Book Suggestions

[Edge]

hi guys. im new here. excellent forum. hopefully, this is the right place to post this question....

ive read the entire rogue warrior series, and enjoyed them. im currently reading the springblade series written by greg walker, also a fun, fast read. these novels have sparked a keen interest in special forces, modern adventure and combat. problem is, although the rw and sb novels are hardcore, fast and entertaining, ive come to realize they are quite unrealistic and embellished. SO.... im looking for some advice on where to turn bookwise to read something more realistic and true, without going to a dry, documentory type history of the special forces. i still want the hardcore, fast, violent style story like a rogue warrior with more realism... im not opposed to fiction, i just wanted something more realistic. if its a completely true account, even better. something a real operator would read and say...yup, thats how it happens, or its accurate.

im planning on grabbing black hawk down.... any other good suggestions? anything charactor based, first person accounts, blood and guts stuff. stories of missions and experiences of combat, not background history. ive heard mention of point man and walking point by patches watson, also, point of impact, black light and time to hunt by stephen hunter. and marine sniper, one shot one kill. any opinions on these?? any help would be greatly appreciated.

one final thing... i have recently found out, by reading on the marcinko threads, that after red cell, his novels are pretty much written by his co-author. this disturbed me greatly, as the books are written first person and continue after his true autobiography...pretty misleading. a big part of the rogue warrior thing for me was the.. "maybe this is based in truth" just names and dates are changed belief. i know marcinko has stated these are works of fiction. BUT... i at least expected them to be fiction written by him, using his knowledge and experiences. not someone who has probably never seen combat, pretending to be a god of war... i kinda feel betrayed.

its a shame marcinko didnt do a series of stories accounting his experiences in vietnam. his nam accounts in his autobiography just hinted at some incredible missions and potential storylines, the way he and his team hunted and terrorized the vc. i dont understand the need to go total fiction, when he has gone through the real deal. unless those missions were classified...i dunno.

anyways, thanks for reading my long post guys. being a newbie at the forum, i hope to learn alot from the real warriors that hang here.

Edge

[SHOOB]

im planning on grabbing black hawk down.... any other good suggestions? anything charactor based, first person accounts, blood and guts stuff.
I don't know about anyone else, but I was not entertained when I read it. More pissed off than anything.
SO.... im looking for some advice on where to turn bookwise to read something more realistic and true, without going to a dry, documentory type history of the special forces
Join a book club.
one final thing... i have recently found out, by reading on the marcinko threads, that after red cell, his novels are pretty much written by his co-author. this disturbed me greatly, as the books are written first person and continue after his true autobiography...pretty misleading. a big part of the rogue warrior thing for me was the.. "maybe this is based in truth" just names and dates are changed belief. i know marcinko has stated these are works of fiction. BUT... i at least expected them to be fiction written by him, using his knowledge and experiences. not someone who has probably never seen combat, pretending to be a god of war... i kinda feel betrayed.
WTF!!!!!!!!
If this post bothers you in any way then you don't belong here. Some people will "entertain" you but I hope they educate you that in order for you to get your true high speed books, some of our people made the ultimate sacrifice.

[Edge]

"WTF!!!!!!!!
If this post bothers you in any way then you don't belong here. Some people will "entertain" you but I hope they educate you that in order for you to get your true high speed books, some of our people made the ultimate sacrifice."

im not sure i understand the true meaning to your post.... please clarify. i dont want to misunderstand you. but, let me say, i have the highest respect and admiration of those men who have lost their lives and those risking their lives in combat defending this country. my desire to read an action packed, hardcore novel about combat, in no way disrespects the actual seriousness of war. i am a big fan of dick marcinkos military acomplishments... thats why i was so let down when i learned he wasnt really the author of his fiction novels.

id also like to add that i am interested in reading about missions in lebanon and the middle east. there seems to be alot of books concerning vietnam and ww2 but not many post vietnam, middle east conflicts.

[Purple36]

Look up Bob Mayer's books.

I second SHOOBs comment on BHD....entertained is not a word I'd use...

[Edge]

ahh...i get it. "entertain" is the problem. i understand your meaning. my bad... however, in my defence, how would you describe a rogue warrior book? i reread my original post and the only mention of entertaining is referring to the rogue warrior and springblade novels. almost every comment ive read concerning these novels say they are entertaining and not one person responded to them. every war movie ever done... including we were soldiers and saving private ryan etc... (very serious movies) are still classified as entertainment are they not? and although some of the books i was asking about, while being true accounts and experiences of terrible, violent events and much more serious than a rogue warrior story, are still, when printed in book form considered "entertainment" i mean lets cut the bullshit... why does anyone read these novels... to take a history test? i meant absolutely no disrespect or meant to trivialize the seriousness of the subject. however, i am quite surprised by such a negative responce to a new board members first post for one word that was misunderstood. i mean, i was told i dont belong here because i classified war novels as entertainment! lastly, please dont take my self admitted status of being a newbie on this board as meaning i am a child, to be scolded. i was hoping to find a great group of guys here... maybe i was mistaken.

[SHOOB]

It's all interpretation. Do not let my misinterpretation of your post (if that is what it is) reflect anyone on this forum. To me, those books are either a tribute or factual accounts to learn from. As far as a bunch of good guys? These people here offer more than you could imagine, just use your head and thicken up your skin.

[Edge]

a rogue warrior novel... "a tribute or factual accounts to learn from" not entertainment. wow. im sure lots of guys would disagree. anyways, i posted because i thought i would get some good opinions on the novels available... what was your helpful suggestion... join a book club...hhaaaaaa. gee thanks. i defend myself and explain my comments, and your responce is to "use my head and thicken my skin". youre the one who is oversensitive, to be so annoyed by me saying a rw is entertaining. my skin is plenty thick. i just dont lay down and be judged unfairly without defending myself. i hope someone else can jump in on this. i came here to gain some knowledge, not have my balls busted.

[Sean0352]

Just my thoughts on Demo Dickie's stuff. Highly informative because I had no idea about alot of international terror groups til I read the series. I also found Systema through readin one of his books. I dont know if Weisman wrote most of the later books. I just know that I always like reading them because I get a kick out of the way Dick writes. Even if all the books are the same, Dick meets the bad guys then goes his own way to get the baddies and save the day. But hey everybody should take what they can from them.

Sean

[Purple36]

Hey, what am I, chopped liver? As I said before, check out Bob Mayers novels, he was an SF guy.
Shoob, quit hogging all the attention! :)

[Edge]

hey lianluo... thanks. sorry to overlook ya. got sidetracked...hehe. i will look into the mayers stuff... eyes of the hammer, synbat etc... his name seems to be tied to bob mcguire, co-author maybe?

as far as marcinkos stuff... i loved it all. ive read every one. very informative, fast and gritty. i especially like the humor and all the different countries they are set... very entertaining stuff:) i dont have a problem with them being works of fiction...obviously they are. my beef was, i was lead to believe it was richard marcinkos ideas and words. i know he isnt a professional writer, hes a warrior, so, of course get a co-author to clean things up. but.... if the books are being entirely written by weismen and mr. marcinko just reads em and oks it, the novel should state that and not say by richard marcinko. i would love to confirm this somehow... anyone out here know for sure??

[Purple36]

I don't care for Marchinko's books, although I've read a couple. (Probably receive a couple flames for that comment-do your worst, you people!) ;-)
I don't know about the authorship, you might just do some searching on Google and see if anything pops up. You could try writing the publisher and request the details of authorship. Don't know if they'll tell you, but why not, if you are truly interested.

[Sean0352]

Okay, let me tell you, Dick is a story teller first and foremost. I have spent time with him twice, and he never shuts up. He's always telling stories. So in that case he is quite a storyteller. I will not go into anything about that here because it's not relevant. I can ask a couple people here about who actually wrote the books, but I know the reason he dropped Weisman was because he didn't like the way things were going. I like the way Greg Walker has taken things. If you want a good book, pick up "The Hurricanes Eye" by Greg Walker. It's a history of Spec Ops from all branches. Or CSM Haney's book, that's another great read. Hope that helps!

Sean

[B 2/75]

You want entertainment, read the entire series of "Casca, the eternal mercenary" by Barry Sadler. Entertainment at its best, and pretty well written, too.

You want a GOOD book about the teams, I'd recommend "Good To Go, the life and times of a decorated Navy Seal" Can't remember the gent's name who wrote it, (Sorry, can't find my copy).

In yer reading of military subjects, always endeavor to keep the line between fiction and non-fiction clearly drawn. Pvt. Ryan is FICTION. Marcinco's stuff is FICTION, even though he's BTDT. Casca is FICTION, even though he's been everywhere and done it all. :D

[Edge]

i know greg walker from the fighting knives days when i owned a specialty edged weapons business. i read the latest rogue warrior book, violence of action, which he "co-authored" with marcinko. cool book. i think im gonna drop him an email and ask him about this whole co-author thing. im reading his springblade series now. i was unaware of hurricanes eye...ill have to check it out.

the casca series certainly sounds interesting...fantasy fiction. lots in the series to choose from. guess ill start at numba 1:)

how bout non fiction guys..... im looking at marine sniper, one shot one kill, and SOG by john plaster. any opinions on these?

also, anything post vietnam... like beirut, gulf war etc...

thanks

[Donna]

Edge, if you are interested in reading a good book I would suggest "One Perfect Op, An Insider's Account of the Navy SEAL Special Warfare Teams". It was written by Command Master Chief Dennis Chalker with Kevin Dockery. It is an autobiography, but it reads much like a novel.

[Purple36]

BTW, one of the best sources for hard to find books on Covert Ops, intell, etc is Cloak and Dagger books. It's online, dude who runs the place is named Dan and will get it for you....if it can be got!

[Edge]

thanks for the input. im not sure about joining a club, its not for me. great for some folks though:) i just like to read only what i want, at my own pace, without feeling obliged to finish something im not enjoying. ive tried clubs in school. discussing a novel im enjoying with others is a fantastic thing though.

lianluo... thanks for the lead. ill give cloak and dagger a ring when ive got my to buy list together.

lots of great vietnam era and special forces history stuff out there. im having trouble finding true accounts of post nam missions and conflicts... beirut, elsalvador, iraq, iran, grenada etc.. id appreciate any leads in these areas.

my non-fiction list so far is... blackhawk down, marine sniper, seal by mike walsh, good to go, death in the jungle, the element of surprise and sog by john plaster. any positive or negative opinions on these before i order.

thanks again guys

[Sweetbriar]

I can't speak for SHOOB, but when he said "book club" I thought "Military Book Club", where they have a steady supply of fiction and non-fiction military only books. But you have to be careful with those kinds of clubs, or you'll be paying for the book-of-the-month whether you like it or not. (Having said that, I'm thinking of joining myself to see if I can't get some on the cheap intro offer!)

Donna, I like your discussion idea, but good luck finding people who'll join in. I know (real life) a group that is thinking of starting a book discussion club, and we realised we could only do it if we could find people who would commit to actually READING a book. It just won't work if you come to the discussion without having read the text and we all tend to fudge a little on our homework! It took a long while in our group to get the guys to believe that their comments were vital and not be overwhelmed by the verbal dexterity of the women.

For me, I would LOVE a book discussion group, but primarily as a listener not a talker. I know my own thoughts already - it's the guy's thoughts I want to hear. That's why I don't post much. If it gears up, regardless of who participates, holler at me please.

[SHOOB]

Joining a book club through another military forum or military magazine is not bad but you get what you get. Just about every online book service such as borders and BN has a search engine that you can use that will direct you a list of available books with details and readers thoughts. Use a key word such as vietnam, or a title or an author to pinpoint what you want. Once I find what i am looking for I check another sight at www.edwardrhamilton.com . You can't beat the prices at this place if they have the book you want. I suggest you browse what they have, there are too many sub-catagories to list and if you do not like the book you can send it back.

[Tuukka]

Originally posted by Czar
You want entertainment, read the entire series of "Casca, the eternal mercenary" by Barry Sadler. Entertainment at its best, and pretty well written, too.

You want a GOOD book about the teams, I'd recommend "Good To Go, the life and times of a decorated Navy Seal" Can't remember the gent's name who wrote it, (Sorry, can't find my copy).

In yer reading of military subjects, always endeavor to keep the line between fiction and non-fiction clearly drawn. Pvt. Ryan is FICTION. Marcinco's stuff is FICTION, even though he's BTDT. Casca is FICTION, even though he's been everywhere and done it all. :D

Harry Constance

[myclearcreek]

Originally posted by Sweetbriar
I can't speak for SHOOB, but when he said "book club" I thought "Military Book Club", where they have a steady supply of fiction and non-fiction military only books. ..................

It took a long while in our group to get the guys to believe that their comments were vital and not be overwhelmed by the verbal dexterity of the women. ...........................

..............- it's the guy's thoughts I want to hear. That's why I don't post much. If it gears up, regardless of who participates, holler at me please.


If you don't mind me jumping in.....I currently read a lot of military fiction and am getting into the non-fiction as well. I think it helps if civilians have at least a clue (if not a perfect one) about what our military is currently facing. I'm also the mother of two sons, 17 and 11. Having a husband who signed up, but was never called up for various reasons - our family lacks military knowledge.

Reading helps, but for me, the input of active military guys is why I'm here, also.

So, guys, don't be shy. Your opinions matter. As for verbal dexterity - if you've got it, fine. If not - you're not going to be barbecued for it here!


Thanks.

Rhonda

[Sweetbriar]

Barbequed? Well, actually.... around here the fire burns fairly hot at all times and if something greasy drops into the flames they just leap higher. But I respect that and wouldn't have it any other way. Read more of the board and you'll see what I mean.

As for books, I avoid the fiction and stick to non-fiction. Military action-adventure fiction will NOT help you understand the military, IMO. It is for Entertainment Purposes Only and should not be confused with reality at any time. Having said that, some fiction books have helped me fix what I learned in the non-fiction realm in my head such as historical events or weapons (a misty realm for a woman who is never around them), but fiction hasn't helped at all when it comes to understanding people. For that there is only the voices of real people telling real stories in biographies, histories, and even bulletin board threads.

I am not here to be a voyeur, but without experience in so much of the subject areas here my opinion does not often add value - so I just keep it to myself. (That policy has saved me a roasting many times!) In the real life discussion group, the reverse is true and I'm expected to keep the ball rolling. Some of you fellows would be surprised to find that I quote you favourably in there and it puts a new curve on the discussion. There's nothing like having your worldview changed and then taking it to the masses!

[myclearcreek]

Originally posted by Sweetbriar
Barbequed? Well, actually.... around here the fire burns fairly hot at all times and if something greasy drops into the flames they just leap higher. But I respect that and wouldn't have it any other way. Read more of the board and you'll see what I mean.

Oh, yeah, I've read some fairly interesting and flame-saturated posts....


As for books, I avoid the fiction and stick to non-fiction. Military action-adventure fiction will NOT help you understand the military, IMO. It is for Entertainment Purposes Only and should not be confused with reality at any time.

Actually, I was talking about not being barbecued in the book discussion. Those of us who are here to learn (I speak only for myself) are not interested in toasting someone for lack of written language skills.

Having said that, some fiction books have helped me fix what I learned in the non-fiction realm in my head such as historical events or weapons (a misty realm for a woman who is never around them), but fiction hasn't helped at all when it comes to understanding people. For that there is only the voices of real people telling real stories in biographies, histories, and even bulletin board threads.

Actually, depending on who the author is, there are things to be learned from fictionalized accounts. But knowing that it is primarily for entertainment value, I do read the non-fiction.

I am not here to be a voyeur, but without experience in so much of the subject areas here my opinion does not often add value - so I just keep it to myself. (That policy has saved me a roasting many times!) In the real life discussion group, the reverse is true and I'm expected to keep the ball rolling. Some of you fellows would be surprised to find that I quote you favourably in there and it puts a new curve on the discussion. There's nothing like having your worldview changed and then taking it to the masses!


Ditto. As the mother of a son who is almost 18, it has become very important for me to gain some "real" perspective, and that's the main reason I'm here. To learn.

Back to lurking......

[Jacko]

Mike Lunnon-Wood "Kings Shilling" (present day Royal Navy Frigate evacuating civilians from Liberia - Fiction) and "Long Reach" (2 Para defends Belize from a Guatemalan invasion - Fiction) both books are entertaining in a "WW II style war film from the 1960's kind of way" Reading "Long Reach" is like watching an updated version of Zulu,

Bernard Cornwell and his "Sharpe" series of books.

Factual books - Sandy Woodward "One Hundred Days". It's his story about commanding the Task Force that retook the Falklands.

Mark Adkin "Goose Green" 2Para's battle at Goose Green in the Falklands

Mike Curtis "CQB", about his career with 2 Para in the Falklands then with the SAS in the Gulf and Bosnia.

Peter Harclerode "Fighting Dirty" an introduction to covert operations from the end of WWII to present day and "Secret Soldiers" counter-terrorist ops 1970 to present day

Stephen E. Ambrose "Pegasus Bridge" the first Allied troops to go into battle on D-Day (I know that I'll probably get flamed for saying that, but I'm British, what else do you expect me to say ;))

Cornelius Ryan "A Bridge Too Far" - Operation Market Garden

Len Deighton "Blood, Tears and Folly" - WWII up to Pearl Harbour, "Fighter" about the Battle of Britain, "Blitzkreig" about the rise of Hitler and WWII up to the fall of Dunkirk and "Bomber" a fictional account of a WWII night time bombing raid on a German town. There is also a talking book version of Bomber available. Get it. Radio 4 over here originally produced this programme and broadcast it real time over a day. The talking book is the condensed version.

There's also the usual SAS stuff (Andy McNab, Chris Ryan, Gaz Hunter and Cameron Spence). A lot of debate over what is real and what is fiction here.

[Edge]

thanks again for the input. nice list jacko.

Anyone read... Enemy At The Gate? Im gonna rent the dvd, but the story sounds interesting... sniper against sniper. actually based on true events??

ive ordered.....

Marine Sniper
Good to Go
The Element of Surprise
Death In The Jungle
Death In The Delta
Point Man
Black Hawk Down
SOG: The Secret Wars of America 's Commandos in Vietnam

SEAL : From Vietnam's Phoenix Program to Central America's Drug Wars: Twenty-Six Years With a Special Operations Warrior

In The Hurricane's Eye: U.S. Special Forces from Vietnam to Desert Storm

Still lookin for some good post nam non-fiction. middle east, south american conflicts.

[PSYOP ROB]

Read the following:
Warrior Elite by Couch
No Room for Error by Carney
Death Ground by Bolger
Savage Peace by Bolger

other titles that I cant remember the authors names:
Somalia on $5 a Day
The Savage Wars of Peace
The Root
Operation Just Cause
Urgent Fury
Crippled Eagle
Copperhead
Who Dares Wins

[Donna]

Okay, I admit, five minutes after I posted that comment about a book club I wished I hadn't. I was certain everyone would think it a stupid idea.

Myclearcreek, I think your reason for being here is great.

Sweetbriar I'm with you, I mostly read and seldom post for the same reasons.

SHOOB, thanks for the website.

Soooo, what book do you want to start with first? Donna

[Purple36]

" Have you read any of Tracy's posts? Not only is he articulate, but his knowledge of this subject matter is of a caliber second to none. I do not know anything about him, but I do know people, and I suspect from the way he carries himself on this board and the way he answers questions that he is a singularly unique individual. It reminds me of a comment Tack da boat made on another thread about giants among men. "

Kristen! Take da man down a notch!

[myclearcreek]

Well girls, here is my suggestion. We start with a non fiction book about SF, Rangers, Seals or whatever you prefer, and then discuss it here.

Since most of my reading has been fiction about SEALs, I would prefer to start with them to clear up misconceptions I may have.
Other than that, I have no preference, since my knowledge of available literature in that area is minimal.


Rhonda

[Sweetbriar]

The first question is "Will Admin MIND?" and as long as it's kept to a single thread, I doubt it. I've seen some things I had thought were germaine to the board get thrown off because they didn't like it, so I'm sure they will make their preferences clear.

As to which book, something which can actually be discussed is an important consideration. For instance, a biography that is strictly a retelling of someone's life can leave little room for comment or rumination. (Did he or didn't he? Yes, that is what happened in that battle...) But then again, perhaps shorter is better the first time out. I looked thru what I have to see what I've enjoyed the most and wished I had someone about to pepper with questions and came up with the following:

Black Hawk Down, by Mark Bowden - this has been discussed at length on this board already, but that also means people are very familiar and comfortable with it. (And there's a movie if you need Cliff Notes.)

We Were Soldiers Once... and Young, by Lt. Gen. Harold G. Moore (Ret.) and Joseph L. Galloway - absolutely tremendous book. I couldn't read more than a chapter at one sitting because of the force of it. I began with the dedication and found there were young guys lost in that battle that grew up just down the way from me - and it got personal very quick. If you want to learn what it means to serve as well as how it's down, this book will do it for you. (And there's a movie if you need Cliff Notes for the first half of the book.)

This Kind of War, by T. S. Fehrenbach - a classic about the Korean War. It's been on my shelf for a couple of years, but I haven't read it yet and I know I need to. It is also topically relevant to today's headlines with North Korea and leaves room for all sorts of discussions about communism and tyrants, politics and war, reality and what the homefront is willing to accept. It might be way too much!

The Commandos, by Douglas C. Waller - an excellent overview of all the U.S. Special Operations Forces, and very rereadable. Good fodder for education and discussion.

At the Hurricane's Eye, by Greg Walker - an overview of SOF from Vietnam to Desert Storm. Good stories and about half the length of Waller's book.

SEAL!, by LCDR Micheal J. Walsh (Ret.) and Greg Walker - an autobiography, but his mind seems to work in unusual ways and his story covers some unusual areas, including the drug wars in S. America. When I think I've got the warrior mindset figured out, I go back to some things he said and realise I'm only just barely in the ballpark.

Someone else? I know the Boyd biography is top on my list to read next, and there are quite a few others I should have read by now but haven't.

[grrlcop74]

Amen, Lianluo, amen. I'm afraid I'm going to have to mention that he drives a station wagon (and not because he has a whole passel of kids) and drinks peach wine coolers.

Like the guys have time to indulge the whims...:rolleyes: . I've never been spec ops, but a little common sense and research go a long way.

Kristen

[myclearcreek]

Originally posted by Sweetbriar
The first question is "Will Admin MIND?" and as long as it's kept to a single thread, I doubt it. I've seen some things I had thought were germaine to the board get thrown off because they didn't like it, so I'm sure they will make their preferences clear.


Admin might not mind, but it might make more sense to move this to a Yahoo (or like) group. If that is preferable, I would be happy to set that up and act as a moderator. However, if that's a problem as far as our military men and women participating and commenting, then that wouldn't provide the cogent input we're seeking.

Being new to this board, I don't know who's who yet. Do we have any active or inactive military personnel wishing to participate? If so, great! If not, then the reading discussion really needs to move elsewhere.

What's the concensus?

Rhonda

[Olsson]

I just finished reading Kommando about German Special forces in World War Two by James Lucas, and I'd definately add it to the books already listed. It's an older book, published in '85 and I found it in a used book store. It gives a good account of German special operations without trying to minimalize what evil rat bastards the Nazis were.

[NWPTrainer]

Lianluoa (sp?) is spot on about Mayer's books...he gets a little far fetched in a couple of them...(or does he?...hmmmmm), but he's a helluva writer, and is very specific about things that most people never think of writing about...(I think his was the first novel I've ever read that described an OPORDER briefing, paragraph by paragraph......)

Its been mentioned before, but Stephen Pressfield's Gates of Fire about the battle of Thermypolae in ancient Greece is AWESOME....yeah, it may be ancient history, but some of the leaders in that story talk EXACTLY like some of the leaders I knew as a cherry private at 1st Batt.......

THere's an assload of good books out there, ya just gotta look...Just wanted to throw my $.02 in there....sorry...

And I for one love the idea of a book club....As much as I read, I never find anybody to talk to about it...(sniffle, sniffle, bitch and moan....)
RLTW

[mbw]

Gates of Fire kicks serious ass. Great book! :)

Mike

[Gigi]

Killing Pablo
Ghost Soldiers
Just Cause (Panama Invasion)

Has anyone read one of these and if so what are your thoughts? I am particularly interested in the last two.

Thanks

[NWPTrainer]

Originally posted by Gigi7170
Killing Pablo
Ghost Soldiers
Just Cause (Panama Invasion)

Has anyone read one of these and if so what are your thoughts? I am particularly interested in the last two.

Thanks


I've read the first two......

Killing Pablo was okay, but there has been a lot of discussion on here about it from people far more qualified to discuss specifics than I am....it was okay, but mediocre at best in my opinion....

Ghost Soldiers was excellent. The mission was an extremely important one, and was carried out superbly, and the author does a good job of telling the story. "Nuff Said.

RLTW

[Jacko]

I've just finished "Blackfoot is Missing" by William F. Owen. A very good, interesting and entertaining novel about SOG in the Vietnam War. Because of that I've now gone out and finally ordered John Plasters SOG book (I wish Amazon would pull their finger out and figure out a way of getting things to me as fast as I order them off the internet ;))

[Soot]

A really entertaining and informative "series" of books about the American Revolution by Jeff M. Shaara. Sort of "historical fiction", he uses the correspondence, journals, memoirs, etc... of historical figures such as John Adams, Ben Franklin, Thomas Gage, Geo. Washington, Charles Cornwallis and a number of others as well as the records of official procedings to really bring the characters to life:

-Rise to Rebellion

-The Glorious Cause: A Novel of the American Revolution

Just finished reading "Killing Pablo" by Mark Bowden (author of BHD) and like it a lot too. It's an account of the contribution US military & intelligence made to the Columbian govmt.'s effort to hunt down and ultimately kill Pablo Escobar, leader of the Medellin cartel. Not exactly a blood & gut's, shoot em' up war novel but I liked it for what it was.

A good account of what an armored battle in the Fulda gap "probably" would have looked like can be found in "Red Storm Rising" by Tom Clancy.

Kenneth Roberts stilt stands as one of the best American writers of historical fiction, renowned for his scrupulous accuracy and unforgettable depictions of past times. "Arundel" is the story of the American attempt to take Quebec in 1775, a heroic but doomed effort masterminded by one of the most brilliant (and later infamous) of George Washington's officers: Colonel Benedict Arnold. (Stole this one from the B&N site verbatim)

Any of the "Horatio Hornblower" stories by C.S. Forester are great reads but I would suggest reading them in order as they cover Hornblowers career, adventures and exploits from Ensign to Admiral of the Royal Navy begining at some point during the Nepolianic Wars.

[NWPTrainer]

Originally posted by Soot

Kenneth Roberts stilt stands as one of the best American writers of historical fiction, renowned for his scrupulous accuracy and unforgettable depictions of past times. "Arundel" is the story of the American attempt to take Quebec in 1775, a heroic but doomed effort masterminded by one of the most brilliant (and later infamous) of George Washington's officers: Colonel Benedict Arnold. (Stole this one from the B&N site verbatim)



Kenneth Roberts was one of the greats definitly.....Northwest Passage is a sort of biography/account of the founding of his Corps of Rangers.....Roberts goes so far as to point out that Maj Rogers joined the Brits in the Revolution cause the Colonials wouldn't give him a command, and also that he ended up in debtors' prison in the Tower......defintly an interestinmg read

I've never erad any of Shaara's work except The Glorious Cause.....I liked it alot.....

I've enver been able to bring myself to read any of the Hornblower books, but they are supposed to be excellent, and I really like the Sharpe's series about a rifleman in Napoleanic British army....

RLTW

[Soot]

I was just talking to a guy I work with about this subject and he suggested to me the works of Patrick O'Brien. As I've never read any of his stuff I can't endorse it but the guy that steered me in his direction has made a few really good suggestions prior to this. I've attached a link to O'Brien's site.

http://www.wwnorton.com/pob/pobhome.htm

The book I'm reading right now is "Benedict Arnold: Patriot & Traitor" by Willard Sterne Randall. It might get a little to dry/documentaryish for you at times when it comes to the maneuverings of the continental congress and such but the siege of Quebec’ll keep you on the edge of your seat. If you’re interested in, in your words, “the hardcore, fast, violent style story”, pick up any of the myriad history books available on the battle at Antietam Creek, anything but dry and boring.

[Royal Highland Fusilier]

Fiction
Starship Troopers - Robert Heinlein: about a guy who joins up Mobile Infantry, goes through basic training and then goes to blow stuff up. I enjoy it because it also covers social philosophy. Avoid the movie like a plague.

Seafort Saga. First book in the series is Midshipman's Hope -David Feintuch: about a midshipman on a UN starship forced to take command when all senior officers end up dead. Good story about Nick Seafort, the main character doing captain stuff, making decisions.

Fields of Fire -James Webb: about a US marine platoon in Vietnam. I can't say if it's really like that in combat, but it certainly is very powerful.

Non Fiction
Peacekeepers:Road to Sarajevo -MGen Lewis Mackenzie (ret): Written by Canadian major general who was in charge of Sarajevo sector during UNPROFOR in '91-92. First half is basically his autobiography and his many tours doing peacekeeper stuff. Some funny stories, some very thoughtful stories. The second part talks about UNPROFOR in Sarajevo and what kind of fucked up mission that was and discusses why peacekeeping operation was so screwed up. Talks about problems of UN ops, problems with Croats, Serbs and Bosnians (multi ethnic conflicts). Excellent read for anyone wanting to know more about UN peacekeeping ops.

Soldiers of Diplomacy: The United Nations, Peacekeeping, and the New World Order - Jocelyn Coulon: Another book about UN peacekeeping, this one talks about successful missions (Cyprus, Cambodia) and failed missions (Bosnia, Lebanon) and why they are successful or failures. Another good read for learning more about UN peacekeeping ops.

The Canadian Airborne Regiment in Somalia: A Soldier's Journals -Robert Prousse: Online at http://www.commando.org/somalia.php
A journal of a Canadian Airborne Regiment corporal in Somalia. Very powerful story of tragedies of a third world country and of his experience in Somalia.

[Hot Mess]

other titles that I cant remember the authors names:

Crippled Eagle



Necro post but I just finished this. It was written by Rod Lenahan who was an Intel person. This book was recommended to me by a retired cool guy who was there. It can be a little dry but it has a lot of good information including cables back and forth and all the small pieces that Beckwith didn't talk about.

I believe it is out of print and I forget what I paid for it but I'd recommend it for anyone interested in ORB, "those guys", and all the in's and out's of the mission, as well as what they had to do to overcome inter-service fiefdoms.

[chcknhawk]

Almost finished reading Keni Thomas's book, "Get It On." Great book on leadership using his experiences in the 75th and Mogadishu. Very quick read if you don't like long books or books that are too wordy. Keni writes as if he's sitting across the table talking to you.

[Remington Raider]

Author: Morris, R. C.

Title: The ether zone : U.S. Army Special Forces Detachment B-52, Project Delta / R.C. Morris.
Publisher Ashland, Or. : Hellgate Press, 2009.
Edition 1st ed.
Description vii, 380 p. : ill. ; 22 cm.


Best. Read. Ever.