Recommendations on my next non fiction book to read?

2014-12-26T18:29:10-05:00

All, I am nearing completion of another book and would like recommendations from you all on what you consider a great non fiction book I should read that will help me as I enter battalion command this spring.

Response by PO2 Corey Ferretti made Dec 26 at 2014 6:36 PM

2014-12-26T18:36:09-05:00

I recomend Fearless it is a great book about overcoming a troubled path and doing great things. It is about a Operator who was Killed in Action in Afganistan. He overcame drug addiction and arrests.

Response by 1SG Steven Stankovich made Dec 26 at 2014 6:55 PM

2014-12-26T18:55:47-05:00

Sir, there are a handful of similar discussions about book recommendations. While I am sure that you will get a few good responses on this thread, I would encourage you to search the forums for the similar discussions. You may find additional resources or suggestions that may be right up your alley. Good luck!!!

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 26 at 2014 7:02 PM

2014-12-26T19:02:59-05:00

"Black Hearts, One Platoon's Decent into Madness." During WLC, one of our SGLs recommended to the class that we all read it. I don't know if anybody else did, but I bought a copy. Very dark, but worthwhile read. I would recommend it to anyone who intends to make a career out of military service.

Response by CW5 Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 26 at 2014 7:10 PM

2014-12-26T19:10:08-05:00

Sir, if you haven't read it, I highly recommend "The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People."

http://www.amazon.com/Habits-Highly-Effective-People-Powerful/dp/ [login to see] /ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&sr=&qid=

The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People: Powerful Lessons in Personal Change: Stephen R. Covey:...

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Response by TSgt Joshua Copeland made Dec 26 at 2014 7:25 PM

2014-12-26T19:25:37-05:00

Leaders eat last by Simon Sinek!

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 26 at 2014 7:33 PM

2014-12-26T19:33:11-05:00

Sir, without knowing what you've already read or how dry you're willing to accept your non fiction my top recommendation would be On Killing by Dave Grossman, a retired U.S. Army Lieutenant Colonel. The book "explores the psychology of the act of killing and the military and law enforcement establishments' attempt to understand and deal with the consequences of killing." It's not exactly a book to read for entertainment, but it's definitely a must read for someone in our profession.

If you've already read that, or are looking for something of a less academic nature then check out The Good Soldiers by David Finkel. It's a good read about 2-16 Infantry's deployment to Baghdad, Iraq during the surge in 2007. It focuses primarily on the Battalion Commander LTC Kauzlarich giving insight into his and his battalions struggles during their deployment.

Response by SFC Mark Merino made Dec 26 at 2014 10:24 PM

2014-12-26T22:24:06-05:00

UNBROKEN!!!!!!!!!

Response by CMC Robert Young made Dec 26 at 2014 10:29 PM

2014-12-26T22:29:48-05:00

Sir, for something with a nautical twist, I would recommend three; It's Your Ship; It's Our Ship; and Get Your Ship by Capt. D. Michael Abrashoff - USN. The books talk about his experiences as a destroyer CO. All good reads.

Response by CSM Charles Hayden made Dec 26 at 2014 11:11 PM

2014-12-26T23:11:56-05:00

LTC Montaldo, I submit; any of the Dale Carnegie books re: public speaking. (or on-line re: filler words). Please speak as if you are prepared, know your subject matter, that you are competent and confident. If there is any problem; pause and collect yourself, (or do something to allow you to THINK before continuing). Please, do not use filler words when addressing the BN or Staff! Best wishes!

Response by SGT Michael Glenn made Dec 26 at 2014 11:29 PM

2014-12-26T23:29:31-05:00

does Calvin and Hobbs count as non fiction since most of us did the insane antics depicted in those books?????

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 27 at 2014 1:07 AM

2014-12-27T01:07:20-05:00

13 Hours: The inside account of what really happened in Benghazi.

The harrowing, true account from the brave men on the ground who fought back during the Battle of Benghazi.

13 HOURS presents, for the first time ever, the true account of the events of September 11, 2012, when terrorists attacked the US State Department Special Mission Compound and a nearby CIA station called the Annex in Benghazi, Libya. A team of six American security operators fought to repel the attackers and protect the Americans stationed there. Those men went beyond the call of duty, performing extraordinary acts of courage and heroism, to avert tragedy on a much larger scale. This is their personal account, never before told, of what happened during the thirteen hours of that now-infamous attack.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 27 at 2014 1:44 AM

2014-12-27T01:44:14-05:00

1. Team of Rivals: The political genius of Abraham Lincoln by Doris Kearns-Goodwin. The way Lincoln handled his endless critics was nothing less than masterful and would sadly be out of place today.

2. Lee: The last years by Charles Bracelen Flood. The example that Lee left to us in the autumn of his life should define humility and redemption for anyone who has ever made a gross miscalculation.

Enjoy the reads and best of luck in Command.

Response by SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 27 at 2014 2:16 AM

2014-12-27T02:16:39-05:00

If you have sons,...grandsons, or your troops are like your sons...every parent should read this, especially if you have boys. You will not be disappointed with this book, there is a Christian slant...but it conveys raising a strong boy...

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 27 at 2014 6:40 AM

2014-12-27T06:40:00-05:00

http://thepenguinpress.com/book/knife-fights-an-education-in-modern-war/

To save articles or get newsletters, alerts or recommendations – all free.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 27 at 2014 6:52 AM

2014-12-27T06:52:47-05:00

Sir, how about PowerPoint Zombies. Because we all know how PowerPoint sucks our brains out within seconds of the start of any training/brief etc.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 27 at 2014 6:55 AM

2014-12-27T06:55:48-05:00

Spy: The Inside Story of How The FBI's Robert Hanssen Betrayed America. I'm awaiting it to arrive from Amazon.

Response by CPT(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 27 at 2014 1:37 PM

2014-12-27T13:37:05-05:00

"Head Strong" by Michael Matthews.

It's a look at the possibilities in our future pertaining to the military and psychology.

The author actually leaves his email in the Forward so I was able to have some great correspondence with him via email. I was taking notes on this book as I read. A first since I finished school. It really makes you think because the majority of the ideas are theoretical. Highly recommend it.

Response by MAJ(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 28 at 2014 6:53 PM

2014-12-28T18:53:16-05:00

Sir, I recommend the Black Swan: The Impact of the Highly Improbable, by Nassim Nicholas Taleb. It is not a military specific book, but I believe the ideas in it are invaluable for any leader who deals heavily with the human element and risk. It is one of those books that will probably make you think and help you improve your decision making process. I've read it twice, I'll probably read it again in a year.

Response by SP5 Michael Rathbun made Jan 14 at 2015 2:07 PM

2015-01-14T14:07:09-05:00

Just this morning I finished Mosquito Empires: Ecology and War in the Greater Caribbean, 1620-1914 (New Approaches to the Americas) [J. R. McNeill]

Herein we learn of the General that was absolutely vital to the surrender of Cornwallis at Yorktown. That General was Anopheles quadrimaculatus.

Learn how France, Spain and Britain all managed to lose over 90% of some expeditionary forces in this hemisphere before any serious engagement in combat.

Response by CPT Jack Durish made Jan 15 at 2015 12:24 PM

2015-01-15T12:24:38-05:00

I've looked at all of the recommendations here and found one worth seconding. Many of the others are excellent reading, but suspect in their value to someone in your position.

I'm going to take off in another direction and recommend a book that is influenced by the biblical injunction to "Know thine enemy".

The Devil We Know: Dealing With the New Iranian Superpower by Robert Baer

I'm going to save myself some effort and simply paste the book's description from Amazon

"Over the past thirty years, while the United States has turned either a blind or dismissive eye, Iran has emerged as a nation every bit as capable of altering America’s destiny as traditional superpowers Russia and China. Indeed, one of this book’s central arguments is that, in some ways, Iran’s grip on America’s future is even tighter.

"As ex–CIA operative Robert Baer masterfully shows, Iran has maneuvered itself into the elite superpower ranks by exploiting Americans’ false perceptions of what Iran is—by letting us believe it is a country run by scowling religious fanatics, too preoccupied with theocratic jostling and terrorist agendas to strengthen its political and economic foundations.

"The reality is much more frightening—and yet contained in the potential catastrophe is an implicit political response that, if we’re bold enough to adopt it, could avert disaster.

"Baer’s on-the-ground sleuthing and interviews with key Middle East players—everyone from an Iranian ayatollah to the king of Bahrain to the head of Israel’s internal security—paint a picture of the centuries-old Shia nation that is starkly the opposite of the one normally drawn. For example, Iran’s hate-spouting President Ahmadinejad is by no means the true spokesman for Iranian foreign policy, nor is Iran making it the highest priority to become a nuclear player.

"Even so, Baer has discovered that Iran is currently engaged in a soft takeover of the Middle East, that the proxy method of war-making and co-option it perfected with Hezbollah in Lebanon is being exported throughout the region, that Iran now controls a significant portion of Iraq, that it is extending its influence over Jordan and Egypt, that the Arab Emirates and other Gulf States are being pulled into its sphere, and that it will shortly have a firm hold on the world’s oil spigot.

"By mixing anecdotes with information gleaned from clandestine sources, Baer superbly demonstrates that Iran, far from being a wild-eyed rogue state, is a rational actor—one skilled in the game of nations and so effective at thwarting perceived Western colonialism that even rival Sunnis relish fighting under its banner.

"For U.S. policy makers, the choices have narrowed: either cede the world’s most important energy corridors to a nation that can match us militarily with its asymmetric capabilities (which include the use of suicide bombers)—or deal with the devil we know. We might just find that in allying with Iran, we’ll have increased not just our own security but that of all Middle East nations.The alternative—to continue goading Iran into establishing hegemony over the Muslim world—is too chilling to contemplate."

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Obviously, much has happened since this book was written, including the development of a nuclear weapon which some now believe that Iran possesses. Armed with the knowledge I gleaned from this book, I have been able to keep abreast of these developments sifting the wheat from the chaff of propaganda.

Also, I find that having read T.E. Lawrence's "The Seven Pillars of Wisdom" provides an excellent historical perspective on the entire region.

Response by CMSgt James Nolan made Jan 19 at 2015 1:33 PM

2015-01-19T13:33:21-05:00

Not military related, but....If you were interested at all in the story of Whitey Bulger (the movie The Departed was loosely -I mean really loosely-based on this) the book The Black Mass is a outstanding read. Shows corruption in the FBI and documents a modern crime boss.

Oliver North wrote the book Special Operations, which is a series of shorts of all the special forces, Rangers, SF, PJ, Delta, DEA, SEALS etc. What is interesting is that a brief story is told about a snapshot in time, and then he provides the actual citations for valor that accompanied. It is a great series of valorous acts that make you proud to be in the company of great men and women of our Nation.

Response by CW5 Jim Steddum made Jan 19 at 2015 1:41 PM

2015-01-19T13:41:20-05:00

Sir, congrats on your selection for Battalion Command. One of my favorite O6 level commanders keeps the Servant Leader by James C. Hunter on his desk and gives a copy to his junior leaders when he can. He even invited Mr. Hunter to speak at a Dining Out. It is a simple but inspiring study of why successful leaders do what they do. Good for introspection.

Response by LTC David S. Chang, ChFC®, CLU® made Jan 19 at 2015 3:55 PM

2015-01-19T15:55:46-05:00

Even though they are business books, books such as good to great by jim collins, peak by chip conley, decisive by the heath brothers, an ddale carnegie's classic, how to win friends and influence people are really good.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 20 at 2015 8:32 PM

2015-01-20T20:32:59-05:00

Waltz with Bashir

Response by COL Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 20 at 2015 8:35 PM

2015-01-20T20:35:29-05:00

I just finished Team of Rivals. That was another great book!

Response by SPC James Mcneil made Jan 20 at 2015 8:43 PM

2015-01-20T20:43:29-05:00

The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership
Leadership Gold
The 360 Degree Leader
Everyone Communicates, Few Connect

All by John Maxwell.

Response by Cpl Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 24 at 2015 8:23 AM

2015-01-24T08:23:48-05:00

Men in Black
Liberty and Tyranny
Ameritopia
The Liberty Amendments

All Mark Levin

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 25 at 2015 7:51 PM

2015-01-25T19:51:49-05:00

The History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire by Edward Gibbon.

It's a very in depth look at the fall of the Roman Empire, nearly every single thing in the book is cited. It's is a challenge to read all of it though due to length, I'd say find which volumes pertain to the eras you would be most interested in Sir.

Response by SrA Andrea West made Jan 27 at 2015 1:04 AM

2015-01-27T01:04:35-05:00

Thinking, Fast and Slow by Daniel Kahneman.

Response by PO3 Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 16 at 2015 11:29 PM

2015-03-16T23:29:43-04:00

Thou Shall Prosper by Rabbi Daniel Lapin. It's more than about money. It's about character, leadership, skills, etc. It's a VERY VERY long book though. So much information that after I read it, I bought the audio book so I can re-listen to it (17 hours!) during my evening walks. I am sure I will listen to this book multiple times throughout the rest of the course of my life because there's just that much GREAT info.

Anything by Jon Acuff. In fact, he has a new book coming out for pre-order soon called Do Over.

Dave Ramsey's The Total Money Makeover.

Necessary Endings by Henry Cloud.

That thing authors never talk about. - Jon Acuff

If that headline intrigued you and you thought, “I bet it’s goshawks, authors never talk about goshawks,” you’re wrong. I talk about goshawks constantly. I’d go so far as to say “Goshawks are the queso of birds of prey.” No, what authors never talk about is why someone pre-ordering your book is so important. It’s …

Response by SSG Adam Reed made Mar 16 at 2015 11:34 PM

2015-03-16T23:34:40-04:00

Here are a few with brief description. no particular order.

Guns, Germs and Steel by Jared Diamond.........Why world societies succeed
Collapse by Jared Diamond........why world societies fail
Haliburton's Army.........corruption in government contracting
Out of the dark and into the light..........missionaries in Africa
The face of Africa..........why Africa is run/corrupt the way it is.
Belles of New England.........Woman workers during the 1800's in new england factories
East of Chosin.........THe US military during the Korean War at Chosin Reservoir
Ridgeways Paratroopers..........beginning of modern day paratroopers
D-Day by Stephen Ambrose.......... Planning and operations of D-Day
Citizen Soldier by Stephen Ambrose............European operations after D-Day

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 16 at 2015 11:47 PM

2015-03-16T23:47:52-04:00

Sir, I just finished LTG Moore's latest autobiography, A Soldier Once....and Always

Great read, quick too. Interesting about the rest of his career outside LZ X-Ray and the way the Army was back then.

One of the more interesting facts was Division Commander used to pick their BN CDRs. Could you imagine that today?

Response by SSG Gerhard S. made Mar 17 at 2015 12:14 AM

2015-03-17T00:14:50-04:00

"Turn the Ship Around" a great, and innovative approach to leadership.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/ [login to see] /ref=mp_s_a_1_1?qid= [login to see] &sr=8-1&keywords=turn+the+ship+around

Response by SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 17 at 2015 2:16 AM

2015-03-17T02:16:22-04:00

My favorites:

Washington's Crossing by David Hackett Fischer

The Mission, The Men, and Me: Lessons from a Former Delta Force Commander by Pete Blaber

In the Company of Heroes by CW3 Michael J. Durant

The Killing Zone: My Life in the Vietnam War by Frederick Downs, Jr.

Roberts Ridge: A Story of Courage and Sacrifice on Takur Ghar Mountain, Afghanistan by Malcolm MacPherson

Chickenhawk by Robert Mason

Lone Survivor by Marcus Luttrell

I've learned a lot from these books, as well as found myself being angry and frustrated by some of the stories in these books. I would, and likely will read most of these again and again.

Response by CSM Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 17 at 2015 3:38 AM

2015-03-17T03:38:48-04:00

Commanders Legal Handbook

ADRP 6-0

Response by Maj Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 17 at 2015 8:52 AM

2015-03-17T08:52:03-04:00

On Killing by Dave Grossman

An in-depth look at what separates the soldier from a psychopath and why some people seem to be naturally immune to the horrors of battle without losing thier humanity.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 17 at 2015 9:25 AM

2015-03-17T09:25:50-04:00

And if you can find a copy of "military intelligence blunders and cover ups" by John Hughes Wilson

Response by COL Vincent Stoneking made Mar 17 at 2015 10:37 AM

2015-03-17T10:37:33-04:00

On War (Clausewitz) - really read it, not just the cliff notes.
7 Habits
Crucial Conversations
How to Lead when you are not in Charge (Think BDE/sister units)

And congrats!!

Response by COL Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 31 at 2016 9:01 PM

2016-01-31T21:01:44-05:00

I continue to complete many of the titles that you all have recommended. I will tell you all, that it has taken me about 10 years to fully appreciate all that I have actually learned from reading and the immediate impact I have on a daily basis based on my understanding and ability to quickly dissect problems and find ways to innovate change. Keep reading everyone and keep your recommendations coming! #leadersarereaders

Response by MSgt Vernon Anderson made Jul 19 at 2017 11:02 PM

2017-07-19T23:02:34-04:00

Bill ORilley "Killing Books"

Response by 1LT Voyle Smith made Jan 27 at 2022 8:15 PM

2022-01-27T20:15:51-05:00

I’ve just begun reading Peter Schweitzer’s new book “Red Handed” and it’s already gone to the top of my reading list.