Military Books

This book is so much packed with information and data!
Well presented and well written, you will find more in this book about Napoleonic warfare than any other books focusing on a single topic:

-weapons and equipments
-beautiful uniform plates
-Infantry and cavalry tactics with diagram
-full bios of many of the generals
-full order of battles
-accounts and explanation about particular engagements on the battlefield with diagrams and actual battlefield pictures
-historical interpretation: you will learn for instance through a rational explanation why it was almost impossible to break an infantry square by cavalry
and much more

My only complaint would be that at times I had the feeling that the book was a bit all over the place, however, each time, there was something so interesting to pick.

This book is a real treat, addictive, informative, going well beyond the battle of Waterloo to encompass the essence of Napoleonic warfare at dirt level. At this price, with so many pages of pure pleasure, it is a true bargain.

This is an excellent book for who begins to study the battle of Waterloo. Complete, clear and very entertaining.
A very good purchase.

This is an excellent read, full with illustrations, photo's of the actual battlefield and information in general of napoleonic warfare.

Wow, What a book! If you would choose one book to give you all the background information on this famous battle; This would be the one. Outstanding graphics, maps and photos! Well done!!!

This is one of the better books on waterloo. Good graphics and detailed maps. Fair and balanced view.

This book isn't very well written, but what it lacks doesn't make it any less of an excellent read. John Irwin manages to tell it like it was in an interesting manner that will keep you turning pages well past midnight. The combat he saw during the closing days of the ETO are gripping and you will not want to put this book down. Interestingly, after his crews M4 Sherman is put out of action, losing their assistant Driver, they are issued the very rare M26 Super Pershing, of which only about a dozen or so made it to Europe. He uses the additional Armor and firepower to take on the Dreaded German King Tiger, and even finishes off the deadly JagPanther with it's massive gun, earning the respect of his crew that he so craved. All in all a great book from cover to cover, I can't help but give it 5 stars.

I do not read a lot, but I have to admit that this was a well written, and very interesting book. For not finishing High School, John P. Irwin does a fantastic job telling his story. He leads you through his experiences and tries to let the reader know how horrible war really is. A story that everyone should know about!

What a great book. Despite it's brevity, author John Irwin has penned one of the best WWII memoirs I have ever read. He's honest, humorous, and pulls no punches. He was only in combat for a brief period (March-April 1945). In this time, the Rhine had been crossed and the German forces were rapidly disintegrating. Still, it was no picnic as some WWII histories try to paint. There were always some Germans trying to destroy a tank with one of their vaunted Panzerfausts. Plus, one can say honestly that in combat, time takes on a different meaning. This book in a ideal read for World War II buffs of all ages. Enthusiastically recommended!

I have to go with 5 stars too. This is a great first person account of the way it was. I found the book riviting and well written. A compelling, well written story of what it was like being a tanker in WWII. I thank and salute the author for having taken the time to get his story told, you will enjoy it start to finish.

Take one teenage soldier who later earns a PhD in philosophy. Place him in the midst of a conflict in its final days. Stir generously with passable writing ability.

What you get is Another River, Another Town : A Teenage Tank Gunner Comes of Age in Combat-1945.

This is something different in the way of soldiers telling their tale. Here's a guy who got into the war when it was practically over, during the final few months of the European campaign, all post-Bulge. And he's a tank gunner. Most books of this sort are from the perspective of the grunt, and usually from guys who saw more "action" (which is not to say the author did not - his life was in grave danger on a number of occasions).

With Another River, Another Towns we get some insight into the mind of a soldier and a good glimpse at the life of a tank gunner during the last days of World War II, when the European Theater saw more surrendering and looting than actual combat. This isn't a "becoming buddies in the foxhole" book ... but it did have some merits, primarily in that it looked at a period of the war usually glossed over fairly quickly. Once you get past the Africa campaign, Sicily, D-Day and the Bulge, the European conflict becomes much less "sexy" from the American perspective. This book fills in some of those gaps and shows us what the soldiers experienced during this late period in the way.

It was not a melodramatic or sepia-toned book, which is a positive, and offered a glimpse into an aspect of World War II not often explored - the mass surrendering at the tail end of the conflict, and how the Army often did not want to deal with prisoners of war because they only served to slow down the advance. German soldiers intent on surrendering were often turned away.

Nothing here is vital reading, even for the WWII buff - it's a pretty typical soldier's tale, told simply - but I really enjoyed this glimpse into the world of the tank gunner and would certainly recommend this for a good Saturday read on the war. It had a lot of heart.

It is unbelievable for someone 40 or under to realize that these pictures were not seen as "homoerotic" at the time. The author has put together a great collection of photos here.

And the Menz are HOT!

This is a beautiful book which gives a look into the lives of the men of WWII. This is NOT a homoerotic book, these are NOT homoerotic photographs. This is how men were before we became afraid to show affection, before we had to be afraid of every move we made. These are basically boys who grew up on farms and in cities all over America who found themselves on ships in the South Pacific. If your father didn't bring home pictures like this from WWII or if they have become lost, here is a good opportunity to see how life was like on the ships, for America's Greatest Generation.
Heyward Foster III DPM

I picked up this book because my dad and my grandfather served in the US Navy in WW II. I didn't see them or their ships in this book but wow! There are some beautiful photos here! Crisp black and white prints, impressive use of light, some clever composition... and so many strong young men, muscled and slender.

There is a sensuousness to many of the pictures that reminded me of Mapplethorpe's work, although none of them show full frontal nudity. As a collection the photos appear a bit homoerotic, although individually many of the images are fine art. The book is more about excellent photography and gorgeous young men than it is about wartime.

Without a doubt this book will touch the memories and hearts of everyone who pauses to slowly peruse these casual photographs of men at sea in World War II. Without the overtones of trying to make a statement about the camaraderie that accompanies men off at war, these photographs simply follow a healthy group of sailors resting on board ship, working at their tasks, bonding in the bunk rooms and in play on the decks and the foc'sle. There is an obvious physical relationship that is transmitted in the gentlest ways, further proof that men together find the emotional and physical support so needed in the time of isolation from the world.

It is to Evan Bachner's credit that he shares this truly sensitive body of work with the public at a time when we all need to understand not only the plight of the men away at war today, but of the common threads of pansexuality that have never been a threat but only a solace in a world infected with prejudice. Grady Harp, December 2004

As an historical reenactor, and daughter of a WWII Navy veteran, I am constantly on the outlook for books and information on the lesser known ideas and culture surrounding WWII. This book was a real eye opener! While the author is open about his sexuality and the pictures were no doubt hand picked with a certain agenda, they show a world of innocence that was unconcerned with homophobic ideas of how a man should or should not act. Being together for long periods of time in uncertain circumstances, deep friendships definitely form. Your buddy could be the one to save your life during an attack, or you might loose him in a split second from a torpedo. As a woman, I can imagine the close friendships that would form today under similar circumstances among women, and I imagine men during that time were not held back by all the macho ideas of today. A beautiful book with striking photography, this stands as an important contribution to understanding our father's and grandfather's lives during WWII.

Dr Seuss comes through again. Fun to read, good morals, excellent story.
Lots of fun!!

This is my favorite Dr Seuss book (even though I discovered it only a few months ago). The story and pictures are excellent and (importantly) it is particularly easy and fun to read aloud.

Unfortunately, this book is advertised as being suitable for 5-8 year olds only - NOT TRUE! This book is for ANYONE of ANY AGE who enjoys stories.

This book is so appropriate today, maybe more than when it was written in 1948 (a response to the New Deal, perhaps?)! I'm sure I appreciate the message (beware of freeloaders!!) more than my kids, but they enjoy the story and the pictures (as always) are priceless. Dr. Seuss was a national treasure and his books are all terrific.

This book should be in every child's library (and most adults as well). This is the starter book for Orwell's Animal Farm.

I first read this book when I was a little girl. I was really impressed with it then, of all the Dr. Seuss books I thought it was the best because of the message. The poor moose is so soft-hearted, he lets everyone take advantage of him. It has a wonderful message for children to learn about "users". If you only read one Dr. Seuss book to your children, read them this one.

This first volume is written in a compeling style and is well researched. Catton makes the political manuevering come alive and deftly explains key facets of the war's basis and beginning. I am just beginning volume two, and based on how good the first is, I am looking forward to it.
Another reviewer labeled Catton as the poet of history, and I could not agree more. Highly recommended.

"The Coming Fury" is the first volume of Bruce Catton's centennial history of the Civil War. First published in 1961, some of its details are inevitably dated. Later historians have advanced different interpretations of some events. However, Catton's trilogy on the Civil War endures as a classic on the basis of his superb narrative, history as dramatic literature. Catton's gift is to capture the individuals at the center of events both in their essential, even prosaic humanity and as part of the seemingly relentless and tragic march of larger events.

"The Coming Fury" documents the onset of the Civil War, beginning with the Democratic Convention in Charlestown, South Carolina in April 1860 and ending with the First Battle of Bull Run in July 1861. In that relatively short span of time, the ability of the United States to maintain the unhappy national political compromise over the divisive issue of slavery rapidly eroded into open warfare. Catton adroitly captures the stumbling efforts of different leaders to defer or avoid the horror of civil war while attempting to resolve what had become an unresolvable political issue. His account of the dilemma of Major Robert Anderson, trapped at Fort Sumpter in Charlestown by men who had lately been his fellow citizens, is especially poignant. Anderson is trapped also between the Union and Confederate Governments, each pursuing its own political goals through the fate of Anderson's small garrison, now the last symbol of Federal authority in South Carolina. The shelling of Fort Sumpter will trigger open warfare, culminating in this volume with First Bull Run, where a Union loss will put paid to the notion of a quick end to the war.

This book is highly recommended to students of the Civil War and to the interested reader seeking an enthralling account of the beginning of that war.

When my husband wanted a good book on the Civil War, a friend recommended Bruce Catton's American Civil War Trilogy. My husband thought it was a fabulous series, so I was determined to read it as well. After finishing the first book, The Coming Fury, I have to agree. Even though The Coming Fury was first published in 1961, it remains one of the definitive books written about the Civil War.

The Coming Fury actually starts before the Civil War with the Democratic Convention of April 1860 in Charleston, South Carolina. Here, the Democratic Party will splinter over choosing a presidential candidate because of the slavery issue. Catton painstakingly provides us with this political background leading up to the war, but in a very readable manner. "The story of 1860 is the story of a great nation, marching to the wild music of bands, with flaring torches and with banners and with enthusiastic shouts, moving down a steep place into the sea." The election of Abraham Lincoln will set the southern states on the path to secession.

Catton details the setting up of the Confederate government, the scramble for bases and forts, and the creation of the CSA military machine. He also spends much time on the opening shots on Fort Sumter in Charleston harbor. At first, it was like a war between friends. "The Federal soldiers in the fort and the South Carolina soldiers who encircled it maintained polite relations while they got ready to kill each other." If guns "were fired in the wrong direction, letters of apology were quickly sent and gracefully acknowledged."

The end of The Coming Fury takes us to the first major battle of the war--Bull Run. Considered a "battle of amateurs," it made both sides realize that this war wasn't going to be over anytime soon.

Catton seamlessly weaves the political and military aspects of the Civil War in a way that keeps this series extremely popular almost 50 years after it was first published. Having just read The Civil War by Geoffrey Ward, Ric Burns and Ken Burns, I was surprised to see how much of Catton's work found its way into their book. I have already started Volume Two, Terrible Swift Sword and it promises to be just as good as The Coming Fury.

The first of this three volume series takes us from the 1860 Democratic National Convention to Bull Run and is an absolute treasure. It is simply the most precise and informative narrative of this period I've read. After reading this you will understand how we got from a bunch of swelled-up aristocrats to a shooting war and you'll see how sad and pathetic the whole affair really was. You'll ask yourself a dozen times while reading why didn't somebody stop this madness?

The other two volumes provide a readable but brief history of the war. But as historical literature often does the story bogs down in dates and names and places and provides an accurate but rather generic list of events for the remainder of the war. For those wanting a get in and get out quickly version of the Civil War this is it.

For those wanting more detail and have the time I recommend Shelby Foote's trilogy. For those wanting a primer of the events leading up to the Democratic National Convention I recommend "Jefferson Davis, The Man and His Hour" by William C. Davis. Not in itself a great book but it does provide interesting insight into the politics, pride and stupidity in the years leading up to our country's darkest hour.

For anyone, like I once was, who needs an education on the causes of the Civil War, this book is indespensable. Growing up in the South, I was taught in public schools that slavery had very little to do with the Civil War. Catton not only obliterates this theory, he goes in to much detail about the various conflicts and rivalries (including slavery) which caused an unbridgeable chasm between North and South in the decade leading up to the firing upon Fort Sumter in April, 1861. He clearly demonstrates why these differences in philosophy would erupt into war, which in retrospect was probably the only way America could ever be united in our collective belief system, which we now take for granted. I would recommend this book (and Catton's entire Civil War Trilogy series for that matter) to both casual reader and Civil War buff alike. In fact, it should be required reading for ALL americans.

This is an EXCELLENT book about the inner workings and decision makeing process of the Bush Administration during Panama and Desert Shield/Storm.

It is easy to become jaded today about what our government is doing and why, but The Commanders, is one of the most engaging looks at your government coming together. For better or for worse, it is even more engaging since so many of the "players" in this book are in the forefront of our news today. One of Woodwards' best.

I bought this book on a Friday night and compulsively read the book until Sunday morning. The read is quick, and the parts about Panama are very fascinating. It's nice to read about something that doesn't involve the Middle East....oh wait a minute, the middle east is covered as is the military history of this period. Colin Powell is a hero and a great pragmatic man, which mkes me long for the pre-Clinton days. History would be much different if Goerge the 1st stayed in power just 4 more years. The bravery and pragmatism of the 1st Bush administration makes you wonder about this Bush administration.

Bob Woodword seems to have become the reporter of authority when it comes to writing what I have heard called "instant histories", that is, histories that will surely be expanded as perspective is gained on a given event, but ones that accurately record how people saw things at the time. In "The Commanders" Woodword gives blow by blow accounts of two major foreign policy crisis' which ultimately led to military action: the removal of Manuel Noriega from Panama and Operation Desert Storm. The book is a quick and absorbing read, focusing almost entirely on the relationhip between the military (Pentagon) and civilian (White House) leaderships, and how that relationship operates during a crisis.

I assume that many who read this book now look to widen their view of some of the key players in the current administration, namely Cheney, Powell, and Wolfowitz (though in much lesser role here) and now is as good a time as any to do so. My impression of Powell, while widened, remains consistent. He comes off as more hesitant to use force than others, very conscious of organization, very thorough, and very aware that words have power. Cheney, however, doesn't at all resemble his sinister caricature. He, too, is careful and analytical, often concerned with Bush "ratcheting up the rhetoric way too much," and, at one point, even recomending that Bush slow down and "wait for the UN." Whereas these two figures are painted as rivals within the "W" administration, they pictured as allies in the first Bush Administration.

Our problems with diplomacy are also present, though they are not the focus of the book. The presumed reaction from Latin America contrained our ability to craft a war plan in Panama, even though it was "anticipated that privately most of these governments would send back-channel word that they were nuetral or even pleased" that Noriega was removed, and it was certain that the Panamanian people hated their leadership (92% were ultimately in favor of Noriega's removal, according to Woodword). Also, many instances show Arab regimes begging for protection, though not wanting their populations to know about the American presence. At one point, the exiled Emir of Kuwait even refuses to meet with members of the US Senate. And of course, "The French were a problem and required a major effort". We will continue to have problems if governments, particualrly democratic ones, refuse to reveal to their publics what they see as in their own national interest. Ahh, the trials of a superpower!

If you are looking for an account of the diplomatic manuevering, the assembling of the coalition, or the national political debate preceeding either conflict; or you want an account of Gulf I itself, this is not your book. Taken for what it is, however, "The Commanders" is an excellent. There are a number of times where statements from this book could fit perfectly into the latest foray in Iraq, but I'll let you hunt for those.

Lastly, funniest line in the book: "the secure internal electronic-mail system, called E-mail, provided a means of quick nearly instantaneous communications by computer with the boss." Who knew only a decade ago that you needed someone to explain what an E-mail is?

This book starts at the beginning of the GHW Bush Administration and goes through to the very beginning of the Gulf War.
It's always a little difficult to know how accurate Woodward's recountings are of conversations and inner-thoughts of the most important people, but there are rarely serious complaints about the accuracy of his books - at least as far as I am aware. For the most part, the book comes from the perspective of Powell and Cheney, with important additions from other key folks at the Pentagon and White House.
The beauty of reading about the GHW Bush Administration is that one also learns about the GW Bush Administration, for many of the key players came back for an encore.

Woodward did a top notch job of discussing important issues in a way that appeals to the general reader. I hope he continues to do so with the GW Bush Administration; both "Bush at War" and "Plan of Attack" are fine books, but "The Commanders" is much better.

If you ever wanted to know anything about this massive airplane you will probably find it in this awesome book. The book will take you back in time to the development and life of the greatest of bombers. The book is not just a bunch of statistics either. It is not a boring narrative, but is full of all kinds of fascinating stories and incidents that went on in the life and times of this great airplane. It is printed on fine glossy stock and has many wonderful pictures from all through the years of the Peacemakers existance. Highly recommended!!!

An extremely well written book. It tells you all about the B36.
The authers use of parts written by "Those who were there" is an object lesson to other authers.
It is A verey large and heavy book whivh should be on all aircraft lovers
bookshelves.
If you live in europe it is half price too.

that is defintitely the best book about the big stick of the SAC. tons of pictures and in-depth text! highly recommended!!!!!

Good reference on the B-36 Peacemaker. Well illustrated with black and white as well as color photographs. Many cut away drawings and diagrams. Lots of background development. Good historical as well as technical information. Lacking in material on the FICON and Parasites fighter programs

It is silly to try to fault this book.

I recall being impressed, as a kid, with the Harleyford books from England--"The Supermarine Spitfire," and "The Focke Wulf FW-190." For their time, they were very good indeed.

But they cannot begin to compare with this massive book on the B-36. It is in a class of its own.

First the sheer size of this beast. Its huge, and its all about one airplane, the B-36.
Granted, you have to be fascinated with the B-36 to buy it, but if the monster bomber fascinates you, doing better would be impossible.

There are chapters on everything. The book covers B-36 defensive armament, payload, service with SAC, service in movies, the "revolt" of the Admirals, and on and on. Incredible detail.

There are more photos than you can count. There is a section of color photos. Some are very good, and quite unusual. You have not have seen them before.

I recall the B-36 as a kid. I remember one flying over my house--and being amazed by the size, noise, and sheer presence of the aircraft. I have always loved the B-36. It takes me back to a better time. I will admit that I look to the past with great nostalgia. I often look back to the days of cars with chrome, Davy Crockett caps and rifes, Ike in the White House, and the B-36. This book will take you there.

It was fun growing up in a country which not only made, but made operational, a plane like the B-36. Wow, that was, and still is , special. And so is this book.

No one is quite sure when Admiral Rickover decided the Navy needed a small nuclear-powered submarine that could drive along the deepest depths of the ocean and be used for a variety of missions. The civilian world had been using deep-sea submersibles for some time, but it was not until the Thresher accident that everyone realized the need for a vessel that could remain underwater at the deepest depths for very long periods of time. It was developed and built under conditions of extreme secrecy and was never even designated a warship. It had a variety of bizarre features, including tires on the bottom of the hull that would literally permit it to drive along the bottom, and sideways thrusters fore and aft that allowed it to hover in one exact position.

Lee Vyborny was one of the original crew members on the tiny NR-1, a sub that contained a midget nuclear reactor, which developed a mere 130 horsepower, of which only 60 could be used for propulsion. The crew quarters were tiny, and there was no stateroom for the commander, who would usually sleep on the floor next to the control panel. The reactor was designed so it could be operated by one man because the crew never exceeded eight people, usually only four on duty at any given time.

In an uncharacteristic mistake, Rickover tried to keep the cost of development and building down and required that as many of the ship's components as possible be purchased off-the-shelf. He was under the mistaken impression that the commercial deep sea industry was well developed and the parts standardized. At the same time, he insisted on testing these parts under the most extreme conditions. They had never been designed for the role he intended, and the result was costly failures and time spent to develop alternatives. The early computer they used was a midget and capable of only fourteen simultaneous operations, in contrast to the original PC, which could do many thousands at once.

Rickover's presence was ubiquitous. Everyone was suitably cowed, but he knew the bureaucracy well and how to manipulate them. The story of the two dead mice is illustrative. A habitability team was due for an inspection. Their job was to verify that a new ship was liveable. The NR-1 had so many discomforts for the crew, Rickover knew he might be in trouble, so he sent out an aide to find two dead mice and to hide them in the boat. The habitability team was delighted to find a dead mouse, thinking they would be able to reprimand the famous admiral. Instead, they were the ones on the receiving end. He told them they had done a terrible job and didn't belong in the Navy. "I know there were two dead mice on that boat," he shouted, "I bought them! You only found one! Get out of here!"

When lambasted by the General Accounting Office for the NR-1's cost overruns and asked to explain the excess, Rickover replied with a sarcastic letter, reprinted in full in the book, suggesting their analysis was similar to a review of Lady Chatterly's Lover by Field and Stream magazine. The letter concluded, "A cursory review of the subject report leads me to conclude that its authors, likewise, lack comprehension in the manner of accomplishing research and development. Therefore, I believe no useful purpose would be served by detailed comments on my part."

In order to withstand the enormous pressures at depths to which the little sub was expected to go, the hull had to be perfectly round. The twelve-and-a-half-foot diameter hull could be out of round by no more than 1/16th of an inch. That required special manufacturing processes. The crew had to undergo special psychological tests to see whether they could stand being cooped up in tiny spaces for long periods. Submariners who had been successful at resisting the stresses of a regular submarine wound up in fistfights after just a few days when tested under the conditions expected on the NR-1.

The boat was expected to remain under water indefinitely, but practical considerations limited the length of the voyages: food and waste. The ship had no galley, so the crew subsisted on TV dinners purchased in large quantities and kept frozen until they were needed, and when the waste tank was full, they had to surface.

Ironically, the NR-1 has outlasted larger and more famous mega-submarines. According to the author, it continues to conduct classified missions in addition to being a valuable resource for many universities and research institutes for tamer exploratory searches of the ocean's depths.

As a crewmember (EM1SS/DV) 1976-1978 aboard the NR-1 brings back many memories of those exciting times aboard the super-secret mini sub.

I was aboard when the tow line parted twice, the F14 recovery mission, when we lost the reactor for a time, washed overboard when making the emergency tow hookup with IC1 SS/DV Frank Smith, aboard when Dr. Heezen had his fatal heart attack.

The tremendous work load, risks taken and NO notice, care, or thanks from the Americal public, ah but we were young, idealistic and full of energy.
The book is scrubbed for security reasons but it is a great story that needed to be told.

Greg Stanosz
Captain, EN, USAR (retired)

The author, who served on the NR-1, does a good job recounting the genesis and evolution of the project and the vessel from inception to the recent past. More than a first hand account, the author provides information based on interviews and archival research. He provides insight into the military and political dimensions of the project, as well as some satisfying operational stories and character sketches (Rickover, Satchel). The quality of writing makes for smooth easy reading. Though I found myself wanting to know details, like whether the wheels on the NR-1 are steerable, the author maintains a responsible balance between maintaining secrecy and recounting a small but important piece of recent naval history.

Very entertaining history of the capable, unique NR-1, the only nuclear submersible yet built. The coauthors include journalist Don Davis and member of the first crew, Lee Vyborny. Mr. Vyborny tells some excellent stories from the years he spent during the NR-1's design, construction and early operating career. After Vyborny leaves the crew the boat's history is told in third person but the stories are no less interesting. For example, the interactions with Rickover are somehow written to be more amusing than irritating!

This book is similar to Blind Man's Bluff in its handling of covert cold war operations by the US Navy but the first person stories told by Lee Vyborny really pull the reader in and are very engaging.

Category: cold war nuclear submersible

Submarine(s): NR-1

Heroes: NR-1 crew and, for getting it built, Admiral Rickover

Technical content: average

I love books about submarines and how they are used so of course I was excited to read this book. The dust jacket lead me to believe that the book was going to detail out mission after mission that was top secret, good old cold war espionage fun. I should have known better, these types of missions are filed away as top secret and it will be years before they see the light of day. Any book that claims to have the details are usually a little more puffed up in the description then the actual details. So I dug into this book and for the most part really enjoyed it. It starts with a review of how the sub was created and the crew trained. Somewhat interesting, but to be fair I was looking for the under water fun and games.

The book did move into the subs exploits, but due to the top-secret nature the stories that were told were not all that new or exciting. And that would not have been all that bad if the authors would have kept telling me about the non secret items like finding other wrecks at the bottom of the sea and weird fish they came upon. Instead they spent just a little too much time of live outside of the sub. Ok I know these guys have wife's and families, but to be fair I do not care. I want exciting submarine stories, not issues about home life. Overall the book was mostly interesting and well written. I could have done with more detail, but there is nothing I can do about that.

Don Brown's Defiance introduces Shannon McGilverry, a strong, savvy, and sexy crack NCIS Agent who sets out to investigate whether Diane Colcernian is dead or alive. Meanwhile, JAG officer Zack Brewer, the hero of the first two novels in Brown's NAVY JAG Series, who is mourning the loss of his missing girlfriend Colcernian, is caught up in a court-martial turned political trial against Senator Eleanor Claxton, a liberal democrat running for President of the United States. Loved this novel and couldn't put it down!

In this novel, a power hungry female U.S. Senator running for President and needing to win the California democrat primary, tries to intervene in a U.S. Navy Court martial for sexual assault, using it as a forum to trumpet her call for "hate crimes" legislation in the military. From that, all the elements of classical Greek drama come into play. Conspiracy. Murder. Power struggles. Hi stakes legal maneuvering, and in the end, action by the U.S. Navy to try and rescue one of its own. This novel is powerful in every sense of the word.

This novel made me appreciate the heroic efforts of our military. The ending of this book was glorious, gave me goosebumps, made me want to cry and sing "I'm proud to be an American!"

A fascinating political and military thriller that could be ripped off today's headlines. Murder, suspense, rescue, romance, all these topics are woven throught Defiance. I really love how Don Brown isn't shy abotut tackling poliltically incorrect storylines in his novels.

Defiance deals with the explosive topic of gays in the military and proposed "hate crimes," which a certain presidential candidate, Senator Eleanor Claxton, is trying to force the military to adopt.

I found it interesting how Senator Claxton bears a striking resemblance to a certain real-life U.S. Senator who badly wants to be president, and who might very well adopt some of the positions that Claxton adopts.

Don Brown does a fabulous job of character development of his villans and heros and I was glad to see super-hero JAG Officer Zack Brewer play such a prominent role in the storyline. The close of the book made me want to cry for joy. I finished with a renewed appreciation for our U.S. Navy, and my only complaint is that I didn't want the book to end.

This book is a great, action-packed read for anyone who likes politics and the military. Don Brown does a great job brining current events into his gripping storylines. Some characters in the book eerily resemble certain well-known modern day politicians. A must read.

Professor Richard L. Rubenstein introduced me to this book.

Documented meticulously.

Substantiated understanding of the process of mass murder.

Definitely one of those must read books.

I was reading a work by Christopher Browning recently and he stated how just as many historians were starting to realize the functionalist understanding of the Shoah, Hilberg refined it to a even more nuanced level. Always dilligent, deeper and a step ahead. I had read many books on the subject prior to this one, and frankly had put of buying it because of the price, yet don't regret the purchase one bit. Too many historians use the prhase "magnum opus" when refering to this work and frankly I agree 100%

Hilberg's brilliant and dispassionate treatment of attempts throughout history to destroy the Jews sets a new standard for scholarship and for the historical analysis of emotionally charge subjects. Through his own efficient analytic framework of precedents, antecedents, and scope of organization, Hilberg gives us a lucid formula for both understanding and explaining the subtext, context, and pretext of the 1500-year old continuously running saga of anti-Semitism. The effect is to place the reader in the cockpit of the planners of one of the worst disasters known to man, the holocaust of World War-II. But more importantly, he also provides us with all the necessary facts that go with, and that load his framework.

The context of the holocaust is 1500 years of progressive improvements in ways of addressing the so-called "Jewish problem (or threat)," and corresponding Jewish cultural adaptations to these improved attempts to annihilate them. The improvements have ranged from failed attempts by Catholics to convert Jews into Christians, to expelling them from Europe, to Hitler's creation of a bureaucracy of industrialized death to implement his "final solution." (The author summarizes this progression as conversion, expulsion, and annihilation.)

The subtext of anti-Semitism ostensibly has always been about the "predatory Jewish character" but in fact has been about fears, fears of cultural, religious and ethnic differences and about independence from ordinary orthodoxy. It is precisely these fears that are the most easily serviceable, and most easily ignited into action during times of stress. They are best facilitated through hatred -- especially when guided by a catalyst of evil, ignorance, demagoguery, or demented and corrupt leaders. Inexorably they pass through a process of condoned and sanctioned violence to collective murder. (Fear of Jewish independence and failure to accept the Christian Jesus as their religious messiah and savior have throughout history served as one of the key subtexts of anti-Semitism).

Just as the pattern that serves as the subtext for anti-Semitism is generalizable to other forms of chauvinism, racism and hatred, so too is the pretext: The target is first demonized, dehumanized and vilified; and then disenfranchised, hounded and spatially as well socially segregated. This process of dehumanization then leads logically to, and serves as justification and collective psychological cover for, committing criminal acts against the targeted groups -- including mass industrialized murder. (Jewish religious idolatry, and ethnic character flaws, i.e. their predatory business acumen and slipperiness, their fear of honest work, etc. has throughout history served as the pretext for justifying criminal acts against Jews).

This book puts to rest the popular "magic bullet theory" of the holocaust: that explaining Hitler explains everything anyone would ever need to know about the holocaust. It does not. The anti-Semitic pressures along fault lines leading up to the holocaust had been building up for more than 1500 years. It was these pressures and not Hitler that bear the primary responsibility for the holocaust. Hitler just happened to be the demented catalyst that sparked an anti-Semitic eruption at a time when a demoralized German people needed a tonic for restoring their national pride.

Five Stars.

One of the best books I have ever read about the holocaust. A serious research and it is indeed a great contribution for the studies on this horrible moment of the history of mankind!

The text I read (three volume hard cover) is the definitive work on the Holocaust. It profiles all aspects of a demonic criminal conspiracy, as well as the practical planning and ultimate consequences.

I urge all to read Hilberg. It is the standard work.