Wars Books

I bought it a few months ago and started it immediately. However, it's one of those books that scare me to death and I kind of have to skim it first just to get the horrifying details out of the way before I read it in depth. It's the stuff of nightmares, but a great read for all that. I don't want to give too much away, but I highly recommend the book, especially to men who I think will gravitate to his writing style.

Great page turner, I cannot wait for the sequel. The plot is realistic and terrifying. Every page is a real future look at what the terrorists have in mind for America. Are you prepared?

'America Falling' needs to be required reading for Jr. High School and/or High School.

I just finished this book and, I have to admit, it packs a good punch. Someone else said it was scary, and the last book that I read that sent the same chills through my spine was 'Silence of the Lambs', but for different reasons.

It's not a perfect work and sometimes the writing style and secondary content seems a little juvenile and predictable, but the bottom line and the obvious reason for this novel to be born and nurtured is that America is not safe. Period.

Looking at out borders, at our schools, at our personalities as Americans.... We are SO OPEN for attacks, illegals passing over borders, information loss to bad people, and the paper mask of security.... It's enough to make anyone ill. We, the West, Americans, are so trustworthy and faithful of humankind in general. And we are surprised constantly when somone doesn't abide by the same beliefs!

WHY would someone kill children? Because we are infidels and America has to fall to her knees.
Why would someone murder innocent people, bystanders? Because it would harm America.
Of course I am talking about terrorism and Radical Islamic Fundamentalists.

Mr. Brockette tells an intriguing story. Most of it is extremely realistic, practically listing the weak areas of our systems. He's not fanatsizing or even exaggerating *most* of the time. Some of the secondary story lines are a little predictable and kind of cheesy, but it's never disappointing. I, myself, am NOT a fan of action movies, so some of this book was unbelievable, but the real point of this novel is not funny at all. The serious sections are extremely to the point and heart wrenching.

I read one part and thought, "Duh! How easy is THAT!" Without giving away the novel, a well-spoken terrorist wearing a nice looking suit and tie, explains to the front admin school staff that he's moving there soon and would appreciate a looksie of the school where his children will be enrolled. SURE! Please come see this: the layout, the school schedule, the security staff, the safety systems, the group areas, the childrens' schedules, the lunch menu,.... Names of kids on teams, names of teachers assigned to classrooms. Just hand it to him.

This book makes you really think about security and how unaware our mainstream people are about terrorism. How will our cities handle another 9/11? It's not a matter of IF, it's a matter of WHEN.

Overall, I give the book a super thumbs-up. It opens the eyes of the people who read it. Thanks, Don B! One more thing to freak out over! HAHA...

Read it and weep.

"America Falling" was not what I first expected it to be. Definately an action packeed novel that takes place in current times. I found it to be mind opening to what many Americans take for granted everyday. Though graphic in some parts, I feel that it was a damn good story and look forward to possible sequels, though I would read another book by this author even if not related to this story.

Mr. Brockette weaves a very compelling and easy-to-read story. I read it in two days!! You may not sleep for a few nights after you read it , because it could really happen!! Can't wait for the next book.

Wonderful information. Dr. Klein backs up his positions with actual facts and science, something that the other side doesn't do. His explanation on how our government views science as just another argument to circumvent when it comes to sexuality is worth the price of the book alone. Great read!

I had to read this book for a Human Sexuality class for a graduate class and even though the class is over and I did not finish reading the book I cant wait to finish it. The book is great at explaining topics such as teen pregnancy and sex education. A MUST READ!!!

"The battle lines have been drawn, and it's not just the think tanks and advocacy groups that have stakes in this war. The sexuality of everyone is at risk, making America's War on Sex a must read for all citizens" says Bill Taverner, M.A. Co-Founding Editor, American Journal of Sexuality Education. Author Michael Castleman reports "America's War on Sex--the title may sound a bit hyped, but it's isn't. It's true: Social conservatives have truly declared war on sex, and no one lays out their agenda better than Marty Klein in this frightening and cogently argued book. Frightening because sexual civil rights are in jeopardy. Klein describes how the forces of sex-negativity are working to set up camp in our bedrooms.

Honored CAMFT (California Association of Marriage & Family Therapists -)member, Dr. Marty Klein is making people angry with his newest book, America's War On Sex. And rightfully so! Upon delivering this outstanding book the AASECT (American Association of Sexuality Educators, Counselors and Therapists) Best Book of the Year Award at a sex therapist conference in June, Dr. Joy Davidson stated that she was angry while reading this book and that everyone in America, especially therapist, should be too!

Why be angry while reading Dr. Klein extremely factual, and yet at times humorous, discourse on sex in America today? Because he is right! We, all Americans, are under attack by those who want to robe us of our sexual rights, freedoms and education! In this book Dr. Klein explains with great fines how abstinence only sex education is being promoted and funded by our government despite overwhelming evidence of its failure to deliver the results it has promised, how women's rights to purchase and own vibrators are being legally denied by an increasing amount of state legislators and how sexual mis-information is deliberately being promoted in an effort to take away rights from the GLBT communities!

The anger one experiences when reading this book is not limited to sex therapists or the general public either. It is vital that all psychotherapists read and understand the issues addressed in this book. Our clients come into our offices carrying guilt and shame for engaging in healthy sexual practices after being convinced by negative myths promoted to illuminate sex from our society. They struggle with issue around parenting stemming from fear based messages about children's sexuality. HIV, unwanted pregnancy and the lack of positive sexual expression is the result. We as psychotherapist have an obligation to know the facts about sexuality, to help our clients understand them, to debunk dangerous myths and to support our client's sexual education, personal development and positive sexuality within couples. That is why I say America's War On Sex is the most important book in our field today and is a must read by all clinicians!

Stephen L. Braveman, M.A., L.M.F.T., D.S.T.
Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist # MFC 28926
AASECT Certified Diplomate of Sex Therapy
AASECT Certified Supervisor and Certified CE Provider
Gender Specialist - Clinical Member of WPATH
Tantra Facilitator-Practitioner
AASECT Western Region Representative
CAMFT Past President - Monterey Chapter
Author:
- "Innovative Methods of Treating Patients with Sexual Trauma"
in "Innovations in Clinical Practice: Focus on Sexual Health, 2007"
- "CPR for Your Sex Life: How to Breathe Life Into a Dead, Dying or Dull Sex Life"
(Co-Author: Mildred Brown, Ph.D.), 2007.

What I like most about Dr. Klein and his new book, America's War on Sex, is that he's not afraid to battle the bullies and bigots who have hijacked our country. With facts and footnotes up the wazzoo, Dr. Klein's no holds barred, easy to read and humorous polemic is a must for any American who cares about their freedom.

The factual basis of this book paints a detailed landscape of America's irrational persecution of and delusional obsession with all activities sex-related. If you're a like thinker, it will simply confirm your own beliefs, but if you're conservative, be prepared to have all the world's evils laid at your feet. This is the first time I've even heard the phrase "conservative feminist". You have only to look at Congressional (and state legislative) voting records to see that the war on sex is by no means a strictly conservative crusade (although the bulk of it is certainly initiated by them). I've read books on the topic by other authors, including Nadine Strossen, that are much more credible simply because they do not demonize the conservative right while excluding the liberal contribution to the war on sex. Nonetheless, while rather one-dimensional, it is also an excellent presentation of just how stunningly pervasive the problem really is.

Finally, nowhere in the 230 pages is there any mention of prostitution laws. Indeed prostitution, call girls, massage parlors don't even show up in the index. If laws banning the sale of sex toys deserve prominent coverage, one would think that laws against prostitution would at least earn an honorable mention. Unless one subscribes to the concept that the war on prostitutes is acceptable, that is.

I don't know the reason prostitution is left out, but it shouldn't have been. Surely, if the phrase, "your body, your choice" means anything, it gives you the right to use your god-given body as an asset to put a roof over your head and food on your table no different from a laborer, doctor, or sports star. But, beyond that, laws against prostitution sadistically deny one of humanity's most pleasurable and intimate communions to a class of people who are only likely to experience it through the services of a prostitute. That would include many handicapped people, those who have been maimed by war or accidents, those with serious birth defects, the home bound, the bed-ridden, and the just plain ugly (such as myself). If that doesn't deserve mention as part of America's War on Sex, then nothing does.

David Homsher's book made me want to explore the AEF's battlegrounds around Chateau-Thierry. He has created a very tidy scrapbook of personal accounts and period photographs that provide snapshots of the doughboy's world. His organization is geographically shrewd: he begins at the Paris airport, and identifies AEF and Great War landmarks as a traveler would encounter them along the route to Chateau-Thierry. Through an eclectic treasure of first-hand accounts, you see the towns and fields as the doughboys and leathernecks did in 1918. The progession of accounts builds a sense of impending drama, recreating the essence of the unfolding crisis of the Chateau-Thierry fighting. The book culminates in a highly detailed description of a small but significant engagement between the 7th Machine Gun Battalion and the German attackers in and around Chateau-Thierry. For serious historians of the AEF, Mr Homsher's guidebook neatly complements the crusty but important military histories of the these battles. To get the most from Mr Homsher's book, plop down in a French cafe the evening before you visit the battlefield and let the wine & words bring you back to 1918.

Subtitled: Chateau Thierry--Then & Now

It is unfortunate that many of us fail to remember the efforts put forward by the American Expeditionary Force (AEF) in bring the Great War of Civilization, better known as World War I, to a close.

Without much doubt, France and Britain were on their last legs. Germany had what proved to be better tactics and a slightly stronger will to see the conflict thru to the end.

It wasn't until General John "Blackjack" Pershing and the men of the AEF landed in France in 1918, and finally made their way to the front, that the conflict slowly began to swing in the allies favor.

Chateau Thierry was what could be considered the linchpin of the Germ salient that was moving inexorably toward Paris and the ultimate capitulation of the French Army.

Davis Homsher has produced a welcome addition into the current library of non-fiction accounts of what took place in and around Chateau Thierry and how the AEF was able to move into the line. With fresh troops and fresh momentum, the allies pushed the German lines back to not only the spring front lines of 1918, but ultimately handed them such a thorough thrashing as to make the cessation of hostilities a reality.

This book is replete with maps, photographs and personal account from the men that were there. American Battlefields of WWI Chateau Thierry--Then & Now is what I hope is the first volume in what should be many and a necessary addition to any Great War Library.

Armchair Interviews says: This book will prove to be a wondrous testament to the men and woman that saved the world from the first German aggression of the past century.

This is a book about fighting men, infantry men whose world was often limited to the view from a hole in the ground, told in their own words.
This is the story, told by those who were there, of the men of the American Expeditionary Force of 1917-1918.
It is the clear and engrossing story of the first battle in America's first European War. It is also an illustration in prose and pictures of life as it was then; a world that is long gone both for the French and the "Sammies".
The "then and now" photos are useful and interesting, as are the town and street maps. Altogether, this a book that will be very useful in exploring the battlefield of Chateau Thierry. It will tell present-day Americans very clearly what Grandfather did in France nearly 100 years ago.

Christina Holstein, author and battlefield guide.

Reviewed by Joe Graham for Reader Views (8/06)

David Homsher has created a guide book for the American battlefields of World War I around the village of Chateau-Thierry. The book is a remarkable accomplishment and it operates on several levels.

First, if the reader is interesting in actually visiting the battlefield sites, Homsher gives the reader detailed instructions on how to reach each location up to how to find the location, where to park, and what precautions to take and what to do once the reader is on the site. And his directions start with the arrival at Charles De Gaulle airport and how to get out of the airport and onto the correct road.

Secondly, if the reader is an armchair traveler, they can enjoy the written text along with a wonderful collection of photographs of the area with pictures of the same buildings or locations before and after the war. The photographic collection also contains many pictures of the German and Allied forces, French refugees and other pictures taken during the war. Homsher also includes maps so the reader can accurately pinpoint the locations of the area in France.

Finally, Homsher has included first hand accounts from the participants in the war. The accounts range from descriptions of field hospitals and battle formations to diaries of the combatants. This material lifts the book above just the casual guidebook. Reading first hand accounts of an event brings an immediacy to the reader that can not be achieved any other way.

A good example is this quote from Pvt. Leo J. Bailey, 9th Infantry, 2nd Division, who wrote in his diary:
"Eighteen hours of marching hip to hip with a seventy-two pound pack, dry
throated in a cloud of dust, had wearied them. Most men lay in full equipment on the cobbles and slept, but some scroungers with keener nose smelled brandy."

This book should appeal to a wide range of readers. Scholars and teachers will appreciate the first person accounts that give a more complete picture of the action than is typically given in the dry accounts of battles that relate who attacked who, and with what results.

I would highly recommend this book for anyone with an interest in the battles of World War I. The book is in a coffee table book format that the reader can pick up and refer to easily. This is a wonderful book because Homsher gives you an actual guidebook to the area, then pictures and maps of the area both before and after the war and then finally the first hand accounts that bring the action of the war to life through the words of the participants.

I want to express my feelings about this book. It has been many years since I read a book so compelling. I took it from the mailbox a little after noon yesterday and save for the time I took to eat dinner, read straight through till 12:30 am, then finished it the next day.
I don't anticipate that I will ever travel to France, but David Homsher's book makes it seem that I have been there already. It has been really an emotional experience - running the gamut from humor, to sorrow to anger and to bursting with pride at the actions of the American troops there. The many descriptions put forth by various people "in their own words" results in a more thorough understanding than could ever be given by just a straight narrative from any single author. I also found so many little "nuggets" of information in Homsher's book that I was unaware of before. By the time I finished the book, I felt that I not only had a thorough picture in my mind of exactly what took place, but that I understood it well enough to explain it to others in detail. I congratulate David on doing such a fine job and highly recommend his book. As a former schoolteacher, I wish it could be a part of the education of every American so that they could truly appreciate what was done by this country in World War I.

The author of this book does an excellent job of analyzing the operational and tactical performance of Arabic Armies in the latter 20th Century. But, be forewarned, the book can be a slog to get through for the novice. Mr. Pollack examines the good, bad and ugly of the national performance of several armies (Iraqi, Egyptian, Syrian, Jordanian) in a manner which is useful to any decision maker who might have to confront an Arab Military foe. The best part of this book and its most useful application is in detailing Arabic Armies 'mismanagement' of information. Yes, poor leadership has doomed many Arabic Military operations, but within Arab Military leadership the fatal mismanagement of information is at the heart of each defeat. As detailed by the author, Senior and Junior officers both lie. They lie to their troops, lie to their political masters and lie to each other. At times they seem incapable of any truth telling whatsoever. The author details Senior Officers describing "Great Victories" where battles are being lost. Junior officers repeatedly fail to provide timely analysis of opposing forces or give a true picture of ongoing operations (lest they be termed cowards?). This has caused missed opportunities to adjust deployments and often leads to catastrophic defeats. Another excellent point is that the author never dismisses the ability of the individual Arab foot soldier to display extreme bravery and tenacity often despite overwhelming odds.

This is a superb and easily read treatise, of use both to the military professional and the interested lay reader. The book meticulously details strategic and tactical performance of each of the prinicple Arab states, not only with respect to their well-publicized conflicts with Israel, but it also investigates the lesser-known military endeavors (e.g., Egypt's war in Yemen, Libya's adventures in Chad). As a result, this is a comprehensive evaluation. Fortunately, it was not burdened with background details on Islam and it's baleful influences on the technical aspects of modern warfare: this material would constitute a separate treatise and has been detailed elsewhere. Nonetheless, the insights gained from Pollack's investigation of military performance transfer to Arab domestic politics and Islamic cultural influence on military doctrine.

Unfortunately, the cost of the book and it's length will deter many readers. In summary, this is an outstanding book and should be on the 'must read' list of readers of Middle Eastern affairs. It's only shortcomings were in the maps: symbols used throughout the text were only annotated in one map and never completely explained. Otherwise, a superb work.

This is a solid study. It is well written, well researched, solid on its data, and thorough in its scope.

The sections on inter-Arab/Muslim/African conflict give good looks at relatively obscure pieces of information -- the author's discussion of the Libyan-Chadian conflicts, for example, is outstanding.

A number of interesting conclusions are evident here, whether about Arabs' failure to maintain their weapons and equipment, their poor battlefield employment of intelligence, their horrendous logistical systems, or the failure of their junior leadership to execute, lead, and decide sua sponte.

My only real complaint is that often, I found myself thinking 'but what do you think?' The author is so thorough in the book that he often leaves his intermediary conclusions for the reader to absorb, and extrapolate. This makes the book something of a tool, as opposed to the pedantic thing you would expect given its girth. But I would figure that with all the author's knowledge (and his resume to boot), he would have more of his own things to say. He does offer, at the end, that this book is essentially a shortened version of his dissertation, and there is a follow-on work that looks more in depth, examines other aspects, and offers more analysis.

Bottom line is that this is a great piece of work. It should be seen as, essentially, an encyclopedia. If you're looking for anything else you'll be woefully disappointed. But if you're serious about the subject, this book is well worth the time.

I won't repeat all of the detail and commentary provided by other reviewers, but I wanted to provide a favorable review for this excellent work.

In the introduction, the author addresses the factors often cited for the poor performance of Arab armies--poor junior leadership, poor equipment, lack of intestinal fortitude, etc. etc. He then provides rare detailed coverage of specific operations of the various Arab armies, including their successes and failures, and then returns to address, on the basis of his analysis, the "poor performance factors" for each of the armies which he covers. Very interesting (to military history fans) and well done.

TMR

Egypt, Libya, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Syria, and Iraq are six major players in the Middle East. Whether they are US allies (such as Saudi Arabia or Jordan) or die hard enemies (such as Syria or Libya) Pollack gives an objective analysis of their military prowess, or lack there of.

Pollack's argument is twofold. He claims that because of Arab society Arab militaries lack basic skills that modern European armies take for granted. For instance because Arab culture looks down upon those who preform physical labor nations like Saudi Arabia wouldn't teach maitenance skills for rifles and aircraft. As a result Saudi Arabia still rely on foriegn advisors. Pollack notes that "Saudis also were limited in the fact that very few of their people were willing to take on a job that they considered menial labor-hence the support services suffered." (pg. 431)

The second portion of his thesis is that the junior officer corps of most Arab armies is incredibly poor. Considered having one of the finest armies in the Middle East, Jordan showed that on a tactical level it simply could not preform. While most Western militaries have based their soldiers tactics off of the old WW2 German saying "every corporal should carry a field marshalls baton." Arab countries such as the Hashemite Kingdom have good generals but poor lower level leadership. This was evident when Pollack states (talking about the battle of al Karamah), "The artillery was accurate but almost exclusively preplanned, preregistered fire missions and, therefore, did not demonstrate any real improvement over 1967. Whenever Jordanian armor encountered Israeli armor-and these were mostly even fights in both numbers and types of tanks engaged-the Jordanians either lost or, at best gained a draw which still favored the Israelis."(pg.334-335) There was simply little or no improvisation on plans that were drawn earlier.

There was only one minor flaw I found, this had nothing to do with what was written but with the book itself. The sofcover copy has a bit of a poor spine and doesn't do well under a little stress.

Pollack's book is as one review by Choice Magazine says, "[an] encyclopedic study will be of great interest to scholars, military planners and analysts, and policy makers." it really is a true encyclopedia chronicaling every major and minor conflict the above countries were involved in. Whether you are reading because you love military or Middle East history, this book is for you. I couldn't recommend Pollacks book more.

Coggins wrote some excellent books and his extremely valuable and accessible text was always made even more clear by his wonderful illustrations. This should be the first book anyone buys on the equipment of the American Civil War and even in an extensive library will often be the last book needed to answer questions, from the most general to highly specific. It isn't the most in depth or the most wide ranging but is certainly the most generally useful and is solidly rewarding from cover to cover

This book, although not very large, contains a wealth of information on varous Civil War supplies. It is highly detailed and Jack Coggins provides illustrations with virtually everything so the reader can get a good feel for what an item really looked like. Many of these items are cut away pictures giving the reader a visual account of the operations of the items described. This is a wonderful book for anyone interested in the equipment and weapons of the Civil War.

I first discovered this book when I was a kid, it was origionally printed in 1962. I checked it out of the library so many times, my Dad ended up getting me a copy for my birthday. This was one of my favorite sources on specifics of unit tactics, engineer job, etc.. The text is concise and too the point and the illustrations further clarify what is described in the text. Unfortunatly, my beloved copy was lost, much to my chagrin. In studying the Civil War I often though of this slim volume and how Coggins clearly laid things out when reading more obtuse textss that didn't quite measure up. While searching on Google on individual unit tactics a link for this book came up. I felt as if I discovered a long lost part of my childhood, I immediatly ordered it from Amazon and it was delivered. I went through it and rediscovered the classic drawings and text that I loved as a child and remembered the richness of this volume.
Although I loved it as a child, this is not necessarily a childrens book. It is great for all ages and should be part of any casual or serious student of the conflict.

I would recommend this book to every amateur Civil War historian. The scope of the text is limited to equipment used in the Civil War and reads quickly. I found a lot of interesting information that I had not seen in all my other Civil War readings. Also the drawings are very detailed just plain fun to look at.

Alas, there is - or was - only one Jack Coggins. A matchless illustrator, a good writer, and a man who did exactly what he set out to do, and did it completely. I suppose it would be possible to put together a better book on the arms and equipment of the Civil War. I just don't know how. Great illustrations, clear and lucid text, thorough. If you like this, try his book on Guadalcanal, or the Campaign in North Africa; they're cut of the same cloth.

I think the other reviewers have covered this one pretty well, but I agree that this is the definitive guide to the uniforms, civilian clothing, equipment, firearms, and bladed weapons of all branches of the armies of the CS, and a must for a reenactor or any serious student of the Civil War.

Primarily a pictorial of weapons and equipment of the Confederacy apparently compiled by Time-Life while doing their series on the Civil War. The photography is excellent and the quality of the book is unquestionable. Well worth it if you are a Civil War buff.

Here it is: the holy of holies. ECHOES OF GLORY is it for the Civil War re-enactor. From the major items such as jackets, muskets, and pants to smaller items like eating utensils, smoking devices, and gambling implements, it's all here. Everything (almost) a soldier of the Confederacy might have had during the period of 1861 through 1865 is here, in beautiful color.

The introduction is a well done over history of the Confederacy's need to self-equip and arm for the conflict. Each chapter has it's own dialogues, each pertaining to the subject matter, but also well written. But, the real wealth is in the photos. Hundreds of them, each beautifully detailing artifacts from the War Between the States.

Re-enactors should especially note the sections on jackets, trousers, and shirts (let's face it, we're limited on musket choices due to the inablilty for most of us to make our own; clothing is something we can better control!). It's obvious several of the better hat makers for re-enactors raided these photo galleries to create their wares.

For the non-re-enactor, there is plenty here to keep your intrest. However, as a former re-enactor myself, I found this tome invaluable during my four year run.

Arms and Equipment of The Confederacy is a wonderful volume in the three volumes Civil War set by Time Life. While I am normally not a big fan of tthe Time Life books, I must admit that they did quite a nice job on this one, as they did with the other two volumes. Unfortunately, this book is no longer in print, but it certainly would be worth the time to find a copy. The companion boo, Arms and Equipment of the Union and the Illustrated Atlas of The Civil War make up the other two books in this set and are of equal quality.

As the title would suggest, this work covers the uniforms, small arms, equipment used by various elements of the Confederate Army during the Civil War. The uniform section goes from regiment to regiment, from geographical area to geographical area. It covers ever thing from head gear to boots, including spurs, and all in between. Small arms, including rifles, pistols, knives, swords, etc. are covered in detail and their usage is well covered in a well written and detailed text.

In addition to the personal equipment used by the individual soldier, there is a rather nice section on emblems, medals, rank insignia, and buttons. Included is another very nice section on the various battle flags. Personal items such as pipes, combs, sewing kits, playing cards, match cases, writing material, liquor flasks and snuff containers are covered as well. No service is left out. We have the cavalry, infantry, medics, band, artillery, and navy well represented.

This book is made up of almost entirely high quality photographs of original equipment, old photographs from that era and a few (very few) paintings and sketches, and which, when known, names the individual to whom the uniform belonged along with his or her regiment or unit. This is not only interesting, but helpful.

While there are many, many books out there that cover this subject, some in more detail, you never the less would be hard put to find a more detailed and appealing introduction to this subject. This would be a wonderful addition to any collection of Civil War books.

Don Blankenship
The Ozarks

What a fascinating and interesting book this is. It provide invaluable material to anyone who has a serious interest in the Civil War. This book was made by the editors of Time/Life and I must say that they did their research accurately. This book describes the arms (weapons) and the equipment (from canteens to buttons) that the average Confederate enlisted soldier to the Confederate General used during the Civil War.

Each section of the book is divided into weapons (Pistols, Rifles, etc) and tells not only the type (with great photographs that are in color) but who issued them as well. From Rifles, Guns, Knives, Swords (Officer and Enlisted), to regualar camp knives, they are in this book if they were issued by the Confederate Government. Even those that were homemade are listed in here as well.

The most interesting parts in my opinion are the Uniforms that the Confederate Soldier wore and the flags that were flown by individual regiments. The Confederate Soldier wore a uniform that was diverse as to the regiment each one served in. From home-spun uniforms to those acquired overseas and in stylish clothing stores, those that the editors could find and be able to use are in here (alot of Uniforms, Flags, etc were supplied for the book by the Museum Of The Confederacy). Some of the hats that are in this book, show the holes where bullets either killed the wearer of the hat, or made it a VERY close call. Uniforms great and small are in this as well.

There is also a narrative throughout the book that is easy to follow and VERY interesting. There is a background story to some of the uniforms that tell of the wearer of them, if they died in battle, or lived to a prosperous old age.

The division/regimental flags are also in here and give the story to how they were made, if they were captured, or if they survived the war.

What a great book this is, and it is an absolute must have to any Civil War enthusiast, as well as those who have anytype of interest on the War fought between the states.

Highly recommended!!

ON THE DAY I GAVE THIS REVIEW,I WAS NOT SURPRISED TO FIND THERE WERE ONLY THREE BOOKS LEFT,WITH MORE ON THE WAY.MR.REGER'S WRITING STYLE IS VERY CLEAR IN ALL THE DETAILS THAT INVOLVE EXPLAINING A CIVIL WAR BATTLE.NOT AN EASY TASK.JIM PUTS THE READER RIGHT INTO THE STORY,WHERE ONE CAN EASILY VISUALIZE ALL THAT IS GOING ON.I ANXIOUSLY AWAIT HIS NEXT BOOK.

This is the only book required on anyone's personal library shelf for the First Battle of Bull Run. Mr. Reger has done the research extremely well and transports the reader back in time to July, 1861 with accuracy and with superb ease of understanding. Having read many books on the First Battle of Manassas, this is the only one that is presented to the reader in an easy to understand and follow format. Mr. Reger is a storyteller who simply takes the reader to the narrative. It is hard to believe that Mr. Reger was not an actual part of that battle, telling the stories first hand. Once into this book it is very difficult to put down until finished.

Reger's book is a particularly vivid account of the beginnings of the American Civil War. His characterizations of those involved, largely as fallible and confused humans trying to deal with seemingly inevitable and fateful forces, are engaging and welcome. While generals and presidents do appear, the focus of this novel is on the "little people," Americans on both sides who found themselves fighting and dying without really understanding just why (or how) they got there. I particularly liked the West Virginia slant--we've heard a lot from the descendants of the lost aristocracy. Let's hear from the hillbillies.

Baptism at Bull Run is an excellent and enjoyable book. Its treatment of men who were disdained early in the war, but whose greatness was recognized later, is especially good. Such men as Jackson and Sherman were handled with subtlety, and without overemphasis; their foibles, as well as their latent ability, were depicted concisely, and well. Baptism is right up there with Killer Angels, at the top of the list.

Having just finished James Regers novel, "Baptism at Bull Run", I felt compelled to write about it. It is not often that you see a historical fiction that uses history as anything but a backdrop for an entirely fictional story. Yet, Reger uses the history itself as the story, bringing to life a look at the great and famous generals, as well as the common foot soldier that you rarely hear a word about. The story really transports you to a place and time in a way that no history book could ever do. I hope more authors would take the time to the research and craft a story in the fashion that this author does, as it marries the best of two worlds and brings history to your front door. I highly recommend this book and look forward to future efforts.

First off, Col. Bolger was a great battalion commander who gave NCOs and Officers who screwed up second chances, something that was unheard of in the 101st Airborne Division at the time. What we learned at JRTC is, a leader must adapt his training to the environment and this case, the environment is MILES or laser warfare. You can't tell me the OPFOR would run around behind small bushes when a rifle Platoons SAW's and 60's are blazing, it just wouldn't happen. The enemy would break contact if the weren't cut down in a wall of lead. But we learned to be effective in an environment where small groups of soldiers who carry butt packs, wear boonie caps, and spend every waking minute zeroing their MILES lasers is, you have to do the same...that's what good leaders do. So we spent months perfecting the art of MILES warfare and honed our call for fire skills and essentially turned the tables on the OPFOR. We coined the "system" earth pigs!

I've been through JRTC six times and the most effective units are the units who spread their units out, spend a lot of time zeroing their MILES, and have good casevac plans.

I was a team leader in Bravo Company and during the first rotation and like SSG Eric Bitzer said, the Company commander showed his incompetence by leaving our platoon in the open on the side of the hill after the initial assault. In leadership theory you learn about the emotional competency known as self regulation. I saw a company commander have a virtual breakdown on the objective after our platoon leader LIED on the radio about our location. Self regulation basically refers to your ability to regulate your own behaviour, speech, and emotions.

I served in units after where this kind of mistake would have led to the automatic relief of duty on the spot. Something the comapny commander in question liked to do with the soldiers under his charge. Didn't have your PVS7 on when it got dark? Automatic article 15, even if they didn't work. Great way to look out for your soldiers?

I think not.

If you want to see the deatils of a unit preparing for combat and the training involved, I recommend this book. Col. Bolger was one smart officer.

Daniel Bolger has done an excellent job explaining not only what goes on at the Joint Readiness Training Center, but he does much to explain how and why his first experience there was a bust and more importantly how he corrected his mistakes and performed outstandingly in a later opportunity. Excellent book on what goes into battlion level command.

I disagree with the reviewer complaining about jargon.If you are afraid of learning a little military jargon then you shouldn't be reading books about command and control. The small amount of jargon used in this book is easy to keep track of.

I am SSG Eric Bitzer I was there during this battle I was the Point Man for Bco 1/327inf when we hit the opfor the problem is not army doctrine but was in a decision that was made by the company commander of Bco 1/327 inf to stay on the objective after taking it instead of moving off the objective that all light units do. If we would have moved off the objective this battle would have been a total success. Remember that this book is from a Battialion commanders veiw not from a soldier that fought the battle Col. Bolger makes some great points and was also a great commander but the fault is not his it was with one of his company commanders.

This is another good book by COL Daniel Bolger, this time about his battalion's (101st ABN) rotations to JRTC in 1994 and 1995. Lots of great details and observations about JRTC and the OPFOR. Bolger's battalion was badly abused in its 1994 rotation and he decided to get even the next time, which was fortunately less than a year later. Bolger criticizes the Deliberate Decision Making Process (DDMP), big Tactical Operation Centers and suggests alternatives. Thought-provoking as always but I don't agree with everything he says. There is no doubt that the US Army's cumbersome DDMP is geared toward set-piece, short-term battles but Bolger's approach combines common sense with anti-staff bias to try and just avoid all that messy staff work. From the intelligence viewpoint, he is dead wrong because Intelligence Preparation of the Battlefield (IPB) does save lives and it does take time to do it right. Bolger's command instincts are good, particularly about nitty gritty items like reducing soldier loads, but there is bias here that detracts from his message. For example, sometimes he says erroneous things, like the S-2 (intelligence officer) is on the S-3's staff (the S-2 works for the commander, not the S-3). Maps are poor.

The Battle for Hunger Hill should force the US Army Infantry School as well as the gurus at Ft Leavenworth to seriously consider re-writing current doctrine for light infantry units (especially with regard to Low Intensity Conflict and OOTW). The 1-327 Infantry proves again and again throughout the text that the "cookbook solution" (i.e. doctrine applied as dogma) is often the surest way to ensure one's own defeat. Rather, HOW to think instead of WHAT to think is the surest way to secure victory.

Any soldier or leader concerned with mission accomplishment and force protection through the artistic application of Maneuver Warfare (Auftragstaktik) simply MUST read this book. It is highly entertaining as well as informative. Indeed, any commander whose unit is scheduled for a rotation to JRTC should require every officer and NCO to read this book no later than twelve months out (thirty-six months out for RC units). You may go without it...but only at your own peril.

The plot of the story takes place in Holland during World War II, it shows the challenges Dutch people faced while coexisting with the Germans. One thing I disliked happened during the winter period when the oldest members of the family made the little kids go from door to door begging for food while they sat at home waiting for them. One thing I liked was when the Verhagen family took the youngest kids into the house and supplied them with food, shoes, and warmth. I also liked that they had joined into the resistance of the Nazis and took in the Jewish army men.
The setting truly showed how hard it was to live during World War II, in occupied Holland. The author showed me this by having the Dutch have a curfew. If they were caught they would be chased down until they were captured. One of the Dutch was so desperate he rode on the wings of the windmill to stay safe. The windmill also played an important roll in the story because that is where they would live and even hide people in them.
The conflict of the story is that the Verhagen family doesn't have any good crop growing soil so they can not produce any food. This conflict is man vs. man and man vs. nature. The resolution is that the Verhagen family destroys the dike and water floods the whole farming community. This in turn waters the soil so it can produce crops. Since they did this the family is rewarded with many presents like food or other household items. One thing I enjoyed about this conflict was that it was realistic and showed that anything could happen. I disliked that it was something someone would have done.

I loved The winged Watchman when I was growing up and am pleased to see that it has been reissued for a whole new generation of readers. In my opinion, it should be required reading for all kids-- it depicts a family living under Nazi occupation and facing it with courage. The Vorhagen Family lives in the Netherlands, and as the occupation and the war proceeds, the family becomes more drawn into the resistance movement.

They shelter several refugees from the Nazis-- Trixie, a baby whose mother has been sent to a conentration camp, Charles, an airman who is hiding from the Nazi troops, Koba and Betsy, who take refuge with the Verhagens because they have nothing to eat in their own home, and Hildebrand, a student who wishes to study rather than fight. With frequent visits from Uncle Cor, who is active in the resistance, the family draws together, determined not to succumb to the brutality they see all around them.

This book serves as an excellent example to children of a family's bravery and of the importance of doing the right thing. It's a terrific book and is one that will touch your children's hearts as it is teaching them a valuable lesson.

The Winged Watchman is a fictional story about a Dutch family, the Verhagens, who live in a mill in the middle of WWII. They include Mother, Father, Joris, and Dirk Jan. Throughout the process of the book there are many additions to the Verhagen family. They include Trixie (a little Jewish girl who's parents were taken away at the beginning of the war), Freya (an abused dog rescued by Joris), Charles (an English aviator), Uncle Cor (a member of the Underground Resistance Movement), Koba and Betsy (two young girls who came to stay with them because of lack of food at their own house), and Hildebrand (a young man who was interested in studying rather than working in the resistance). The Verhagen family eventually becomes very involved in the resistance movement. It is sad when Uncle Cor dies, but the book actually has a very happy theme to it. This book mixes adventure, history, and suspense, and it's okay for children. They do mention shooting and concentration camps, but they aren't graphically described. They don't happen at the same time. They are mentioned as something that happened somewhere else. This book is a perfect example of the spirit of teamwork.

This book was about how a boy, who lived in holland during WW2 survived. He took part in helping the resistance by housing a pilot and acting as a distraction. He also helped to keep Holland from flooding when the electric pumps went out. I would recommend this book to others because it was veary enteraining.

I first heard of Hilda Van Stockum when I bought a used book by her, "Pegeen" for a mere quarter a few years ago -- oh my! What a find!!! Couldn't put the book down, started researching all of Mrs. Van Stockum's books, and read them as fast as I could find them. Bought several from amazon and ebay, and they are WONDERFUL. They're written for children, but utterly held the interest of this 51 year old reader. What a shame these books aren't still widely circulated and read by today's kids. If you read the reviews posted here, you'll get an idea of The Winged Watchman's story -- a riveting account, clearly truth-based, and perfectly told. All of the Van Stockum books have made me cry with their impact, yet they are told in an utterly natural way, no grandstanding. These are the kind of characters that stay with you, in the best sense, like Francie from "A Tree Grows in Brooklyn" or the Moffats, or Scarlett O'Hara. They are unforgettable. I HIGHLY RECOMMEND The Winged Watchman and all of Hilda Van Stockum's books. And you should Google her! A fascinating and accomplished person, her life will impress and inspire you. Sorry to ramble on! Thanks.

I am in agreement with the other reviewers that this is a very good history of the US/Philippine War that should be more broadly read. Parallels with Vietnam and the present oily Iraqi War are eerie: attacks on the patriotism of war critics to silence them, support of the wide spread use of various tortures against the adversary including "The Chinese Water Treatment" (aka "Chinese Water Torture"--from which "Waterboarding" is only a variation), the excusing of massacres of civilians by American soldiers, etc. There truly is nothing new under the sun when it comes to these dirty little 3rd world wars. I'm reminded of the poet Robinson Jeffers' poem "Blood Lakes." So many blood lakes and we always fall in--with apologies to Jeffers' spirit if I've essentially misquoted him.

Perhaps we can overcome our national "Altzheimer's" on the issue of these 3rd world colonial/neo-colonial wars and stay out of them when the next opportunity presents itself. In the meantime, I would settle for our exit from the present Iraqi mess with all due and reasonable speed. America's moral force and image in the world is not improved by our involvement in such bloody horrors.

A very interesting story about the American armies attempt to end the Phillipine insurgency that broke out in the wake of the Spanish-American war. Originally allied with the Americans the Phillipinoes were angry that the U.S had promised indpedendence and from their point of view, reneged on the promise. An insurgency broke out and the American army used classic anti-insurgency methods to break it, including creating institutions and providing incentives for the people not to back it, as well as combatting it. Famous figures such as Roosevelt, Taft, Pershing and Macarthur's father were involved. This is an important part of American history that is often forgotten.

Seth J. Frantzman

This book reviews the politics and media surrounding the actions by the US in the Philippines following the Spanish-American war. It gives great insight into the propaganda used to sell the war to the American pubic and to obfuscate the atrocities that American soldiers committed there. Miller paints a fascinating picture of egocentric American political and military commands steeped in duplicity and self-delusion; these patterns will be interesting and familiar to any student of the wars in Vietnam and Iraq.

The material is sourced mainly from newspaper editorials, political speeches, congressional inquiries and the letters of politicians and high ranking military figures.
This book will not tell you anything about what the war was like for the soldiers on the ground, American or Philippino. It won't tell you much about tactics. It won't teach you anything about Philippine culture of the time, either.

This book is an excellent general history of the American invasion and conquest of The Philippines in 1898-1902. The author immersed himself in private letters, official hearings, and newspaper editorials from the era. The result of this research is a compelling picture of a sleazy and violent episode in American history, when Republican politicians launched a war to boost their prospects in the 1898 midterm elections. The book is timelier than ever after 9/11, since imperialism has come back into vogue in the guise of anti-terrorism -- anyone who has illusions about America's "innocence" today should read Miller's accounts of atrocities and racism circa 1900.

I gave the book four stars instead of five only because the narrative is based almost exclusively on U.S. sources. In particular, Miller's endless rehashing of imperialist and anti-imperialist newspaper editorials gets quite old at times.

This book was originally from 1982, written in a time of post-Vietnam regret. However, this book may have picked up on themes, very much in the U.S. press in the period of the Philippines war of a century ago, that are suddenly current in fall 2005: systematic use of torture by American forces (particularly the "water cure"); carelessness with the lives of civilians in the battle zones; denunciation of Americans with doubts about the war as unpatriotic or traitorous; the denial of normal legal due process to an enemy deemed too savage and inferior to be worthy of it; considerable confusion on the events where U.S. forces transpose one war (i.e., Spain 1898 or War on Terror 2001) into a new one (the Philippines in 1899 or Iraq today) more by act of U.S. will than enemy action. The author does stretch some comparisons between the Philippines war and Tonkin Gulf and My Lai, but given the events of Operation Iraqi Freedom the book seems eerily more relevant now.

Another reviewer has noted that Mr. Miller's research was almost entirely from U.S. sources. That does take it down from five stars but we should remember that this book, as with the Iraq war, is more about the U.S. mind-set than about the other side. Thus the book's tone is a bit as lurid as the press of that day but it is startling how the U.S. public read this news coverage year after year and then -- as Mr. Miller notes -- forgot. We might wind up putting Iraq out of mind as well, its veterans and victims as forgotten and neglected as those of 1902, a point Mr. Miller does us a favor by raising. Scary.