary Powers:
The Flt of the U-2 is a most inspiring book. I sat on the edge of my seat while reading it and finished it in one sitting wishing there was more to read, but happy that the Russians got their "just day in court" and finally Francis Gary Powers was exchanged for Rudolph Abel. Such a high flying plane, to be shot out of the skies, is unreal to me - what went wrong? No matter what Powers' wrote, we will never know the complete truth, will we? Thank God he came home safe, as he *almost* gave his life forhis country. A well done book and may he rest in peace as his son recounts his father's service to his country. God Bless. Trish Schiesser, whose brother SSGT Phil Noland served in the USAFSecurity Service during the time Powers took off and went missing in Russia.
An espionage reader
Enjoyed it immensely. A hard to put down, revealing look at thishistorical, military, political event of the 1960's. Covering some of Power's CIA training, U2 overflights, downing & capture, Russian trial(farse), imprisonment, possible Oswald & other defectors connection to the U2 shoot down, repatriation through a trade of a pro Russian, US held spy and some of Power's life afterwards. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. 1929-    2. Aerial Operations    3. Biography / Autobiography    4. Cold War    5. Europe - Russia & the Former Soviet Union    6. History    7. History: American    8. Intelligence Operations    9. Military    10. Military - Aviation    11. Military - Intelligence/Espionage    12. Military Science    13. Powers, Francis Gary,    14. U-2 Incident, 1960    15. Air forces & warfare    16. American history: postwar, from c 1945 -    17. Biography & Autobiography / Military    18. Biography: historical    19. Military intelligence    20. Powers, Francis Gary    21. USA   

Reviews (1)

Place as a Historical Document
What a resourceful document on a subject that the general public knows so little about!!!!The author has detailed much little known research by the average person into an easy-to-read book for anyone who has interest in the Star Wars arena.It is an invaluble resource for students of USA/Soviet History; students in all of the War Colleges; National Defense University; or just in a general interest in history.It contains interesting anecdotal information and is not written in a strict academic style.
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Subjects:  1. Ballistic missile defenses    2. History    3. Military    4. Military - General    5. Military Science    6. Modern - 20th Century    7. Nuclear weapons    8. Soviet Union    9. Strategic Defense Initiative    10. Technology & Industrial Arts    11. United States    12. History / Military / General    13. International relations   

Reviews (1)

Good Collection of Essays
The collection of documents contained in the book provides a good look at major problems and issues spanning the entire three-hundred (say from the founding of Jamestown) or so years of American military history. Of particular interest to me was General Patton's commentary on the U.S. Army's position on tanks during the period between World War I and World War II.
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Subjects:  1. History    2. History - Military / War    3. Military    4. Military - United States    5. United States - General    6. USA    7. Warfare & Defence   

Editorial Review

Many armchair historians have spent hours daydreaming of what might havebeen if some turning point in history had gone another way. The appeal of theRead more

Reviews (29)

Great book but AMAZON SHIPPING SUCKS!!!
I've had a number of experiences with amazon in which I ordered and paid for express (next or 2nd day delivery) shipping and, invariably, they can't get my orders to me when promised. I recently ordered a DVD set for my husband's birthday and they didn't deliver. By noon the following day, even though DHL promised first thing in the morning delivery, I am still waiting. The last time this happened, my package didn't arrive until almost 9 pm on the day AFTER delivery should have occurred. Take my advice and don't buy from Amazon unless you are under no time restrictions. As for me, since amazon won't tell me who they're shipping with before I place my order and they won't let me chose the shipper as well as the speed, I just won't be buying from them any more and neither will my friends or family. Caveat Emptor!!!
Interesting history and hope for the future
This book is interesting history but is rather uneven.In some of the scenarios where I was not familiar with the actual history I had trouble following which of the events being discussed were the real events and which were the 'what if'.The ones I liked best were on Socrates, the Australian defense of New Guinea, Pontius Pilate, and Pius XII denouncing the Holocaust.The scenario on 'what if the potato hadn't been discovered' was interesting, but didn't seem to make any attempt to show that non-discovery of the potato was a real possibility.
Thought Provoking
Found the book to be very thought provoking.I didn't always agree with what was written but in most cases the authors made a good case for their idea.The only negative was that I thought many of the stories were too short and did not give the authors time to expand on their theories. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Battles    2. History    3. History - General History    4. History: World    5. Imaginary histories    6. Imaginary wars and battles    7. Military - General    8. Speculative    9. United States - General    10. War    11. World - General    12. History / General   

Reviews (19)

Very nice book
I found this book a must have for every one interested in aircraft recognition. Virtually all aircraft we can spot has info about it. The photographs are small, however don't forget this is a pocket guide, very handy to take with you everywhere you go...

Was this book proofed?
It's my fault I bought this book.I all too briefly flipped through it at the bookstore, quickly noting the lack of some details in the specifications.I thought I could tolerate these omissions.I regret that decision now.
Excellent Book
This is a great book and the title explains it well.My only complaint is the Boing/Sikorsky RAH-66 Comanche was omitted even with a picture of it on the back cover. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Aviation - General    2. History - Military / War    3. Military - Aviation    4. Military Aircraft    5. Military Science    6. Reference    7. Transportation    8. Transportation / Aviation / History   

Reviews (2)

Awesome book.
Starts out a little dry, but it's the necessary building blocks for the rest of the book. This is a great end-to-end description of the science of IW. Good buy!

A thorough introduction to a complex discipline
This book presents an information warfare framework that is more aligned to national infrastructure and military systems protection than commercial enterprises.However, the framework and systematic discussion of all of the relevant elements of information warfare can be applied to any environment - commercial, government or military.Read more

Subjects:  1. Computer - Internet    2. Computer Crime    3. Information Technology    4. Intelligence Operations    5. Internet - Security    6. Military Science    7. Science/Mathematics    8. Technology    9. Applications of Computing    10. Data security & data encryption    11. War & defence operations   

Reviews (2)

Very good book, with a lot of details and information
I like books with engineering details, and this one is fairly good on that front.Also has a lot of information on the different deployments, as well as countries that have deployed the A-4.

wonderful monograph on a classic post-WWII warplane
This volume is one of the best and most complete monographs in a single volume on a post-WWII military jet.It is well written and misses no aspect of the Skyhawk's long and varied military career or the details of its engineering and operation with a multitude of air arms.The history starts in in the early 1950s and continues to virtually today.The descriptions of its superb design and build, that made the "Scooter" a favorite with pilots for 50 years, is all here.The book reads well, is informative and I found it free of noticeable mistakes. The artwork of 20 color profiles, in many of its various plumages, by Dave Windle, is amongst the best in this kind of volume anywhere.The many photos, primarily color, are also excellent.I highly recommend this book to all with an interest in post-War military aircraft or just fans of great airplanes. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Aviation - General    2. History    3. History - Military / War    4. Military    5. Military - Aviation    6. Military Science    7. Air forces & warfare    8. Aircraft: general interest    9. History / Military / Aviation   

Editorial Review

An engrossing history of the scientific discoveries, political maneuverings, and cold-war espionage leading to the creation ofmankind's most destructive weapon.Read more

Reviews (42)

Very disappointing; where was the story of the H-bomb?
The title of this book is a misnomer as there is very little about the making of the hydrogen bomb in it. I can't remember the last time I was this disappointed in a book. There are hundreds of pages spent detailing the Soviet spy program during WWII while the USA was trying to build the atomic bomb. The scientists and their contacts and where they met and what they said to each other and what the Soviet scientists did with the information and on and on in mind-numbing minutiae. This information is all well and good, but that's not why I bought the book. The hydrogen bomb isn't touched on for 350 or 400 pages and then it still seems to spend more time on the Soviets and their attempts to catch up to the American program.
THREE DIFFERENT STORIES IN ONE
While I did not agree with many of the author's opinions and analyses, I must say 'Dark Sun' was a fairly enjoyable read.Rhodes really tells it as three different stories in one volume: a story of science, a story of espionage, and one of cold war history.
Necessary Differences of Style
Rhodes' "The Making of the Atomic Bomb" is my favorite nonfiction book.I hesitated to read this one for several years only because of reviews that slammed the book for dwelling too much on Soviet espionage and atomic bomb development and not enough on the actual physics of thermonuclear weapons design.
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Subjects:  1. General    2. History    3. History - General History    4. History: American    5. Hydrogen bomb    6. Military Science    7. United States - 20th Century/WWII    8. History / General    9. Popular astronomy    10. USA   

Reviews (26)

War as the Extension of Policy By Other Means
The Mask of Command By John Keegan
A fascinating analysis of command
In this book, John Keegan examines the lives of four well-known commanders and analyzes their command through the lens of what he terms "the heroic."He argues that the first armies began to organize themselves under the command of someone who met this heroic ideal, and demonstrates that, throughout history, successful commanders have adapted this ideal to suit their individual needs given the circumstances of the time.
Engrossing and flawless
Prior to the publication of "The Face of Battle", much of military history focused on leaders and not on the led, set pieces and "macro" developments.With "The Mask of Command", Keegan returns from the raw shellshock of combat and furnishes four accounts of famous military leaders.However, his focus is not on strategic or tactical decisions, but on how these men led, the theatre and persona that these leaders cultivated to provide the trust and moral fiber which motivated their men.This is what Keegan means by "the mask" -- the image, the spirit, the incarnation of what subordinates needed to believe in order to fight.It is in some sense combative to claim that this persona is a "mask" -- that is, an artifice contrived to motivate and not strictly who these leaders "were".To some extent, it is impossible to know what any historical figure actually "was", or simply what we even "are", but in any event, these particular leaders had very inte