Reviews (48)

New insights to an old story
This book destroys several myths about the battle of Midway. It was refreshing to have a new perspective but I didn't expect to see such obvious evidence against so many so called facts of the battle. From misperceptions like: the numerical superiority of the Japanese forces, decoy of the Aleutian Islands, the reasons for the delay of the stike against the American carriers, to even the importance of the radio trouble of Japan's scout #4, this author employ's simple logic with japanese logbook data from the sunken carriers to debunk many of these myths. Its surprising to see so much of what I thought to be true to be so easily dismissed.
A Big Book and a Fascinating Read
I usually avoid lengthy books but the subject matter is intriguing and the authors have extensive knowledge of the Imperial Japanese Navy of WWII. Their work is so engrossing and detailed that I was actually left wanting more after completing the book, but they've covered it all and then some. A wonderful read for those interested in this fascinating and critical encounter between the USN anf the IJN. The backstory and the countless details add such a richness and meaning to the well known history that I sincerely hope that the authors are planning additional works on related subjects in the future.

Best read in a long time.
As an avid reader of history, specifically military history, I purchased this book based on a review in Air and Space. The reviewer's only complaint was that the book was too Japanese in its outlook. Valid complaint on the surface, however, I found that the authors' detailed examination of the battle from the Japanese perspective using voluminous original documents and other resources opened up new avenues and made me understand the Battle of Midway and its importance even more. The book is a complex read with many footnotes, but the overwhelming reason for this is that the author's are explaining to lay readers complex under-reported facts and new discoveries about military operations conducted by a foreign country in a completely different language. I found the footnotes and appendices helpful and a good read also. This will stay in my permanent library.Purchase and savor this text.
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Subjects:  1. Asia - Japan    2. History    3. History - Military / War    4. Midway, Battle of, 1942    5. Military    6. Military - World War II    7. Naval operations, American    8. Naval operations, Japanese    9. World War, 1939-1945    10. History / Japan    11. Japan    12. World history: Second World War   

Reviews (123)

Excellent read but disappointing view of our government
The book is divided much like many war films.There is a training half, followed then the action half. The training half is by far the most interesting, allowing you to vicariously live through an amazing athlete who made the cut.
A great work describing these warrior soldiers
This book is by far one of if not the best book that I have read in the past year.Haney writing style is great and you don't want to put the book down til you reach the end.Which you will dread coming to, because you wish the book would go on and on since it is so good.This is a definite must buy!Just read it and you'll believe it.
Good read...quick read
I found the book interesting.With opsec as it is, i take the info published as it is.I wouldnt add to nor discredit the facts...just have to take it as it is and make your own judgement of the reality of it all.Also noted, the book states that Haney was a founding member...in the book he is recruited/volunteered thus not making him necessarily a founding, but one of the earlier recruits.
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Subjects:  1. History - Military / War    2. Military    3. Military - United States    4. Political Freedom & Security - Terrorism    5. Political Science    6. Political Terrorism    7. Politics/International Relations    8. Special Forces    9. History / Military / General   

Reviews (13)

Brings the politics and lives to the foreground as no professional politician's words could achieve.
The Prince of the Marshes And Other Occupational Hazards of a Year in Iraqprovides an unusual survey of Stewart's time as an interim and deputy governor in Iraq's marsh regions. His THE PLACES IN BETWEEN became a best seller and told of his walk across Afghanistan and encounters with the region's people; here he describes nearly a year in a remote, improvised marsh region in southern Iraq negotiating hostage releases, holding elections, and developing an uncertain government leadership. Any who would understand the peoples and politics of Iraq must read The Prince of Marshes: it brings the politics and lives to the foreground as no professional politician's words could achieve.
Wow*****Now I Understand
I am so glad that I brought this book. I wanted to understand some of the conditions and situations from an unbias view. Mr Stewart tells his story and does it well.If you truly want to learn more about Iraq, prepare yourselves and read this book. I would loved to meet this unique person just to shake his hand and say "well done".

Middle East in a Nutshell!
Rory, just so you know, your book is now a required reading in my conflict analysis and resolution course, at a graduate peace program in Washington DC. Your point well made! THANK YOU! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. 20th century    2. Biography & Autobiography    3. Biography / Autobiography    4. Biography And Autobiography    5. Biography/Autobiography    6. British    7. Description and travel    8. Iraq    9. Iraq - History    10. Middle East - General    11. Military - General    12. Personal Memoirs    13. Social life and customs    14. Travel / Middle East / General   

Reviews (23)

All warfighters should read this
This book should be read by a variety of folks that desire to understand even a little bit more about what is happening and happening to US in the middle east. It is not a book that spends countless pages complaining about the state of union. This book will enable the tip of the spear as we are so fond of refering to our fighting forces, concise and credible information with regard to the mindset of thier opposing forces. I have been told over and over, that you cannot defeat an opponent unless you understand how he/she thinks. It does shed some light on how the military-industrial complex is steering the people of many countries wrong by proposing extensive, expensive weapon systems that separate the men from the battle and advertise a zero loss of life war for our side. (Both sides should just throw rocks, it'll be simpler) And above all it mentions the one issue that is generating higher and higher turnover rates, ARMCHAIR warfighters, and the military personnel system, that rewards compliance and not innovation, that condones indivualist and fails to properly reward teamwork. Battles should be fought from front to back and not the reverse as we are doing. I reccomend this book to all, and not just to those in uniform.

Good read
The book was very informative though appeared padded by newspaper accounts of terrorist activities which made the book longer than it really needed to be. Excellent historical background which linked the past with the present, providing a how and why of our present circumstances.

Peering Into the Shadows
H. John Poole takes up the banner he flies in his earlier work The Tiger's Way.He addresses the challenges of what he calls Eastern-style light infantry fighting a Western-style force with the added wrinkle of Middle Eastern guerilla/insurgency.Poole's work in Crescent Moon is needed.Westerners look down our collective noses at Middle Eastern military capability.Poole attempts to shake us out of our arrogant torpor by analyzing just how the Afghans defeated the Soviets, how the Chechens are defeating the Russians, and how the Iraqi insurgency is making progress in Iraq.Unfortunately, Poole does not offer many specific solutions.However, I can overlook this shortcoming because I believe Poole's real focus is on convincing his readers that there is a problem.No solution will be palatable to Westerners until Westerners believe a solution might be needed.
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Subjects:  1. History    2. History - Military / War    3. History / Middle East    4. Military    5. Military - General    6. Military - Strategy    7. Technology / Military Science   

Reviews (164)

Heart-Warming, Moving Account of the Holocaust
The story of Corrie ten Boom and her family and their work in the Dutch underground during World War II has been around 35 years but this is the first time I've sat down to read this amazing story.I am so glad I did!Built on the premise that love will conquer all, the story shows what relatively normal people can accomplish in extraordinary times.
A Tale Of Love, Courage, And Compassion
In Corrie Ten Boom's book "The Hiding Place", she gives an exciting account of how during the terrifying years of the Holocaust and World War 11 her entire family strove to hide as many Jews as they could from Nazi forces.
A Moving Tale
This is a beautiful, beautiful book. I could read it over and over, and feel touched, inspired, and renewed again. I first tried to read it when I was about twelve years old, but it was two heavy for me. Then I read it a few months ago, and it came alive. This is one book I would definately want to add to my library soon. I love the Ten Boom family - especially Betsy. I am looking forward to meeting them all in heaven someday. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Biography / Autobiography    2. Biography/Autobiography    3. Historical - Holocaust    4. Personal narratives, Dutch    5. Ravensbruck (Germany : concentration camp)    6. Religious    7. Ten Boom, Corrie    8. Women    9. World War, 1939-1945    10. Biography: general    11. History / Holocaust   

Reviews (125)

Difficult but worthwhile read
I read this when it came out and again recently. It is not an easy read but the author has obviously done his homework on the subject of killing from a military point of view. Having been a Marine sniper for two years in Vietnam I was interested in his research and findings and found them fascinating. With the young men and now women returning from Iraq this is a tough but necessary read for loved ones. The author details various aspects of the impact of doing this work and this is a good work.

Stunning and In Depth!Remarkable!
I have only read half of this book and it is excellent.A must read for anyone in the military or law enforcement fields.

May change your perspective on combat
As I wasn't familiar with Gen. S.L.A. Marshall's study previously, Grossman's presentation of low firing rates prior to the Korean conflict was new and intriguing to me.
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Subjects:  1. General    2. History    3. Military    4. Military - General    5. Military Science    6. Psychology    7. History / Military / General    8. Warfare & Defence   

Reviews (80)

Yes, this is true!
This was a very confusing time for us at home trying to read the news. Bing West explains the interaction between the politicians and military commanders. My brother was in Fallujah at this time and enjoyed finding new information.

Average "Joe" view
It's truly amazing what our military men an women go through in Iraq (and elsewhere). Unselfissly risking their lives to help total strangers.Very intense. The book puts you right there in the action.The author comes across as very objective about the war.

Marine dad's view.
My Marine son gave me this book for Christmas 2005 after his deployment to Fallujah. I could not put it down from page one.Bing West is the "real deal" and sets forth the compelling story of the Battle of Fallujah as only a Marine can do. This work is a true and fitting tribute to the brave men who exemplify the best of the Marine Corps core values of Honor, Courage, and Commitment."No True Glory" is a must read for any parent with a son in the Corps.
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Subjects:  1. Campaigns    2. Fallujah, Battle of, Fallåujah, Iraq, 2004    3. History    4. History - Military / War    5. Iraq War, 2003-    6. Military    7. Military - Iraq War    8. Military - Strategy    9. Military History - 1990-    10. Political Freedom & Security - General    11. Politics/International Relations    12. Rebellion And Insurgency    13. History / Military / United States   

Reviews (11)

A powerful blend of insights.
THE PUNISHMENT OF VIRTUE: INSIDE AFGHANISTAN AFTER THE TALIBAN comes from an NPR reporter who arrived in Afghanistan in 2001, leaving reporting as the Taliban left to help rebuild the nation by heading a non-profit founded by the brother of President Hamid Karzai. Her reporting background, access to top players in the post-war government, and personal participation in the rebuilding of the nation makes for a powerful blend of insights.
Sarah Cheyes is a Hopeless Romantic
Sarah address the problem of corruption in Kandahar, and her first hand account is a must read for anyone interested in the reconstruction of Afghanistan.
A sip of cool water in the desert
There is a handful of books in which the paper, the words, the very physical medium dissolves in my hands, and I experience something quite other than reading.Chayes' "Punishment of Virtue" is one of them.Every evening, after work, I give myself over to a voice weaving together insight, keen intelligence, experience, courage, wit, and above all, an insatiable curiosity about the people around her and their history and culture.Whether confronting Afghan warlords to wrest stone from their grasp for the rebuilding of villagers' houses, or hunting for the treasure of obscure historical references toconnections between Kandahar and the Mongols, Chayes gives herself to the moment and to the task with joy.
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Subjects:  1. 1962-    2. Afghan War, 2001-    3. Afghanistan    4. Asia - Central Asia    5. Asia - History    6. Chayes, Sarah,    7. History    8. History - General History    9. History: World    10. Islamic Government    11. Military - Other    12. Modern - 21st Century    13. War correspondents    14. History / Modern / 21st Century   

Editorial Review

Though he is probably the world's most honored recent war photographer, James Nachtwey calls himself an "antiwar photographer," as the preeminent critic Luc Sante notes in his excellent foreword to Read more

Reviews (27)

Mind blowing
Having met James and briefly discussing his work, only makes me appreciate the book that much more. When I asked him why he did what he did and why he risked life and limb to capture some of these images, he simply replied "People have got to know."
The most amazing and moving photojournalism
When I first looked at Inferno by James Nachtwey it was hard to believe what I was looking at. The images of the harsh and inhumane conditions in which Romanian ophanes are kept, the starving and impoverished people of Somalia, the battlegrounds and devastion of Bosnia and Chechyna, the social and economic divisions in India, and the terrible images of Rwanda that defy human comprehension. Nachtwey combines amazing artistic abilities that remain in one's mind with the raw and unrefined images of the harshest places in the world. To look at Nachtwey's pictures is more than just looking, but experiencing. When looking at these pictures you experience an intense mixture of emotions from anger, fear, sadness, and struggling to grasp how this acts could be done.
Il lato peggiore dell'uomo
E' impossibile trovare le parole per descrivere queste immagini. Sono fotografie che parlano da sole e colpiscono duro, lasciandoti solo, con mille domande, a cercare una risposta che � solo sussurrata nel vento.... Read more

Subjects:  1. Individual Photographer    2. Photo Essays    3. Photography    4. Photojournalism    5. Armed conflict    6. Bosnia-Herzegovina    7. Chechnya    8. India    9. Individual photographers    10. Photographic reportage    11. Photography / General    12. Romania    13. Rwanda    14. Somalia    15. Warfare & Defence    16. Yugoslavia & former Yugoslavia    17. c 1990 to c 2000   

Reviews (1)

National-socialism
I always wanted to know what Hitler tells to masses. I have big interest in his speeches, in his style of talking. It is a great book for me because it unclude the most important Adolf's public speeches. I enjoied reading it! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. 1933-1945    2. Europe - Germany    3. Germany    4. History - General History    5. History: World    6. Holocaust    7. Politics and government    8. Sources    9. European history: Second World War    10. Fascism & Nazism    11. Second World War, 1939-1945   

Reviews (16)

The Best Edition

ART OF WAR Sun Tsu
Many points that apply not only to wars and Governments, but to living.

Foundation of Military Science

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Subjects:  1. Eastern - General    2. General    3. History    4. Military    5. Military - Strategy    6. Military Science    7. Philosophy    8. Philosophy / Eastern    9. Technology-Military Science   

Reviews (166)

Oh boy, more "lets understand the terrorist" garbage
The religion of peace is at it again!In response to the popes words, muslims all over the world respond with violence, destruction, rage, hatred, burning down buildings, burning papal effigies, issuing fatwas against the pope, and even shooting a 70 year old nun in the back.Wow, such peace from a religion of "peace".If Islam is a religion of peace, then all the guns in the world are pink flowers, and every nuclear bomb, a soft feathery pillow.Violence for words.Destruction for speech.PLEASE!This is a religion of war, and bereft mindless 70 year old bags like Noam have begun to lose a lot of mental function with age.This old bag of a man gives Muslims free passes and blames America.
Chomsky is a lunatic, take with a grain of salt
I picture Chomsky in a sunless, cluttered apartment full of scattered yellowing newspapers, surrounded only by walls of his own clippings.Yes, his recent writing is the result of too little exposure to the real world.Not everything is a conspiracy theory, and not all facts or events paint an overall trend or picture.The world is too random for all similar events to be related.But when you surround yourself with your own highlighted facts of history and dwell on them day after day trying to sell your thoughts, the result is going to be nonsense.I respect Chomsky's right to say what he thinks, and as a liberal I often find myself agreeing with him (but for vastly different reasons).What I do not respect are those readers who take his words as gospel, when they are simply the rantings and ravings of someone who has lost touch with how the real world works.Throwing together a bunch of events across history does not make for a lucid view of how we got to the present and what to do about the current problems.To me, he is no different from those who have assembled enough disjointed evidence as to convince themselves that 9-11 was perpetrated by the U.S. government.
hateful garbage
This is a spiteful, hateful man who is out of his element outside of linguistics.And he got that wrong, as well. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Criminology    2. International Relations - General    3. Political Freedom & Security - Law Enforcement    4. Political Freedom & Security - Terrorism    5. Political Science    6. Political Terrorism    7. Politics / Current Events    8. Politics/International Relations    9. September 11 Terrorist Attacks, 2001    10. Terrorism    11. Central government policies    12. History / United States / 20th Century    13. International relations    14. Terrorism, freedom fighters, armed struggle    15. War & defence operations    16. Current Events / International   

Reviews (40)

Used book to Pass Army Flight Test
I was surprised that this book was "on it" when it came to the test questions that they ask you. I can't speak how well it is when it comes to the other branch tests, but it helped me prepare for the test giving me a passing score.
Great Help
This book really helped, but I am sure the tens of reviews before mine already assured you of this fact.

Good Book for AFOQT
This is a good book for the AFOQT, I just took the test and it has it all.My advice is study hard and practice timing yourself.This book has all the subtests found on the AFOQT, study some math if your rusty. GOOD luck! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Air Forces    2. Airplanes, Military    3. Armed Forces    4. Educational Tests And Measurements (Higher Education)    5. Examinations    6. Examinations, questions, etc    7. Military Science    8. Military airplanes    9. Piloting    10. Study Aids    11. Study Guides    12. Test Prep    13. Testing & Measurement    14. Study & learning skills    15. Warfare & Defence   

Reviews (18)

Very interesting read
Having read another book about a German sniper which proved to be absolutely fictional I was curious about this release. I have a huge collection of WWII memories and am happy about any books covering the German side. The story told is much different from too many "heroic" stories of the good G.I.s bragging about killing tons of bad "Krauts" - and we know what true WWII veterans say about people that tell about their "kills" (usually these people haven't seen any action at all). In fact, it is shocking to see how some readers/authors still consider all the German soldiers to be nazis and considering Soviet atrocities to be merely German propaganda. For these people this book will come as a revelation and a gripping account of a WWII veteran who can tell a gripping story without having to mention the most gruesome details of what an enemy looked like when he was shot.

Waste of time and money
There is surprisingly not much of sniping in the memoirs.
Great read
Sniper on the Eastern Front is one of the most astonishing World War II books I have read so far. This is a must read for any World War II freak. Sepp Allerberger is reliving his vivid memories in great detail throughout this book. It is fascinating to experience the life of a German sniper during World War II. We are so used to reading about the invasion of Normandy and the allied forces demolishing the German Wehrmacht, that we don't consider the other side of the story. This book manifests the struggle for survival and retreat of Sepp Allerberger's unit on the eastern front. Once you pick this book up you can't put it down. Great read! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. History    2. History - Military / War    3. Military    4. Military - World War II    5. Military Science    6. Former Soviet Union, USSR (Europe)    7. History / Military / World War II    8. Land forces & warfare    9. Second World War, 1939-1945    10. True stories: Second World War   

Reviews (16)

Learning to Eat Soup with a Knife: The Deeper Lessons
Military and political pundits often advocate John A. Nagl's excellent book, "Learning to Eat Soup with a Knife: Counterinsurgency Lessons from Malaya and Vietnam", as the definitive source for understanding an insurgency and how to defeat it.It is often quoted and some have implied that if the US were only to follow the British example in Malaya for our current war on terror--especially in Iraq--we could expect a better outcome.
Excellent Building Block
This book is an excellent building block for those militaries that expect to be sent by their political masters into harms' way "in every clime and place."
Persuasive - but not for the reasons the author suggests
This book - the title of which was inspired by Lawrence of Arabia's famous quip "To make war upon rebellion is messy and slow, like eating soup with a knife" - is compelling for a variety of reasons, but three are especially noteworthy.
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Subjects:  1. Asia - Southeast Asia    2. Counterinsurgency    3. History    4. History - General History    5. History - Military / War    6. International Relations - General    7. Malaya    8. Malayan Emergency, 1948-1960    9. Malaysia    10. Military - General    11. Political Science    12. Politics/International Relations    13. Underground movements    14. Vietnam    15. Vietnam War, 1961-1975    16. Asian / Middle Eastern history: from c 1900 -    17. Political Science / International Relations    18. South East Asia    19. Warfare & Defence   

Reviews (5)

Intelligence Analysis: A Target-Centric Approach Review
The book was very revealing into the structure and tactics the intelligence community has to go through in the new age of terrorism.Intelligence gathering methods of the past and of our fathers and grandfathers is no longer effective in this age of technology and political ideology.
Excellent & thorough, as to both form and function...
This is the best work for an account of the role of analysis and its relationship within the intelligence industry. I recommend this book as required reading prior, or in accordance with the first semester of the research methods series of courses at the graduate level.
Required Reading for Today's Intelligence Professional
Robert Clark's book is a most timely, welcome, and important contribution to the literature on intelligence. His target-centric approach captures how intelligence is produced today, and probably how analysis has always been performed. The importance of Dr. Clark's book is that he correctly places the analyst at the center of an effort that hinges on the precise definition of every requirement and then reaching out to the individuals and organizations possibly possessing the data. Dr. Clark's conceptual framework replaces the construct that was more appropriate to producing printed pages and an age when the threat was known well. In that era, the analyst's role as a manager of the knowledge-building effort was not as appreciated as much as the individual's mastery of the topic. Today, people are emphasizing collaboration, horizontal integration, and providing intelligence consumers with what they need, when they need it and in the desired form without any clutter. Dr. Clark gave us an approach for getting our arms around these challenges over a year ago. On an intelligence professional's bookshelf, this book should resemble a repair shop manual - its pages ought to be dog-eared and fingerprint-stained from continuous reference.
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Subjects:  1. Intelligence Agencies    2. Intelligence service    3. Methodology    4. Political Freedom & Security - International Secur    5. Political Science    6. Politics / Current Events    7. Politics/International Relations    8. U.S. Government - Intelligence Agencies    9. Espionage & secret services    10. Political structure & processes    11. USA