Reviews (74)

The Navy's Finest Hour
This was a wonderful book, shedding much light on the much maligned and neglected Tin Can Navy, these men past and present do much, more with so much less and all are a tribute to the resourcefulness of the Sailor, period. So much useful history that would pass untold if it were not for this book and others like it. The story was recalled in a very fond, but firm and affable presentation. I really enjoyed this book, and as a retired Tin Can Sailor, I can relate to much in this book. Honorable men commiting honorable deeds, for self, for shipmate and for country. I thank each of these men that served for thier history and sacrifice.

A Story of Bravery for the Ages
This is undoubtedly one of the finest books I have ever read on warfare in my 45 years of reading books about war.
Very good, well done
This is a very good and compelling naval battle tale that really exposes the heroism of the men of the American Navy during WWII. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. History    2. History - Military / War    3. Leyte Gulf (Philippines), Batt    4. Leyte Gulf (Philippines), Battle of, 1944    5. Leyte Gulf, Battle of, Philipp    6. Leyte Gulf, Battle of, Philippines, 1944    7. Military    8. Military - Naval    9. Military - United States    10. Military - World War II    11. Military History - World War II    12. Naval Operations    13. Naval operations, American    14. World War, 1939-1945    15. History / Military / World War II   

Reviews (16)

great
Item came on time and as promised.Could not ask for a better delivery situation.

Most USEFUL leadership book. Bar-none.
I have read dozens of leadership books over the years including many from both business and military perspectives. This is bar-none the best. I currently have four managers, about thirty staff and multiple projects I am responsible for and this is the book that I repeately reach for because it is a "how to" book. I reach for it to solve problems and I reach for it to teach my staff and managers "how to".
An Interesting Book on Leadership
This book was written for officers in the United States Army.It gives officers an idea of how to manage and develop the soldiers under them.Particularly it gives good advice on how to recognize and deal with certain types of soldiers based on a skill, will, and teamwork scale.To tell the truth, I'm not in the army, but I bought this book to gain some insight into the army's way of managing and developing soldiers.I believe that if you are a businessperson or a teacher, you can learn a lot about how to treat different employees or students.Each person has individual needs that need to be handled in different ways, and I think this is something that this book does a good job of introducing.If you're in the army, you definitely need this, and if you're not, you can still gain a lot of knowledge by reading this. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Command of troops    2. History    3. History - Military / War    4. Leadership    5. Military    6. Military - General    7. Military Combat Units    8. Military Science    9. Defence strategy, planning & research    10. History / Military / General   

Reviews (8)

Excellent
Bought a copy. Lost it. HAD TO buy another to replace it. An excellent book, Sawyers commentaries modernize and place in context applicable to today's managers. Clearly a lot of work went into his explanations. A must have, must read, must study. Provided me with months worth of reading material at lunch.

The teachings of the greatest military geniuses of all time.
Sun Tzu collected his teachings into the ancient Chinesetreatise on military strategy known as "The Art of War" about twenty-five hundred years ago. Afterward his teachings were passed down through the Sun family, or a group of disciples, who edited or expounded upon the original writings until they assumed their current form. Sun Pin was the great-grandson of Sun Tzu, and he used the teachings of his brilliant ancestor to develop his Treatise "Military Methods". This wonderful translation by Ralph D. Sawyer includes both of these ancient texts. Sun Tzu and Sun Pin are timeless
The Art of War is the oldest and best military treatise this world has seen.It is amazing how Sun Tzu can talk about strategy and warfare in thirteen short chapters.His book is just the best about competition and strategy. And now we get to Sun Pin, the military strategist.I have awesome respect for him.He was betrayed and mutilated by his best friend, and still, he survived.He defeated his nemesis in a great strategic way that Sun Tzu would have mostly likely done.These two are the best and if they were in this world today, they would won every war that we fight, by their ability to adapt.If you want to get Ancient Strategy and Chinese Culture, get this book. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Early works to 1800    2. History - Military / War    3. Military - Strategy    4. Military Science    5. Military Tactics And Strategy    6. Military art and science    7. Science/Mathematics    8. Technology    9. Business strategy    10. History    11. Mind, body, spirit: disciplines & techniques    12. Other prose: classical, early & medieval    13. Warfare & Defence   

Editorial Review

It is the dawn of the 21st century, and the United States has appropriated the entire Earth. So journalist Robert Kaplan writes in his paean to the American fighting man and woman, Read more

Reviews (57)

The Roman Road Revisited
The first of what Kaplan states will be a series of books, "Imperial Grunts" tours seven military operations with a variety of Special Forces, and also spends some time with the Marines.Each theater is utterly different and fascinating: Yemen, Colombia, Mongolia, the Philippines, Afghanistan, the Horn of Africa, and Iraq.Rather than open with the easy headliner, Iraq, Robert Kaplan starts in "injun country" and stays there, gradually working his way across to the big story.As he progresses, Kaplan shows the effectiveness of small army, groups of highly trained individuals with the freedom and initiative to act who combine features of statesmen, ambassador, doctor, economist and mediator.Once big army becomes involved as in Afghanistan and Iraq, less is done with far more expenditure in terms of both lives and money.Whether we like to be told it or not, the US is an empire, and it seeks to maintain security by placing bases in strategic locations that can be lightly manned and maintained, but remain capable of receiving large numbers of aircraft and troops at any time, the principle of the Roman road, where Rome's army was not so much large as highly mobile.Kaplan's view of the military is frankly startling and optimistic next to the avalanche of negativity that is justifiably being written about Iraq; he bemoans lingusitic capabilities that are adequate only in South America, and frequently points out that the US military is still configured to fight the Cold War, and not the decentralized threats of the twenty-first century.Having written ten books, Kaplan also reveals that he attended the School of Advanced Military Studies at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, and served in the Israeli Army.

Academy Award for Best Book in 2005
Most people reading this book are already familiar with Kaplan's work in the Atlantic Monthly.So, this book will be no surprise about the quality of his journalism and his dedication to his craft.What other 50-year-old is bunking down with Special Forces in Columbia fighting the FARC?
Fascinating look at the American military's deployment in countries throughout the world today
_Imperial Grunts_ by Robert D. Kaplan is a brilliant and fascinating look at the American military's deployment in countries throughout the world today. Given how wide that deployment is (particularly thanks to the war on terror), the increasingly decentralized nature of command, and the impact individual units and even soldiers can have worldwide thanks to the global media, Kaplan felt it important to tell the stories of soldiers "from the ground up, at the point of contact." He was fascinated by just how important the actions of the "lowliest corporals and privates" could be even at the strategic level. Also, he was interested in how the U.S. was able to regulate and monitor an often chaotic world without large-scale wars and with only a minimal number of troops on the ground. Part military and political analysis and part travelogue, Kaplan visited American forces in Yemen, Colombia, Mongolia, the Philippines, Afghanistan, eastern Africa, and Iraq, embedding with American Special Forces and U.S. Marines.
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Subjects:  1. History - Military / War    2. Military    3. Military - United States    4. Military Policy    5. Political Freedom & Security - International Secur    6. Political Science    7. U.S. Foreign Relations    8. Political Science / International Security   

Reviews (116)

Amazing how few know Charlie Wilson!
It's amazing to me how few Americans have even heard of Texas Congressman Charlie Wilson (should I mention he was a Democrat!). I myself only had a vague idea of his role in the financing of the Mujaheddin in Afghanistan during the Soviet occupation. George Crile, III, brings his story, and that of Gust L. Avrakotos, died a few years back at 67, the CIA agent in charge of the largest covert operation in CIA history--the arming of Afghani tribesmen during their 1980s guerrilla war--boldly to life. As entertaining as it is informative, every educated being on the planet should read this book to gain a better understanding of what exactly goes on behind the scenes as one crisis after another shapes the world we live in. Sadly, Mr. Crile died on May 15, 2006, of pancreatic cancer.

Bringing Down the Evil Empire
I, for one, don't believe that history is rewritten.I believe that history is told, either truthfully or not, and told again and again.Everyone who writes history does so with the facts at their disposal, and distance allows for wider views.It is for this reason that I believe Charlie Wilson's War by George Crile may be the best Afghan War history to date.This is the Afghan War pitting the Freedom Fighters against the Red Army and the 80's occupation.This is the Afghan War, financed by joint funds from the U.S. and Saudi Arabia, with weapon arrangements and tactical training as well as strategic planning from the C.I.A.
Entertaining, Historical and Symbolic of our current predicament
This book gives one an excellent historical account of one of the most entertaining and important spy stories of our time. It's almost unbelievable that it's not fiction. It's also particularly relevant as it's directly connected to 9/11 and our current troubles in the Middle East.
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Subjects:  1. Afghanistan    2. American military assistance    3. History    4. History - Military / War    5. Military    6. Military - General    7. Military - Intelligence/Espionage    8. Military assistance, American    9. Political Freedom & Security - Intelligence    10. Secret service    11. Soviet occupation, 1979-1989   

Reviews (56)

I wanted to like it I really did
The first three chapters have nothing to do with the overall concept, its just some crazy manifest dynasty that's been rehashed time and time again.
Insightful and fair work
Behind the scenes of the hellish fights on Iwo Jima in 1945, another bloodshed was taking place just nearby. The American Air Force planned to fly B-29 strategic bombers from Iwo Jima to Japan, but it faced another peril, Chichi Jima. The island served as critical radar station to detect any enemy aerial activities for the Japanese and held even greater forces than infamous Iwo Jima. This book is a story about the fate of nine Chichi Jima raiders who were shot down, captured, slaughtered, and erased from the history until re-discovered recently.
Flyboys
I had a difficult time with this book. Having ready "Flags of Our Fathers", I had hopes this would be as well written and informitive. However, from early on this book came across as just another piece of "pagan liberal propoganda". The ethnic cleansing of American Indians by the United States was an early warmup of typical pagan propoganda and it headed downhill from there.
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Subjects:  1. Atrocities    2. Biography    3. Chichi Island    4. History    5. History - Military / War    6. Japan    7. Military    8. Military - Aviation    9. Military - United States    10. Military - World War II    11. Prisoners Of War    12. Prisoners and prisons, Japanes    13. Prisoners and prisons, Japanese    14. World War II - East Asia    15. World War, 1939-1945    16. Biography & Autobiography / Military   

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   

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 -   

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   

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 (7)

Good Solid Book
This book is a great guide to the history of warfare.I have looked at and read a lot of books on this subject, and I find this book to be pretty good.What makes it better than most are the pictures, special boxes highlighting neat events, maps, and graphics.

The Cambridge Illustrated History of Warfare
A nice straightforward history compilation.The book is a collection of summaries that read easily and are well written.

Excellent Summary On The Evolution of Western Warfare
As with its political and economic systems, Western Europe came to develop very unique military institutions that had evolved from Greco-Roman military doctrines applying war as a science and as a precise instrument towards defined political ends: emphasizing on uniform training and equipment as well as strict discipline.This book studies the evolution of Western military institutions from antiquity to modern times and demonstrates how these progressive changes contributed to the modern doctrines of Western warfare that are used today by every nation-state.