What are your favorite military books?

2015-02-06T02:33:41-05:00

I know there are a good number of you who have a passion for a good military novel or may even have a collection/series of books regarding military service. What are some books you are reading/have read and would like to suggest?

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 6 at 2015 3:02 AM

2015-02-06T03:02:13-05:00

"The Brotherhood of War" series by W.E.B Griffin. Awesome series. Follows Soldiers from WW2 to Vietnam.

Response by MSgt Michael Durkee made Feb 6 at 2015 7:38 AM

2015-02-06T07:38:47-05:00

A Message to Garcia :)

Response by TSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 6 at 2015 7:45 AM

2015-02-06T07:45:04-05:00

Anything by Stephen E. Ambrose, "The Pacific War" (I have to look up the authors of that one), "The Longest Day", and "In Harm's Way."

At least so far.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 6 at 2015 7:47 AM

2015-02-06T07:47:25-05:00

Currently reading US Grant's autobiography - very interesting. Also reading an Andrew Jackson biography and recently read "Knife Fights" by LTC Nagl. The best ever military book however is Catch-22.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 6 at 2015 7:47 AM

2015-02-06T07:47:32-05:00

Three Meter Zone by JD Pendry. great book.

Response by CSM Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 6 at 2015 7:54 AM

2015-02-06T07:54:12-05:00

On Killing by LTC Dave Grossman

Response by Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS made Feb 6 at 2015 8:04 AM

2015-02-06T08:04:58-05:00

Starship Troopers - R. A. Heinlein.

Actually, I'm a Huge Heinlein fan.

Response by SGT Jim Z. made Feb 6 at 2015 8:12 AM

2015-02-06T08:12:25-05:00

Blackhawk Down
My American Journey
It Doesn't Take a Hero: The Autobiography of General H. Norman Schwarzkopf

Response by SPC Emerson Budreau made Feb 6 at 2015 8:14 AM

2015-02-06T08:14:58-05:00

Once There Was a War by John Steinbeck.

On Killing by LTC Dave Grossman.

The first is WWII if I remember correctly, but it's a memoir of the happenings between the battles. I still think of certain parts of it from time to time. It's not one of those thrilling books filled with action, but I certainly found it interesting.

On killing is about the psychology behind killing. I didn't get a chance to get too far into it, I borrowed it briefly, and life got busy. But I still have the urge to track it down.

Response by LCDR Jamie Galus made Feb 6 at 2015 9:10 AM

2015-02-06T09:10:08-05:00

The Last Stand of the Tin Can Sailors by James D. Hornfischer.

The author does a great job in writing a book about the Naval Battle of Leyte Gulf in way that everyone, not just Sailors, can understand and enjoy.

Every veteran should read:

Stolen Valor : How the Vietnam Generation Was Robbed of Its Heroes and Its History by BG Burkett

The book that started it all.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 6 at 2015 9:48 AM

2015-02-06T09:48:37-05:00

Another great one is "Gates of Fire" by Steven Pressfield. It tells of the Battle of Thermopylae. I ate that book up in two days. Great book.

Response by LTC Stephen C. made Feb 7 at 2015 12:06 AM

2015-02-07T00:06:57-05:00

Certainly not my favorite military book, Cpl Private RallyPoint Member, but was important to me at one time. Perhaps we can classify it as an heirloom or an antique! Here's a photo of my copy of The Officer's Guide that I purchased not long after I was commissioned on 16JUN73. It is the 37th edition and has a copyright date of 1973!

Response by SSgt Rilene Ann made Feb 8 at 2015 2:03 AM

2015-02-08T02:03:50-05:00

Art of war, Rough Riders

Response by CSM Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 8 at 2015 2:18 AM

2015-02-08T02:18:39-05:00

My individual favorite would have to be 'The Art of War' by Sun Tzu.

I have over 250 military books - some of my favorite authors:
W.E.B. Griffin
Dale Brown
Stephen Coonts
Larry Bond
Tom Clancy
Joe Weber

Response by LCpl Eric Henson made Feb 8 at 2015 8:14 AM

2015-02-08T08:14:52-05:00

"Boot" by Daniel Da Cruz.
All Marines will love this book, and I read it probably a dozen times prior to shipping out to Parris Island the summer of 1989.

Response by Cpl Jeff N. made Feb 8 at 2015 9:23 AM

2015-02-08T09:23:10-05:00

There are too many to list but I read a lot on the Marines in the Pacific in WWII. Some of my favorites are:

With the Old Breed by Sledge
Flags of Our Fathers by Brady
Guadalcanal by Frank
Helmet for my Pillow and Strong Men Armed by Leckie
Prisoners of the Japanese by Daws
Surviving the Sword by MacArthur

There are many out there but these are a few very solid books.

Response by SGT Steven Eugene Kuhn MBA made Feb 8 at 2015 10:51 AM

2015-02-08T10:51:24-05:00

BEWARE: I am about to shamelessly promote my book!
A Best Seller in Germany and only available in German unfortunately.

http://www.amazon.de/Soldat-Golfkrieg-Vom-K%C3%A4mpfer-Zweifler/dp/ [login to see] /ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid= [login to see] &sr=8-1&keywords=soldat+im+golfkrieg

Soldat im Golfkrieg. Vom Kämpfer zum Zweifler: Amazon.de: Steven E. Kuhn, Frank Nordhausen:...

Steven E. Kuhn, Frank Nordhausen - Soldat im Golfkrieg. Vom Kämpfer zum Zweifler jetzt kaufen. 9 Kundrezensionen und 4.9 Sterne. Politik (ab 1949), Zeitgeschichte…

Response by SGM Mikel Dawson made Feb 8 at 2015 11:20 AM

2015-02-08T11:20:21-05:00

Well SGT Steve, if you're going to be shameless, I will be as well: Guide's life is written in three parts. Part I covers my time as a professional guide, Part II covers my military time. Part III covers how I got to Denmark. And for anyone on this site: If you get a copy of my book, just message me and I will get you access to a power point presentation which follows the book. Yes I put my PP Ranger tab to good use: http://beslagsmed.wix.com/mikelwdawson
Edit

Response by Capt Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 8 at 2015 11:23 AM

2015-02-08T11:23:00-05:00

Anything from Stephen Ambrose
Killing Patton
The Admirals
Flags of our Fathers
The Liberator
Lone Survivor
Service
American Sniper
Bravo Two Zero
The Black Count

Response by SGT Francis Wright made Feb 8 at 2015 11:28 AM

2015-02-08T11:28:12-05:00

When I was younger I enjoyed the Siagon Commando series. Which was about the MP's during the Vietnam War.

Response by CMC Robert Young made Feb 8 at 2015 12:13 PM

2015-02-08T12:13:37-05:00

Too many to name, but I'm currently reading Conversations with Major Dick Winters. Well worth the time to really understand one of America's true heroes.

Response by PO1 William "Chip" Nagel made Feb 8 at 2015 1:13 PM

2015-02-08T13:13:09-05:00

Anything Involving my Military Industry like Falcon and the Snowman. Anything about an operation I participated in like Rescue of Alfa Foxtrot 586 or Blind Mans Bluff. Anything about the Organization I worked for like Puzzle Palace or Body of Secrets (Body of Secrets had a cowriter that was one of my Division Officers).

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 8 at 2015 1:26 PM

2015-02-08T13:26:49-05:00

Of the books that I have been through recently, Outlaw Platoon.

Response by Sgt Jason Tanner made Feb 15 at 2015 11:45 AM

2015-02-15T11:45:28-05:00

Five Years, four fronts. Excellent book. It is the story of a German that enlisted in the German Army before the Nazis came to power and rose to the rank of Major when the war ended. It is his story in his own words. He don't go into the battles so much, and gives no excuses for what happened of why they lost. He does tell talk about the everyday life of the German soldiers on the fronts and about his personal experiences during the war. Good insight in to the everyday life of a German soldier during WW II. you'll be amazed by the similarity of his experiences in the military and those of your own.

Response by Sgt Jason Tanner made Feb 15 at 2015 11:50 AM

2015-02-15T11:50:16-05:00

The First and The Last by Adolf Galland
Tells the story of the German Fighter Forces during WWII. The author was the Commander of The Luftwaffe Fighter Forces.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 15 at 2015 11:52 AM

2015-02-15T11:52:34-05:00

Military History. Got an entire collection going on.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 15 at 2015 2:48 PM

2015-02-15T14:48:17-05:00

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 15 at 2015 3:15 PM

2015-02-15T15:15:26-05:00

The Wolf by Richard Guilliatt and Peter Hohnen
->This is a story about German Commerce Raider in WW1. AMAZING story of a more chivalrous time, and a unique perspective of the enemy Sailors. Goes to show that the ultimate goal of military troops is pretty much the same on both sides of the coin

Outlaw Platoon by Sean Parnell
->I love this book. Fantastic read and one that is current as well.

Band of Brothers by Stephen Ambrose
->Another great one. Even if you've seen the show....I love the anecdotes of so many of these guys. Having met some of the veterans personally, I love these guys.

Once A Warrior King by David Donovan
->This is a great story about Vietnam. It's not "apologetic", but rather speaks to the quality of leadership and the feelings of a MAT regional commander. Quality book. I couldn't put it down.

These are just a few....
v/r,
CPT Butler

Response by SPC Charles Brown made Apr 25 at 2015 2:54 AM

2015-04-25T02:54:16-04:00

I would have to say that I have three favorite authors.
W.E.B. Griffin with the series's "The Corps" and "Brotherhood of War"
Tom Clancy with the books in the Jack Ryan series
and finally I have to give a huge nod to Stephen E. Ambrose with Band of Brothers and Citizen Soldiers, both were great reads.

Response by SMSgt Dan Powell made Apr 25 at 2015 10:29 AM

2015-04-25T10:29:29-04:00

Rebels and Redcoats-George F. Scheer & Hugh Rankin. Best book I've read on the American Revolution, written from the everyday soldiers point of view, from their own letters.
The Coldest War - James Brady. Outstanding book of a Marine's tour in Korea
Pegasus Bridge-Stephen E. Ambrose
No Surrender-James J. Sheeran
Undaunted Courage-Stephen E. Ambrose. Lewis and Clark
The Wild Blue-Stephen E. Ambrose. B-24s over Germany
Fly Boys-James Bradley. WWII Pacific

Response by SGM Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 25 at 2015 10:49 AM

2015-04-25T10:49:02-04:00

Some of my favorites are:
Anything by Stephen Ambrose (even with the later criticism of his work from historians) He was still a master storyteller.
Beyond Band of Brothers- Dick Winters
The Clay Pigeons of St. Lo-COL Glover Johns
George Marshall Biographies-Forrest Pogue
About Face-Hackworth
With the Old Breed-Sledge
George Marshall-Mark Stoler
The Man Who Saved the Union-HW Brand
I could keep going, there are so many out there that are excellent.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Apr 25 at 2015 3:57 PM

2015-04-25T15:57:43-04:00

The Dynamics of Military Revolution: How nations prepared for future wars. What new doctrine, tactics, weapons, vehicles, and aircraft made a significant impact in the next war. As an example the British believed the capital ship in WWII was the battleship. They were wrong about the battleship, and Roosevelt corrected this by giving them 50 carriers though the Lend Lease Program.

I also like books pertaining to various insurgencies and revolutions. On the flip side I like to read about successful counterinsurgencies. To get the perspective of how other nations fought insurgents. I firmly believe we need to relook our COIN doctrine.

Response by CPO Joseph Grant made May 24 at 2015 9:12 PM

2015-05-24T21:12:33-04:00

Thunder Below. Adm Flucky's account of his actions onboard Barb during WWII.

Response by SPC David Hannaman made May 24 at 2015 9:27 PM

2015-05-24T21:27:02-04:00

"Marine corps sniper" the story of John Carlos Hathcock III

"Rogue Warrior" Richard Marcinco

"Lightning in the Storm" about the 101st Airborne in Desert Storm

"The Art of War" Sun Tzu

Response by PO1 Private RallyPoint Member made May 24 at 2015 9:42 PM

2015-05-24T21:42:40-04:00

Starship Troopers, Ender's Game, Operation Drum Beat, In Harm's Way

Response by LCpl Mark Lefler made Jun 14 at 2015 8:02 PM

2015-06-14T20:02:45-04:00

generation kill

Response by SPC Cedar Bristol made Jun 14 at 2015 8:08 PM

2015-06-14T20:08:28-04:00

There's too much in this topic to really pick a favorite, these books can't be measured on a single axis.

I love W.E.B. Griffin as much as everyone else here, he is my favorite for storytelling skill.

Bernard Cornwell has written great books on historical conflicts.
https://en.wikipedia.org/?title=Bernard_Cornwell

His Richard Sharpe Series about the Napoleon's wars is also a great BBC tv series where you get to see Sean Bean not die, at least not in the episodes I watched. The books are interesting for the detail they give about the evolution of the Rifle.

I recently re-read William Manchester's memoir of his exeperience at Okinawa in WWII
http://www.amazon.com/Goodbye-Darkness-Memoir-Pacific-War-ebook/dp/B001MT5NT6

It's a very interesting contrast with Robert Leckie's memoir "Helmet for my Pillow" which HBO's Pacific series was partially based on. Manchester wrote in 1978, Leckie wrote 20 years earlier and the kind of things considered printable changed a lot in those 20 years.

Bernard Cornwell - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Bernard Cornwell, OBE (born 23 February 1944) is an English author of historical novels. He is best known for his novels about Napoleonic Wars rifleman Richard Sharpe which were adapted into a series of Sharpe television films.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 18 at 2015 9:06 AM

2015-06-18T09:06:37-04:00

Arsenal Of Democracy by A. J. Baime

Response by 1stSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 27 at 2015 9:05 PM

2015-07-27T21:05:37-04:00

"A Soldier's Load and the Mobility of a Nation" - SLA Marshall. Used to be required reading at ISLC.

"On Infantry" - English and Gundmunsson

Response by SSgt Alex Robinson made Jul 27 at 2015 10:57 PM

2015-07-27T22:57:44-04:00

I personally liked Col David Hackworth's autobiography.

Response by SFC Bill Graser made Jul 31 at 2015 10:24 AM

2015-07-31T10:24:43-04:00

This fall my book titled Veterans' Reflections should be available from iuniverse publishing.
Veterans’ Reflections is the product of a nearly eight-year effort, beginning in 2007. This collection of firsthand accounts and personal stories is based on many hours of interviews. These stories provide a snapshot of American military history from World War II to the end of the Cold War and are told through the personal experiences of sixty veterans. It was a privilege to meet these veterans, and each one had a story worth telling, including one veteran who served in-country during the Vietnam War, in Operation Desert Storm, and in Operation Enduring Freedom. Collecting and preserving their accounts was a moving experience. Though some have passed away, their stories will endure. It is important to tell their stories to ensure that they are never forgotten by future generations.
Hope you look for it ...
SFC William R. Graser, USA (Ret.)

Response by LTC Stephen C. made Jul 31 at 2015 10:40 AM

2015-07-31T10:40:33-04:00

Cpl Private RallyPoint Member, one of my favorites is by RallyPoint's very own Sgt David G Duchesneau, USMC. The title is "Uniforms" and here's the Amazon write up on Sgt Duchesneau's fine reminiscence.

"This book, Uniforms, spans an era in a boy’s life that tells about his experiences growing up in a small New England town, from his childhood years, attending parochial school, to his adolescent years, continuing parochial school and becoming an active member of a drum and bugle corps for ten years. The story continues into early adulthood when he enlisted into the United States Marine Corps, through boot camp, and then serving two tours of duty, 1969 through 1970, in Vietnam. It is a factual description of his life as he grew up and through his experiences of wearing many uniforms, which shaped his life and future forever. The language used in this book is sometimes graphic, with four-letter expressions. However, it is the exact language that was so commonly used during that era. The author does his best at explaining what it was like to grow up in the late 1950s and the 1960s, attending school taught only by nuns. Then while still attending school, joining a drum and bugle corps and all his experiences traveling around New England and Canada, performing in parades and field competitions. At eighteen years old, he enlisted into the Armed Forces, United States Marine Corps, and explains what life was like at eighteen years old in 1968 to go through boot camp at Parris Island in South Carolina. As his marine infantry training continued, the author describes, in detail and in his own words, what it was like as the Marine Corps prepared him and many others like him for combat in Vietnam. The author then describes, to the best of his recollection and ability, what life was like in Vietnam in 1969 while he was attached to a marine combat unit in Quang Tri Province of Southern Vietnam. The book goes on to describe how, at the end of 1969, he was redeployed to another combat unit south of Da Nang. The author stayed in Vietnam until mid-August of 1970 and then was released from active duty and returned home at the age of twenty-one. This book speaks from the heart and mind of everyone who has ever had the experience of attending a Catholic school with nuns, all those who were ever so fortunate to be a member of a drum and bugle corps, and all those combat veterans who served in Vietnam and experienced the rigors and sorrows of that war."

I've read the book, enjoyed it immensely and recommend it to all.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Jul 31 at 2015 5:21 PM

2015-07-31T17:21:16-04:00

The Dynamics of Military Revolution. It discusses what weapons systems and doctrine a country adopts to prepare for the next war worked or became flops. For example the doctrine of using planes, Panzers, radios, smaller infantry squads worked well for blitzkrieg. The atomic bomb, air craft carriers, amphibious landings worked well for the US, P-51 worked well for the US.

Here are some notable failures: Britain thought their battle ships would make an impact. France created a the Maginot Line which was a miserable failure. The US strategic bombing did not work well due to the enormous loss of bombers and the German's ability to move factories in a day or two. At the end of the war the Germans were making more planes than ever, but had no pilots to fly them.

Response by SPC(P) Mark Newman made Aug 9 at 2015 10:39 PM

2015-08-09T22:39:45-04:00

Well, if I want to sound like an intellectual,I should say Sun Tzu's Art of War. or maybe, was there a famous Five Rings of Battle or something like that? But, it wouldn't be true: My favourite as a young teen, maybe 13, were The Guns of Navarone and Force Ten of Navarone. then there was a series of World War 2 aviation fighter novels. I don't remember who wrote them or the name of the series, but I was fascinated with them. Which is weird cuz I've never had an urge to be a pilot.

Response by MSG Alfred Aguilar made Oct 18 at 2015 4:03 AM

2015-10-18T04:03:21-04:00

Right now I am reading Ghost Fleet, its about what World War 3 would look like with todays technology.

Response by PO3 Donald Murphy made Jun 9 at 2016 11:30 AM

2016-06-09T11:30:51-04:00

1. "Trading With The Enemy" by Charles Higham. This book changed the way I vote. At the start of WW2, FDR sent Secretary Morgenthau to big business to make sure they weren't trading with the enemy. Boy was he in for a surprise! This is not a conspiracy book. All of the receipts and bills of lading are unclassified because everything was done within the letter of the law. In other words, the CEO's and businesses were doing everything legal. So what's the story? The story is how these businesses had congressional and senatorial assistance.

2. "The Hunt For Red October" by Tom Clancy. This book got me through submarine school. I'm not a fiction reader generally, but this one I made an exception for.

3. "Six Days In June" by Eric Hammel. This book has everything you need to know about Arab-Israeli conflict/relations and how America came to get involved.

4. "Flying Fortress" by Edward Jablonski. As a child, this book was in my USAF dad's book shelf and was one of my favorite childhood reads. Even now, it is one of my favorite reads. A mini history of the USAF and it's iconic B-17 bomber.

5. "Last Stand: Famous Battles Against The Odds" by Bryan Perrett. All the classic battles are here: The Alamo, Tarawa, Zulu's, etc. Just enough meat to get your appetite whet. My favorite is the artillery action at Nery in WWI and while at the Imperial War Museum in London, I was able to see and touch the cannon in the story! Great reading.

6. "Flag Of Our Fathers" by James Bradley. New insight into a well known episode of American WW2 history.

7. "Spycatcher" by Peter Wright. Everything you ever wanted to know about spies and how the USA's CIA/NSA and Britain's MI-5/MI-6 operate.

8. "Blind Man's Bluff" by Sheri Sontag. Everything you ever wanted to know about Cold War submarine operations.

9. "Guadalcanal" by Eric Hammel. The three volume trilogy. Covers the whole campaign in stunning "can't-put-it-down" writing style that Eric is known for.

10. "End Of Empire" by Brian Lapping. Every country Britain's empire conquered; how they conquered it and how they eventually released it. A **LOT** of stuff you may not believe/have thought of.

Response by SFC Bill Graser made Jun 9 at 2016 2:12 PM

2016-06-09T14:12:19-04:00

Veterans' Reflections: History Preserved by William R. Graser self-published through iUniverse Publishing. YouTube: https://youtu.be/EY6_cFVDcL0
Recommended by The US Review of Books.
https://veteransreflections.wordpress.com

Veterans' Reflections by William R. Graser

The military service of millions of Americans is reflected in these stories that will put you in the middle of the action of our nation's wars. Through first...

Response by SGM Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 9 at 2016 2:19 PM

2016-06-09T14:19:06-04:00

Starship Troopers ~ Heinlein

Response by SFC Bill Snyder made Jul 25 at 2016 2:11 PM

2016-07-25T14:11:57-04:00

Just finishing "Dresden, Tuesday, February 13, 1945." By Frederick Taylor. It's about the events that led to the terror bombings that destroyed an untouched major city just before the end of the war. A must read for those interested in a detailed description into the minds of the British High Command and of normal folks in the city.

Response by PO3 Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 19 at 2016 8:27 PM

2016-10-19T20:27:51-04:00

One of my favorites, of which I have many is The Marines Search for a mission. It's about the turbulent time in the end of the 1800s for the Marine Corps. Any Marine, but especially NCOs, SNCOs and officers should read this book, it has a lot of historical information and you may be surprised at what you learn. Highly recommend!

Response by SMSgt Keith Klug made Mar 14 at 2017 12:12 PM

2017-03-14T12:12:42-04:00

The Patton Principles
Sniper: The History of Sniper's in warfare (goes back to Revolutionary War)

Response by SSgt Boyd Herrst made May 26 at 2017 10:10 AM

2017-05-26T10:10:37-04:00

Have read various books in series(brotherhood of war), just not by number.. hve read somelater books before earlier books .. it was what was available at base library..

Response by CPT Lawrence Cable made Feb 1 at 2018 10:28 AM

2018-02-01T10:28:24-05:00

A lot of them over the years, depending on if you mean historical of fiction.
Non Fiction List
Killer Angels
Band of Brothers
Helmet for My Pillow
Blackhawk Down
Bravo 2 Zero ( anyone reading this one should also read Soldier 5 and The One That Got Away. )
Lone Survivor
Victory Point: Operation Red Wings and Whalers ( should be read as the companion book to Lone Survivor).
Shadows in the Jungle.
The Strongest Tribe.
Platoon Leader
Or for the older historical narratives, covering the time of the French and Indian Wars through the last of the Indian Wars east of the Mississippi.
Allan Eckert's series of books. In the order I recommend reading them.
Wilderness Empire
The Frontiersman (my favorite)
Wilderness War
That Dark and Bloody River
Twilight of Empire.