Military Professional Reading discussion

Excellent review Geevee!

I am currently reading Adventures In Chaos: American Intervention for Reform in the Third World and The Edge of the Sword: Israel's War of Independence 1947-1949; also just started Prodigals: A Vietnam Story today. 'Adventures In Chaos' has unfortunately been a bit disappointing thus far...

Hi Liam, I like the sounds of The Edge of the Sword. Keep us posted on how that book goes - it might be a future purchase for me :)

I will do so, Rick; it's fairly good so far. Netanel Lorch goes into great detail on the various aspects of the war.

'Aussie Rick' wrote: "Hi Liam, I like the sounds of The Edge of the Sword. Keep us posted on how that book goes - it might be a future purchase for me :)"

I like the sound of it too, but darned hard to find a copy anywhere.

I'll be starting this tomorrow as a theme read by Kenneth K. Koskodan

and I started this last night: by Timothy C. W. Blanning

Prodigals: A Vietnam Story is actually so good that I've been ignoring the other two; this is one of the better Indochina memoirs I've read, and I've read a few. This one makes an interesting companion to Brennan's War: Vietnam 1965-69 (which I would recommend even more highly), since Taylor's tour with the 1st Cavalry Division followed pretty closely after the end of Brennan's last tour within the same division.

Damn you Liam, now you got me interested in that Vietnam book :)

Some definite speed-readers in this group!

Hard not too with a good book sometimes James :)

It's funny, sometimes I can burn through 100 or more pages a day, and other times I struggle to get through 10 or 20...


Rick- Get it, brother, it's a good one... I had a feeling about this one when I first saw it online, and the hunch definitely paid off this time. For your (& everyone's) general information, if I compare a war memoir to either or , that is just about the highest praise I can give. is very nearly as good as those two...

I have a copy of "Brennan's War" that I have to read yet but I will have to seriously look at this book then Liam, thanks for the 'heads up'.

'Aussie Rick' wrote: "I have a copy of "Brennan's War" that I have to read yet but I will have to seriously look at this book then Liam, thanks for the 'heads up'."

'Aussie Rick' wrote: "I have a copy of "Brennan's War" that I have to read yet but I will have to seriously look at this book then Liam, thanks for the 'heads up'."


You are quite welcome!

I've just started reading a book detailing Poland's contribution during WW2:


by Kenneth K. Koskodan

Just letting you know Liam that I've ordered a copy of Prodigals: A Vietnam Story and my wife isn't too happy with you :)

That's very cool, Rick, I hope you like it! You are welcome to extend my apology to your wife for my "bad influence" in the unlikely event that would help... It sounds as though she has something in common with my own wife- I always find myself trying to clandestinely spirit new book purchases into the house by hiding them behind bags of sweets and so on, hahaha...

That's a nifty trick but doubt it would work with my wife :)

Liam wrote: " I always find myself trying to clandestinely spirit new book purchases into the house by hiding them behind bags of sweets and so on, hahaha..."

Yesterday I visited a second-hand shop that is a little out of the way and hit a small jackpot of books. I then raced home, hoping to get there before the wife got back from an appointment. Unfortunately, she beat me home and I was unable to sneak my new purchases in. :( I then had to implement Plan B, "Well, dear, you know you just bought ... for a lot more than I spent on a few books!" Doesn't usually work though.

That one never works Mike :)

Yeah, my wife doesn't fall for that one either...

Nope nor mine :)

Mine doesn't either.

I've tried getting rid of books when I bring new ones in the house, but she usually calls me on it and I have to confess to getting rid of one book and getting 10-20 more. I keep trying it though.

Mike wrote: "I've tried getting rid of books when I bring new ones in the house, but she usually calls me on it and I have to confess to getting rid of one book and getting 10-20 more. I keep trying it though."

Good to see others have the same problems and I like your perseverance Mike :)

I have just started reading a book that takes a hard & critical look at the traditional view of the British Redcoat in America during the Seven Years War:

by Stephen Brumwell

Looks good Rick and, as per our chat earlier in the week, I'm interested in the redcoats (or their descendants) that then stayed and went on to have a hand in the war of independence/revolution especially on the American side, so grateful for a view if this is mentioned in the book.

I will let you know Geevee.

I finished and if anyone is interested, I've posted a review here.

I just started by Ian K. Steele and I'm almost finished with .

I recently finished



The Air Force wasn't the only service with boy cols - he went from a 2lt to bn cdr during his tour of duty. He was promoted to LTC at 26 and given command of an infantry bn.

It sounds like he was everything you want in a commander.

A great book indeed Happy!

I've just started a book that looks at the experiences of those who followed the Cross and fought in the Crusades:

by Norman Housley

I just finished (actually, I think I read this once before also, around 1981-82), which is still worth reading although it is primarily focused on the U.S. policy/leadership aspect of the war and is somewhat dated at this point. I burned through most of over the past few days; it is quite well-written, though not overly detailed, and the maps are excellent. Douglas Porch is a brilliant scholar, and while this is not on the level of his best work it is still a good & worthwhile read. I'm still working my way through Adventures In Chaos: American Intervention for Reform in the Third World and The Edge of the Sword: Israel's War of Independence 1947-1949 as well, more on those later...

By the way, Rick and Happy- thanx for the heads-up on the above Alex Kershaw book, it looks interesting. I greatly enjoyed his biography of Robert Capa, , which I would definitely recommend...

Hi Liam, I'm a fan of Douglas Porch and enjoyed a few of his books including; The Conquest of the Sahara and The Conquest of Morocco. I have his book on the French Foreign Legion yet to read.

I think you might enjoy Alex Kershaw's latest book. Keep us posted on how The Edge of the Sword goes, I think there are a few interest folks here.

I've just started reading; His Britannic Majesty's Army in Germany during the Seven Years War and so far it's been a nice easy read. The author offered a simple account of how the Treaty of Aix-la-Chapelle failed and led to the Seven Years War. I am thinking this is going to be an excellent account of this war in Europe.

by Reginald Savory

Hey Rick- I tried to leave this comment earlier, but my internet service went off for a moment. is an absolute masterpiece, one of the best books I've ever read, and I think you'll enjoy it when you get around to reading it. Obviously, there are other books on the FFL worth reading, but I suspect Professor Porch's work will not be bettered any time soon.
As for The Edge of the Sword: Israel's War of Independence 1947-1949, I hope to get back into it in the next day or so, and will review it at least briefly (I promise!).

Good to hear Liam, I purchased my copy some years back in a second hand book store and it looked pretty comprehensive so I'm keen to read it but you know the problem, so many good books, so little time :)

I have this to read on my shelf: by Douglas Porch

During the early stages of the Seven Years War in Europe, the French General Clermont, who was sent to replace another officer, found one of the armies in disarray and wrote to the King:

“I found Your Majesty’s Army divided into three parts. The part which is above ground is composed of pillagers and marauders; the second part is underground; and the third is in hospital. Should I retire with the first; or wait until I join one of the others?”

Don't you love how they use to speak back in those days?


by Reginald Savory

Rick that is a great quote. On a similar vein of subdued wit I liked this quote from Prince Kaunitz, chancellor of state and minister of foreign affairs of the Holy Roman Empire, on being told of the death of Joseph II Holy Roman Emperor: “That was very good of him".

I lifted this from this that I recently finished by Timothy C. W. Blanning

That's a funny quote as well, they conducted themselves so well back in those days eh!

I purchased a copy of Games without Rules yesterday and had to start reading it straight away - pretty good so far!

by Tamim Ansary

'Games without Rules' looks quite interesting, Rick, thanx for the heads-up.

For those of you who didn't see my short review, I finished reading the other day; it was so good that I stayed up most of the night to burn through it in less than two days. During most of the last decade or so, it seemed like there were not many more good stories from the Indo-China Wars that had not already been published, but apparently that is not the case. Someone said of this book that it was the best flying story of the Viet Nam War, and that might actually be true. In any case, I recommend it highly, particularly to those of you who are pilots or are simply interested in air warfare. Some people might wonder how a book about flying C-123s could be exciting, but I would bet this book will have you on the edge of your seat for most of the story...

Liam wrote: "Some people might wonder how a book about flying C-123s could be exciting, but I would bet this book will have you on the edge of your seat for most of the story....."

After reading Air Commando: Inside The Air Force Special Operations Command, I can believe even a C-123 war story could be fascinating. Will add this book to my TBR.

Sounds like an excellent book, will have to keep my eye out for a copy!

Mike wrote: "Liam wrote: "Some people might wonder how a book about flying C-123s could be exciting, but I would bet this book will have you on the edge of your seat for most of the story....."

After reading A..."

I'm pretty sure you'll like it, Mike! Thanx for the reminder about the Philip Chinnery book, I really ought to get around to reading that one soon. I had completely forgotten about that book until I happened to run across it at the bottom of a stack yesterday while looking for something else. Incidentally, have you read any of Mark Berent's novels? You may find them to be of interest; I thought they were exceptionally good...

I think I have read two of his novels some time ago but can't remember which one's, will have to go check.

'Aussie Rick' wrote: "Sounds like an excellent book, will have to keep my eye out for a copy!"

Yes, it was really extraordinarily good, which took me a bit by surprise. I think you would probably like it also, and I hope you find a copy!

Liam wrote: "Incidentally, have you read any of Mark Berent's novels? You may find them to be of interest; I thought they were exceptionally good..."

Liam, I have not read Berent's novels but I do have at least one on the TBR. I just read a couple of his short story ebooks that were available for free. He wrote contemporaneously about his combat flying in Vietnam. You can tell he is a good writer even back then. So I expect his novels will be pretty good.

Trolling for Guns on the Ho Chi Minh Trail by Mark Berent

Night Mission on the Ho Chi Minh Trail by Mark Berent

I am really enjoying my current book on the history of Afghanistan. It offers a very easy to read account and a general overview of Afghanistan and its place in the world. The author also has a sense of humour:

Indeed, there is a robust tradition of the mullah as rascal, typified by Mullah Nasruddin, a fanciful figure featured in a rich body of humorous folk anecdotes. One such anecdote, for example, relates that the mullah’s neighbour came to borrow his donkey. The mullah was reluctant. He said, “I’m sorry but my donkey died yesterday.” Just then the donkey began to bray behind the house. “What’s this? What’s this?” the neighbour said. “Mullah-sahib: your donkey isn’t dead, I can hear it braying.” The mullah was indignant. “Who are you going to believe?” he snorted. “A mullah or a donkey?”

by Tamim Ansary

Well I'm juggling a few books at the moment but two that may interest members in this group are:


by Leo Barron

And;

by Paul Britten Austin

Rick, Mike, et. al.-

I finally finished this morning a bit after midnight; you can see my review here: http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...