Reviews (11)

Thin and disappointing
Golly, but I feel like the odd man out here. Other reviewers have praised this book highly. To me it was thin in content and pretty uninformative. Maybe there's just not a lot to say about the historical Trojan War. Thus most of Strauss's narrative is a paraphrase of Homer. It is full of silly sidelines like "An unbandaged would might have been a common sight in the Greek camp." As my son would say: "Duh!"
Great book on historical speculation on the trojan war
Mr. Strauss does a great job bringing the bronze age art of war to life.He references many existing sources and some new ones, such as a newly discovered papyrus that show Greek soldiers of the era (The papyrus was stored away in a museum only to be recently discovered. . .makes you think what else is hidden away and lost to us on some dusty shelf). However, I have always been a little leery of a work of fiction being used to exemplify historical knowledge.However if it get people reading about history I can live with it. If this is what MR. Strauss was after then he has accomplished his task.I recommend this book to all historians, lovers of Homer's works and wargammers who would like to recreate the battles of the Iliad.

A Victorious Review
Because of my interest in classics, I was delighted to hear the interview with Barry Strauss on NPR when I was in the car several weeks ago. I ordered his new book right away and have just finished reading it.His scholarly and entertaining account is appealing because his informative descriptions of ancient times are clear, clever, and catchy.How I wish I could be a student in one of this fine professor's classes! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Ancient - Greece    2. History    3. History - Military / War    4. History: World    5. Military - Other    6. Military History - Ancient    7. Trojan War    8. History / Ancient / Greece   

Subjects:  1. 20th century    2. Arab countries    3. History    4. History - General History    5. History: World    6. Holocaust    7. Holocaust, Jewish (1939-1945)    8. Jewish Studies    9. Jews    10. Middle East - General    11. Middle East - History    12. Persecutions    13. World War II    14. ASIA    15. Arabian peninsula    16. Ethnic studies    17. International relations    18. Second World War, 1939-1945   

Reviews (12)

A Must Companion to O'Brian
Currently deployed to Iraq....Having read three of his books without this companion, I can tell you that I was missing out on a great deal of the language and the history. Buy this with the Lexicon and O'Brian's series are impossible to put down!!
Great Reference
I bought a second one of these for my son, who recently started reading Patrick O'Brian's series.This is an excellent reference for anyone who wants to learn about the Royal Navy of the late 18 / early 19th century.Highly recommend.

good, but lacking in depth
I suppose I may have expected too much.I was a little disapointed in the lack of depth and detail.The various graphics, pictures, etc are great.An interesting coffee table book for O'Brian mavens and a good place to start in looking for more about the Napoleanic era of the Royal Navy. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. History    2. History - Military / War    3. Military    4. Military - Naval    5. English    6. Literary reference works    7. Maritime history    8. Novels, other prose & writers: from c 1900 -   

Editorial Review

Veteran reporter and Read more

Reviews (437)

Painfully bad writing
I was assigned this book as preparation for an A.P. English class, and I was incredibly disappointed with it. Although it features some stirring stories of bravery and compassion (hence the two stars), every word of it is poured over with syrup and then carelessly vomited onto the page. Only about half of the words in this book are necessary at all to the context of the stories it tells; the rest are flag-waving literary masturbation. Consider sentences like these:
good retrospection
Tom Brokaw has wriiten quite a good book using the common men and women as the forces of retrospection. Of course, he only mentions people he knew or came across in the generation, missing out a lot of others.
This brought back memories-good and bad
This was the first book my wife gave me about the war. It started me thinking of all I went through when I was in the war. As an introduction to the generations who weren't there, I think this was super. For us who were there, I am glad to see it documented in such a manner. Thank you for writing this book! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. History    2. History - General History    3. History: American    4. Military - World War II    5. Modern - 20th Century    6. United States - 20th Century    7. History / United States / 20th Century   

Editorial Review

Amid his efforts to expose the Russian mob, Robert I. Friedman learned from the FBI that "the most brilliant and savage Russian mob organization in the world" had put a $100,000 price on his head. Reading Read more

Reviews (44)

Quite Shocking!
This is quite shocking of how the mafia is able to buy off members of both major political parties in the U.S. along with other Western nations such as Israel.I would also recommend reading Double Cross about Sam and Chuck Giancana the two mafia bosses whom had the Kennedys in their pockets.

Inciteful and Highly Readable
A real eye-opener. Friedman writes about some pretty ruthless, cruel people. I don't know how the author could have possibly obtained all the information that he did; he is a brave man. I hope he's still alive, and will be amazed if he is, given the nature of the people about whom he has written. Friedman describes Russian Mafiya types operating in Toronto, near to where I live -- very unnerving. Mind you, if you live in NYC, Miami, Denver, San Francisco or Los Angeles, you are not alone...

Great Information.
Friedman has done the public a service by this book.It renews my faith that there are a few, albeit an extremely small number, jews who will tell the truth.
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Subjects:  1. American    2. Current Affairs    3. Government - U.S. Government    4. Military - Intelligence/Espionage    5. Organized crime    6. Political Freedom & Security - International Secur    7. Politics - Current Events    8. Politics / Current Events    9. Politics/International Relations    10. Russia (Federation)    11. Russian American criminals    12. United States    13. Current Events / Poverty   

Editorial Review

Over time, Tim O'Brien has used both art and artifice to shape his fictional accounts of Vietnam. Award-winning novels such as Read more

Reviews (24)

Wonderful!
I thought this book was very well composed and it make me realize the harsh raalities of the Vietnam war. O'Brien sure captured my heart and thoughts. I would highly recommend this book to any history fan!
Great memoir
This book, titled after a line in a military march song, is O'Brien's memoir of his time in Viet Nam. It's divided up into shorter essays--most narrative, some more philosophical--which together create the tangled web of dilemmas that Viet Nam was. The book chronicles O'Brien's tour of duty chronologically, from the pressure and shame that kept him from not fleeing to Canada when he adamantly opposed the war, throughbasic training and combat and his eventual move to a job in the back. Each essay tackles a theme or issue: friendship, courage, fear, getting a desk job, the morality of a shooting or not shooting a civilian who may or may not shoot you.
A must read for one who doesn't know much about 'Nam
"If I Die in a Combat Zone: Box Me Up and Ship Me Home" was very a well written book. I'm in a generation that doesn't know a whole lot about the Vietnam War. My idea of Vietnam is based off of the movie "Platoon". Tim O'Brien does an awesome job of portraying a soldier, and what each soldier has to put up with mentally and physically everyday.
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Subjects:  1. 1946-    2. Biography / Autobiography    3. Biography/Autobiography    4. Historical - U.S.    5. Literary    6. Military    7. O'Brien, Tim,    8. Personal narratives, American    9. Vietnam War, 1961-1975    10. Vietnamese Conflict, 1961-1975    11. Biography & Autobiography / General    12. Reading Group Guide   

Subjects:  1. Europe - Russia & the Former Soviet Union    2. History    3. History - Military / War    4. History: World    5. Military - World War II    6. Moscow, Battle of, Moscow, Russia, 1941-1942    7. Russia - History - 1917 To 1991    8. Soviet Union    9. World War II - Europe    10. History / Military / World War II   

Reviews (8)

Some good information, but lacking in many areas
The book does provide detailed footnotes as it is a series of essays where the writer of each "chapter" presents their viewpoint and analysis.However, this book provides no tables or charts to support any of the analysis or discussions presented.It would have been very helpful if there were a table or chart comparing each nation's "innovation" in each category described in this book, examples: armored warfare, strategic bombing, carrier development, etc.
Military Innovation in the Interwar Period
This book is a necessary for those who want to understand the relationship between development of technology and military innovation. It is not an easy book to read, but contains tremendous amount of information along with accurate historical records. Must for military tacticians and historians alike.

Essential Addition to the Study of the Inter-war Period
The acclaimed scholarly team of Williamson Murray and Allan R. Millett have edited an anthology of essays encompassing the technological innovations in weaponry during the 1920's and 1930's. These innovations span the research and developments of all the major belligerents that play a major role in the coming global conflict. Each scholar was instructed to compare and contrast his or her topic country with two other countries making this work not only a significant contribution in and of itself, but also a vital comparative study as well. In addition, the researchers were asked to structure their essays around three concepts: the strategic framework of the period, the organizational factors of the institutions under study, and the doctrinal framework of the services. Many of the contributing factors to victory and defeat in World War II are covered within the pages of this important work. Williamson Murray takes a look at "Armored Warfare: The British, French and German Experiences," and "Strategic Bombing: The British, American and German Experiences." Richard R. Muller examines "Close Air Support: The German British and American Experiences, 1918-1941." Geoffrey Till discusses "Adopting the Aircraft Carrier: The British, American, and Japanese Case Studies." But perhaps the most important chapter is Allan R. Millett's "Assault From the Sea: The Development of Amphibious Warfare Between the Wars-the American, British, and Japanese Experiences." Millett compared the development of amphibious doctrine in Japan, Britain, and the United States. The author concludes the U. S. led the way in amphibious warfare doctrine, initiating combined arms operations between air, sea and land that would prove to be a critical advantage in the pacific campaign. According to Millett, Japan started out impressively as was evident by its ever-expanding Pacific empire in the 1930's. Since every landing force became an isolated island garrison, however, Japan's whole amphibious program literally faded away. Great Britain, on the other hand, never had the economic resources necessary to implement a successful amphibious program. Millett concludes that factors such as budget and innovative foresight are vital contributing factors in technological innovation. The author is also quick to point out that in many cases, new weapons become obsolete as soon as hostilities begin. Generally, books of essays are usually disjointed and inconsistent. The guidelines and structure the editors have chosen have tied all the chapters in this book together nicely. This is arguably the best work on the inter-war period to emerge in years. Highly recommended. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. 1919-1932    2. 20th century    3. History    4. History - Military / War    5. Military    6. Military - General    7. Military Science    8. Military art and science    9. Military history, Modern    10. Modern - 20th Century    11. Political Freedom & Security - International Secur    12. Technological innovations    13. Technology    14. World politics    15. History / Modern / 20th Century    16. Inter-war period, 1918-1939    17. Military history, Modern--20th century    18. Warfare & Defence    19. World history: from c 1900 -   

Reviews (6)

Arose by any other name
First, let me say that Nelson's work is an excellent, well written, fast paced, general history read...but its title: "Benedict Arnold's Navy" is (at least in my opinion) quite misleading.
Read more like a military biography of Arnold
I enjoyed reading Benedict Arnold's Navy which covered the early years of the American Revolution in the north. Here for the brief period in our nation's history, we owed the arch-traitor of American history, a true debt of graditude for his skilled leadership, force of character and his total determination to the American cause. This book explained skillfully how Arnold deserves such acclodes and why a man who could have become one of our nation's greatest paragon of heroes, became one of its greatest Judas goats.
A Definitive and Very Readable Piece of History
James Nelson is an author to be envied if the notion of putting pen to paper and telling a story, whether it be fact or fiction has ever occurred to you. In the fourteen books he has written he has done both fiction and non-fiction superbly.
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Subjects:  1. 1741-1801    2. Arnold, Benedict,    3. History    4. History - Military / War    5. Military    6. Military - Naval    7. Military - United States    8. Naval operations    9. Revolution, 1775-1783    10. United States    11. United States - Revolutionary War    12. Valcour Island, Battle of, N.Y., 1776    13. American history: c 1500 to c 1800    14. History / Military / Naval    15. Naval forces & warfare    16. USA    17. c 1700 to c 1800   

Editorial Review

Author Simon Weisenthal recalls his demoralizing life in a concentration camp and his envy of the dead Germans who have sunflowers marking their graves. At the time he assumed his grave would be a mass one, unmarked and forgotten. Then, one day, a dying Nazi soldier asks Weisenthal for forgiveness for his crimes against the Jews. What would you do? This important book and the provocative question it poses is birthing debates, symposiums, and college courses. The Dalai Lama, Harry Wu, Primo Levi, and others who have witnessed genocide and human tyranny answer Wiesenthal's ultimate question on forgiveness. ... Read more

Reviews (29)

A Sunflower among books---unforgettable
This book has touched me and remained with me since I read it my Senior year of high school.It facilitated numerous discussions on the issue of forgiveness--a complex issue that is actually quite simple.It also helped me to face some of my own issues and grudges so that I was finally able to begin understanding true forgiveness and hope.
Never forget the sunflower
Simon Wiesenthal's death prompted me to read "The Sunflower" for the first time. The book recounts Wiesenthal's haunting encounter with a dying SS soldier. The author was a concentration camp prisoner at the time. The tormented soldier desperately implored absolution for the atrocities he committed. The book passionately explores guilt, penitence, and forgiveness as Wiesenthal invited and printed the commentary from others about what they would have done if they had been in his place.
One who did not forget
I am writing this review the day after Shimon Wiesenthal died. He was ninety- six years old. Thousands of words have been written about him and his life- task. Certainly one of the major contributions he made was to make people aware of the enormity of the crime which was the Holocaust. After the war many wished to forget, but he out of a strong sense of duty to those who had died, to those who had been murdered and suffered so much , made it his business to make the world remember. And he too made his business to bring to justice those who committed the crime. And as he said many times he did this not only for the victims, but for the future generations of mankind so that such an evil would never come again not only to Jews but to all of humanity.
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Subjects:  1. Church And Society    2. Concentration camps    3. Ethics    4. Ethics & Moral Philosophy    5. Genocide    6. History    7. Holocaust    8. Jewish Holocaust    9. Personal narratives, Jewish    10. Philosophy    11. Religion    12. Sonnenblume    13. Wiesenthal, Simon    14. World War, 1939-1945    15. Europe    16. Judaism    17. Practical & applied ethics    18. Religion / General    19. The Holocaust    20. Reading Group Guide   

Reviews (50)

Books and bullets have their own destinies
My first impression upon completion of this classic World War I memoir is one of amazement. I am amazed that Mr. Junger-or anyone in those trenches-survived the hellish onslaught of trench warfare. In gruesome yet elegant detail, the author recounts his experiences as a front-line German soldier in his battles against the French and English. As the book proceeds, it seems that virtually everyone around Junger is killed or critically wounded. He is wounded himself on a regular basis, and between the constant sniping and merciless artillery bombardments, it is a wonder that anyone survived. There is no discussion of politics or even the reasons behind the war. It is simply the story of a front-line soldier doing his duty. Junger writes about his experiences in war as an almost mystical event that at times transcends the physical senses and becomes almost spiritual. I personally found this fascinating. And while the details of the book are often gruesome, the author's writing is downright exquisite. So whatever you think of him, Mr. Junger certainly had a way with words, and this memoir is a masterpiece that deserves the title of "Classic."
Very good
I enjoyed this book very much. In some reviews people comment that the book was hard to get for many years because it glorifies war. I didn't find that it glorified war. What I got was an incredible respect for any of the WW1 soldiers fighting in the trenches & Ernst Junger in particular. He wasn't just a regular trench soldier - many, many times he risked his life in daring raids on the enemy lines.
A hidden gem of a war novel
Storm of Steel is an unusual contradiction of a war novel. As a description of trench combat on the Western Front of WWI, this book has the immediacy and authenticity of direct reportage, or at least battlefield notes. It was written soon after the author's own service in the German army, and has the unconstructed feel of a series of direct experiences.
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Subjects:  1. 1895-    2. Biography & Autobiography    3. Biography/Autobiography    4. Diaries    5. Fiction - General    6. General    7. Germany    8. Junger, Ernst - Prose & Criticism    9. Junger, Ernst,    10. Literary    11. Military    12. Military History - World War I    13. Personal Memoirs    14. Personal narratives, German    15. Soldiers    16. World War, 1914-1918    17. Biography & Autobiography / Personal Memoirs   

Subjects:  1. International Relations - General    2. Military Science    3. Political Freedom & Security - General    4. Political Science    5. Politics / Current Events    6. Politics/International Relations    7. Security, International    8. Social aspects    9. Technology    10. Terrorism    11. Defence strategy, planning & research    12. Impact of science & technology on society    13. Political Science / International Relations    14. Religious conflict    15. Terrorism, freedom fighters, armed struggle   

Reviews (1)

Devil's Sandbox is an Outstanding Effort!
This is the finest book on infanrty combat I/ve read!!Author John Bruning brings us into the lives of extraordinary men (and 1 women) of Oregon's 2nd Battalion 162nd Infantry.But it's so much more than a book about the battalion's tour of duty in Iraq.It's about their lives, their successes and heartbreaking loses.What sets book apart is that the author makes you feel that your apart of thesze soldier's lives and that their loses are your's also.Bravo Zulu Mr. Bruning! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Army.    2. Battalion, 2nd    3. Commando operations    4. General    5. History    6. History - Military / War    7. Infantry Regiment, 162nd.    8. Iraq War, 2003-    9. Military    10. Military - Persian Gulf War    11. Modern - General    12. United States.    13. History / Modern / General    14. Iraq    15. Warfare & Defence   

Editorial Review

To learn a Japanese martial art is to learn Zen, and although you can't do so simply by reading a book, it sure does help--especially if that book is Read more

Reviews (103)

A study of conflict
This book is great for anyone interested in personal development.It is a guide in focused self-discipline.It is also a guide to successful navigation of conflict.
GREAT 17th CENTURAY SAMURAI SWORDSMAN'S ADVICE ON STRATEGY
Based on my readings, Musashi's motive in writing his Book of Five Rings had been to correct misrepresentations of his views on swordsmanship by his contemporaries. Having become a legend in his own time, Musashi's reputation was being exploited by ambitious rivals claiming to have adopted the master's martial techniques and philosophies. Thus Book of Five Rings was intended by its author to establish his point of view for correcting misconceptions.
An excellent treatise on swordsmanship.....and life
Admittedly, I do not own this edition, but I bought it as a Christmas gift for a friend.This Musashi classic explains about the necessary fundamentals of samurai swordsmanship.While written centuries ago, the book also has strategic applications for handling life.This edition is good for simplicity and the lay reader. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Business & Economics    2. Business Life - General    3. Early works to 1800    4. Management - General    5. Martial Arts & Self-Defense    6. Military    7. Military Science    8. Military art and science    9. Personal Growth - Success    10. Strategic Planning    11. Swordplay    12. Self-Help / General    13. Sale Books   

Reviews (226)

Gripping real-life adventure seeking, amateur history, and personal drama
Shadow Divers is a gripping tale that combines the best of real-life thrill-seeking adventure, undocumented war-time history, and friendships and interpersonal drama.Author Kurson brings the reader 223 feet underwater to the sunken remains of a German U-boat located just off the New Jersey coast.Officially, no U-boat ever got that close to the eastern seaboard, and there are no unaccounted-for U-boats which were hit in the area.Post-war record keepers cleaned everything up nicely, filling in the blanks in which data was unclear.
Hoax and Fabrication
This book is ambiguous at best. It should probably be listed as fiction rather than non-fiction since it is so misleading in the way it sensationalizes the two divers with no real truth to back up the claims.
Fantastic story
There is no fantasy in this story, so maybe I should have used another word in the title of this review.
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Subjects:  1. Europe - Germany    2. Excavations (Archaeology)    3. History    4. History - Military / War    5. Military    6. Military - Naval    7. Military - World War II    8. Naval operations    9. Naval operations, German    10. New Jersey    11. Shipwrecks    12. Submarine    13. Submarines    14. World War, 1939-1945    15. History / Military / World War II   

Reviews (23)

Proud to have ridden with 'The Iron Pony Express'
Col Schumacher explores the world of the civilian contractor in Iraq in a way that no one else has. He gives an honest, accuate portrayal of who we are and what we have done in Iraq. It is a great tribute to the brave warriors of the 1544th Transportation Company, Illinois National Guard that gave their all to escort our mail convoys in Iraq. I am honored to have worked on the trucking contractor section with Col Schumacher. His military background and insight makes this book a must read. Mark R. 'Uglypuppy' Taylor Convoy Commander - JMMT-I 2004-2005 'The Iron Pony Express'.
The Colonel nails it!!!
I've lived in Iraq for the past year and a half and while my job isn't quite as "sexy" as the books subjects, I do get to see a lot of the lifestyle first hand.I get to meet guys like this all the time.Colonel Schumacher nails story of the contractor right on the head... good job!When he gives you the "basics" of who contractors are, I could tell he was talking about "me".

GREAT BOOK
IF YOU ARE THINKING ABOUT GOING OVER SEAS YOU BETTER READ THIS BOOK FIRST ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Corporate & Business History - General    2. History    3. History - Military / War    4. Iraq    5. Iraq War, 2003    6. Mercenary troops    7. Military    8. Military - Iraq War    9. Military - Other    10. United States    11. History / Modern / General    12. Mercenaries    13. USA   

Reviews (8)

The Civil War: one battle at a time
Ed Bearss is a crown jewel of civil war history: As a historian, author and field guide. Fields of Honor views the Civil War through the lens of battlefield tours that Ed has conducted over the years. His unique perspectives are enjoyable just for reading or for one visiting a battlefield he so aptly describes. I have read the book twice sine purchasing earlier this year and it is a keeper.

The Dividers
Regrettably, I have not yet read this book as I have been too busy taking pictures. My photographs illustrate the cover and year dividers so I feel like I was as much a part of the production of this volume as was Ed Bearss.It took a long time to get this volume out, but in the final analysis I like the way the book looks. My pictures in this book show only a few of the battlefields I have shot but these images are among my favorites.

A 'must' for any avid Civil War student
FIELDS OF HONOR: PIVOTAL BATTLES OF THE CIVIL WAR is the first book gathered from Edwin Bearss' recordings of his battlefield tours, gathering the Civil War's history and offering details on fourteen pivotal battles throughout the war. Bearss has presents over six decades of battlefield study, and surveys strategies used by both sides: his is a fine survey which pairs over seventy black and white photos and nearly twenty maps with detailed descriptions of leaders, maneuvers, and conflicts. A 'must' for any avid Civil War student.
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Subjects:  1. 1861-1865, Civil War    2. Campaigns    3. Civil War, 1861-1865    4. History    5. History - Military / War    6. History: American    7. Military    8. Military - United States    9. Military History - U.S. Civil War    10. United States    11. United States - Civil War    12. Civil war    13. History / Polar Regions    14. History / United States / Civil War Period (1850-1877)    15. USA   

Reviews (14)

Wow
This is a powerful book. As I was reading it, it would occasionally hit me that this isn't just some fiction book or a history book about people who would be long dead anyway, this is happening right now. To people I know.
Oustanding book
This book pulls one in from the very first chapter.Fascinating first hand accounts of events as they are happening.I couldn't put it down.

An Outstanding, well-organized compilation
An easy and vitally important read, very suitable for air travel time.No one should form an opinion on a subject matter such as the war in Iraq without getting first-hand accounts of what is going on there.Matt has done a magnificent job rendering this material as non-political as it gets; it's just personal experiences that are an emotional rollar coaster that leaves you in absolute awe of the quality of the people we have serving this country.Well done, Matt! And thanks to all the authors for your phenomenal service to this nation. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Afghan War, 2001-    2. History    3. History - Military / War    4. History: American    5. Iraq War, 2003-    6. Military - Iraq War    7. Military - United States    8. Military History - 1