|
|
Post by Herb on Apr 23, 2010 13:30:24 GMT -5
Based on some posts in the "exit" thread, I thought it might be interesting to have a place for members to post books they recommend that really don't fit in any of the existing book threads. The first couple of posts are copied from the "exit" thread.
|
|
|
|
Post by Herb on Apr 23, 2010 13:41:03 GMT -5
Yesterday at 9:20pm, alamo54us wrote: Well, I haven't read Thomason (or Chandler, though Wolfpack has recommended Chandler a number of times...I need to get that one), but I'm a big Cornwell fan. I've read most all the Sharpes and a few of his other titles.
Wolfpack replied:
Sorry for the digression, but this is too good to pass up.
The two books, I've probably have reread the most are Anton Myer's Once an Eagle and Chandler's The Campaigns of Napoleon. A long, long, time ago, as a young lieutenant, I had a senior officer I respected a great deal, tell me if you want to be a professional you have to study Napoleon. I followed his advice, and a few years later, as a captain, I was almost amazed as the army totally revised its tactical doctrine and organization (Division 86). Everything that was "new" could be found in the organization and the tactical utilization of the Grande Armee by Napoleon in 1805-06.
While Chandler can be intimidating for a lot of Americans; due to its size, the unfamailiar names and unfamiliar geography, I would go a step further, if you want to understand modern (post American Revolution) military history, you really need to study Napoleon.
I first read Myers in the 7th grade. But, he ended up being on most Army required reading lists. I found the story inspirational, and while I've grwon more cynical over the years and now view it as a trifle too idealistic. It's still a valuable read for those who want to understand the US Army and what it means to be a "Regular".
|
|
|
|
Post by Herb on Apr 23, 2010 13:47:02 GMT -5
martyb replied:
OUTSTANDING...OUTSTANDING!!
Anton Myer's 'Once an Eagle' is one of my favorites. The made a passable miniseries starring Sam Elliot. I required my troops to read a lot of books when I had a reading list (I didn't always agree with the Chief of Staff's reading list). I also loved Caputo's 'Rumor of War' and of course 'We were soldiers once...and young'. 'About Face' by "The Hack" was essential in understanding the Warrior ethic. Chandler of course is the best for Napoleon. I've dogeared two of the 'Campaigns..' books.
|
|
|
|
Post by Herb on Apr 23, 2010 13:53:51 GMT -5
chieftan replied:
Wolfpack: I agree. Chandler is a must read. Like you I was introduced to Chandler by another officer, my boss when I was in the force structure business. He told me to get a copy and read it so I would have a basic understanding of what the force structure business is all about. I have been grateful ever since. It is my go to place to understand the organizational concepts of the last two hundred years. And that goes for all structure including the ones we are most concerned about on this site.
|
|
|
|
Post by Chuck T on Apr 23, 2010 14:23:01 GMT -5
BEDSIDE BOOKCASE (PRINTED COMFORT FOOD)
THOMASON BOOKS
Lone Star Preacher (A collection of Saturday Evening Post Short Stories From th 1930's)
JEB Stuart (Biography)
Fix Bayonets (WWI and China Marine)
KOREAN WAR
This Kind of War - T. R. Fehrenbach
Forgotten War - Clay Blair
DIEN BIEN PHU
The Last Valley - Martin Windrow
Hell In A Very Small Place
7TH CAVALRY
Of Garryowen in Glory - Melbourne C. Chandler
THE BIBLE
The Campaigns of Napoleon - Chandler
CIVIL WAR
Return to Bull Run - John J. Hennessy
FRENCH IN ALGERIA
The Centurions and The Pretorians - Jean Larteguy
NORTH AFRICA
Panzer Battles - F. W. von Mellenthin
The Rommel Papers - Edited by B. H. Liddell Hart
SPECIAL OPERATIONS
The First Special Service Force - Robert D. Burhans
INFANTRY ORGANIZATION
On Infantry - John A. English
THE PHILIPPINES
Bataan - Our Last Ditch - John W. Whitman
BATTLE OF THE BULGE
A Time For Trumpets and Company Commander - Charles B. MacDonald
|
|
|
|
Post by Herb on Apr 23, 2010 19:40:29 GMT -5
Good list.
Here's some I'd recommend:
CIVIL WAR.
The Civil War a Narrative (3 volumes) - Shelby Foote
INDIAN WARS.
Frontier Regulars - Robert Utley
The Centennial Campaign - John Grey
WWII.
The Liberation Trilogy - Rick Atkinson (Vol III not yet released)
Patton Ordeal and Triumph - Ladilas Farago
A Time for Trumpets - Charles MacDonald (with a reservation)
VIETNAM
We Were Soldiers - Galloway and Moore
On Strategy - Harry Summers (an incredible soldier/scholar)
POST VIETNAM through DESERT STORM
Into The Storm - Clancey & Franks
My Desert Isle books would be Chandler, Myers, Foote, and Farago, and for fun Cornwell!
|
|
|
|
Post by Chuck T on Apr 23, 2010 22:00:13 GMT -5
What were your reservation on MacDonald? I knew him and I had a few things about that book I wanted to ask him about but never got the chance before he passed away.
If you liked Centenial Campaign I think you would probably enjoy "On The Border With Crook" and "Yellowstone Campaign". The second is about Miles and the 5th Infantry in 76-77 and it gives you a perspecitive about the relative mobility on infantry and cavalry that is quite interesting.
|
|
|
|
Post by Herb on Apr 24, 2010 12:42:51 GMT -5
I really like MacDonald, but I don't think he ever fully grasped the tactical employment of armor. Except for the Official Histories he was responsible for, he pretty consistently just didn't "get it", when it came to tanks, imo.
I got "On the Border" but have not read "Yellowstone Campaign"
The cavalry/infantry comparison is something most people just don't get.
|
|
|
|
Post by Chuck T on Apr 24, 2010 12:59:57 GMT -5
Wolfpack: "Yellowstone Campaign" is by Jerome A. Greene published by the University of Nebraska Press. It is of 1991 vintage. I obtained my copy at LBH. A very good read.
I agree on MacDonald that his perspective was clealy infantry tainted, which is not to be unexpected given his experience. I was disapointed in his what I thought to be vague treatment of the task forces that held the Germans long enough for the 101st's position at Bastogne to be occupied. There is a book out recently called "Alamo in the Ardennes" which covers this action pretty well in my view.
Did I see something in one of these posts of your former connection with 2ACR (2d Dragoons)? If so you may be interested in the treatment my friend Doug Macgregor gives to the 2/2 ACR at 73 Easting.. It is called Warriors Rage. Doug is not shy about expressing his opinions in the fore and aft portions of the book, but the combat narrative in the middle is first rate.
|
|
|
|
Post by Herb on Apr 24, 2010 14:57:06 GMT -5
I agree on MacDonald that his perspective was clealy infantry tainted, which is not to be unexpected given his experience. I was disapointed in his what I thought to be vague treatment of the task forces that held the Germans long enough for the 101st's position at Bastogne to be occupied. There is a book out recently called "Alamo in the Ardennes" which covers this action pretty well in my view. The story of TF Desobry is one that certainly hasn't been well covered. One of those great coincidences is Desobry delayed the Germans long enough for the 101st to reach Bastogne and TF Abrams broke through to link up with the 101st. Then almost 30 years later the two former LTCs played key roles in the development of the M1 tank. Orr Kelly told that story in King of the Killing Zone and while it's a specialized book its pretty good if you have any interest in weapons development. The 2nd Dragoons are my regimental affiliation. Wolfpack is (was?) the 3rd Sqdn. I'm usually slow to pick up books about people/events I'm familiar with - at least until I can page through them. I haven't yet physically seen this book. |
|
|
|
Post by Chuck T on Apr 24, 2010 16:35:25 GMT -5
I knew that Wolfpack was the third, and figured along with the other 2ACR reference that it was why you chose it for your Nom de Guerre.
WR is available at both Borders and B&N. It is published by the Naval Institute Press. If you know DM, then you know what to expect. I read every draft start to finish over a three year period. As I said the fore and aft parts of the book are controversial and pure Macgregor. After a while knowing full well his views I skiped to Chapter 2 and Stoped at Chapter 9 in the finished product.
|
|
|
|
Post by Herb on Apr 24, 2010 16:53:58 GMT -5
I'll have to pick it up. I have some pretty strong feelings, too. After I read the book, we'll have to discuss it - though it might have to be via PM!
|
|
|
|
Post by Richard Weddle on Jan 16, 2012 4:17:33 GMT -5
The military history book I recommend most often:  |
|
