Here is a review of some GREAT books I’ve had this year, and for some ideas on what to add to your Christmas list, as it’s getting to be that time of year again- when Christmas lists are being gathered and considered; when we all take a look at whether or not we want to enter into the fray of ‘Black Friday’ shopping. And when we take a look at what may be the best gifts for our friends who like to read.
This year I was honored enough to get some sneak-peaks at some fantastic books by leading authors. There are few things in life I enjoy more than a good book, and the time to read it. Since I’ve been back from Iraq, I have made it a sort of ‘mission’ to read the books on the wars, and to see what others experienced, and, as a secondary mission, to find those that take a bit too much ‘literary licence’ with what went on. So far, I’ve got over 75 books in my Iraq stack, plus others, and I’m trying to make my way thru them.
For me, NOTHING in the digital world will replace the feeling of holding an actual book in my hands. And that goes quadruple for a book that has been signed by its author and personalized. No Kindle, no Nook, no iPhone/iPad/Android app will ever top that feeling. Well, wait. MAYBE if, someday, someone makes an app to go inside of an e-book where the author can send an audio/video ‘signing’ to someone who purchases that book. I mean, if I were to open a Kindle verson of Leadership or Athena and have video messages from those authors to me, well, ok. That might be cool. But for now, I’ll take the personal messages inside books instead of any digital version. Those e-book readers just, well, they don’t feel like books at all to me. Tangible, hefty, print-on-a-page with hard covers are the way I want a book. Can a Nook give me the feeling of a 1920’s version of Tom Sawyer that my father read? How am I going to pass a digital version of New Dawn down to my kids and explain how I was there? It.Aint’.The.Same. And I suppose all you phono-phanatics out there exlaim the same for records, too. Ok, I get that.
Before I get to the books, let me share one other thing that’s telling about real books– when I was in Milwaukee this summer helping to cover the American Legion convention, I was with TSO from This Ain’t Hell, and Greyhawk from Mudville Gazette. When things wound down at night, do you think we just headed out to the bars? Uh, well, no. We geeked. We headed to the 2 fantastic used-book dealers downtown, where we found STACKS of fantastic used books. I mean, veritable mazes of books and magazines crammed into every single inch of space into old stores. And these two were like kids in a Toys R Us shopping spree. Greyhawk found some good stuff, too, so I know he was glad.
Anyway, on to the books. I’m recommending these for your shopping book list for that soldier or family member looking for new reading material. Plus, these are inexpensive to ship over to soldiers, and you can bet that for every book sent, there are probably a dozen or more readers for them. Books get passed around a lot. I’ll never forget walking into my new digs in Baghdad with the Civil Affairs dudes and finding a huge library already established there in the Green Zone.
Hardcover: 270 pages
Publisher: Fortis Publishing (November 1, 2010)
ISBN-10: 0984551174
ISBN-13: 978-0984551170
As some of you may recall, I worked for RADM Slavonic in Baghdad- he was the first Navy flag officer in PA assigned to Stratcom, and helped stand up Strategic Communications as we know it. His leadership style is definitely Navy; none of the bluster and hard-nosed attitudes for show- just strong, personable, professional leadership that allows professionals to work their best.
That said, I’m not going to let that color my review here. RADM Slavonic has brought together some of the most influential, most unique individuals into one leadership book that is a MUST for all aspiring leaders out there. From GEN Petraeus (yes, you read that right- Gen P. contributed to his book) to ADM Zumwalt- he covers it all. This book is very relavant to what is missing in some of the leaders we see today- the ones in this book being some of the exceptions. This should be mandatory reading for every ROTC and Acadamy cadet, as well as those wanting to be political leaders. Ok, ESPECIALLY those types.
If you have a budding NCO, El-Tee, or just want insight into what leaders think, this is a must for your gift list. Find out more about RADM Slavonic here- http://www.theadmiralspeaks.com/
Hardcover: 336 pages
Publisher: Atria Books (November 23, 2010)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1439192952
ISBN-13: 978-1439192955
This is for all the fun-thrill-suspense readers on your list. I was given the rare opportunity to preview Mr. Thor’s latest book just before it hits the shelves. I’m a big Clancy fan, and have read a few other notable thrillers, but it’s rare to see a new addition to the genre coming to the fore. Mr. Thor delivers on all counts. Oh, and he likes to write here on Big Peace from time to time, so yeah, if you like what he has here you’ll love the book.
In this book, he covers a new addition to the fight on global terror- and brother, you won’t soon forget it. He combines the intelligence agencies, DoD, Delta, and chix. Wait, what?
Chix – in Delta.
Get OUT. But yeah- he pulls it together. I’ve met a few women in my military days that could do it- not from just a physical standpoint, but with the fortitude and ‘never quit’ attitude, as well as mad skillz. Here, he combines this new set of team skills with a mission that has to be read to be understood- from Denver to Czecheslavakia, the jungles of South America and points in-between, he lays out one gruesome mission for them. Fun, fast, and will suck you into the sequels. I just wish there were pictures…
Hardcover: 312 pages
Publisher: Savas Beatie (May 19, 2010)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1932714774
ISBN-13: 978-1932714777
Of all the books I read, ones that have something directly to do with what I was doing over there excite me the most. And they do this for several reasons- one, because I want to see how others saw what I did, and two, to see how accurate they are in depicting it. This one accomplished both objectives in spades.
Not only a decent technical loook at what we did in both operations in Fallujah circa 2004, but in interviews with the participants, gives a harrowing description of the action there. The maps, battle decisions, and the writing are extremely informative as well as riveting. Bonus here: you get more info on the action covered by good friends David Bellavia and Jerimiah Workman, to include the citations from their awards. This is an excellent resource book- read it along with David and Jerimiah’s works and you’ll have a really complete picture.
Hardcover: 304 pages
Publisher: Twelve; 1 edition (May 11, 2010)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0446556246
ISBN-13: 978-0446556248
Probably one of the most anticipated books this year, War brings the action and the stories of Afghanistan home in a way we’ve not yet seen. Depicting the time in the Korengal Valley by Mr Junger, as he followed the most decorated US Army unit in the GWOT, this companion piece to the film Restrepo is a must read. Okay, that’s cliche’, but, given some of the dearth of good books about the real action in Afghanistan, you have to believe this is the book to read. Add to that the recent awarding of the Medal of Honor to SSG Sal Guinta, who served here, and you can see why this book is so important. After nearly 10 years of fighting in Afghanistan, this book will be a standard on what we did there. If you don’t belive me, Blackfive reviews it here and Jimbo here.
Paperback: 245 pages
Publisher: PublishAmerica (August 30, 2004)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1413722342
ISBN-13: 978-1413722345
This one was a departure for me- I don’t usually make time to read fictional accounts of the GWOT, but I made an exception in this case as this was one of the first ‘fiction based on facts’ -type book on the Iraq war. I imagine there is going to be PLENTY of these in the coming years, and I wanted to see what was possible. Mr Walks-As-Bear makes the most of it, delivering an entertaining look at the war and a story around it.
I have to admit, I was a bit uncomfortable starting this- and at least initially reading it. Having to set aside what I really know about ops there, the book really is a fun read. Intertwining the local lovelies with some soldiers caught up in the war, it will be enjoyed by both those who’ve served there as well as those that would enjoy the theme. God knows how many books there are with Vietnam as the setting. I just hope that the fictional Iraq books to come are as well done as this one.
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There- the best of the lot of books for the Christmas season. While there are a TON of other books out there I can recommend, I’ve only had time to get to these before Christmas. I’ve recommended others here on BlackFive, so you can add those to your list as well if you like. Upcoming on my list include-
We are Soldiers Still -LTG Moore and Joe Galloway
We Were One – Patrick O’Donnell
Naked in Baghdad – Anne Garrels
Enjoy your Christmas reading- and please, keep it real. Real books, that is.