Any recommendations for military history books?

2023-02-05T10:36:56-05:00

In the waiting area where I work (a Veterans' cemetery), we have a few books - one covering the 20th century as a whole; one on WWII, and one talking about the Korean conflict. Does anyone have recommendations on good books covering the Vietnam era; the Cold War era; Desert Storm - or anything Veterans and their families might be able to relate to and enjoy at least thumbing through?

Response by COL Randall C. made Feb 5 at 2023 10:44 AM

2023-02-05T10:44:15-05:00

I'll defer to our resident expert on military history - MAJ Dale E. Wilson, Ph.D..

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 5 at 2023 3:37 PM

2023-02-05T15:37:12-05:00

Washington's Immortals: The Untold Story of an Elite Regiment Who Changed the Course of the Revolution

This is one of the best books I have read in a long time. I had not idea about the challenges of that war until I read it. It kept me on the edge of my seat. Just wait till you read about the forlorn hope. I highly recommend it.

Response by Lt Col Jim Coe made Feb 5 at 2023 6:37 PM

2023-02-05T18:37:17-05:00

I have a Coffee Table book of Medal of Honor winners. Not exactly what you asked for, but it’s a book of compelling stories. One picture of the recipient and one page about how he or she earned the award.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 5 at 2023 8:50 PM

2023-02-05T20:50:29-05:00

Vietnam, A History by Stanley Karnow
It Doesn't Take a Hero by Norman Schwarzkopf
Into the Storm, Gen Fred Franks and Tom Clancy

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 6 at 2023 3:26 AM

2023-02-06T03:26:25-05:00

Road to Disaster
Siege at Jadotville: The Irish Army's Forgotten Battle
The Hardest Place

Response by A1C Medrick "Rick" DeVaney made Feb 6 at 2023 7:43 AM

2023-02-06T07:43:19-05:00

.
SURE: How About The Cuban Crisis?
I Served From 06/61 - 06/65; During Part Of That Period,
I Was In Military Security.
It Would Be Interesting To See If You Know The Truth,
Or If You'll Have To Print What You Were Told.....
Because It AIN'T What It Seemed To Be...

"Who Knows What Evil Lurks In The Hearts Of Men"?
I Know, Do You?

And When Russia Removed Missiles From Cuba,
Do You Really Know Why? Few People Do.
But It Wasn't All It Was Cracked Up To Be.
When I looked At It, WE Got The Well Known "End Of The Stick"
On That Deal Too....And That Was Handled by JFK

Response by CPT Lawrence Cable made Feb 6 at 2023 10:44 AM

2023-02-06T10:44:45-05:00

Ken Burn's book "The Vietnam War" would be about the best thing I know that covers the Vietnam Experience. Tom Clancy's "Every Man a Tiger" about General Chuck Horner, who devised and executed the Air War in Desert Storm is also worth reading.

Response by Maj Wayne Crist made Feb 6 at 2023 8:18 PM

2023-02-06T20:18:31-05:00

One of my favorites is "Unarmed and Unafraid"

Response by 1LT Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 6 at 2023 9:53 PM

2023-02-06T21:53:21-05:00

About Face by COL Hackworth. If you recall, he was the most decorated Soldier of his time and probably one of the toughest men to serve through the war. His narrative is very moving, for better or worse.

Dereliction of duty by then MAJ H.R. McMaster (who went on to get his stars and become the National Security Advisor of the United States). He has a thorough analysis of the politics at play and provides a lot of insight into the failures coming out of the white house and Pentagon.

Response by GySgt Charles O'Connell made Feb 7 at 2023 3:40 PM

2023-02-07T15:40:06-05:00

The Generals: American Military Command from World War II to Today, by Thomas E. Ricks.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Feb 7 at 2023 9:35 PM

2023-02-07T21:35:52-05:00

I don't have book recommendations, but I am willing to work with you with paradigms of war for you to view warfare with different perspectives. You will never get another offer like this.

Response by SMSgt Lawrence McCarter made Feb 8 at 2023 12:29 AM

2023-02-08T00:29:47-05:00

Not so much a History book but a Novel but written by a Army Chief Warrant Officer, (W2) chopper pilot and it sure captures details and action that come only from actual experience in Vietnam. Eve describing living conditions of His hooch, unless You lived there there is no way You could have been so accurate and He was. Not so much for waiting room viewing but real good reading..

Response by SMSgt Lawrence McCarter made Feb 8 at 2023 1:13 AM

2023-02-08T01:13:10-05:00

This book was written by Bill Guenon Sr., Major, USAF (Ret) the pilot of a C130, call sign Cherry One who was the lead aircraft on the Son Tay POW Rescue Mission into North Vietnam on 21 November 1970. The choppers off His wings (shown on the cover) were all full of Special Forces headed by the legendary Green Beret Colonel Bull Simon. There were not only a lot of pictures but also copies of documents including a handwritten letter on White House stationary by President Nixon saying He fully authorized the mission in case there were any problems encountered by the Rescue Mission people and Nixon would take the heat for it. Not only did I get the book but that pilot also came in person and gave a complete slideshow and briefing of the entire event to our American Legion Post 208, Millis, MA at our Post building. I actually know the Pilot Major Guenon, a friend of mine, Who wrote this book and arranged for Him to speak and getting that first hand account was quite something. The book also had a lot of photos, it something You can not only read but see a lot of things relating to the mission. He sure had our full attention and many of us bought copies of His book to take home.

Response by SPC James Fitzpatrick made Apr 21 at 2023 8:46 AM

2023-04-21T08:46:11-04:00

I don't have anything on post WWII topics, but you might consider the following for earlier conflicts:
Anything by John Lundstrom (USN in early WWII) - very detailed and well researched.
A Dawn Like Thunder by Robert Mrazek - Torpedo 8 from beginning of WWII to Guadalcanal; features a scagthing indictment of Marc Mitscher's decisions at Midway.
I've been reading the US Army's official history of WWII. The most interesting volume for me has been Strategic Planning for Coalition Warfare, 1941-1942.
Terence Zuber's books on early WWI from the German perspective are fascinating, but a bit tedious.
I was trained as an historian, so what I recommend may be too detailed for "light" reading for most.

Response by CPT Keith Hood made May 2 at 2023 3:29 PM

2023-05-02T15:29:49-04:00

It's not history per se, but for anyone interested in reading about American military, I recommend a book by Arthur Hadley -- "Straw Giant: America's Armed Forces : Triumphs and Failures". Hadley was a WW II veteran who later turned to journalism, specializing in reporting on military matters. The book is an examination of flaws and problems in American strategy and military organization post-WW II. It's a fascinating read.