Reviews (200)

Biased
I read Flags of Our Fathers and enjoyed it more than Flyboys.Bradley has a writing style that is difficult at times as has personal biases come through very clearly.As one other reviewer has written, I found it very odd that he often referred to MG Curtis LeMay as "Curtis."As someone writing about military history, Bradley should have more respect for the uniform and should not call a two star general by his first name like he is talking about one of his golfing buddies.This was very distracting.I also found the first couple of chapters of his history lesson very tedious and unfocused - so much so that I nearly quit reading the book.The latter chapters pick up the pace and are insightful.Bradley also devotes too much time attempting to demonize the American firebombing tactics.Thankfully Bradley's bias and negativity toward the Navy and Army is not as pronounced in Flyboys as in FOOF.This bias is especially odd considering his father was a Navy Corpsman.

Desire to moralize reaches too far
I assume that the author is attempting to show that war creates an environment in which morally degenerate acts become much more likely, if not all but inevitable, on all sides of the conflict.In doing so, however, the author very frequently stretches the blanket of history too far, as when he suggests that the Japanese would have remained forever content to be isolated on their home islands if the American fleet had not paid an uninvited visit to Tokyo Bay in 1853-54 and taught the Japanese the foreign policy advantages of a strong navy.While most historians would agree that the U.S. Navy's visit served the royal court with a wake-up call regarding the existence of a world beyond Japan, that is not the same thing as assuming that without this visit no other internal or external events over the next 70 years would have spurred the Japanese to look beyond their shores and trade an isolationist philosophy for an imperial one.
Fascinating!
I found this to be a fascinating account of the war in the Pacific, and I was impressed with the fact that the author imparts a deep appreciation for America and the sacrifices our soldiers made but can still step back and look objectively at the mistakes on both sides.Does examining our own faults release the other side from responsibility for their crimes, as some other reviewers seem to feel?I don't believe so; I think it's healthy for us to examine our history so we don't make the same mistakes again.It's too bad that some people lump any critique of our own actions into the "pop-revisionist history" category.
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Subjects:  1. Atrocities    2. Biography    3. Biography & Autobiography    4. Biography/Autobiography    5. Chichi Island    6. History - Military / War    7. Japan    8. Military    9. Military - Aviation    10. Military - United States    11. Military - World War II    12. Military History - World War II    13. Prisoners Of War    14. Prisoners and prisons, Japanes    15. Prisoners and prisons, Japanese    16. World War, 1939-1945    17. Biography & Autobiography / Military   

Reviews (3)

Poor Logic
Thomas Dilorenzo shines at misinformation in his new book.Among the lies he states is that it is not widely taught that the Civil War was not just about slavery but also for economic reasons.This is interesting to me as a history teacher, since any modern text, college, high school or grade school would have this information.
Lincoln Unmasked: Dishonest Abe. By Thomas Dilorenzo
A lot of research examines Abraham Lincoln and other origins of American National Socialism. Much of the work helps to explain the massive growth of government in these United States of America and the growing police state. More work needs to expose the influence of American National Socialism upon socialists worldwide, and upon the National Socialist German Workers' Party.
A Real Inconvenient Truth
I've already read DiLorenzo's The Real Lincoln; and I must say, this new book of his is far more trenchant in its libertarian exegesis of creepy "Father Abraham."Anyone interested in human freedom and dignity should get this book.Its a twelve-pound sledge of intellectual dynamite to evicerate the socialist propaganda of Eric 'Stalinikov Marx-o-holic' Foner with.
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Subjects:  1. 1809-1865    2. Biography    3. Biography & Autobiography    4. Biography / Autobiography    5. Biography And Autobiography    6. Biography/Autobiography    7. Historical - U.S.    8. Lincoln, Abraham,    9. Presidents    10. Presidents & Heads of State    11. Public opinion    12. U.S. History - Civil War And Reconstruction (1860-1877)    13. United States    14. United States - Civil War    15. History / United States / General   

Reviews (30)

Military ripoff
If youspent 20 years on active duty, this book is accurate, but you got all of this information when you left the military.If you had combined active duty and reserve/Guard or just reserve/guard experience, this book is misleading at best and just plain inaccurate at worse.Unless you were injured on active duty, there are very few benefits for the reserve/guard until you hit age 60, which the book fails to tell you.Sure, you get to shop in the high-priced Exchanges and Commissaries if you live close to them, and there is a slim possibility of Space Available travel, but the inconvenience makes going commercial, even with security at the commercial airports, easier.
Great if you're active duty or a potential recruit
I was somewhat disappointed by this book. A veteran of three military services (but not retired), I had hoped to find some information about Veterans' programs. Instead, I found about 90% of the book to be useful only for currently-serving personnel or young men contemplating a military career. For those individuals, this book is great. For those not currently serving, I found it lackluster and loaded with information any military man could find on base with little trouble. Would I recommend this book? Not really. Would I recommend the military as a career to most young men? Absolutely. Save your money. Enlist and talk with the on-base career advisors instead for much more current information.

Military Review
Lots of good information for those that are about to retire or have questions concerning benefits. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Military - United States    2. Military Personnel    3. Military pensions    4. Personal & Practical Guides    5. Politics / Current Events    6. Public Policy - Social Services & Welfare    7. Reference    8. Reference And Information Services    9. Services for    10. United States    11. Veterans    12. Reference / General   

Reviews (21)

My 105 year old Grandfather gives it two thumbs up!
My family did have an ancestor who fought in one of the Crusades, and as a result, King James gave us our family motto and heraldry in 1607.For a while, I didn't know what to do with this information: hang my head in shame, or be proud of a unique heritage.
Why Care About The Crusades?
I read this in "lecture form" as a book on tape.I assume the book is similer to the lecture series.The Crusades are "ancient history" and have no bearing on the modern world, right?Wrong!The present situation in Israel and The Holy Land is similer in many ways to the situation back in about 1100AD when The Crusades started.In fact, it seems that we are still fighting "the crusades" even to this very day!It helps put the present situation in historical perspective to read this book.You will understand the present situation better after reading this book. Recommended highly.Email: boland7214@aol.co

fantastic book
it's like LA confidential, they throw a lot of names at you, but if you are smart, it is a REALLY GOOD book. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Crusades    2. General    3. History    4. History - Military / War    5. History: World    6. Medieval    7. Military - General    8. History / Europe / General    9. History / General    10. World history: c 500 to C 1500   

Reviews (25)

Homage to Dad
I gave this book 2 stars because the first 2 fifths of it were good.The rest stunk.
Useful account of a failed, corrupt occupation

Sad But True
The title says it all.In fact, it echoes a remark made by a citizen of the country, who said "We may be seeing the death of Iraq."From the gassing and torture of civilians to America's nonchalant reaction to the looting of Iraq's treasured museums,to the current mess and mayhem created by our ignorance and incompetance, the author sums it all up by stating that America lost the war on terror the day it won the battle for Baghdad.
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Subjects:  1. 1991-2003    2. 2003-    3. Foreign Relations    4. History    5. History: American    6. International Relations - General    7. Iraq    8. Iraq - History    9. Iraq War, 2003    10. Military - Iraq War    11. Military - United States    12. Political Freedom & Security - International Secur    13. Politics / Current Events    14. United States - 21st Century    15. History / United States / 21st Century   

Reviews (48)

An Interesting View of US History
We the people of the United States like to think of ourselves as peace loving icons, holding ourselves up above the petty problems that affect the rest of the world. And there is a certain amount of truth to that.
Paring history down to the essential lessons.
I will not repeat the many excellent comments here except that Kinzer writes very well, making the read fascinating and factually solid.Other points:
Regime Change Begins At Home
It's no mere cliche to state that those who don't know history are doomed to repeat it. Here Stephen Kinzer examines the almost completely unsuccessful legacy of American "regime change" operations. Starting in the late 1800s, American leaders have worked to overthrow uncooperative or politically undesirable governments that acted independently and in their own interests. Almost always, American business profits were threatened, but politicians have consistently justified these operations with jingoistic language about security, freedom, and democracy. Don't believe the hype, then or now.Kinzer's coverage of regime change operations is illuminating and often quite infuriating for the thinking American, especially in the stories of Guatemala, Iran, and Chile, where American operatives overthrew democratically elected governments and installed repressive dictatorships, simultaneously harping about the benefits of freedom, while merely protecting the freedom of corporations to rob sovereign nations of their natural resources. And with the exceptions of tiny Hawaii and Grenada, all of our regime change operations have contributed to the oppression of newly "freed" peoples, and created dictators and terrorists who have made America much less safe in the long run.
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Subjects:  1. 20th century    2. Foreign Relations    3. History    4. History - U.S.    5. History: American    6. International Relations - General    7. Intervention (International law)    8. Iraq War, 2003    9. Legitimacy of governments    10. Military - United States    11. U.S. History - 20th Century (General)    12. United States - 20th Century    13. United States - General    14. History / United States / General   

Reviews (6)

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

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

Reviews (39)

Old, presented as New!
I'm not sure why the publish date is listed as Jan. 1, 1992.The cover clearly shows the publish date as October, 1970.
Um, You Don't Have To Pay For This.
This, like many other military manuals, is available online.Just type the FM number into your search box and a list of links to it will magically appear.

A true disappointment.
This book is very disappointing. Poorly written and with weak descriptions leaves the inexperienced outdoorsmen with a false sense of security. Just because there happens to be a section on a particular skill does not translate into the ability of the reader to follow the lousy instructions to complete said skill. If anyone wants to learn survival skills they would be well suited to take a course and view first-hand the execution of the skills by an experienced practitioner of them. Purchase another book and let this one pass. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. General    2. Handbooks, manuals, etc    3. Military    4. Reference    5. Sports & Recreation / Outdoor Skills    6. Survival skills    7. Dept. of the Army    8. FM manual 21-76    9. Outdoor Skills    10. Sports & Recreation    11. Survival    12. Survival after airplane accide    13. United States    14. Wilderness survival   

Editorial Review

Air Force Lieutenant Colonel Robert "Buzz" Patterson was a military aide to President Clinton from May 1996 to May 1998 and one of five individuals entrusted with carrying the "nuclear football"—the bag containing the codes for launching nuclear weapons. This responsibility meant that he spent a considerable amount of time next to the president, giving him a unique perspective on the Clinton administration. Though he arrived at the job "filled with professional devotion and commitment to serve," he left believing that Clinton had "sown a whirlwind of destruction upon the integrity of our government, endangered our national security, and done enormous harm to the American military in which I served." Read more

Reviews (471)

You elected him, TWICE!?!
I'm not a very political guy as a rule of thumb, so when I bought this book I was determined to read it quickly.Turns out, that wasn't a problem.I read the book, then read it a second time, then went back and read the parts I had underlined.
A tale of virtue dealing with slovens
This book provides details about the Clinton Administration which are shocking.Indeed, they are horrifying: how could the President have delayed a critical decision because he was WATCHING GOLF?
Clinton helpedterroism flourish
This book shows the real Clinton as eyewitnessed by one of his closest friends.Clinton used and abused his power and the people of this country while he was in office and he is still basking in the limelight.What a shame he was as he led this country down the road to almost obliteration.This is a must read for conservatives and liberals. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. 1946-    2. 20th century    3. Biography    4. Clinton, Bill,    5. Government - Executive Branch    6. Government - U.S. Government    7. History    8. Military leadership    9. Military policy    10. National security    11. Political Freedom & Security - International Secur    12. Political Science    13. Politics / Current Events    14. Politics/International Relations    15. Presidents    16. Public Policy - Social Policy    17. United States    18. Biography & Autobiography / Presidents    19. Central government policies    20. Social welfare & social services    21. USA    22. Warfare & Defence   

Editorial Review

This novel reveals more about the Battle of Gettysburg than any piece of learned nonfiction on the same subject. Michael Shaara's account of the three most important days of the Civil War features deft characterizations of all of the main actors, including Lee, Longstreet, Pickett, Buford, and Hancock. The most inspiring figure in the book, however, is Col. Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain, whose 20th Maine regiment of volunteers held the Union's left flank on the second day of the battle. This unit's bravery at Little Round Top helped turned the tide of the war against the rebels. There are also plenty of maps, which convey a complete sense of what happened July 1-3, 1863. Reading about the past is rarely so much fun as on these pages. ... Read more

Reviews (474)

The Worst Book Ever written
I despised this book! It was absolutely horrible! It was assigned as a summer reading book and it was just so bad! I enjoy reading books, fantasy, historical fiction, mystery, and even nonfiction! It was really really bad. I never want to read another book by Michal Shaara ever ever again! I never even want to hear or see the words Killer Angels again.

Stunning Novel of Combat and Sacrifice at Gettysburg
This novel won the pulitzer prize for fiction and for good reason. It's superbly written with a keen eye for military and character details. The commanders come alive in this book like in no other except perhaps Shelby Foote's brilliant (non-fiction) trilogy. The movie "Gettysburg" was based on this novel. If you love historical fiction and the Civil War you must read this fantastic book. The author's son has made quite a career (Jeff Shaara) out of writing a series of novels based upon this one - before and after Gettysburg (which is the setting for Killer Angels). Unfortunately, in this instance, the apple fell quite far from the tree as far as writing capabilities are concerned. Steer clear of the Jeff Shaara books and read the non-fiction histories instead. But, if you need a good/great civil war novel, you're likely to find no better one than this.

The Killer Angels
For history buffs, students and Civil War fanatics I would advise them to read this book and then see the movies "Gettysburg" that was made a few years ago.The books is about as sharp as one can get when covering the horrors of war.The characterizations are very sharp as and the story telling from the beginning of the battle to after its end is about as accurate as it comes.Sometimes one can actually see the action and often it is disturbing.This novel should be required reading in High School and College history classes. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. 1861-1865, Civil War    2. Civil War, 1861-1865    3. Fiction    4. Fiction - Historical    5. Gettysburg (Pa.), Battle of, 1863    6. Historical - General    7. History    8. Literary    9. United States    10. War & Military    11. Fiction / Literary    12. General & Literary Fiction   

Editorial Review

Explaining what William McNeill called Read more

Reviews (917)

too long
This book REALLY needs an editor. It is just too long. Mr. Diamond goes over the same points over and over in excruciating detail. My solution was just to skip paragraphs detailing exactly how to carbon-date pinecones for the 20th time.
questionable from the beginning
I haven't yet finished the book, but have found reason to doubt the Mr. Diamond in the preface and prologue alone.In the preface, Diamond states that the readers are not about to read a "racist treatise" and that the book doesn't "involve human racial differences at all."Skip a few pages to the prologue and Diamond postulates "Why did New Guineans wind up technologically primitive, despite what I believe to be their superior intelligence?"Is New Guinean a race?Maybe, maybe not... but reverse the statement and then see how the critics chime in.
Not as compelling as "Collapse" but a good read nontheless.
Diamond presents a look at the evolution of various Cultures throughout the World and how geography has played an important part in their developement.The reason that Eurasia and North Africa evolved more highly developed (technologically anyway) cultures was that there was a wider variety of wild plant and animal species that could be tamed by the humans living in those areas following the Ice Age than there was available to humans in other parts of the world.This enabled people in these areas to develope farming societies (which required more specializations than hunter gatherer societies) more quickly than in other parts of the globe.
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Subjects:  1. Anthropology - General    2. Archaeology / Anthropology    3. Civilization    4. Ethnology    5. History    6. History Of Science    7. Human Geography    8. Military    9. Military - General    10. Military History (General)    11. Science/Mathematics    12. Social evolution    13. Miscellaneous Items    14. Science / General   

Reviews (2)

Enlightens and Entertains
Every once in a long while we delight and surprise ourselves when we pick up a book that enlightens and entertains. It's the pinnacle of excellence reached by but a few non-fiction writers. Miller is one of those writers. His book, the story of the Eighth Air Force, is one of equal parts bravery, terror, and glamour, with some of its men becoming the most celebrated personalities the war. Miller chronicles the heroic feats of Robert Morgan, pilot of the legendary Memphis Belle; of Paul Tibbets, who later would fly the Enola Gay on the A-bomb mission to Hiroshima; of Curtis LeMay, the most celebrated combat leader of the bomber war; and--one of the key figures of the book--of Robert "Rosie" Rosenthal, leader of the Bloody Hundredth, who flew 52 combat missions, was shot down three times, and later became a member of the team of prosecuting attorneys at the Nuremberg Trials.
Disclaimer --Am Still Reading this Book.It's Great!
This is a 521-page account of the Eighth Air Force that I never intended to buy for myself.To me, car repair manuals are usually more interesting than dry WWII books filled with numbers and dates. World War II is truly my father's domain.He has had a 50-year fascination with WWII and could probably teach a college course on the subject.
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Subjects:  1. Aerial operations, American    2. Biography    3. Bomber pilots    4. Campaigns    5. History    6. History - Military / War    7. Military    8. Military - Aviation    9. Military - United States    10. Military - World War II    11. United States    12. Western Front    13. World War, 1939-1945    14. History / Military / World War II   

Subjects:  1. History    2. History - Military / War    3. Military    4. Military - General    5. Military History - Modern    6. Military art and science    7. Military history, Modern    8. Ordnance    9. Technological innovations    10. History / Military / General   

Reviews (111)

This will have you in awe.
Hampton Sides has written a very readable classic.Ghost Soldiers gives a blow by blow account of the rescue of the remaining Allied (mostly US) prisoners from the Japanese POW camp at Cabanatuan, Philippines.The smallest details are noted, many of which are harrowing.What the POWs went through during their three years of captivity after the fall of Bataan will shock you although readers who are familiar with WWII will know what I mean.The highs and lows of man's character are laid out for all to see in this book and you can't help but be moved.
Better Than The Movie
Hampton Sides' telling of the rescue of 500 POWS, survivors of the infamous Bataan Death March, by U.S. Army Rangers in the Philippines during the waning days of World War II is an outstanding job of reportage. Sides tells the story from the eyes of the rescued and their rescuers, building suspense that wasn't always present in the The Great Raid, the film adaptation of his story. As a working journalist for more than 30 years, I know I good story when I read one, and this one falls into that category.

another story that needs telling
When I was a kid, my father and uncles spoke with reverence of those who were on the Bataan Death March.These men who were heroes in my eyes regarded the Bataan guys as REAL heroes.They described the march as the most horrible treatment ever received by US military personel.Only recently have I really begun reading books about the Pacific war, and I stumbled over this one after seeing the trailer for the movie.I'm really glad I found it
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Subjects:  1. Cabanatuan    2. Campaigns    3. Concentration camps    4. History    5. History - Military / War    6. Military    7. Military - Strategy    8. Military - United States    9. Military - World War II    10. Philippines    11. Regimental histories    12. United States    13. World War, 1939-1945    14. History / Military / World War II   

Reviews (9)

Death before being dishonored.
An important and imperative work. Investigative journalisim at its best under trying circumstances. American at its core, in that it gets a tough and dirty job done. Not with the help of government, but despite it.In this Reagan era of privitizaton/trust the market place, we have a choice: trust Bush or the dollar.How could you lose?Thebook opens and closes with Col. Ted Westhusing, the definition of his alma mater, WEST POINT: DUTY, HONOR, COUNTRY. Third in his class, plus a doctor of philosophy, and an exemplary record of war/peace service. Yet he met his nemesis: Iraq. For in Iraq he found a war of privitization that had nothing what so ever to do with DUTY, HONOR, or COUNTRY.It was simply about the money, or at best, cronyism.Whether it was murder or suicide, his last communication was in writing and I paraphrase, " I cannot support a mission that leads to corruption, human rights abuse and liars. No more. I cannot support corrupt, money hungry contractors, nor work for commanders only intersested in themselves. I came to serve honorably and I feel dishonored.Why serve when you cannot accomplish the mission, when you no longer believe in the cause, when your every effort and breath is met with lies, lack of support and selfishness.Life needs trust". So what comes around goes around.When a government is "elected" that produces Iraqs and Katrinas then you get the government you deserve.Col. Ted Westhusing desevered better. We, the citizenry could count on him.But in the end, he could not count on us. This book needs to be read and passed on by word of mouth.I wouln't count on the privitized mainstream press.I think there are about a total of four papers left that still have a investigative journalism department.After all, it is all about the bottom line. The Money. Highly recommended!!!!!

Bush and Friends Strike Again!
A free and democratic Iraq was supposed to become an oasis.The U.S. has committed over $30 billion to rebuild Iraq - more than the $2.4 billion (inflation-adjusted) spent on Germany after WWII, and far more than the $2 billion originally planned to rebuild Iraq.In addition, over 500 contractor employees have died trying to make Iraq a better place.Goals were rarely set, and even less often met.Yet, after three years of rebuilding, Iraqis have less power in their homes than under Saddam, oil production is about 20% below pre-Saddam days, outbreaks of easily preventable diseases like hepatitis occur for lack of clean drinking water, and thousands of Iraqis have died in sectarian conflict.
Reader make up their own mind
Blood Money is a dramatic, persuasive and meticulous work. It would be better without the biased innuendos found throughout, such as VP Chaney somehow benefiting through the government contracts with his old company, Haliburton Oil. No proof of this is offered.
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Subjects:  1. Economic Conditions    2. Economic aspects    3. Equipment and supplies    4. Government - U.S. Government    5. International Relations (Specific Aspects)    6. International Relations - General    7. Iraq War, 2003-    8. Military Expenditures    9. Moral and ethical aspects    10. Petroleum    11. Political Freedom & Security - International Secur    12. Political Science    13. Politics / Current Events    14. Politics/International Relations    15. United States    16. 21st century    17. Asian / Middle Eastern history: postwar, from c 1945 -    18. Current Events / General    19. Iraq    20. USA    21. War & defence operations   

Reviews (68)

Powerful and problematic...
As a journalist, Robert Fisk has a reputation which precedes him, but one might still mistake this title for a history.It isn't.Fisk has authored an extended op-ed that is disturbing, infuriating, perplexing and, clearly, ideologically driven.That he brings to light abhorrent images of senseless death, destruction, and unending futility is, in itself, deeply influential, but this reportage is tinged by a bias that introduces fallacy, non sequitur, contradiction, willful omission, defamation, and conspiracy theory.
Excellent but Overwhelming
Mr. Fisk presents a point of view seldom seen in the US. He questions the wisdom of trying to spread Western-style democracy in countries that in some cases are not really countries at all (e.g., Iraq), an opinion that is a total anathema in the US. What, democracy is not the best form of government? Only if the country can really do democracy.