Military Science Books - Page 2

The Art of War

Sun Tzu

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 281 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

Editorial Review:

Written in China more than 2,000 years ago, Sun Tzu's classic The Art of War is the first known study of the planning and conduct of military operations. These terse, aphoristic essays are unsurpassed in comprehensiveness and depth of understanding, examining not only battlefield maneuvers, but also relevant economic, political, and psychological factors. Indeed, the precepts outlined by Sun Tzu can be applied outside the realm of military theory. It is read avidly by Japanese businessmen and in fact was touted in the movie Wall Street as the corporate raider's bible.

In addition to an excellent translation of Sun Tzu's text, Samuel Griffith also provides commentaries written by Chinese strategists, plus several thought-provoking essays on topics such as the influence of Sun Tzu on Mao Tse-tung and on Japanese military thought, the nature of warfare in Sun Tzu's time, and the life of Sun Tzu and other important commentators. Remarkable for its clear organization, lucid prose, and the acuity of its intelletual and moral insights, The Art of War is the definitive study of combat.

Six Frigates: The Epic History of the Founding of the U.S. Navy

Ian W. Toll

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 82 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

With a Little Editing, Could Have Been a Five 4 out of 5 stars.
0 of 0 people found this review helpful.

This is really the history of the US Navy from the end of the Revolution to the end of the 'War of 1812'. It's the story of the growth of a service dealing with a niggardly Congress and trying to get 'respect' of the rest of the world. The new US was considered an upstart by the strongest navy in the world (His Britannic Majesties) and an anomaly to the Barbary Pirates of North Africa.

Toll has done a monumental job in reading through the Navy Archives of both the US and Britain, and many of the newspapers of the contemporary times. He has developed new details as to the character of the early men who ran the Navy and commanded its' ships. He does his best when describing battles and the problems of getting Congress to understand the usefulness of a 'deep water' fleet. He suffers when he over- describes the provisioning and outfitting of the ships and the recruiting of sailors.

Reading some pages was like looking at a list from a Chandler's shop and should have been put in notes. Some of the quotes are overly long and not completely relevant to the theme he is elaborating. He is best when he gives us the 'rest of the story' on some of the people who pass through tangentially but are important to the story. All in all a good presentation (just not a great one).

Zeb Kantrowitz

Editorial Review:

"A fluent, intelligent history...give[s] the reader a feel for the human quirks and harsh demands of life at sea."—New York Times Book Review

Before the ink was dry on the U.S. Constitution, the establishment of a permanent military became the most divisive issue facing the new government. The founders—particularly Jefferson, Madison, and Adams—debated fiercely. Would a standing army be the thin end of dictatorship? Would a navy protect from pirates or drain the treasury and provoke hostility? Britain alone had hundreds of powerful warships.

From the decision to build six heavy frigates, through the cliff-hanger campaign against Tripoli, to the war that shook the world in 1812, Ian W. Toll tells this grand tale with the political insight of Founding Brothers and the narrative flair of Patrick O'Brian. 16 pages of illustrations.

Chosen Soldier: The Making of a Special Forces Warrior

Dick Couch

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 38 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

Editorial Review:

In combating terror, America can no longer depend on its conventional military superiority and the use of sophisticated technology. More than ever, we need men like those of the Army Special Forces–the legendary Green Berets.

In Chosen Soldier, Dick Couch draws on nearly a year spent at Special Forces training facilities and offers an unprecedented view of the education of these men.

Following the experiences of one class of soldiers as they endure this physically and mentally exhausting ordeal, Couch spells out in fascinating detail the demanding selection process and grueling field exercises, the high-level technical training and intensive language courses, and the simulated battle problems that test everything from how well SF candidates gather operational intelligence to their skills at negotiating with volatile, often hostile, local leaders. Chosen Soldier paints a vivid portrait of an elite group, and a process that forges America’s smartest, most versatile, and most valuable fighting force.

The Art of War

Sun Tzu

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 17 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

Bare but Flawless 5 out of 5 stars.
2 of 5 people found this review helpful.

Watch Video Here: http://www.amazon.com/review/R20YM6VZTDJYEB This is a magnificent book that tells as much about psychology as it does military strategy.

Editorial Review:

Conflict is an inevitable part of life, according to this ancient Chinese classic of strategy, but everything necessary to deal with conflict wisely, honorably, victoriously, is already present within us. Compiled more than two thousand years ago by a mysterious warrior-philosopher, The Art of War is still perhaps the most prestigious and influential book of strategy in the world, as eagerly studied in Asia by modern politicians and executives as it has been by military leaders since ancient times. As a study of the anatomy of organizations in conflict, The Art of War applies to competition and conflict in general, on every level from the interpersonal to the international. Its aim is invincibility, victory without battle, and unassailable strength through understanding the physics, politics, and psychology of conflict.

Killer Elite: The Inside Story of America's Most Secret Special Operations Team (Cassell Military Paperbacks)

Michael Smith

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 33 Average rating: 3.5 of 5

just gave up 1 out of 5 stars.
2 of 3 people found this review helpful.

I could not agree more with "B"s review. I actually gave up on this book after about 3/4 of the way through. It contains lots of "could have done it if we were allowed" stories. Simply boring.

Killer Elite by michael smith 3 out of 5 stars.
2 of 6 people found this review helpful.

Killer Elite: The Inside Story of America's Most Secret Special Operations Team

-The book written is basically a "compilation" of Articles and other Book's over the past 20yrs; some better than other's; some "much" worse. The "Intelligence Support Activity", Motto: "Veritas Omnia Vincula Vincit", (with the words "Send Me" on the sword in it's "Formal" Crest). It was formed following the initial rescue attempt of American Hostage's on "holiday" at the pleasure of the Iranian's. This was after the "informal-Gov't Exchange Program," following the Shah's holiday, and "well-wisher's" becoming overly excited with their unabated access to the "US Embassy".
-With the failiure of "Eagle's-Claw", due to the lack of "Tactical-Intel" from "I.S.A.'s" predessor's, the "Foriegn Operating Group (F.O.G.)", and the subsequent mission, "Honey-Badger" was troubled with the "same" Intel problem's, the "Intelligence Support Activity" was formed. ("FOG" was by NO-way the only reason that the 1st OP failed. It HAD the capabilities that the 'Pentagon' had set for it. A member of the "Famous" Son Tay P.O.W. Camp Raid", only miles from Hanoi, was flown "INTO" the Iranian Desert, by a ONE(1) legged Pilot, in a one-engine Civilian aircraft, from a Remote staging site. His 'Mission', as there where "NO" OGA operative's, was to determine 'soil-consistancy' at proposed "Desert-ONE" to support the C-130's, re-fueling flights, HELOs, etc. And to Emplace Remotely-Activated "Landing Lights". There was plenty of Inter-Service in-fighting, as ALL branches wanted to be involed in the "Rescue", even when they were "incapable" of providing the Support they offered; (I would go into this, but then "I'd" be writing a Book in it's self). Not only was the Pentagon hurdle for those that were doing the Planning, and would ultimately carry-out the "OP"(SFOD/D), but "OGAs",with NO in-country "asset's", also wanted their piece of the "Pie"; and with, Thank's to their Cmdr, very LITTLE. However, the 'best' they could do was "Bio-Data" on some player's, and useless "Strategic-Intel", when "Tactical-Intel" was required, e.g blueprint's of the Embassy, which was needed to inable the "conducting" Operator's to have the knowledge as to which way door's-opened, type's of lock's employed, material used in the "fabrication" of the facility, "precise" floor-plan's that were critical to ANY "dynamic-entrance". But to looker more closely, it was not "entirely" the neglect of the above, but their Butchering that crippled them, the mentioned "OGAs", from being to be able to conduct what was an EXTREMELY important mission they were "tasked" with: That being the exploitation of "HUMINT", a major element of their's, and being the "2d" oldest-Profession, from prior to Genhgis Khan, or the Roman Legion's, a primary asset.
-This was acknowledged at the time, and even prior to it. Our, then Pres., "Mr.Peanut", had appointed Adm. Stans-Field Turner, (even-though He was ill-prepared and far-out of his Element of Expertise, with "little to NO experience" in the task he was undertaking), as "D.C.I.(Director of Central Intelligence)". His "mind-set" beginning his new-appointment was to discard what He called "Dead-Wood" at the Agency and to move-it into the "21st Century". He did this by "sacking" personnel, mainly from the "Directorate of Operations" to start, and then rid-the Old-Timer's particularly "HUMINT" Handler's and Analyst's. This caused WIDE frustration!
-He, incorrectly, was under the "impression", from his background, that "SATINT, SIGINT and ELINT" could produce the same, if not BETTER intelligence than human's, due to the fact that they would provide ONLY the Intel required and wasn't not Open to the interpertation of Operative's collecting it. It would be "handled-ONLY by Analysts" skilled in their particular discipline. He attempted to use other Countries, for one Britain and it's "GCHQ".
-However, he never mentioned that during the same time-frame, it had increased of it's "MI-5(Internal)" and, especially, "MI-6(External)", to "still" maintain what it percieved as it's most important asset, "HUMINT(Human-Intel)." Even during this time, The New Scotland Yard had "activated" C-13, for the collection of HUMINT to fight "Terrorism" in Britain propper, and especially N.Ireland. At this time, even the UK Military, had established "Det.-14(Detachment-14)", using many "22 SAS" Intel Specialists(for elctronic colection, using Technical Mean's, such as Laser-Mike's,Parobollic-Mike's,IR & Thermal Imagery; plus, "Covert-Entry Tm's" to emplace them; and a compliment of "Shooter's", to act immediately on "their Intel". As they Operated out-side of the "normal chain-of-command", they functioned with a "HQ section" made-up of Officer's with an "SoF/Intel" Back-ground, authorized to make decisions based on the "SIGINT,ELINT,HUMINT, etcetera", of their "own" Intel collection "wizzard's", i.e. analysts. They could then "immediately" utilize their own "Direct Action" Tm.'s to best handle what the Intel had produced. This could be done "with-out" the months, week's, day's or hour's that would "normally" be the case, and make the Intel-useless; in those former "case's", most frequently when the "hostile's" were gagged & bagged for "de-briefing's", what Intel they had 'access' to was: 1) OBE(over-come-by-event's); 2)the 'Suspected-Terrorists'had lost their surveilant's and disapeared; or 3)the "Action" they had knowledge of, or a Role in had already Occurred. "Det.-14" solved this problem with the "Ability" and "Authorization" to NEGATE their ability to "carry-out" planned impending "atrocities"; "Snatch-OPs" that would lead to the interrogation, and possible "turning" of a Target, i.e. "Dble-Agnt". These "person's/agent's" could then be used to "ID" key personnel or alerting their "handler" to the planning of future OPs against military/police or civilian "targets". This "Operation" with "Det. 14" was "Extremely" valuable, and effective, from it's inception until it's "Deactivation". Member's of it were lost, however, that was seldom Public knowledge. As is the case with Unit's of this type, One does not join for accolade's. It is often only "said" that the death occurred during Training, when in fact you could have "died" with only your Comrades knowing the Trueth, and Their Respect for your sacrifice. THIS is as TRUE in the U.S. Military, as the British or any other. This is ONE place where "Honor" among Comrade's mean's more than your OWN life.
The recent Death of U.S.Navy SEAL, MA2 Michael Mansoor, 25yrs. old was killed by an Insurgent grenade he dove on, to "protect" his Tm-Mate's. How many "civi" friend's would make that sacrifice for "you"? Or of the MoH's awarded during the "GWOT", how many NAME's can YOU recall? NOT all were in SoF Unit's. An MP's family was given his, for using a .50cal MG (M2) to ward off a P.O.W. rebellion, killing over 150+, until being shot in the head. Why? To allow the REST of HIS Platoon to get to Defensive position's to return fire from.
-As a "Security Contractor", operating from W.Africa to the Pac-Rim, conducting "Personal Security Details(PSDs)" with my Tm., or "K&R"(Kidnap & Ransom) negotiation's that turn into "Kidnap Rescue's".
Alot of time is spent with current U.S. Military member's, and because I'm "Mil./Ret.with 21yrs. Service, most in SoF unit's. I spend time talking with current member's of some of my "old unit's". And the "average" troop I talk to, no matter his "job", in Afghanistan, or a mumber of other countries ask's why "OUR" country think's SO little of "them"? I won't repeat MY answer in this Forum, out of Respect. But I often wonder that also. Most of them haven't had the training the Team's
I've worked with have, our ability to "Ignore" comment's that someone "shouldn't" make to/or about a "PERSON" that is willing to give their life, "So they are ABLE to say whatever they want to!" When I hear someone making a joke about "standing BEHIND our Troop's", I usually say, "Then you should try standing IN-FRONT of Them." People seem to think that something like "9/11" could not happen again; if you believe that, you've beat the Osterich to the hole!
People can Watch their Talk Show's, and Debate's! But Until you've looked into the eye's of a Taliban "martyr", and seen the burning hatred in His eye's, or the eye's of an "al-Qaeda", that you captured, after he's killed five(5) of your best friend's Protecting NGO Personnel in the Sudan, YOU WILL never believe the hatred they have for us. Findly a Buddist Monk, who's been beheaded in S.Thailand. His crime was not being a Muslem.
For what our Troop's go through for the "safety" of America, was for me an "honor", as it for those serving NOW. Please show them the Respect they Deserve!

God Bless America.

P.S.
My appologies for leaving the "original" subject; I just learned of the death of a close friend in the Army, stationed in Iraq.

Editorial Review:

America’s most secret Special Forces unit does not even have a name. Formed as the “Intelligence Support Activity,” the group has had a succession of innocuous titles to hide its ferocious purpose: to operate undercover in the world’s most dangerous places and penetrate such enemy organizations as Al Qaeda, Hamas, and Islamic Jihad. Here is the first detailed account of its history, and it traces the I.S.A. from its very beginnings to the present day, when it has accomplished such missions as locating Saddam Hussein. By translating intelligence information into direct action, it is well on its way to becoming the most effective and feared force in the U.S. military.

The Art of War by Sun Tzu - Special Edition

Sun Tzu

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Total reviews: 28 Average rating: 5.0 of 5

Editorial Review:

This Special Edition of The Art of War by Sun Tzu presents this timeless classic in two forms:

Section I contains the complete thirteen chapters of Sun Tzu's masterpiece in Chinese together with the English translation of Lionel Giles without notes or commentary. This presentation avoids the objection that commentary tends to clutter and obscure the clarity of thought of the ancient military genius.

Section II contains the complete translation by Lionel Giles including his extensive introduction and the fully annotated text with explanatory notes and critical commentary. His Introduction includes an historical account of Sun Tzu's work, evaluations by and of early Chinese commentators, an essay examining the traditional Chinese attitudes toward war and a bibliography that details Giles' source materials. The text in this section includes critical commentary and notes by both the Chinese historians as well as by Giles himself.

Lionel Giles, as the Keeper of the Department of Oriental printed Books and Manuscripts of the British Museum, was uniquely qualified to translate and explain this great classic Chinese work to Western readers. First published in 1910, Giles' translation is widely considered to be the definitive English version.

Other Special Editions in this series which deal with the subject of warfare and strategy include:
The Art of War By Mao Tse-tung - Special Edition
The Art of War By Baron De Jomini - Special Edition
The Art of War & The Prince By Machiavelli - Special Edition

See No Evil: The True Story of a Ground Soldier in the CIA's War on Terrorism

Robert Baer

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Total reviews: 209 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

Editorial Review:

In "See No Evil", one of the CIA's top field officers of the past quarter century recounts his career running agents in the back alleys of the Middle East. In the process, Robert Baer paints a chilling picture of how terrorism works on the inside and provides compelling evidence about how Washington politics sabotaged the CIA's efforts to root out the world's deadliest terrorists. Not only is this an unprecedented examination of the roots of modern terrorism and the CIA's failure to acknowledge and neutralise the growing fundamentalist threat, it is an engrossing memoir of Baer's education and disillusionment as an intelligence operative. When Baer left the agency in 1997, he received the Career Intelligence Medal with a citation that says: "He repeatedly put himself in personal danger, working the hardest targets, in service to his country." "See No Evil" is Baer's frank assessment of an agency that forgot that "service to country" must transcend politics and is a forceful plea for the CIA to return to its original mission - the preservation of American national sovereignty and the American way of life.

ASVAB For Dummies (For Dummies (Career/Education))

Rod Powers, Jennifer Lawler

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 15 Average rating: 4.0 of 5

FULL OF MISTAKES!!!! 1 out of 5 stars.
4 of 6 people found this review helpful.

This book is great for people whom already have well developed, basic math skills and are just looking for a refresher to familiarize them with what they might run across on the ASVAB. You need to already have good math skills because the math, science, electronics, and physics portions of this book are FILLED with basic, arithmetic errors (elementary school level addition and subtraction and middle school level factoring). Don't expect to learn anything from this book. If you need to brush up on math for the ASVAB, I would suggest a different publisher.

Editorial Review:

Packed with practice questions and proven study tips

Get fully briefed on the changes to the ASVAB and sharpen your test-taking skills

Want to ace the ASVAB? This essential guide provides a comprehensive review of all test subjects and covers the latest updates, including the new short-length ASVAB and a new sample of the Armed Forces Qualifying Test. You'll discover the pros and cons of the paper and computer exams, which tests are important to your military career, and cutting-edge study techniques.
* Understand the test's formats
* Prepare to take the ASVAB
* Improve your study techniques
* Memorize key concepts
* Conquer the subtests
* Compute your scores
* Match scores to military jobs
* Maximize your career choices

The U.S. Army/Marine Corps Counterinsurgency Field Manual

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Total reviews: 21 Average rating: 5.0 of 5

Editorial Review:

When the U.S. military invaded Iraq, it  lacked a common understanding of the problems inherent in counterinsurgency campaigns. It had neither studied them, nor developed doctrine and tactics to deal with them. It is fair to say that in 2003, most Army officers knew more about the U.S. Civil War than they did about counterinsurgency.

The U.S. Army / Marine Corps Counterinsurgency Field Manual was written to fill that void. The result of unprecedented collaboration among top U.S. military experts, scholars, and practitioners in the field, the manual espouses an approach to combat that emphasizes constant adaptation and learning, the importance of decentralized decision-making, the need to understand local politics and customs, and the key role of intelligence in winning the support of the population. The manual also emphasizes the paradoxical and often counterintuitive nature of counterinsurgency operations: sometimes the more you protect your forces, the less secure you are; sometimes the more force you use, the less effective it is; sometimes doing nothing is the best reaction. 

An new introduction by Sarah Sewall, director of the Carr Center for Human Rights Policy at Harvard’s Kennedy School of Government, places the manual in critical and historical perspective, explaining the significance and potential impact of this revolutionary challenge to conventional U.S. military doctrine.
An attempt by our military to redefine itself in the aftermath of 9/11 and the new world of international terrorism, The U.S. Army / Marine Corps Counterinsurgency Field Manual will play a vital role in American military campaigns for years to come.
 
The University of Chicago Press will donate a portion of the proceeds from this book to the Fisher House Foundation, a private-public partnership that supports the families of America’s injured servicemen. To learn more about the Fisher House Foundation, visit www.fisherhouse.org.
 

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The Book of Five Rings

Miyamoto Musashi

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Total reviews: 9 Average rating: 5.0 of 5

Business and Martial Arts 5 out of 5 stars.
7 of 9 people found this review helpful.

The book written by the samurai warrior Miyamoto Musashi circa 1645 is considered a classic treatise on military strategy, and it enjoys an audience considerably broader than only that of martial artists: for instance, some business leaders find its discussion of conflict and taking the advantage to be relevant to their work.

The term "Ichi School", which is referred to in the book, Go Rin No Sho, when referring to such books, refers to "Niten No Ichi Ryu", or "Ni Ten Ichi Ryu", which literally translated, means "Two Swords, one heaven".

Throughout the book it is clear: what is primary for Musashi is The Goal, while the means of achieving the goal are secondary. He wrote "According to this Ichi school, you can win with a long weapon, and yet you can also win with a short weapon. In short, the Way of the Ichi school is the spirit of winning, whatever the weapon and whatever its size."

The same is in business: the leaders who are attracted by the goal rather than by embellishments are the true leaders. For example, the dot-com bubble of 2000 was caused by the managers who forgot about the primary goal of the business: net income. Those who were obsessed by their stock prices regarding of massive losses and the lack of revenue became bankrupt. They put attention to the fancy office buildings and furniture rather than to the assets that generate earning. Musashi wrote about it: "Just as a horse must have endurance and no defects, so it is with weapons. Horses should walk strongly, and swords and companion swords should cut strongly. Spears and halberds must stand up to heavy use: bows and guns must be sturdy. Weapons should be hardy rather than decorative".

Musashi also encourages to maintain a balance of your skills throughout your life. This balance could be thought of as Yin and Yang. The balance is to be neither over-familiar with something nor under-familiar. The over-familiarity or over-use of one weapon is not recommended by Musashi, as it would be seen to reveal your spirituality to your enemy, and thus your boisterousness, or over-calm. The over-familiarity makes you stick to a conviction. This is a very important for the business. Take, for example, mr. Warren Buffet.

A quality standing out about Mr. Buffett is his ability to morph. If you read his materials from the 1960s, he said very different things than in the 1970s and early-1980s. Early on he was buying dirt-cheap stocks by simple statistical standards and typically smaller stocks (smallcap), later he bought "franchises", then he entered a period of buying great managements of big companies and being a long-term holder, then, amazingly, he was buying smaller things dirt cheap again just as value came back into play as the twenty-first century began. He tactically morphed steadily over the decades. Trying to freeze his tactics from any decade and replicate them in the next few would never have led you to his actual actions. Musashi wrote about that this way: "You should not have a favourite weapon. To become over-familiar with one weapon is as much a fault as not knowing it sufficiently well. You should not copy others, but use weapons which you can handle properly. It is bad for commanders and troops to have likes and dislikes."

Editorial Review:

The Book of Five Rings is one of the most insightful texts on the subtle arts of confrontation and victory to emerge from Asian culture. Written not only for martial artists but for anyone who wants to apply the timeless principles of this text to their life, the book analyzes the process of struggle and mastery over conflict that underlies every level of human interaction. The Book of Five Rings was composed in 1643 by the famed duelist and undefeated samurai Miyamoto Musashi. Thomas Cleary's translation is immediately accessible, with an introduction that presents the spiritual background of the warrior tradition. Along with Musashi's text, Cleary translates here another important Japanese classic on leadership and strategy, The Book of Family Traditions on the Art of War by Yagyu Munenori, which highlights the ethical and spiritual insights of Taoism and Zen as they apply to the way of the warrior.