Posted on Nov 28, 2014
What is the best professional military fiction?
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Responses: 45
I have to say I am in love with Lee Child's "Jack Reacher" series! I have read four now, and he does a splendid job building the characters that continue to develop. He is/was the most bad-ass Army Military Police Investigator... ever.
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Capt Richard I P.
TSgt Jackie Jones, same comments to you as to SSgt (Join to see) about Tom Clancy. Basically: entertaining reads? yes, the "best professional military fiction?" I doubt it.
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TSgt Jackie Jones
But military fiction nonetheless... My favorite or opinion of "best" is not the same as others. nfortunately, I havent read any of your choices, so I shared the ones that I enjoy.
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SFC (Join to see)
I agree, some of the topics covered in the Racher Novel's are on point. One of the first I picked up was: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/4494917-gone-tomorrow
Talks the signs of a "suicide bomber" and gets even better after that.
Talks the signs of a "suicide bomber" and gets even better after that.
Gone Tomorrow (Jack Reacher, #13)
Suicide bombers are easy to spot. They give out all kinds of tell-tale signs. Mostly because they're nervous. By definition they're al...
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I might have been too critical of Gates of Fire from my studies, Starship Troopers never pretended to be anything but fiction.
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1LT William Clardy
MSG Brad Sand, would you be surprised to learn that "Starship Troopers" was one of Heinlein's books written for the juvenile ("young adult") market?
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MSG Brad Sand
1LT William Clardy
Not really, but I think our education system has slipped to such a low level that the young adult level for Heinlein is now college level stuff. There was a time we were teaching kids to read in Greek and Latin and now schools are more for holding area until they can get back to texting or playing video games.
Not really, but I think our education system has slipped to such a low level that the young adult level for Heinlein is now college level stuff. There was a time we were teaching kids to read in Greek and Latin and now schools are more for holding area until they can get back to texting or playing video games.
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Capt Richard I P.
1LT William Clardy MSG Brad Sand, Gentlemen, much as I get grumpy about these 'young kids and their electronic devices'(especially twitter) as well.... I will point out that reading was a far less-accessible skill for most in the era you're referencing. I suspect that in terms of percentages the number who can read 'read greek and latin' (metaphorically-since we can probably agree those specific languages have minimal utility anymore) are probably holding steady, while the overall percentage who can read at all is climbing. Remember there was massive stratification in society previously and technology improves peoples efficiency at everything, including learning.
http://xkcd.com/1414/
http://xkcd.com/1414/
Warning: this comic occasionally contains strong language (which may be unsuitable for children), unusual humor (which may be unsuitable for adults), and advanced mathematics (which may be unsuitable for liberal-arts majors).
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MSG Brad Sand
Capt Richard I P.
Sir,
Not trying to argue simply for the sake of arguing but reading as a skill has been accessible for a very long time and the question has been more of the individual realizing the need. I am willing to hear the argument that many do not need to be literate then or now, but they will face an economic hardship for this choice.
While I have never see the percentages, there is no way percentage of those who can read Latin or Ancient Greek are close to what they were 50, or 200 years ago. Those languages are not important IF you are willing to believe that an understanding of the Classic is not important? I think the main groups still studying either of those Classical languages are Theologians and I fear they have little interest in the writing of Homer or Virgil...but I hope I am wrong.
Technology compensated a person at everything, but does not improve their skills, especially if the technology is removed. GPS helps people find a specific location until they lose the satellites, and at that point can they find their way home with a compass and map? I think many people are overly dependent upon technology and have allowed their basic skills to atrophy.
Sir,
Not trying to argue simply for the sake of arguing but reading as a skill has been accessible for a very long time and the question has been more of the individual realizing the need. I am willing to hear the argument that many do not need to be literate then or now, but they will face an economic hardship for this choice.
While I have never see the percentages, there is no way percentage of those who can read Latin or Ancient Greek are close to what they were 50, or 200 years ago. Those languages are not important IF you are willing to believe that an understanding of the Classic is not important? I think the main groups still studying either of those Classical languages are Theologians and I fear they have little interest in the writing of Homer or Virgil...but I hope I am wrong.
Technology compensated a person at everything, but does not improve their skills, especially if the technology is removed. GPS helps people find a specific location until they lose the satellites, and at that point can they find their way home with a compass and map? I think many people are overly dependent upon technology and have allowed their basic skills to atrophy.
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Webb's book was barely fiction. I suspect but do not know for certain the other three were not written by veterans. Writers Rule #1 is write what you know, even in fiction.
My vote (also not fiction) was Michael Herr's "Dispatches" far and away the best of the best of my generation of warriors. Herr was on the ground with the Marines in Hue for the TET offensive and really captured the grit of who we were.
http://www.amazon.com/Dispatches-Michael-Herr/dp/B002W0XDWI/ref=sr_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid= [login to see] &sr=1-2&keywords=michael+herr+dispatches
My vote (also not fiction) was Michael Herr's "Dispatches" far and away the best of the best of my generation of warriors. Herr was on the ground with the Marines in Hue for the TET offensive and really captured the grit of who we were.
http://www.amazon.com/Dispatches-Michael-Herr/dp/B002W0XDWI/ref=sr_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid= [login to see] &sr=1-2&keywords=michael+herr+dispatches
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Capt Richard I P.
Cpl Dennis F., I liked fields a lot. Pressfield was a Marine in the 60s and does a tremendous job in Gates of capturing what makes a warrior. Heinlein was a Naval Officer in the 30s with a clear love for Marines and an interesting take on future tactics and politics, but still ties in combat understanding. Card was a civilian, and still did a pretty great job, though his best points were more about general leadership, theory and strategy.
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1LT William Clardy
Cpl Dennis F., Robert Heinlein was a graduate of the Naval Academy and served in the Navy until he was medically discharged because of tuberculosis.
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I think the book that influenced me in my early Navy career -- influenced me not to be like the drill instructor character in the book -- was Robert Flanagan's 1971 book about Marine boot camp: "Maggot."
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Capt Richard I P.
PO1 Autumn Sandeen that's funny one of my DI's was a SSgt Flanagan. Can't be the same though given the year. Three of the four books above have pretty significant focus dedicated to the training and basic training of warriors.
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I loved starship troopers and because it was on the CMC reading list that was one of the books I recommended to my junior Marines, especially if they weren't strong readers like me. Its simple, motivating, and not boring. I heard a lot about Gates of Fire, matter of fact I had a LCpl tell me about it but i was in the middle of another book. This post reminded me so im going to check it out
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Capt Richard I P.
SSG (Join to see) Great to hear it! SPC D W is enjoying it and its my second favorite book of all time.
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SSG (Join to see)
SPC D W I've read Enders Game and enjoyed it. When it comes to my reading skills, I mostly mean "interest" I suppose. Most books I am not really interested in and some books are so dry that I just give up on reading. Over the past 5 years I have gotten better at reading and writing. Another fact about me is that I NEVER buy books, i usually just borrow or check them out from the unit library but I have only bought two books in my life one is Starship Troopers...the other is Into The Fire by Dakota Meyer.
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Ok I voted for Starship Troopers. In your list Enders Game would be a close second. But I would like to recommend a series of Military Sci/Fi by John Ringo (a former paratrooper I believe). "The Legacy of the Aldenata" is a large series of novels that starts with "A Hymn Before Battle". Really, anything by this guy is good but this series is awesome.
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LTC Paul Labrador
I'll need to check out TSgt Michael Williamson's stuff. Can I get a signed copy if I get one of your books....?:oP ;o)
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TSgt Michael Williamson
http://www.michaelzwilliamson.com/bibliography.html most stores have my books, Amazon, BN, Baen's site, and I can arrange a signed copy at cover price if you wish.
Bibliography - MichaelZWilliamson.com
Website of author, military consultant, and reviewer Michael Z. Williamson.
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MAJ Jeff Coulter
I have not seen it mentioned here, but maybe I just didn't see it. Who can forget Team Yankee by Harold Coyle? I read it when when I was in high school when it came out in, I believe, 1986. It's about a tank-heavy company team in the opening days of
WWIII in Germany (obviously based on AirLand Battle doctrine). Coyle was a serving Armor officer when he wrote it so it's completely authentic. A couple of others that have been very useful in my study of military history is Defeat Into Victory by Field Marshall Sir William Slim and America's First Battles, 1776-1965 by Charles Heller and William Stofft.
WWIII in Germany (obviously based on AirLand Battle doctrine). Coyle was a serving Armor officer when he wrote it so it's completely authentic. A couple of others that have been very useful in my study of military history is Defeat Into Victory by Field Marshall Sir William Slim and America's First Battles, 1776-1965 by Charles Heller and William Stofft.
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1LT William Clardy
PO3 (Join to see), I'm also an avid reader of most of Ringo's works. Personally, I think his best books are his collaborations with Tom Kratman and Travis Taylor.
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For anyone who hasn't read any of these books: find them here.
http://www.marineshop.net/browse.cfm/gates-of-fire-(pb)/4,5378.html
http://www.marineshop.net/browse.cfm/starship-troopers-(pb)/4,8221.html
http://www.marineshop.net/browse.cfm/fields-of-fire-(pb)/4,6758.html
http://www.marineshop.net/browse.cfm/enders-game-(pb)/4,11203.html
http://www.marineshop.net/browse.cfm/gates-of-fire-(pb)/4,5378.html
http://www.marineshop.net/browse.cfm/starship-troopers-(pb)/4,8221.html
http://www.marineshop.net/browse.cfm/fields-of-fire-(pb)/4,6758.html
http://www.marineshop.net/browse.cfm/enders-game-(pb)/4,11203.html
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Capt Richard I P.
SSgt (Join to see) Awesome! Glad to hear it, i linked to them on Marineshop cause that's where I got the images for the OP-since I was stealing from the CMC reading list, but amazon often does have good prices.
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CSM Charles Hayden
Capt Porter, Noting your source I offer: abebooks.com A consortium of used book dealers w/ a jillion used & older books in great condition for minimal $.
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I enjoy military thrillers. Realistic? Best? Meh. I read for enjoyment.
I like the Dale Brown novels. He writes from the AF side of things with some science fiction (prediction?) thrown in.
I have been reading the Brad Thor novels. These are not so much military as much as protagonist as hero who has military experience and uses it to his advantage.
I get a kick out of the Rogue Warrior series. "Doom on Dickie!"
I like the Andy McNab novels.
I like the Dale Brown novels. He writes from the AF side of things with some science fiction (prediction?) thrown in.
I have been reading the Brad Thor novels. These are not so much military as much as protagonist as hero who has military experience and uses it to his advantage.
I get a kick out of the Rogue Warrior series. "Doom on Dickie!"
I like the Andy McNab novels.
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