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The Guns of August 155 reviews
Barbara W. Tuchman
Presidio Press, 2004
The best example of incompetence, war fever, rigid planning, and fear leading down a very dark path. Should be required reading
This book describes one of the most incredible examples where rigidity of thinking and planning led to events spiraling totally out of control. It also demonstrates how it is a very rare occasion that the consequences of a war are anywhere close to the belief of the people that started it. Although the events of 1914 were almost a century ago, this has been demonstrated once again by the American ...
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Utmost Savagery29 reviews
Joseph Col Alexander
Presidio Press, 1996
Utmost Bravery
Excellent military history of one of the bloodiest battles in the WW2 Pacific theater. Col. Alexander does a terrific job of setting the table for the battle by outlining the strengths and weaknesses of both sides. He points out why Tarawa was important to both the Japanese and American military forces. He highlights ALL the commanders with excellent biographical insights into not only their ...
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The Main Enemy: The Inside Story of the CIA's Final Showdown with the KGB 28 reviews
Milton Bearden, James Risen
Presidio Press, 2004
The Main Enemy
Good book. Gives unique insights. Shows to what degree the heroes in the CIA go to protect this great country.
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Firefight: Inside the Battle to Save the Pentagon on 9/11 2 reviews
Patrick Creed, Rick Newman
Presidio Press, 2008
RICK "SHAQ" GOLDSTEIN SAYS: "THE INSTANT ITS NOSE STRUCK THE OUTER WALL OF THE PENTAGON, FLIGHT 77 CEASED TO BE AN AIRPLANE!"
"THE NOSE OF THE PLANE HIT THE FACADE JUST BELOW THE TOP OF THE FIRST STORY, ABOUT 14 FEET ABOVE THE GROUND, GOING 530 MILES PER HOUR. A DEAFENING BOOM SHOOK THE MORNING AS A VIOLENT CONCUSSION TORE THROUGH THE AIR, JARRING BYSTANDERS. THE COLLISION PRODUCED A FORCE ON THE PASSENGERS FAR GREATER THAN THAT FROM ANY HIGH-SPEED CAR CRASH. PEOPLE BECAME PROJECTILES. BONE SEPARATED FROM FLESH. BODY ...
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Six Days of War: June 1967 and the Making of the Modern Middle East135 reviews
Michael B. Oren
Presidio Press, 2003
Oren brings immediacy and near real-time to a war 40 years old
I picked this book up after reading Oren's Power, Faith, and Fantasy (also a great read). His style and scholarship are excellent, it never feels dry and although there are many characters to keep track of you sort it out by the end.
The book chronicals the immiediate events leading up to the 67 war and goes through the war day by day. The chronology makes it a quick read for the length of ...
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With the Old Breed: At Peleliu and Okinawa188 reviews
E.B. Sledge
Presidio Press, 2007
A Classic!
With the Old Breed does for World War II's Pacific Theater what Stephen Ambrose's Band of Brothers does for the war's European Theater. The difference is that Eugene B. Sledge lived through the battles he describes in this outstanding memoir of modern war. Sledge's detailed, emotionally wrought descriptions of the horrors of the World War II battlefield are reminiscent of Norman Mailer's novel, ...
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We Were Soldiers Once...and Young: Ia Drang - the Battle That Changed the War in Vietnam12 reviews
Harold G. Moore, Joseph L. Galloway
Presidio Press, 2004
On every Servicemember's Reading List
Battles achieve legendary status - however as modern times proceed, we don't hold the same reverence that we do to those battles from the time of Napolean to Gettysburg to Normady. This battle is on the same grounds and deserves the same reverence of how war was fought. Every military history buff and military strategist must read this account.
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Small Unit Leadership: A Commonsense Approach21 reviews
Dandridge M. Malone
Presidio Press, 1983
Great For Non-Military Leaders, Too
I was an NYPD supervisor (Sergeant and Lieutenant)and found this book very helpful. Even if you *aren't* in a military or law enforcement organization, this book can help you. It talks about leadership and personnel management issues that apply to *every* supervisor or leader in *every* business or profession. For example, Malone breaks down personnel into 4 categories:
*Willing and able - ...
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Warrior Soul: The Memoir of a Navy Seal50 reviews
Chuck Pfarrer
Presidio Press, 2004
Great Read
I really liked the style the author brought to the table. Sarcastic yet to the point and no bs. The knowledge Chuck has on the subject of SEALs is evident as he takes you though tours of "The Root", his last official jump from an airplane and many other great adventures and actions. I have read a handful of SEAL books and this one sticks out in my mind as being one of the best depictions of ...
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First In: An Insider's Account of How the CIA Spearheaded the War on Terror in Afghanistan37 reviews
Gary Schroen
Presidio Press, 2007
very well written
A lot of research went into this publication and the places cited really come to life....I know because I am currently in Afghanistan.
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On Strategy: A Critical Analysis of the Vietnam War18 reviews
Harry G. Summers
Presidio Press, 1995
Mandatory reading for current days
I heard about this book while reading Fiasco.
This book seems near mandatory reading due to our current woes in Iraq. The author's list of what is required for victory, a "strategic offensive", should be read in the White House, or should have been several years ago.
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Stalking the Vietcong: Inside Operation Phoenix: A Personal Account10 reviews
Stuart Herrington
Presidio Press, 2004
a book for those who believe that Vietnam war is a civil war not an American invasion
To Jane Fonda and her anti war friend this is a book that you should have read before you hop in the bed with uncle Ho and his terrorist gang. If Bin Laden is the 21st century is American's enemy no 1 then uncle Ho and his terror gang are the equivalent of late 20th century. To those who are suffered the ill treatment handed out by the communist after their victory you can hold your head high ...
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Low Level Hell39 reviews
Hugh Mills
Presidio Press, 2000
A truly great read
I have read many books on combat in Vietnam, but not one compares to Low Level Hell. Hugh Mills writes much like he talks -- with a rare combination of wit and wisdom that makes you want to say "tell me more!" I eagerly await his next book.
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Ambush Alley: The Most Extraordinary Battle of the Iraq War31 reviews
Tim Pritchard
Presidio Press, 2007
A gripping, personal telling of courage, chaos and combat
A friend gave me this book after a lengthly conversation about the Iraq war. I am not a typical reader of war history, so the book stayed on the bottom of my bedside pile. Then one day, I picked it up to check out a few pages. Two days later, after completing the book, I called my friend to thank him for sharing this extraordinary and unfortunate story of battle and of what these soldiers ...
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Bury Us Upside Down: The Misty Pilots and the Secret Battle for the Ho Chi Minh Trail33 reviews
Rick Newman, Don Shepperd
Presidio Press, 2007
The reader will feel proud America can produce such men.
Misty Pilot General Don Shepperd and Rick Newman of U.S. News and World Report have compiled a great tome of in-the-cockpit true stories of the first jet fighter combat Forward Air Controllers. "Bury Us Upside Down" is an incredible account of how it all started. The reader will feel the "G" forces, the strain of avoiding ground fire, the satisfaction of a completed rescue, the black humor of ...
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When Thunder Rolled31 reviews
Ed Rasimus
Presidio Press, 2004
A Fighter Pilot's story
For some time now I've had a fascination with the F-105 Thunderchief and the men who went Downtown during the Vietnam war. To further my knowledge on the aircraft and the men who flew her I picked up When Thunder Rolled.
Overview
When Thunder Rolled is a pilots view of the F-105 and the missions he flew during the Vietnam War. In this book our Fighter Pilot (I mean this a complement to Mr. ...
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Blood Makes the Grass Grow Green: A Year in the Desert with Team America22 reviews
Johnny Rico
Presidio Press, 2007
Yahoo! Tell It Like It Is!
This is one of the greatest books I have read about soldiering in a war. I got this book at my local library and immediately started to read it and couldn't put it down. Being a psychologist with experience working with the military and returning soldiers I am glad someone had the guts to write this account! It was funny, sad and sometimes made you mad- but it's the military thru and thru.
I ...
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A Table in the Presence12 reviews
Carey H. Lt Cash
Presidio Press, 2005
Always Faithful
You don't need to fully understand the military to understand and feel the power of this book. Lt. Cash, a chaplain serving with the Marines in Iraq, writes in an easy to read style. His words aren't always easy to read, but they are full of the power of God and the enormity of Operation Iraqi Freedom. I never realized the military was such a spiritual place--yet another reason to continually ...
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American Generalship: Character Is Everything: The Art of Command9 reviews
Edgar Puryear
Presidio Press, 2001
A must have for your Leadership Development library
Mr. Puryear wastes no time with fluff. He gets right to the heart of leadership in this wonderfully written book. He has done a superb job in researching and interviewing each of the men he writes about. So, the information you'll receive from this book is both accurate and personal. You can read it casually or blaze through it. Either way, I believe you will be pleased with the nuggets of ...
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Five Years to Freedom: The True Story of a Vietnam POW50 reviews
James N. Rowe
Presidio Press, 1984
A fine literary and historical master piece
I served with 1st SFG during Vietnam. I knew Nick and the young soldiers knew about his experience as a POW. He was a fine and well respected leader within the SF community. The book is exciting and takes its' place within the accurate historical realm. To set the record straight there were plans in the making and at least one effort to rescue Nick. Also suggest reading "Raider" about CSM Gallen ...
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