What is the best book you've read about the military?

CPT Chris Loomis — Wed, 05 Nov 2014 12:03:42 -0500

Response by MAJ Dallas D. made Nov 5 at 2014 12:37 PM

MAJ Dallas D. — Wed, 05 Nov 2014 12:37:45 -0500

We Were Soldiers Once… And Young by Lt. Gen. Harold G. Moore (Ret.) and war journalist Joseph L. Galloway

Great book

Response by COL Jean (John) F. B. made Nov 5 at 2014 2:31 PM

COL Jean (John) F. B. — Wed, 05 Nov 2014 14:31:41 -0500

I have read so many that it is too difficult to say which is the best, so, I'll just recommend a couple I have read recently. Great books (especially for the Military Police personnel out there). No -- I do not get any royalties for recommending them, although I know the authors/characters in the books... :-)

"Breaking Iraq" by COL Ted Spain
"Warrior Police" by LTC Gordon Cucullu and Chris Fontana

These are very good factual accounts of current day Military Police operations in Iraq, Afghanistan and other trouble spots.

Response by SCPO Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 5 at 2014 2:48 PM

SCPO Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 05 Nov 2014 14:48:46 -0500

Tom Ricks' "The Generals" and Nigel Hamilton's "The Mantle of Command" are excellent overviews of some of the issues we handled correctly in WWII. I'll have to look at the bibliography on my thesis for more titles.

Response by LCDR Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 5 at 2014 3:31 PM

LCDR Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 05 Nov 2014 15:31:42 -0500

Lone Survivor. I read it before the movie was made, which wasn't nearly as good as the book.

Response by COL Jean (John) F. B. made Nov 5 at 2014 5:42 PM

COL Jean (John) F. B. — Wed, 05 Nov 2014 17:42:07 -0500

Although I have already responded to this, I want to make another comment/vote for another book that certainly meets my personal criteria for being one of the best books I have read about the military. The photo you posted with your question reminded me of it. It is right there on the bottom shelf, in the middle... "The Officer's Guide".

I remember my dad giving me a copy of that book long before I entered the Army. I read it, cover to cover, and studied it more than I ever studied anything in school, because, after all, I had no doubt that was going to be my chosen profession.

When I got commissioned a 2LT, my fiancé (now my wife of 43 years), gave me a new copy of that book as a commissioning present. To this day I still have both copies (the one my dad gave me and the one my fiancé/wife gave me). I have also bought several newer editions as they came out over the years.

What a wealth of information for a new, inexperienced officer.

When I was assigned as an Army ROTC instructor at the University of Colorado, Colorado Springs, I determined, from the questioned being asked by my cadets, that the required program of instruction (POI) did not cover some of the basic information that new officers needed to know. While the POI covered leadership and management, land navigation, map reading, military history, drill and ceremonies, first aid, weapons marksmanship, and many other "tools of the trade", it did little to cover things like customs and courtesies, wear and appearance of the uniform, pay and allowances, Army installations, and other "basic knowledge" information that, I guess, they were supposed to obtain through osmosis or something.

I decided to do something about that and started offering an optional/voluntary, unofficial weekly class, at night, to any of the MS-III and MS-IV cadets (third and fourth-year contracted cadets) who wanted to attend. In that class, I covered all those subjects and more, and had some very lively discussions about life in the military, etc. My wife even came in and we invited the cadets to bring their spouses, fiancés, and girlfriends/boyfriends to the class on those nights, and we talked about "military life" and what it was like to be a spouse/family member in the Army. Every one of my cadets attended and many told me that it was the best "preparatory training" they had received. The textbook I used for the class was "The Officer's Guide" and we went through it chapter by chapter. I purchased a copy for each cadet and gave it to them prior to the class starting.

It is a great book and chock full of information that is very useful to aspiring and new officers.

Response by SSgt Lucas Dyer M.S. made Nov 14 at 2014 4:19 PM

SSgt Lucas Dyer M.S. — Fri, 14 Nov 2014 16:19:37 -0500

A Battle Won by Handshakes: The Story of Alpha Company 1/5. It's about a small Marine Corps Infantry unit in Afghanistan utilizing Counterinsurgency (COIN) to eliminate the Taliban and gain the trust of the local nationals.

Response by PFC Zanie Young made Nov 16 at 2014 11:01 AM

PFC Zanie Young — Sun, 16 Nov 2014 11:01:32 -0500

Though it's fiction, I always liked books written by W.E.B. Griffin, namely The Corps and the Brotherhood of War.

Response by CPT Jack Durish made Nov 16 at 2014 12:23 PM

CPT Jack Durish — Sun, 16 Nov 2014 12:23:20 -0500

I read everything I could find about the Civil War until my wife began bringing me diaries that she found. One written by a Confederate chaplain and another written by a Confederate officer who served on the staff in Richmond after being wounded in battle. Thereafter, I was hooked on reading the words of those who lived the war. Most recently I finished reading The Somme: The Darkest Hour on the Western Front by Peter Hart. This book is filled with quotes from letters and diaries of those who fought the battle, glued together with just enough narrative to provide context. I wish more authors would use this technique. I tried in my book about Castro's revolution in Cuba, but sadly most of the participants were illiterate and the few writings left by the principle actors such as Castro and Che were little more than blatant propaganda. Still, I used their own words from speeches to provide dialog and common sense and infantry training to speculate on the battles from the little evidence available.

Response by CW5 Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 16 at 2014 1:16 PM

CW5 Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 16 Nov 2014 13:16:07 -0500

Here's one that is near the top of my all-time best books ever list: Unbroken

http://www.amazon.com/Unbroken-World-Survival-Resilience-Redemption/dp/ [login to see]

What a great book and what a fantastic story about guts, determination, resilience!

There's a movie coming out about this story (around Christmas 2014): http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1809398/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1

Response by Sgt Richard Martin made Mar 20 at 2015 10:02 AM

Sgt Richard Martin — Fri, 20 Mar 2015 10:02:45 -0400

Pirate Coast: Thomas Jefferson and the Barbary Pirates War 1805

Was a great book to read. Told the story of Lt. Presley O'Bannon and the Marines movement to Tripoli to oust the Barbary Pirates. It is where we get "To the shores of Tripoli" in the Marine's Hymn. Of course, most of you knew that already. But this is a great read!!!

Response by ENS Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 20 at 2015 4:08 PM

ENS Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 20 Mar 2015 16:08:12 -0400

Level Zero Heroes by Michael Golembesky. A personal narrative by one of the first Marine JTACs. I'm a Sci-Fi nerd and have trouble keeping interest in historical works. This would be a great read for anyone who shares a similar reading taste.

Link here: http://www.amazon.com/Level-Zero-Heroes-Operations-Afghanistan/dp/ [login to see] /ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid= [login to see] &sr=8-1&keywords=level+zero+heroes

Amazon.com: Level Zero Heroes: The Story of U.S. Marine Special Operations in Bala Murghab,...

Amazon.com: Level Zero Heroes: The Story of U.S. Marine Special Operations in Bala Murghab, Afghanistan (9781250030405): Michael Golembesky, John R. Bruning: Books

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 20 at 2015 6:59 PM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 20 Mar 2015 18:59:15 -0400

http://www.amazon.com/1794-America-Army-Birth-Nation/dp/ [login to see] /ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid= [login to see] &sr=1-1&keywords=1794

1794: America, Its Army, and the Birth of the Nation: Dave R. Palmer: 9780891415237: Amazon.com:...

1794: America, Its Army, and the Birth of the Nation [Dave R. Palmer] on Amazon.com. *FREE* shipping on qualifying offers. Examining the turbulent decade between 1783 and 1794--when America was determining the role of its military--a soldier-scholar finds similar struggles reappearing today. Palmer's engaging narrative explores the futile efforts to forge a peacetime military force in the wake of the revolutionary war

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 29 at 2015 7:49 AM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 29 Mar 2015 07:49:22 -0400

Once an Eagle. It's fiction but there's more leadership lessons inside than any other book I've read.

Response by CW4 Dan Mcmahon made Apr 8 at 2015 2:55 PM

CW4 Dan Mcmahon — Wed, 08 Apr 2015 14:55:37 -0400

Long gray line (atkinson) by far the best written account of the vietnam war.

Response by SFC Collin McMillion made May 3 at 2015 9:24 PM

SFC Collin McMillion — Sun, 03 May 2015 21:24:16 -0400

Catch 22

Response by MSgt Mike Brown; MBTI-CP; MA, Ph.D. made Jun 14 at 2015 4:39 AM

MSgt Mike Brown; MBTI-CP; MA, Ph.D. — Sun, 14 Jun 2015 04:39:42 -0400

Moshe Dayan, 'The Story of My Life."

"I have traveled a long road from the battlefield to the peace table."

Moshe Dayan

"Israel cannot afford to stand against the entire world and be denounced as the aggressor."

Moshe Dayan

Response by PO1 John Miller made Jun 14 at 2015 5:14 AM

PO1 John Miller — Sun, 14 Jun 2015 05:14:59 -0400

One of my all-time favorites is the Rogue Warrior by Richard Marchinko (retired Navy SEAL and founder of SEAL Team 6/DEVGRU). I've read this book multiple times and even have it in my NOOK library.

Though I never had any desire or motivation to want to be a SEAL myself, I am fascinated by what they and other SPECWAR/SPECOPS types do.

Response by PO1 John Miller made Jun 14 at 2015 5:16 AM

PO1 John Miller — Sun, 14 Jun 2015 05:16:16 -0400

I also can't forget The Art Of War by Sun Tzu! Centuries old yet still applicable today.

Response by SGM Paul Shenep (R) made Jun 14 at 2015 6:47 AM

SGM Paul Shenep (R) — Sun, 14 Jun 2015 06:47:27 -0400

Looked at all the responses thinking Outpost Keating would be chosen:

Response by SGM Steve Wettstein made Jun 14 at 2015 9:12 AM

SGM Steve Wettstein — Sun, 14 Jun 2015 09:12:20 -0400

Thunder Run by David Zucchino.

Response by SGM LaMar Stellfox made Jun 14 at 2015 9:29 AM

SGM LaMar Stellfox — Sun, 14 Jun 2015 09:29:05 -0400

I'd have to include more than one. But at the top of my recent list would have to be Jake Tapper's The Outpost, Peter Hart's Gallipoli, and William Dalrymple's Return of a King. All fantastic histories; the first from OEF, the second from the First World War, and the last about the First Anglo-Afghan War. If you haven't read them I recommend all three. Plus James Donovan's The Blood of Heroes about the Alamo and Texas' war for independence is absolutely awesome and highly readable. An old favorite would be Stephen E. Ambrose's Pegasus Bridge, a great story of courage on D-Day.

Response by 1LT Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 10 at 2015 1:38 AM

1LT Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 10 Jul 2015 01:38:30 -0400

I liked Catch 22 when I read it in high school.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Sep 20 at 2015 6:20 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Sun, 20 Sep 2015 18:20:57 -0400

The Dynamics of Military Revolution refers to how nations prepare for the next war. I liked reading about Carl Von Clausewitz and his Trinity of the People, Military, and Government. I read about various insurgencies and counterinsurgencies.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 20 at 2015 6:47 PM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 20 Sep 2015 18:47:08 -0400

This Kind of War

Excellent Korean War tome by somebody who was actually there. Very illustrative of what happens when a hollowed out Army is mobilized for war.

Response by SSG Michael Hathaway made Sep 21 at 2015 8:50 AM

SSG Michael Hathaway — Mon, 21 Sep 2015 08:50:18 -0400

I used to read some military fiction and non-fiction books, but honestly they were few. Then I joined the Army, I brought with me a copy of House to House which I read in my off time as we were able to read something military related. It was an interesting read to say the least, it got my heart pounding at times during some of the combat situations and it broke my heart when the author wrote about the ramifications of war that he experienced with his family.

Amazon.com: House to House: An Epic Memoir of War (9781416596608): Sgt. David Bellavia, John...

Amazon.com: House to House: An Epic Memoir of War (9781416596608): Sgt. David Bellavia, John Bruning: Books

Response by MSG Greg Kelly made Sep 23 at 2015 8:56 PM

MSG Greg Kelly — Wed, 23 Sep 2015 20:56:05 -0400

I can say I have not read a book about the military since the end of my first tour. but the best would have to be We were soldiers once and young. I have been given books since I have been home and most are about Iraq or Afghanistan I have not even cracked the covers.

Response by SSG John Jensen made Oct 7 at 2015 1:57 AM

SSG John Jensen — Wed, 07 Oct 2015 01:57:45 -0400

Catch-22

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 30 at 2015 5:58 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 30 Oct 2015 17:58:00 -0400

For me this would be the Memoirs of Ulysses S. Grant. I'm not really into non-fiction books though to be honest.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Oct 30 at 2015 7:34 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Fri, 30 Oct 2015 19:34:07 -0400

The Dynamics of Military Revolution: New technology, concepts, tactics, and doctrine. A book about Carl Von Clausewitz and his description of society by the People, Military, and Governmental leadership.

Response by CPT Jim Schwebach made Nov 16 at 2015 9:53 AM

CPT Jim Schwebach — Mon, 16 Nov 2015 09:53:08 -0500

The Raid: The Son Tay Prison Rescue Mission: Benjamin F Schemmer

Almost a textbook on planning and execution of direct action missions.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Nov 16 at 2015 12:42 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Mon, 16 Nov 2015 12:42:01 -0500

Moa Tse Tung's steps to revolution which ISIS is replicating.

Response by LCpl Tim George made Dec 5 at 2021 8:07 PM

LCpl Tim George — Sun, 05 Dec 2021 20:07:54 -0500

That's a tough question. Team Yankee is up there. As an 19 y/o l/cpl I tried to read the staff study that Team Yankee was written from. Multiple nuclear exchange as I recall. Might be time to listen to it again.

Response by SMSgt Lawrence McCarter made Dec 5 at 2021 9:59 PM

SMSgt Lawrence McCarter — Sun, 05 Dec 2021 21:59:07 -0500

Flight of the Old Dog by Dale Brown which revolves a round a highly modified B52 on a top Secret Mission, (fiction) Dale Brown was a Captain in the USAF on a B52 crew. He write a lot about Military subjects and the action is fast paced and You can see in Your mind the people and the activity. He has written dozens of books and I've never been disappointed in any of them.