What is your favorite book about military history?

CH (MAJ) Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 13 Mar 2014 01:09:14 -0400

I am currently reading "Ulysses Grant In War and Peace" by H. W. Brands.  Very well written.  A couple years ago, I read "Lions of Kandahar" and more recently "Lone Survivor."  What other great books would you recommend?

Response by SrA Zachary Bolling made Mar 13 at 2014 10:40 AM

SrA Zachary Bolling — Thu, 13 Mar 2014 10:40:24 -0400

The American Civil War by John Keegan

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 13 at 2014 10:48 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 13 Mar 2014 10:48:48 -0400

I love cival war history, Gods and Generals and The Killer Angles.

Response by CW2 Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 14 at 2014 2:04 AM

CW2 Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 14 Mar 2014 02:04:14 -0400

"On Killing: The Psychological Cost of Leargning to Kill in War and Society" by Dave Grosmman, is very insightful into the narratives of soldiers in combat, dating from the Civil War to current events. It provides research data on percentages of those that have fired their weapon in combat, those that actually killed an enemy, and those that served by volunteering to in support roles. It shows the change (desensitization?) in modern warriors and their willingness to close with the enemy and kill.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 14 at 2014 2:16 AM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 14 Mar 2014 02:16:47 -0400

All Quiet on the Western Front by Erich Maria Remarque is a classic and a favorite of mine. Per Wikipedia: "The book describes the German soldiers' extreme physical and mental
stress during the war (WWI), and the detachment from civilian life felt by
many of these soldiers upon returning home from the front."

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 14 at 2014 9:51 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 14 Mar 2014 09:51:47 -0400

About Face by David Hackworth

Response by 1SG Gene Wood made Mar 14 at 2014 2:26 PM

1SG Gene Wood — Fri, 14 Mar 2014 14:26:19 -0400

"Hero: The life and death of Audie Murphy" It not only gives an account of his combat experiences, but it also delves into how he suffered from post-traumatic stress disorder and how it impacted his life after the war.

If you enjoyed US Grant in War and Peace, then I highly recommend "Personal Memoirs of Ulysses S Grant" Grant's own words describe his personal observations about war. He does not get caught up in vendettas or settling personal scores like so many other military leaders from that era had a tendency to do.

Finally, if you havent read it then you need to pick up "We Were Soldiers Once...and Young" by Hal Moore and Joe Galloway.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 14 at 2014 2:57 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 14 Mar 2014 14:57:18 -0400

black hawk down if you love the movie you'll definitely love the book its my favorite by far

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 14 at 2014 3:37 PM

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 14 Mar 2014 15:37:12 -0400

Spec Ops by Admiral McRaven

Response by SN Alan West made Mar 14 at 2014 4:01 PM

SN Alan West — Fri, 14 Mar 2014 16:01:57 -0400

Battle Cry of Freedom by James McPherson about the Civil War. It was one of my favorite reads from college.

Response by CW2 Geoff Lachance made Mar 14 at 2014 4:20 PM

CW2 Geoff Lachance — Fri, 14 Mar 2014 16:20:06 -0400

my absolute favorite book is "The Passing of The Armies", by Gen. Joshua Chamberlain. It is his account of the last days of the Civil War and the surrender at Appomattox.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 14 at 2014 4:32 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 14 Mar 2014 16:32:28 -0400

Inside Delta force by Eric Haney. He is a retired CSM, was an operator in Delta and gives all of us nice insight into the knowledge and warfare of Delta Force. A great book that was made into a television series called "The Unit." That was also a great show that ran for four seasons which I highly recommend watching.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 15 at 2014 12:47 PM

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 15 Mar 2014 12:47:11 -0400

Carnage and Culture by Victor Davis Hanson.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/ [login to see] /ref=mp_s_a_1_1?qid= [login to see] &sr=8-1&pi=SY200_QL40

Response by SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 17 at 2014 10:55 AM

SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 17 Mar 2014 10:55:21 -0400

A Company of Heroes, To Hell and Back, and No Easy Day are all great books, in my opinion. My favorite book by far though is Lone Survivor.

I have read it over 50 times and can never put it down without finishing it. I couldn't wait for the movie to be released, but once it was I was highly disappointed. Mark Walhberg and the rest of the cast did a tremendous job and there was just no way they could include everything in the book.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 27 at 2014 9:35 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 27 Mar 2014 21:35:34 -0400

Pegasus Bridge by Stephen Ambrose. It is the story of a company plus of British Glider Infantry who were the first Allied troops to land in Normandy. Also Hood's Texas Brigade: Lee's Grenadier Guard by Col. Harold Simpson arguably the finest infantry brigade to fight in the American Civil War.

Response by CW2 Joseph Evans made Jun 28 at 2014 7:48 PM

CW2 Joseph Evans — Sat, 28 Jun 2014 19:48:32 -0400

How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie should be mandatory reading...

Response by SSG Maurice P. made Sep 21 at 2014 3:08 AM

SSG Maurice P. — Sun, 21 Sep 2014 03:08:08 -0400

MARINE!

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 21 at 2014 12:36 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 21 Sep 2014 12:36:46 -0400

All of these books are from my personal library. And I've read them as hardcover, and now have them on my IPad.

Not a Good Day to Die - Sean Naylor; Black Hawk Down - Mark Bowden

An Army at Dawn / The Day of Battle / The Guns at Last Light - Rick Atkinson

On War - John Keegan; The Somme - Martin Gilbert;

A Passing of the Armies - Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain;

Stonewall Jackson and the American Civil War - Colonel G.F.R Henderson, C.B.

Company Aytch - Sam Watkins, and All for the Union - Elisha Hunts Rhodes;

Decisive Day / The Winter Soldiers / Saratoga - Richard M. Ketchum;

Arundel & A Rabble in Arms - Kenneth Roberts (These are historical fiction based upon Benedict Arnold's attack on Quebec City, in December 1775, and Arnold's involvement at the Battle of Freeman's Farm - 1777)

The 10,000 - Xenophon;

Response by SPC Brian Aranda made Sep 21 at 2014 4:38 PM

SPC Brian Aranda — Sun, 21 Sep 2014 16:38:49 -0400

This, this right here.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 21 at 2014 7:54 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 21 Sep 2014 19:54:32 -0400

Company of Heroes by Chief Michael J. Durant was great. I am reading Lone Survivor now and it is great too.

Response by MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca made Sep 21 at 2014 9:30 PM

MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca — Sun, 21 Sep 2014 21:30:43 -0400

"In the Hands of Providence" bio of Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain
"Blackhawk Down"

Response by SGT Mark Halmrast made Jul 8 at 2017 8:24 AM

SGT Mark Halmrast — Sat, 08 Jul 2017 08:24:12 -0400

D-Day, Ambrose
Lone Survivor, Luttrell
We Were Soldiers Once and Young, Moore

Thanks, all, for sharing. Lots of great reads out there...we have a rich heritage for which I am thankful.

Response by LTC Orlando Illi made Jul 8 at 2017 10:10 AM

LTC Orlando Illi — Sat, 08 Jul 2017 10:10:22 -0400

At Dawn We Slept - Gordon Prange
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/at-dawn-we-slept-gordon-w-prange/ [login to see]

At Dawn We Slept: The Untold Story of Pearl Harbor; Revised Edition

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