What is your favorite Military non-fiction, fiction, biography, or history book and why?

PO2 Corey Ferretti — Sat, 22 Nov 2014 10:10:46 -0500

Mine is "Fearless" writen by Eric Blehm A book about a operator named Adam Brown who went down a bad path but turned his life around from addiction and bad choice, Found his way back to the church and lived his life in a way that made the people around him want to better themselves. The best part is he never hid his dark past he wanted people to know where he came from and not just know the good.

Response by Capt Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 22 at 2014 10:15 AM

Capt Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 22 Nov 2014 10:15:24 -0500

All of the W.E.B. Griffin series. Some great historical fiction.

Response by PO3 Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 22 at 2014 10:25 AM

PO3 Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 22 Nov 2014 10:25:12 -0500

I grew up reading the Horatio Hornblower novels so that's my fiction choice (Although I really like the W.E.B. Griffin books as well).

As for Non-Fiction I really like "Flags of Our Fathers" by James Bradley and Ron Powers.

Response by SSG Maurice P. made Nov 29 at 2014 12:05 AM

SSG Maurice P. — Sat, 29 Nov 2014 00:05:52 -0500

CHESTY!!!LIFE STORY AND CAREER OF THE GREATEST MARINE TO EVER LIVE........................
TO HELL AND BACK!!!!!!LIFE STORY ABOUT AMERICA'S MOST DECORATED SOLDIER AUDIE MURPHY...

Response by MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca made Nov 29 at 2014 8:53 AM

MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca — Sat, 29 Nov 2014 08:53:41 -0500

Clive Cussler's Dirk Pitt series
Infinite Loop - a great period piece about Apple Computer and Silicon Valley
Anything by Arthur C. Clarke

Response by PO1 Michael G. made Nov 29 at 2014 9:31 AM

PO1 Michael G. — Sat, 29 Nov 2014 09:31:28 -0500

PO2 Corey Ferretti I think my overall favorite is "The Hunt for Red October." I read it for the first time when I was 13 and I could not put it down. I read it over the course of three days, forsaking sleep for two nights even though it was during the school week.

This may be an unpopular opinion, but I think that Tom Clancy's writing went downhill after that. Not to say that it was poor writing or that any of the other Jack Ryan novels were bad, but I don't think that any of them ever quite reached the high bar that "Red October" set.

As for non-fiction, "Six Frigates" by Ian W. Toll, which tells the story of the founding of the permanent U.S. Navy, giving the colorful background to the political jockeying that made it possible. Toll's writing style isn't simply a recitation of facts, but in itself, a well told story.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 30 at 2014 8:25 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 30 Nov 2014 08:25:23 -0500

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 15 at 2014 4:48 AM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 15 Dec 2014 04:48:38 -0500

Steel My Soldier's Hearts
Unbroken
Band of Brothers
Charlie Wilson's War
Where Men Win Glory

All have great leadership/life lessons, plain and simple. Very quick reads, and things that you can read more than once and get different things out of it each time.

Response by Capt Richard I P. made Dec 15 at 2014 9:06 AM

Capt Richard I P. — Mon, 15 Dec 2014 09:06:39 -0500

PO2 Corey Ferretti All of my favorites are listed in order on this discussion: http://www.rallypoint.com/answers/what-is-the-best-professional-military-fiction

What is the best professional military fiction? | RallyPoint

Of the options offered? Warning: mentioning the movies without having read the books is a down-votable offense. Offering an alternative professional military fiction is acceptable, but six answers to a survey is not supportable.

Response by PO1 Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 16 at 2014 9:59 PM

PO1 Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 16 Dec 2014 21:59:51 -0500

I am partial to "The last hundred yards: The NCO's Contribution to Warfare", by H. J. Poole. Perceptive, not overly-in depth, and good for any small unit leader. "We Were Soldiers Once" is an excellent read about the battle of the Ia Drang Valley, and how the two sides viewed the battle differently. It provides perspective into the enemy and how they see things.

Sun Tzu's "Art of Modern Warfare" (adapted to fit more modern times) is another excellent read, as the lessons there can be tweaked to fit life in general, and not just something on the battlefield.

For short reads, I like the "Casca: The Eternal Mercenary" series, initially penned by Barry Sadler, yes, THE Barry Sadler of "Ballad of the Green Berets" fame, and taken over by English writer Tony Roberts.

Aside from those, Tom Clancy, mainly what would be anything with Jack Ryan, John Clark & Domingo Chavez, or the Foley's.

I've yet to get around to Field Marshal Eriwn Rommel's "Infantry Attacks!", but that is definitely on the docket.