Reviews (5)

michelin battle of nomandy map no.102
very interesting purchase. its actually a map you used to get in gas stations. shows where bunkers are & VERY detailed road, towns, & terain. not much on where battles fought & also from 1947. there are probably lots of changes to map now, but still for the money i like it.

Review of Michelin Battle Map of Normandy
This map is a valuable companion to any book on Operation Overlord and the follow on operations in Normandy.It allows the reader to maintain geographical awareness when reading of the military operations taking place in various locations.

Normandy Map 102
Excellent.I consider myself a World War II in Europe "fan", try to read all the books I can.This has certainly made many of them more meaningful since I can now pinpoint locations in them.Read about this map when Time published their 60 yr anniversary of D-day issue.Tom Hanks mentioned it, but I hadn't been able to find it.Googled, and there it was.Amazon came through again. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Europe - France    2. General    3. Maps & Road Atlases    4. Military - World War II    5. Reference    6. Travel    7. Europe    8. European history: Second World War    9. Historical geography    10. Second World War, 1939-1945    11. Travel / road maps & atlases    12. War & defence operations   

Reviews (1)

Remarkable
Greco described this book best by calling it the "scrapbook of a covert organization never meant to see the light of day." (Acknowledgements, X) This is exactly what this work is. Not only does it reflect his experiences while serving in SOG, but it reflects the overall experience of running highly classified missions into enemy controlled territory.
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Subjects:  1. Asia - Southeast Asia    2. History - Military / War    3. Military - Strategy    4. History / Military / Strategy   

Subjects:  1. History    2. Military    3. Military - Strategy   

Reviews (9)

Great works from an exciting period of history
The works in this book are:
???????????
WHAT ARE THE NAMES OF THE OTHER SIX BOOKS

An engaging book
I first saw this book at my public library, and loved it. (Evidentally someone else loved it too, 'cause it wandered off and left a few years later.) It holds a great list of books.Read more

Subjects:  1. China    2. Early works to 1800    3. General    4. History    5. History - Military / War    6. History, Military    7. History: World    8. Military - General    9. Military Science    10. Military Tactics And Strategy    11. Military art and science    12. Other prose: classical, early & medieval    13. War & defence operations   

Reviews (19)

Couldn't Put it Down
A different type of story on the Vietnam War.How their tactics prevailed against the VC and NVA.A page 'burner.'
About the Americans, not the Vietnamese
This is an interesting and valuable book, but I was a little disappointed in it, not for what it covered, but for what it didn't cover. I usually feel it is not valid criticize a book's subject-the author gets to decide what book he wants to write, and if you don't like that choice, go write your own book on the subject you prefer. But in this case I feel it's important to point out what the book isn't about, because I had gotten the wrong impression.
How to win a counterinsugency.
This book should be required reading for anyone who is interested in the topic of insurgency and counter-insurgency.The story is starkly at odds with the usual images of Vietnam that Americans have come to accept as the narrative of that conflict -- there are no airstrikes pummelling the enemy into submission, no leaping helicopter air assaults deep into the middle of nowhere on search and destroy missions, no recreational drug use by bewildered draftees and no rock and roll sound track.
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Subjects:  1. History    2. History - Military / War    3. Military    4. Military - General    5. Military - Vietnam War    6. American history: Vietnam War    7. Asian / Middle Eastern history: postwar, from c 1945 -    8. History / Military / Vietnam War    9. The Americas    10. Vietnam    11. War & defence operations   

Reviews (5)

Classic of lasting value, early focus on C4I, rotary, OoA Op
Powerful, forward thinking military theory
"Race to the Swift" is a sweeping review of military strategy, organization and logistics that has suffered little for being 15 years old.Yes, the NATO references are dated, but they in no way impact a core thesis that is even today ahead of its time.That said, this not an easy book to read; in spite of Simpkin's rather engaging, almost conversational writing style, the material is technical and dense.Moreover, given the comprehensiveness of the work, the reader will sometimes find himself or herself losing focus.However, if you are a student of military theory, and comfortable with the field, this is a book well worth the time it takes to read. Finally Back in Print
Not for your average Joe, but Simpkin's thesis should not be lost on anyone: swiftness.Since first published, the world has witnessed numerous conflicts which either could have been avoided, concluded earlier, or fought more decisively if effective forces could have been deployed much faster.It is incredibly pertinent in the emerging era of the asymetrical approach, where threats emerging faster and in a wide variety of terrain.(We can't expect future adversaries to give us months to build up massive mechanized forces in ideal terrain like Hussien did!)Simpkin points out very practical limitations to our current heavy forces -- like getting a 70 tonne tank over a third-world bridge or down a narrow twisting road.As the US Army begins retooling for the 21st century, Simpkin's work is incredibly relevant.Not the easiest book to follow, but worth the effort. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Forecasts    2. Future Studies    3. History    4. Military    5. Military - General    6. Military - Strategy    7. Military Science    8. Military Tactics And Strategy    9. Military art and science    10. Political Freedom & Security - International Secur    11. Politics - Current Events    12. Politics / Current Events    13. Twenty-first century    14. War    15. Warfare & Defence   

Reviews (1)

A Compelling and Provocative Page Turner
Again, this writer turns the written page into an adventure for the reader, filled with action, treachery, and suspense.Yet still the story reads in a very human and literary voice, with great description.The plot is complex, and the characters are dynamic.I eagerly anticipate the arrival of his new books 'White Lie' and 'Saigon Express' (currently only available in Britain) to the U.S. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. History - Military / War    2. Military - Vietnam War    3. Politics/International Relations    4. Asian / Middle Eastern history: postwar, from c 1945 -    5. Non-Classifiable    6. Vietnam    7. War & defence operations    8. c 1960 to c 1970   

Reviews (6)

awesome
Very good book. It was loaded with logistics details that would normally be boring and redundant, but Mr. Humphries did a good job of putting names with these same details. This gave me a feeling of almost being there with these men as they went through hell. I liked the fact that he actually put names of killed and wounded. This gives the personal touch, and helps the reader make a connection.

Excellent
One of those rare books that really gives the reader a feel for the mass confusion of combat and how the little things can win or lose a fight. Makes one wonder why the 196th didn't get more recognition for their performance--lot of good soldiers.

A must read for anyone claiming to know VN combat history.
Humphries is extrememly qualified to document the day-to-day action in the Que Son and Hiep Duc valleys of northern I Corps.He has researched the official files to glean the fine details of the units involved in fierceaction against the Viet Cong and NVA.Read more

Subjects:  1. Campaigns    2. Hiep Duc Valley    3. History    4. History - Military / War    5. Military    6. Military - Vietnam War    7. Military History - Vietnam Conflict    8. Military Personal Narratives    9. Personal narratives, American    10. United States    11. Vietnam    12. Vietnam War, 1961-1975    13. Vietnamese Conflict, 1961-1975    14. Asian / Middle Eastern history: postwar, from c 1945 -    15. Biography: general    16. Humphries, James F    17. Postwar period, 1945 to c 2000    18. War & defence operations    19. c 1960 to c 1970   

Subjects:  1. History - Military / War    2. International Relations - General    3. Military - General    4. Military Science    5. Peace    6. Political Science    7. Politics/International Relations    8. War    9. Political Science / International Relations    10. War & defence operations   

Reviews (4)

It takes great patience to finish it
Although this book is probably the definitive account of the II SS Panzerkorps in World War II, it uses dry prose and too many sub-units references that make the reader occasionaly to lose his patience. It is very useful tool for someone who wants to compile a study in depth of the two SS divisions, but I would not recommend it to the casual reader. Michael Reynold's book �Sons of the Reich�covers the same subject,it is also very good and more readable.

Interesting, but questionable
Another overpriced publication by Fedorowicz. As one reviewer stated, this is a poor translation of the unit histories of the 9th and 10th SS Panzer Divisions.Why another claims it is well translated and very readable may be he is not familar with the language. True, it does cover some of the most interesting battles of World War II: Russia early 1944, Normandy, Arnhem, the Ardennes, and the final battles on the Eastern Front in Hungary and Pomerania, but it suffers from the translation. For what there is available in English, this title is still of interest for those who enjoy German WWII history and a history of panzer units.

Good book, lousy translation
If you are interested in the history of the II. SS Panzerkorps, go buy the original German book instead if you read the language. Otherwise, It's still much better than Michael Reynold's Sons of the Reich, which shamelessly lifted from Tieke's book most of its content., atrociously translated into English. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Europe    2. European history: Second World War    3. Second World War, 1939-1945    4. War & defence operations   

Reviews (2)

MUST HAVE, BUY NOW!!!
This book is a must have. Some of the best and the brightest have contributed to this anthology of 29 chapters.
Reflects Changes in the nature of warfare.
From just about as long as there have been wars people have tried to develop basic principles that define how wars are fought. Sun Tzu, writing about 2,600 years ago, and Clausewitz, writing at the end of the Napoleonic period have both been read and studied for centuries.
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Subjects:  1. 21st century    2. History    3. Military    4. Military - Strategy    5. Military Science    6. Military art and science    7. Technology & Industrial Arts    8. War (Philosophy)    9. International relations    10. Security services   

Subjects:  1. Army    2. Drill and tactics    3. History    4. History - Military / War    5. Military    6. Military - Strategy    7. Military - United States    8. Military intelligence    9. United States    10. Urban warfare    11. Land forces & warfare    12. Non-Classifiable    13. USA   

Reviews (3)

Long on small wars, short on airpower
This was well researched, but despite the title, it did not focus nearly enough on airpower. I also agree with Mr. Cappelli's assessment in his review. There is, however, some knowledge to be gained from the book, as the reader is able to examine some small wars side by side and see which aspects of airpower have consistently worked and which have not. The biggest drawback is the amount of material one has to wade through in order to find the bits where airpower is discussed.
Half political history, half airpower history
I bought this book after reading some of the brilliant articles written by James Corum for the USAF official magazine. I rate this book with only two stars, because if one knows the history of various insurgencies of the past, can easily avoid reading half of the pages. How low and slow do you have to fly?
The ideal aircraft in a counter insurgency war has to be able to fly low and slow enough to detect the insurgents and terrorists.But also have the ability to stay over the target long enough to direct firepower on them, if not fire upon them.While being able to carry the ordnance and have the speed to avoid being hit by ground fire. Does this require several types of aircraft, or is there one that can do it all?Read more

Subjects:  1. 20th century    2. Air warfare    3. Close air support    4. History    5. History - Military / War    6. History: American    7. Low-intensity conflicts (Milit    8. Low-intensity conflicts (Military science)    9. Military - Aviation    10. Military - General    11. Military - Strategy    12. Military Science    13. Air forces & warfare    14. USA    15. World history: from c 1900 -   

Reviews (5)

Warrior Culture of the U,S. Marines
Marion Sturky is currently the finest transscriber of observed
The Brotherhood
The Marines are a brotherhood, or so i am told.I believe they are the best men on earth, joined together to defend our country and faced with tasks that no one else would do.After reading this book, i know that the marines are more than just soldiers, that they are loyal, intelligent, hardworking, humble, powereful people that have chosen a life many dream or or see in the movies, but never experience.This is why marines are better than normal people, and why some people dont like marines.They know that marines are better people, since they make sacrifices most never even think of.This is why i am going to join the marines, so i may one day be part of the glorious brotherhood that is the United States Marine Corps!
General info, not the true reasons
Marines and those who are intrigued by Marines will be reading this.The book describes the Marines as the "brotherhood", to which I have nothing but agreement, yet although there are centuries of traditions (blood stripe from the battle that Marines lost 68+% of their men etc, ) the current day gunk that keeps Marines together is their ballsy "I'll do you one better" attitude and the way the peacetime sweating helps them prevent bleeding in war.I've mentioned it before, yet it must be mentioned here...the true look comes from one author...P.Chadz with his collection of "in your face memoirs" that show actually what the modern day Marines do on training and liberty to keep their tribe the finest brotherhood in all the services.Let these stories be a harboring area where your mind is allowed to go back to and understand that these ideas and principles probably got most young boys to enlist, yet the book from CHADZ is the stories that makes them become a brotherhood, and these types of stories keep repeating themselves, each day a new generation walks across the bases of Pendleton, Lejuene and beyound. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. History    2. History - Military / War    3. Marine Corps    4. Marine Corps.    5. Military    6. Military - Strategy    7. Military - United States    8. Military - Veterans    9. Military - Weapons    10. Miscellanea    11. Political Freedom & Security - International Secur    12. United States    13. United States.    14. World - General   

Reviews (4)

Good But Needs Maps
This is an excellent review of Moltke's work. It's clear and lucid and strikes upon those areas where Moltke's thinking influenced later strategic minds. It's one weakness is its lack of period maps. The book has a strategic section followed by Moltke's field account of some actual action that serves as an example of the theory just discussed. But unless you are familiar with the detail of 19th century geography for Austria, Prussia, France, and Denmark then much of the description is far from helpful. You'll get far more out of this book if you have already read "Koniggratz" by Craig and a history of the Franco-Prussian War.

Strategy and Tactics
Prussia gained ascendancy over Austria and thus dominion of Germany through the art of war by one of its ablest commanders, Moltke the Elder.With Austria defeated at the decisive battle of Koniggratz (1866), Prussia stood alone for the coveted leadership of Germany; therefore, when France declared war on Prussia (1870) to prevent German unification, ironically this afforded Prussia the opportunity to fulfill its destiny.Napoleon III intended to cut Prussia off from the southern German republics; however, Prussia called the other German republics to arms, not for defense, but for a joint attack against the French vanguard, in French territory.The French seriously underestimated Prussia's capacity to rapidly deploy its seemingly disparate forces into one cohesive whole.How did Prussia accomplish this epic task?At the strategic level Prussia was able to marshal all of its forces under one central command, but at the tactical level the subordinate commanders were permitted the greatest independence possible to take the initiative (Selbstatigkeit). Moltke vs Clausewitz
Count Helmut von Moltke was perhaps the greatest military leader during the period between Napoleon and the First World War.Moltke shaped the way that the German Army looked at war up until 1945.What was important to Moltke was not a set of rules or principles, but rather a way of thinking.Initiative and control were stressed, "when in doubt advance toward the sound of the guns". . . While he had great respect for the Prussian philosopher of war, Carl von Clausewitz, whom he had limited contact with as a young staff officer, Moltke rejected several of Clausewitz's most important concepts, perhaps the most eventful being the place of the military in strategic decisions made during time of war.For Moltke the military should simply be allowed to fight the war to the finish at which time the political leadership would be allowed to negotiate the peace.Clausewitz saw war as the continuation of politics by other means, meaning that political decisions did not end with the commencement of hostilities but continued.The editor of this book mentions several similarities including one that upon closer study is in reality another break between the two outlooks.Referring to Book 6, Chapter 8 of On War, he mentions that Clausewitz wrote, "that all strategic planning rested on tactical success alone, because only tactical successes could produce a favorable outcome."Moltke obviously agreed since he thought, "strategy grows silent in the face of the need for a tactical victory."However if one actually reads that chapter in On War one comes away with a different impression since Clausewitz's view is far more nuanced than that of Moltke.Clausewitz had experienced terrible defeat and great hardship during the struggle against Napoleon, having served with the Russians during the fateful campaign of 1812.It was the experience of that campaign which showed Clausewitz the importance of a Fabian strategy (denying battle, allowing an enemy to exhaust himself through exertion).Thus Clausewitz writes, "One may admit that even where the decision has been bloodless, it was determined in the last analysis by engagements that did not take place, but had merely been offered.In that case, it will be argued, the strategic planning of these engagements, rather that the tactical decision should be considered the operative principle. . . That is why we think it is useful to emphasize that all strategic planning rests on tactical success alone, and that-whether the solution is arrived at in battle or not - this is in all cases the fundamental basis for the decision."Read more

Subjects:  1. History - Military / War    2. History: World    3. Military - Strategy    4. Collections & anthologies of various literary forms    5. Germany    6. History    7. History / Military / General    8. Warfare & Defence   

Reviews (4)

Debunking the Myth of Airpower in War
This is a well organized, well written and extremely relevant book, especially at a time when the Israeli Air Force is pounding Lebanon with high-precision munitions in an attempt to wipe out a terrorist organization on its northern borders.
Excellent reading
An extremely readable and informative work, with essays ranging from the First World War to the Falklands conflict. The essays are quite reasonable in length, if anything sometimes too short, and include sections on areas which need more research and recommended reading. I ask you my fellow history lovers- is there anything more helpful to the student of history than a good annotated bibliography?

A sweeping set of insights essential to understanding air force approaches
WHY AIR FORCES FAIL: THE ANATOMY OF DEFEAT examines the reasons for catastrophic failures of the air forces not just of this country, but other nations. Air forces are divided into three categories here: forces what never had a chance, forces that began with victory but ultimately were defeated, and those which were defeated early on but rose to win. In making WHY AIR FORCES FAIL a global examination, focusing on major wars, contributors provide a range of analysis on the causes of defeat of all kinds of strategies and differing air force scenarios in a sweeping set of insights essential to understanding air force approaches.
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Subjects:  1. 20th century    2. Aeronautical Engineering (Specific Aspects)    3. Aeronautics & Astronautics    4. Aeronautics, Military    5. Air Forces    6. History    7. History - Military / War    8. Military    9. Military - Aviation    10. Military - Strategy    11. Military Science    12. Military history, Modern    13. Air forces & warfare   

Reviews (8)

In the Footsteps of the Combatants-History Relived!
As the title states, the objective of the Then and Now series is to bring history alive for the reader and traveler. In addition to the historical text, scenes depicted in actual combat movie film or still footage from both American and German forces are studied. The place where the film was taken is identified and another photo showing what the scene looks like today is juxtaposed along side the original. If one considers the effort behind such a task, one becomes immediately appreciative of the task undertaken by Jean-Paul Pallud in this nicely produced book. As the author states on several occasions, the notes and captions accompanying the film are often in error and the actual scene could be several kilometers away from what is noted. Indeed, Mr. Pallud must know the Ardennes like the back of his hand. The patience and effort that Pallud put into this publication is immense, and in that effort we can "relive" history through these photographs. Imagine being able to stand in the same spot that a tank was destroyed or where German troops stripped dead American soldiers of their clothing and possessions! I believe the high point of this book centers around Pallud's reconstruction of the destruction of the American armored column (a unit of the ill fated 14th Cavalry Group) on the Recht-Poteau road. Pallud proves that the Germans staged various scenes for the newsreels. He lays out the placement of the various vehicles on the road, based upon only the photographic evidence. Truly a fine piece of work. This book is a must for any serious student of the "Bulge".

Wonderful Book on the Battle
The After the Battle magazine tells history by verifying the actual locations and circumstances of past incidents.The publishers have also issued a series of Then and Now volumes covering major battles of WWII.Of these, Battle of the Bulge Then and Now is generally considered the best, and nothing short of a monumental work on the Ardennes Offensive.Readers will be amazed with the amount of on-the-spot research done, as well as the general enthusiasm shown by the author.The book not only recounts historical events, but also takes the reader to the place of happening and identifies what really took place at the time.Anyone interested in military histroy must grab this one.

Wonderful Book on the Battle
The After the Battle magazine tells history by verifying the actual locations and circumstances of past incidents.The publishers have also issued a series of Then and Now volumes covering major battles of WWII.Of these, Battle of the Bulge Then and Now is generally considered the best, and nothing short of a monumental work on the Ardennes Offensive.Readers will be amazed with the amount of on-the-spot research done, as well as the general enthusiasm shown by the author.The book not only recounts historical events, but also takes the reader to the place of happening and identifies what really took place at the time.Anyone interested in military histroy must grab this one. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. History: World    2. American history: Second World War    3. Europe    4. European history: Second World War    5. Germany    6. USA    7. War & defence operations   

Subjects:  1. Alabama    2. Creek War, 1813-1814    3. Fort Mims    4. History    5. History - U.S.    6. History: American    7. Massacres    8. Military - United States    9. United States - 19th Century    10. United States - State & Local - South    11. American history: c 1800 to c 1900    12. History / United States / State & Local / South (AL, AR, FL, GA, KY, LA, MS, NC, SC, TN, VA, WV)    13. USA    14. War & defence operations   

Reviews (2)

The definitive piece on Viet Nam Zippo lighters
The most comprehensive work that I have seen to date on the subject of the ubiquitous war-time cigarette lighter. Mr. Fiorella concentrates on the most popular brand to be carried in Viet Nam, or any war for that matter, the Zippo. Who would think that a niche area of militaria collecting could be so broad with so many variations? From the slim Zippo to the cut-down variety, to Barcroft table models; those engraved in English, or in Vietnamese, carried by Americans, ARVN's, Cambodians, Koreans; Army, Navy varieties and Marines, this author breezes through all of these areas in clear-cut chapters with plenty of example photos and archival images. One of the most interesting chapters is to be found in the beginning of the book, about a subject that is best tackled first: how do you identify knockoffs? This book is worth it for the photos alone and is soon to be a collector's item. The only book you will ever have to own for this hobby. Fantastic, must read for ANYONE!!!!BEAUTIFUL & COOL.
i've read just about everything on Viet Nam, and this book really is fun! Sort of like Michael Herr's "Dispatches" (with photos).Writtenin realistic prose and accompanied by hundreds of photo's of VietnamZippos, and great in-country shots.Lots of non-boring Vietnam Warreference material.i couldn't put it down. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Cigar lighters    2. Collectors and collecting    3. Equipment and supplies    4. History    5. Military    6. Military - Vietnam War    7. Technical & Manufacturing Trades    8. Technology & Industrial Arts    9. United States    10. Vietnam War, 1961-1975    11. Vietnamese Conflict, 1961-1975    12. Zippo Manufacturing Company    13. Antiques & Collectables    14. Inter-war period, 1918-1939    15. Other manufacturing technologies    16. Postwar period, 1945 to c 2000    17. Second World War, 1939-1945    18. Vietnam    19. War & defence operations   

Subjects:  1. History    2. Military    3. Military - General    4. Military - Strategy    5. Military Science    6. Military art and science    7. Strategy    8. Tactics    9. Technology & Industrial Arts    10. History / Military / General    11. Modern Western philosophy, c 1600 to the present    12. Political science & theory    13. Warfare & Defence