Military Books

[E5B]

I've read two books lately that I really enjoyed and would recommend to anyone. The first is Flags of our Fathers by James Bradley. He is the son of Jack Bradley who was the Corpsman that helped raise the flag at Iwo Jima. The book follows all six flag raisers from childhood to death with emphasis on the flag raising and Iwo Jima....very good book.

The book I just finished was War of the Rats by David Robbins. This book is about the infamous sniper duel in Stalingrad. Vasily Zietsev is the 'master' Russian sniper who was tearing up the German front from afar. Germany knowing this sent for their 'master' sniper which was head of a sniper school back in Germany to hunt down and kill Zietsev. The movie Enemy at the Gates is about this same subject but Hollywood adds their own drama and of course leaves out pertinent facts as usual. Anyway, this was probably one of the best book I've ever read and if you like guns and killing, you'll really like this book.

I'm working on Strong Men Armed by Robert Leckie which is about USA vs Japan in the "island hoping campaign". I'll let y'all know how it turns out.

 

[SlickAg]

Has anybody ever read Flights of Passage by Samuel Hynes? It's an autobiography about a WWII Marine Aviator who flew TBMs in the Pacific during the last part of the war. He was a lit professor at Princeton after the war and his style is a lot different than most WWII autobiographies. It's hard to describe, but basically he isn't concerned with dates and chronology, he's more concerned about his emotions. A really interesting read about the days of teenage second lieutenants.

 

[bch]

I highly reccomend American Soldier by General Tommy Franks. Just finished it, and it was a real good read!

 

[HueyCobra8151]

First to Fight by Gen. Krulak is an outstanding read as well.

 

[palatinexc]

The first is Flags of our Fathers by James Bradley.

If your looking for another great one by Bradley try "Flyboys". It is about American Navy pilots fighting for the islands of Japan and includes George Bush Sr. You will learn a lot about Japenese history in the beginning as well if your interested, it makes you think a little more every time you read about their role in WWII.

American Soldier is next on my list, after I finish reading Faith of my Fathers.

 

[A4sForever]

All those mentioned are good.
Some additional suggestions for Naval enthusiasts and or serious students, read anything by: Capt S.E. Morison, Capt E.L. "Ned" Beach

for you USMC: books by former SecNav Jim Webb (USNA '68, USMC)

for early WW2 Naval Aviation ... The First Team: Pacific Naval Air Combat from Pearl by Harbor to Midway by John B. Lundstrom

this could go on forever ........ ???

 

[PropStop]

Starship Troopers - great military book. "You apes want to live forever?"

 

[H20man]

Last Stand of the Tin Can Sailors. Really good book.

 

[A4sForever]

Last Stand of the Tin Can Sailors. Really good book.

Good call ... hmmmmmmm... "Priapism"? How do you "stand inspections" without embarassing yourself?

Good luck @ USMMA -- a VERY good school. It perhaps makes more sense (real world values) than USNA .....

 

[zab1001]

A few before I pass out:

"Brown Water, Black Berets", can't remember the author, awesome first person account of the origins of the 'Brown Water Navy', minus John "hey take a picture of me doing this" Kerry. Some accounts of the 'SeaWolves', the USN Huey squadron that supported riverine ops in the Mekong. Very cool.

For you Maritime and 60 Bubbas doing the ASW thing, these two break down the insanely complicated world of subs into some easy to understand concepts that WILL apply to your jobs and make studying tactics a little easier. Check 'em out, they're easy and fast reads (trust me, I am a moron when it comes to literature):

"Rising Tide: The untold story of Russian Submarines that Fought the Cold War" Gary Weir and Walter J. Boyne- extemely interesting (and I HATE HATE HATE ASW), good insight into the mindset of communist navies and the rationale behind their tactical decision making.

"A Time to Die- The Untold Story of the Kursk Tragedy" Robert Moore- Tragedy without melodrama, great insights into the world of our post-Cold War 'comrade'.

but now I shall re-read my 'American Splendor' anthology.

 

[webmaster]

Starship Troopers - great military book. "You apes want to live forever?"

Great book, the movie made a parody of it unfortunately, though maybe the shower scene redeemed it? lol

 

[PropStop]

the shower scene would have been better had it been an all female platoon... but I agree, the movie missed the point

 

[A4sForever]

China Clipper

Great book

Web-san:
Great Avatar ... that is the subject of a book I am working on. Co-incidently, did a lot of research @ the Bishop Museum. They have a lot of original HNL China Clipper info. I also found the remnants of the old PAA Clipper landing in Middle Loch and some of the original buildings are CAPEHART HOUSING !!!

 

[skidkid]

Try anyhting by Victor Davis Hansen. Carnage and Culture was really good, basically why western nations have been the dominat military force in the world for the last 4 or 5 hundred years. Worth a read.