A deep dive starting with his own personal experience as a Marine Corps line platoon leader in Vietnam, thought history. When we send young people to A deep dive starting with his own personal experience as a Marine Corps line platoon leader in Vietnam, thought history. When we send young people to war, do we have any idea of what they are experiencing and how will it affect them? Every time I see clips of Ukraine, I don't think of slogans or speeches or patriotism, but the people who getting blown apart and, as much, those who survive bearing the mental scars of what they've experienced. It is unlike anything else. ...more
I watched the movie first which was a mistake. The book is much better. One can see why it won so many awards. The story moves in different directionsI watched the movie first which was a mistake. The book is much better. One can see why it won so many awards. The story moves in different directions and is unpredictable with quirky, original characters....more
A very good read about the parallel lives of two who would meet in an unexpected place; at least for one of them. An important part of the book is CusA very good read about the parallel lives of two who would meet in an unexpected place; at least for one of them. An important part of the book is Custer's battle record in the Civil War and then his atrocious actions afterward. Custer was a narcissist and eventually, they all end up in a bad place. That he took so many with him is a tragedy. ...more
An interesting story of a year spent wandering the modern wilderness along rail lines on the east coast. What is freedom, after all? Of course, it's eAn interesting story of a year spent wandering the modern wilderness along rail lines on the east coast. What is freedom, after all? Of course, it's easier to just take off from civilization when the day-to-day worried about responsibilities such as family or working a job where you can't write about wandering about. Still, a lot to digest and I recommend the read. I find I have to get out in nature- and not the park, but deep woods, every so often, of I start to lose touch with life....more
How the world marched into war that was inevitable. Can anyone even remember what the war was actually about? Did the millions who died know other thaHow the world marched into war that was inevitable. Can anyone even remember what the war was actually about? Did the millions who died know other than they answered the call? The first month of the first World War is an epic tale and a must read....more
Interesting history of a part of the Pacific Campaign often overlooked but the epic final assault. This was when all the might of the US came to bear Interesting history of a part of the Pacific Campaign often overlooked but the epic final assault. This was when all the might of the US came to bear on the Japanese army, fleet and airpower and utterly destroyed it....more
From Richard Marcinko to Eddie Gallagher, the SEALs are renowned for their discipline problems. This book covers more than just the Gallagher story, bFrom Richard Marcinko to Eddie Gallagher, the SEALs are renowned for their discipline problems. This book covers more than just the Gallagher story, but that by itself gives great insight into the ongoing battle between those who proudly and efficiently do their duty and those "rogue warriors" who not only believe they are above the law, but undermine morale and discipline.
I've always believed the big problem is the fact that the officers in the SEAL community are more bystanders, letting the chiefs run things, rather than leaders. When that happened in Special Forces with an A-Team leader, it inevitably led to bad things, but it isn't institutionalized in Special Forces as it is in the SEALs.
The true heroes are the men who came forward with the truth in the face of threats....more
A book that is a must-read these days. We need to understand who these evil people in our society are. We must see them for what they are and also reaA book that is a must-read these days. We need to understand who these evil people in our society are. We must see them for what they are and also realize they cannot be redeemed or changed. They must be dealt with for exactly what they are and not explained away. ...more
This is a chilling account of a reserve unit responsible for atrocities and how ‘ordinary’ men acted when given leeway. A must-read in today’s angry cThis is a chilling account of a reserve unit responsible for atrocities and how ‘ordinary’ men acted when given leeway. A must-read in today’s angry climate. You don't think your neighbors can commit atrocities? Those of us who've deployed to war zones have seen it happen and it could happen here. ...more
One of the classic novels of World War II. Considered in the rank of Thin Red Line, From Here to Eternity and The Naked and the Dead. Shaw served in tOne of the classic novels of World War II. Considered in the rank of Thin Red Line, From Here to Eternity and The Naked and the Dead. Shaw served in the European Campaign so he writes with authority as he follows three characters from the start of the war through it. Particularly interesting is his take on Diestl, the German soldier....more
Tells the British side of this stunning defeat for them. It has lessons for the American empire as we're reeling from yet another foreign defeat as anTells the British side of this stunning defeat for them. It has lessons for the American empire as we're reeling from yet another foreign defeat as an occupying power. It's as important to win the war at home in such a battle as the one abroad. Of course, the British also lost in Afghanistan a while ago. ...more
Published in 1971, this book resonates even more now, which is great science fiction. If we can imagine it, it can become true. Let us hope that is foPublished in 1971, this book resonates even more now, which is great science fiction. If we can imagine it, it can become true. Let us hope that is for good, as well as bad....more
In order to become free, should you resort to violence? What do you lose in the process? That's the issue at the core of this science fiction story.In order to become free, should you resort to violence? What do you lose in the process? That's the issue at the core of this science fiction story....more
W.E.B. Griffin aka Bill Butterworth was a veteran who wrote several excellent military series. He was also kind of enough years ago to give an unknown W.E.B. Griffin aka Bill Butterworth was a veteran who wrote several excellent military series. He was also kind of enough years ago to give an unknown author a blurb for their first novel-- my first book Eyes of the Hammer...more
The first-hand account of four years of a horrible war that hardly anyone can even remember why it was fought. Fought with tactics from the time of ouThe first-hand account of four years of a horrible war that hardly anyone can even remember why it was fought. Fought with tactics from the time of our Civil War, it introduced mass slaughter by advanced indirect fire artillery and the machinegun and foreshadowed maneuver warfare with the tank. Most importantly, it tells the story of the Lost Generation....more
I find this era, pre-Revolution, which lasted hundred of years and covered generations to be fascinating. This book doesn't cover the Spanish who wereI find this era, pre-Revolution, which lasted hundred of years and covered generations to be fascinating. This book doesn't cover the Spanish who were the first explorers but it is a good accounting of the French and English and Native Americans....more
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