Reviews (3)

Examines the covert U.S. operations against Cuba at the height of the Cold War
Any in-depth political science library, particularly those with close coverage of Cuba, will want to be sure The Castro Obsession: U.S. Covert Operations Against Cuba 1959-1965 is in their collection. Journalist Don Bohning was Latin American editor for the Miami Herald, and here uses his reporter's inspection eye to examine the covert U.S. operations against Cuba at the height of the Cold War. The U.S. tried for economic and political destabilization, hit-and-run raids, and assassination plots during this time: Bohning's The Castro Obsession basically asks "was it worth it" and supports the conclusion "no".
Examines the covert U.S. operations against Cuba at the height of the Cold War
Any in-depth political science library, particularly those with close coverage of Cuba, will want to be sure The Castro Obsession: U.S. Covert Operations Against Cuba 1959-1965 is in their collection. Journalist Don Bohning was Latin American editor for the Miami Herald, and here uses his reporter's inspection eye to examine the covert U.S. operations against Cuba at the height of the Cold War. The U.S. tried for economic and political destabilization, hit-and-run raids, and assassination plots during this time: Bohning's The Castro Obsession basically asks "was it worth it" and supports the conclusion "no".
The Mystery of Cuba
Now at about 75 years old, Fidel Castro is in ailing health. Cuba's economy, as with most of the communist centrally planned economies, is at subsistence level. Average annual per capita income is about $1,500 per person. But still it survives. Two new books go a long ways towards explaining why.
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Subjects:  1. 20th century    2. Caribbean & West Indies - Cuba    3. Cuba    4. Espionage, American    5. Foreign relations    6. History    7. History - General History    8. History - U.S.    9. History: World    10. Interviews    11. Latin America - General    12. Military - Intelligence/Espionage    13. Military - Strategy    14. Political Freedom & Security - Intelligence    15. Spies    16. Subversive activities    17. United States    18. United States - 20th Century (1945 to 2000)    19. American history: postwar, from c 1945 -    20. History / Latin America    21. International relations    22. USA    23. c 1960 to c 1970   

Reviews (2)

A thought provoking book
Jan Goldman has assembled a compendium of short articles which explore all aspects of the intelligence trade.The book is a definitely useful tool to anyone who wishes to understand the dilemmas which confront the intelligence professional as he plies his trade.
A knowledgeably written collection of literature and military espionage
Ethics Of Spying: A Reader For The Intelligence Professional, deftly edited by Jan Goldman (ethics and intelligence teacher at the Joint Military Intelligence College in Washington, D.C.) is a knowledgeably written collection of literature and military espionage that creates what may be understood as the ultimate guideline to ethical spying. Ethics Of Spying may act as an informative reference for identifying the proper tactics necessary to go about assessing a particular situation, aside from being an incredibly elaborate and intriguing read. Ethics Of Spying is very strongly recommended to all policy makers, managers, supervisors, and employees involved in intelligence operations as well as the non-specialist general reader with an interest in espionage and spy history, ethics and tactics.
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Subjects:  1. Applied Ethics    2. Espionage    3. Espionage, American    4. General    5. History - Military / War    6. Intelligence service    7. Military - Strategy    8. Moral and ethical aspects    9. Political Freedom & Security - Intelligence    10. Political Science    11. Politics/International Relations    12. U.S. Government - Intelligence Agencies    13. History / Military / Strategy    14. Military tactics   

Reviews (3)

interesting but incomplete
unfortunately, this book, with all of its very useful info, tells only the story of russian offesnsive in the south during winter 42/43 and of the rumyantsev operation in the summer of 43. It lacks the info about the southern and southwestern fronts offensive during summer 43, not mentioning the northern part of the theather. also missed the averall race to the dneper. Not an exhausting book. And the price is too high.

A balance of detail and readability unsurpassed
Glantz draws extensively, but not exclusively on Soviet sources, and gives detailed strategic and operational overview of the fighting in the Don area after Stalingrad. What I appreciated most was the detail in the perspective of situations facing the Germans and Russians, and where their planning differed in both time scale and flexibility. How Manstein managed to achieve a counteroffensive move whilst STAVKA still interpreted the moves as a withdrawl to the Dnepr is instructive. A very good and detailed account of Russian Front operations
"From the Don to the Dnepr" is a very detailed operational account, primarily from the Russian point of view, of offensive Soviet operations on the Southern Front in the period after the encirclement ofStalingrad to the post-Kursk offensive to retake Kharkov. Read more

Subjects:  1. Campaigns    2. Don River Region    3. Donets Basin (Ukraine and Russ    4. Donets Basin (Ukraine and Russia)    5. Europe - Russia & the Former Soviet Union    6. History    7. History - Military / War    8. History: World    9. Military - General    10. Military - World War II    11. Russia (Federation)    12. World War, 1939-1945    13. Former Soviet Union, USSR (Europe)    14. Political Science / International Security    15. Second World War, 1939-1945    16. War & defence operations    17. World history: Second World War   

Reviews (60)

An all time classic
Simply a classic of military history and worthy of being read not only once, but once in a while to remind ourselves how good history can be.
Details - the devil is in the details
I finally read this book and my impressions are those of one who has seen the movie many times and yet I was very, very impressed by both the scope and the detail of the book.The fact of its longevity is only matched by the near absence if critcal complaint making this volume both unique and definative.
Good read but be warned
I second the positives given to this book by other reviewers.
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Subjects:  1. Arnhem, Battle of, 1944    2. Arnhem, Battle of, Arnhem, Net    3. Arnhem, Battle of, Arnhem, Netherlands, 1944    4. Europe - History    5. History    6. History - Military / War    7. History: World    8. Military    9. Military - World War II    10. Military History - World War II    11. Western Europe - General    12. World War II    13. Europe    14. History / General    15. Second World War, 1939-1945    16. War & defence operations    17. Western Continental Europe    18. World history: Second World War   

Reviews (7)

Astonishingly comprehensive and well informed
This is just the book I was looking for to get an introduction to modern warfare. It is comprehensive, thoughful, and insightful. Dunnigan is not afraid to provide an educated opinion where precise data is not available.
Good for Wargamers - Veterans Need Not Apply
Mr. Dunnigan is an respected authority on wargames and military simulations, having produced more than one hundred (mostly manual) games between the late 1960's and early 1990's.The rise and complexity of computer and video games has mostly left him behind, however, in producing profitable products in recent years.This book is best suited for a reader interested in wargaming or as a basic introduction to broad military topics.If you already own the Updated Third Edition (1983), very little substance has changed in the Fourth Edition.The post-9/11 war on terrorism and current war in Iraq are not covered in any useful detail.In fact, lessons from the first Gulf War are not explained much at all.The "How to Make War" editions are written very much from the perspective of a wargamer and to a lesser extent a civilian historical and military analyst.Mr. Dunnigan is not a military professional and did not command men and machines in combat as a career soldier, sailor or airmen.His insights are good and in many cases spot on, but an experienced reader will quickly realize that the book superficially covers most topics and never really explains the psychology, politics, and specialization behind the numbers.It portrays an idealized and romantic view, akin to Tom Clancy`s fiction, by simplifying the issues into mathematical analysis and technical explanations of systems.John Keegan's books do a much better job of giving readers a good understanding of men at war and how they win.Mr. Dunnigan's writing style may also put some readers off, as he tends to lecture and ramble.Given his expert stature in the wargaming community, this professor to pupil style is easily understood.In summary, this book makes a good introduction for non-professional military readers and in particular wargamers.

Very good
This book is one of the best I've come across on the subject of modern warfare. The chapters are well organized , easily read, and brutally honest on the truths of modern war as it is today and will be in the future. Dunnigan delves not only into tactis and strategy, but also other, often overlooked details of war in the modern world. Among these topics are morale of soldiers, training, equipment and technology, and logistics. Recommended for any student of warfare and current global issues. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Armed Forces    2. History    3. History - Military / War    4. Military    5. Military - Strategy    6. Military Science    7. Military art and science    8. Military weapons    9. Political Freedom & Security - International Secur    10. War    11. History / Military / Strategy   

Reviews (5)

Excellent resource of info on the "hessian" troops!
This diary makes clear the miscoceptions and wrong ideas A Hessian Diary of the American Revolution - Doehla.
This is a translation of a Diary of a Bayreuth soldier of the American Revolution written originally by Johann Conrad Doehla, A German Soldier's View of the American Revolution
This book is an interesting diary by a private in the German Bayreuth regiment, who served in America during 1777-1781. Dohla was captured at Yorktown, imprisoned in Maryland and not repatriated until 1783.Particularly poignant are examples of how German officers maintained brutal discipline and this brutality undermined morale.The diary is filled with desertion after desertion. Relations between British and German troops appeared decent.There is only limited discussion of combat operations in this account because Dohla's unit usually seemed to miss most actions for one reason or another, but there is plenty of skirmishing.Dohla's comments on America are interesting from the point of view of the common soldier.Unfortunately, there are no maps. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. History - Military / War    2. History: American    3. Military - General    4. U.S. History - Revolution And Confederation (1775-1789)    5. United States - Revolutionary War    6. American history: c 1500 to c 1800    7. Biography: historical    8. Revolutions & coups    9. USA    10. War & defence operations    11. c 1700 to c 1800   

Reviews (16)

Preservation of Finnish Autonomy
Absolutely great book on a subject little known outside of Finland.Great battle recollections from participants along with historical background of both Finland, as a country, and the onset of war with Russia, make this a great read.

Quick reading, good overview
This is a book that covers one of the less covered topics, the Soviet attack on Finland.The author presents the events and overall battles and engagements in a fluid and flowing manner.The book is a good read and provides insight as to the tenacity of the Finnish soldiers in defending their home country against a more modern and better equipped Soviet Army.
A little known war that could have drastically changed WWII
There are a number of books available on the Winter War between Finland and the Soviet Union, which was fought for a few months from Dec '39 to March '40.Even so, the war is little known in the west, coming as it did just after the Nazi/Soviet partition of Poland, during the Sitzkrieg, and just before the Nazi invasions of Norway and Denmark.Little Finland held off a Soviet onslaught for several months before superior numbers and equipment finally wore the Finnish defenders out.Meanwhile, the world debated whether to aid the Finns, occupied as they were with Nazi aggressions.Read more

Subjects:  1. Europe - Russia & the Former Soviet Union    2. Europe - Scandinavia    3. History - Military / War    4. History: World    5. Military - General    6. Military History - Modern    7. Russo-Finnish War, 1939-1940    8. European history: Second World War    9. Finland    10. Second World War, 1939-1945    11. War & defence operations   

Reviews (230)

I lived it
Many people are trying to discredit this book, however, I personally experienced one of the accounts related in Stolen Valor.
Mandatory reading for anyone interested in Vietnam
The book starts off with a quick story about a Special Forces veteran of Vietnam whose wife is brutally murdered. While other reporters seem to accept the story as given, the co-author and journalist for Texas Monthly decides to investigate further the history of the vet. She is told the `expert' on checking the veracity of Vietnam Veteran claims is fellow Texan B.G. Burkett. ...and so begins a friendship and a mutual project to explore myths, lore, and claims of Vietnam Veterans.
Highest Praise
This book is one of the most honorable and courageous works I have ever read.Burkett, with Whitely's assistance, has written a landmark book notable for the depth of his research and the thoroughness of his description and explanation of the phenomenon he has devoted himself to.Its finding that so many prominent "Vietnam vets" are imposters, deceivers, and liars is both shocking and revolting.Its finding that the pervasive, invidious image of Vietnam vets as losers, crazies, and walking timebombs is flat wrong is deeply troubling.For me, the most deeply disturbing knowledge I gained from this book is how tremendously damaging is the simple, oftentimes innocent, but fundamentally wrong preconception that war is innately pathological and so warriors are victims riddled with sickness.
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Subjects:  1. Asia - Southeast Asia    2. History    3. History - Military / War    4. Influence    5. Military    6. Military - United States    7. Military - Vietnam War    8. United States    9. Vietnamese Conflict, 1961-1975    10. American history: Vietnam War    11. Asian history: Vietnam War    12. USA    13. Vietnam    14. War & defence operations   

Reviews (9)

A entertianing, fact-filled overview of the Vietnam War
The title of this 375-page book about the Vietnam War is not accurate.There really aren't too many so-called dirty little secrets revealed and most of the material is not controversial, but the book does have a lot of interesting perspectives and factual data re the war.Eschewing the chronological approach Dunnigan and Nofi write a lot of short interesting chapters on everything from a sketch of the pre-U.S. involvement history of conflict in Vietnam and adjoining nations (which still continues as the growing ethnic Vietnamese population continues suppressing and displacing minority groups) to summaries of each aspect of combat (Army, USMC, helicopters, air war, Naval campaigns (perhaps the weakest section), etc.), descriptions of major actions and incidents and overviews of in-country "cultural" issues (drugs, racial relations, popular music, etc.).
FORGET THE TITLE... IT'S MARKETING FOLKS..
OK, SO THE TITLE IS A MISNONER.. Title is misnomer
The title is a misnomer.Virtually everything is covered in other books on Vietnam.I suspect that the reviewers who praised this book on the basis of it containing hitherto unrevealed information simply have not read anything else on the subject.It does give a pretty good, if somewhat superficial overview of the war as well as the background history leading up to it.I would recommend it except for the pervasive (but not overwhelming) right wing cant.For example, the authors state that one of the reasons the war was lost by the South was that the superpowers supporting the North had more will and staying power than those (actually, one, the U.S.) supporting the South.They neglect to mention that the Americans were fighting and dying there but Russians and Chinese were not.They also adhere to the pervasive, but very questionable premise that had we been allowed to bring our full military power to bear, we would have won.They do acknowlege that U.S. losses would have been much higher and the subsequent occupation would also have been very costly and prolonged.Still, there is much information conveniently collated here from many diverse sources and if one decided to read only a single book on Vietnam, one could do worse. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. History    2. Military    3. Military - Vietnam War    4. Military History - Vietnam Conflict    5. Miscellanea    6. Vietnam War, 1961-1975    7. Vietnamese Conflict, 1961-1975    8. Asian / Middle Eastern history    9. Vietnam    10. War & defence operations   

Reviews (7)

Surprisingly insightful and entertaining
A good read with a fair dose of drole wit and surpisingly insightful about the nature of Rome and its people.Sometimes history makes more sense when one uses common sense.For example, the part about the rationale for continual war in Roman culture was right on the mark, as well as the following humorous observations what kind of psychological qualities were required to be a functional senior manager.Also his discussion of the fall of Rome, while truncated, hits it on the head about the importance of the myth of Rome and its unifying power.A little bit of history and a little bit of management and a large bit of flippant humor makes for an enjoyable read

Mildly Entertaining, No Lasting Value
Rome, Inc., by Stanley Bing is a quick 200 page dose of Roman history. It discuses the founding, rise and eventual decline of the empire in short breezy chapters with fleeting references to current corporate and management culture. There are some amusing parallels drawn but nothing earth shattering. This volume won't be creating any managers or CEOs in a hurry; at best, it can perhaps just about sustain you on your next flight from LA to NY.

Very witty analysis of the Roman Empire
Like another reviewer, I usually do not find Stanley Bing's writing interesting.I find his writing more of inside jokes and tending toward rambling proses.
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Subjects:  1. Ancient - Rome    2. Business & Economics    3. Business/Economics    4. Corporate state    5. Economic History    6. Europe - Italy    7. History - General History    8. Humor    9. Parables    10. Rome    11. Ancient Rome    12. Business & Economics / General    13. European history: BCE to c 500 CE    14. War & defence operations   

Reviews (15)

Good military history
This is a good, solid military history. For a more general history of Ghengis Khan there are several other sources--John Man being the best of the recent ones. Weatherford's book is bad--too much of the noble savage stereotype rather than a real, honest picture of Genghis Khan. Also, some of his claims are not well supported. (Ghenghis Khan invented trading posts? I can't find a major Asian or European civilization that didn't have them before the Mongols.)

not a real author or scholar
The author has little knowledge on the subject he is writing about. He believes the Great Mongol people did not contribute anything to modern history but their contribution in military warfare, commerce (ie: invented trading post, currency ) etc.
RECOMMENED ADDITION TO YOUR COLLECTION
This is an excellent book.Like anyother work, it should not be taken as the beginning and the end of the subject, but rather an addition or supplement.As one reviewer pointed out, some of the research noted here, may be questionable, but when you review the research of the individuals (scholars) making this claim, you find the same problem with their own work..so...all in all, this is a good one to add to your collection.It is well written, injoyable and above all, informative. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Europe - General    2. History    3. History - Military / War    4. Medieval    5. Military    6. Military - Other    7. Military - Strategy    8. Military history, Medieval    9. Mongols    10. BG-HISTORY - BG-WAR    11. Eastern Europe    12. Europe    13. European history: c 500 to c 1500    14. History / Military / Strategy    15. Land forces & warfare   

Subjects:  1. 1827-1888    2. Correspondence    3. Crimean War, 1853-1856    4. Dallas, George Frederick,    5. Europe - Russia & the Former Soviet Union    6. History    7. History - Military / War    8. History: World    9. Military - General    10. Military - Other    11. Personal narratives, British    12. Dallas, George Frederick    13. History / Military / World War II   

Subjects:  1. History - Military / War    2. Military - General    3. War & defence operations    4. World history   

Reviews (7)

Well done
Some criticism here that the author jumps around somewhat and is not a slave to chronology. Let me suggest books with bigger print and more illustrations for those who find themselves thus challenged. This was in fact the most complicated campaign, requiring more coordination, stones and pure luck than any other. For those who retort "Trenton" let me merely respond "scale". Two fleets (one in Newport and the other in the West Indies) had to arrive at the York/James at precisely the same time as an army which traveled 700+ miles mostly on foot on horrible roads from New York. It is well-written, with many interesting new details and a suspense that builds despite the fact the outcome is well known. If you consider yourself a buff you have to add this one to your personal library.

not rehashing, you can learn from this book
Ketchum's Yorktown is better than some crits on here are saying: it is not rehashing. Not only am I using it as a source for a fiction story, but I also have Fleming's Beat the Last Drum (1963) open beside it: they tell the same topic but very differently, just as they should do. Fleming is more a novelist so his Yorktown history is very flowing prose with stories of the people and in his own inimitable way, but Ketchum does his own Ketchum thing here with this, you know what I mean if you read his Bunker Hill, Saratoga and New York battle books. I see a lot of raves for Buchanan with his Guilford and Southron book on what all led to this, and Ketchum seems to rank right up there too, tells a ton and very readable, you can learn from this book which is why it's a source for my story; and to those who may say 'we don't get to Yorktown til the half-point, too much leading up' I say 'Remember, that which happens is formed by that which came before,' and this is especially true with Yorktown: those things the action figures did leading up to cause Yorktown is even more important than the siege, and Ketchum shows this in his own style of telling, just as did Fleming. What did Napoleon say?: win the battle before the battle starts.
Entertaining but could be better
I did enjoy reading Victory at Yorktown.I did think the title of the book was a bit misleading.As other reviewers have pointed out, about one half of the the book deals with the southern campaign.What little time is devoted to the actual Yorktown engagement is broken up by frequent wanderings into other areas, some relevant, others not.I was also a bit disappointed by the very skimpy coverage devoted to the diplomatic dealings going on during the Yorktown battle.The book, entertaining as it was, could really have improved had more attention been given to the surrender negotiations.
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Subjects:  1. History    2. History - General History    3. Military    4. Military - Strategy    5. Military - United States    6. Military History - Modern    7. Siege, 1781    8. U.S. History - Revolution And Confederation (1775-1789)    9. United States - Revolutionary War    10. Yorktown (Va.)    11. History / General   

Reviews (3)

Beautiful color testimonial of U.S. Tanks in WWII...
I reviewed the German twin to this book and as in that one, this is just a limited sampler of a few, and probably more representative U.S. Tanks in WWII.
American Tanks of WWII
This 97 page referance book, is fill with clear color photos. Gives good information of preserved examples in North America. Brief overview of american armored vehicles of WW II
This book is a brief look at the major armored vehicles of the U.S. forces during World War II. It has some interesting data that is not always readily available. The most interesting feature is that all of the photographs are recently taken of vehicles that are presently owned by individuals and museums. This gives the reader an appreciation of the number of vehicles that are preserved today and the excellent condition they are kept in ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Armored Land Forces    2. Equipment and supplies    3. History - Military / War    4. Military - World War II    5. Military History - World War II    6. Military Science    7. Reference    8. Tanks (Military science)    9. United States    10. World War, 1939-1945    11. History / Military / World War II    12. Military vehicles    13. Second World War, 1939-1945    14. War & defence operations   

Reviews (6)

Fifty Years to over analyze
Hiroshima had such an enormous historical impact on the world that it is important study and re-examine its context in modern history.This book concentrates on how the dropping of the bomb has influenced our country's psyche over the 50 years since its detonation.
Truly eye opening
This book is the best information I have seen on this tragic event.Read it, understand what we did.

good discussion starter
The previous reviewers did a good job explaining what the book was about.I'll add the following: the authors discuss President Truman's role in making the decision to drop the bomb and seem to indicate that he was more or less a consent giver in this process rather than the decision maker.
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Subjects:  1. Atomic bomb victims    2. History - U.S.    3. History: World    4. International Relations - Arms Control    5. Japan    6. Military - World War II    7. United States    8. United States - 20th Century/WWII    9. World War, 1939-1945    10. Nuclear weapons    11. USA    12. War & defence operations   

Subjects:  1. History - Military / War    2. History: American    3. Military - General    4. Military History - U.S. Civil War    5. United States - Civil War    6. American history: c 1800 to c 1900    7. History / Military / United States    8. USA    9. War & defence operations    10. c 1800 to c 1900   

Reviews (1)

Excellent overview of the one year "tour of duty"
An easily read summary of the author's experience in Vietnam.(I found it of interest as a veteran of the 25th Div. at the same time-several friends who arrived in country with me were assigned to the Wolfhounds).Mr.Bradford shows us the Vietnam War from the perspective of a young CivicAction Officer trained to "win the hearts and minds" of thecivilian population.Through narratives of his own experience and those ofothers the reader is presented a view of the futility and mismanagement ofthat war while also describing the lives and experiences of the individualcombat soldier and the Wolfhounds. Sometimes the dialoque was difficult tofollow; ie., it wasn't always clear when the author was speaking in thefirst person and when another individual was speaking.However, once thereader picked up on the author's writing style the narrative made for fastreading. In the book's last section "What was it all about" theauthor brings the lessons of the Vietnam War clearly into perspective.Iheartily agree with his statement that we should "not... confuseAmerica with the politicians elected to administer America..."Iwould recommend this book to my children who have asked, "what was theVietnam war like?" ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Army    2. Army.    3. Battalion, 1st    4. History    5. History - Military / War    6. History: American    7. Infantry Division, 27th    8. Infantry Division, 27th.    9. Military - General    10. Military - Vietnam War    11. Military Combat Units    12. Military History - Vietnam Conflict    13. Regimental histories    14. United States    15. United States.    16. Vietnam War, 1961-1975    17. Vietnamese Conflict, 1961-1975    18. Asian / Middle Eastern history    19. History / Military / General    20. Land forces & warfare    21. Vietnam    22. War & defence operations   

Reviews (27)

History of Greco-Persian War
As the title of my review says, this book is a very well written history of the whole war, not just Thermopylae.The reason I stress this is that when I first read this book, I was disappointed since I had just read "the Greco-Persian Wars" by Peter Green, and had picked this one up hoping to get more detailed insights on the battle at the pass as the title suggested.Alas, t'was not to be.Apparently, Green's history pretty much covers everything this one does, and in pretty much the same way.Both books even draw similiar conclusions when evidence is scanty.This happened so much that I was suspicious at first that one was basically paraphrasing the other.Don't misunderstand, you can't go wrong with