Recommendations for military books about little-known events in various wars?

2014-12-10T02:53:32-05:00

RPers, I seem to have a vacant spot in my reading schedule and would like your recommendations for the best military books to read. I am particularly interested in books that highlight little-known events in the various wars. TIA for helping me out!

Response by CMC Robert Young made Dec 10 at 2014 4:58 AM

2014-12-10T04:58:13-05:00

Are you looking for history or leadership? I have some ideas about either if I knew your interest.

Response by PO1 Michael G. made Dec 10 at 2014 3:30 PM

2014-12-10T15:30:09-05:00

SrA Andrea West Two maritime history books that I emphatically recommend are "Six Frigates" by Ian Toll and "Blind Man's Bluff: The Untold Story of American Submarine Espionage" by Sherry Sontag et al. "Six Frigates" tells the story of the founding of the permanent US Navy and the six original frigates that were built, along with the wars and engagements that they were involved in. "Blind Man's Bluff" is about US submarines during the Cold War. Both books are written in gripping prose.

Hope this helped.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 15 at 2014 4:45 AM

2014-12-15T04:45:50-05:00

I know the title of this article says books every man should read, I think it is appropriate for every military service member.
There are 43 books here. Some old, some new.
http://www.artofmanliness.com/2013/12/02/books-about-war/

43 Books About War Every Man Should Read | The Art of Manliness

War is a great metaphor for life. Read about war not just for the history lesson, but for the life lessons to be had as well.

Response by Capt Richard I P. made Dec 15 at 2014 9:07 AM

2014-12-15T09:07:37-05:00

SrA Andrea West You may enjoy these discussions:

https://www.rallypoint.com/answers/what-is-the-best-professional-military-fiction

https://www.rallypoint.com/answers/what-is-your-favorite-military-non-fiction-fiction-biography-or-history-book-and-why

What is the best professional military fiction? | RallyPoint

Of the options offered? Warning: mentioning the movies without having read the books is a down-votable offense. Offering an alternative professional military fiction is acceptable, but six answers to a survey is not supportable.

Response by SMSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 15 at 2014 9:08 AM

2014-12-15T09:08:00-05:00

The Mission, the Men and Me. One of the best Military books I have had the privilege of reading, not only because I was part of Operation Anaconda, but the lesson that was taught was very impacting!!

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 30 at 2015 2:35 PM

2015-03-30T14:35:44-04:00

Raiding Forces Series by Phil Ward. He is a 'Nam infantry vet and former Ranger School instructor. He does a lot of research for his book. The first two are mainly about fictional events with most of the main characters being fictional but he does have some real life ones sprinkled in. The rest are about real events that he inserts his characters into. Such as the Abyssinia campaign of WWII

Response by Capt Richard I P. made Mar 30 at 2015 2:46 PM

2015-03-30T14:46:40-04:00

A couple off the top of the head
Defense of Duffers' Drift for the Boer War
Rifleman Dodd for the Peninsular Campaign in the Napoleonic Wars

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 30 at 2015 2:49 PM

2015-03-30T14:49:26-04:00

It's not little know, but this book takes one year of the War of Independence and covers in much more depth than I've seen elsewhere.

http://www.amazon.com/1776-David-McCullough/dp/ [login to see] /ref=sr_1_1_twi_1_pap?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid= [login to see] &sr=1-1&keywords=1776

Response by SPC Cedar Bristol made Jun 14 at 2015 8:13 PM

2015-06-14T20:13:44-04:00

If you're looking for lesser known areas of the war, It's hard to beat W.E.B. Griffin's "Honor" series.

I started thinking "How can Argentina really matter to WWII?", and I become convinced that it probably did matter quite a bit as I read. As with all Griffin novels, I love everyone in it:

http://www.webgriffin.com/series_honorbound.html

His "The Corps" series also deals with the Phillipine Insurrection against the Japanese occupation and American involvement with that which is a fascinating story. He deals with that same story again in his OSS series.

W.E.B. Griffin :: The HONOR BOUND Series

“Immensely entertaining adventures.”— KIRKUS REVIEWS