Fred Kiesche's progress:
Fred Kiesche has read:
Seven Pillars of Wisdom: A Triumph by which is on these lists: Marines, Combined Arms Center
I've read it, but it was quite a while ago so my recollection is somewhat blurred. On Mount Tobereadagain!
(The movie, while romanticized, is also very good. Try to get a restored edition with additional footage, improved print, better sound, etc.)
On War by which is on these lists: Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Canadian Army, General Eric Shinseki
I've read it, but it was quite a while ago so my recollection is somewhat blurred. On Mount Tobereadagain!
The Prince by which is on the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff list.
I've read it, but it was quite a while ago so my recollection is somewhat blurred. On Mount Tobereadagain!
Gallipoli by which is on these lists: Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, U. S. Strategic Command
I've read it, but it was quite a while ago so my recollection is somewhat blurred. On Mount Tobereadagain!
Longitudes and Attitudes: Exploring the World After September 11 by which is on the USMC (Civilian) list.
Definitely a instant history. Derived from Friedman's columns and personal notes. Skip this one and go with "Lexus and the Olive Tree", "The World is Flat" or one of his longer and more "timeless" books.
From Beirut to Jerusalem by which is on these lists: Navy, USMC (Civilian)
Some of the personalities described have died or moved on, but a very good view of the Middle East (and what a strange place it is).
The World Is Flat 3.0: A Brief History of the Twenty-first Century by which is on these lists: Coast Guard, Navy, Marines, USMC (Civilian), National Capital Region Medical Joint Task Force
Read Versions 1.0 and 2.0. O.K., but somewhat instant history/analysis. Whether 3.0 is as "dated" as the earlier versions are, I cannot say.
The Generalship Of Alexander The Great by which is on the Canadian Army list.
I've read it, but it was quite a while ago so my recollection is somewhat blurred. On Mount Tobereadagain!
Decision in Normandy: The Real Story of Montgomery and the Allied Campaign by which is on the Canadian Army list.
I've read it, but it was quite a while ago so my recollection is somewhat blurred. On Mount Tobereadagain!
Frederick The Great On The Art Of War by which is on the Canadian Army list.
I've read it, but it was quite a while ago so my recollection is somewhat blurred. Currently being re-read.
Art of Maneuver: Maneuver-Warfare Theory and Airland Battle by which is on the Canadian Army list.
I've read it, but it was quite a while ago so my recollection is somewhat blurred.
The Lexus and the Olive Tree: Understanding Globalization by which is on the Canadian Army list.
While some of the people depicted have moved on, a good read to help understand the clash between the have's and have-nots (or the First World vs. the Third World).
The Fifteen Decisive Battles of the World: From Marathon to Waterloo (Dover Books on History, Political and Social Science) by which is on the Canadian Army list.
I've read it, but it was quite a while ago so my recollection is somewhat blurred. On Mount Tobereadagain!
Battle Cry of Freedom: The Civil War Era by which is on these lists: Army, Marines, General Eric Shinseki
I've read it, but it was quite a while ago so my recollection is somewhat blurred. On Mount Tobereadagain!
Summons of the Trumpet: U.S.-Vietnam in Perspective by which is on these lists: Army, General Eric Shinseki
I've read it, but it was quite a while ago so my recollection is somewhat blurred. On Mount Tobereadagain!
Citizen Soldiers: The U. S. Army from the Normandy Beaches to the Bulge to the Surrender of Germany by which is on the General Eric Shinseki list.
Liked Ambrose's books on D-Day, The Band of Brothers and Pegasus Bridge more than this. This one, coming near the end of his career, feels more like a synthesis of his earlier works rather than a good extension (with new material).
The Art of War by Baron De Jomini - Special Edition by which is on these lists: Canadian Army, General Eric Shinseki
I've read it, but it was quite a while ago so my recollection is somewhat blurred. On Mount Tobereadagain!
Certain Victory: The U.S. Army in the Gulf War (The History of War) by which is on the General Eric Shinseki list.
Very dense/informative, but written pretty close to the conflict. Would time passed give us more/better perspective? Also recommended, "Crusade" by Atkinson.
Face of Battle by which is on these lists: Army, Marines, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Canadian Army, General Eric Shinseki
I've read it, but it was quite a while ago so my recollection is somewhat blurred. On Mount Tobereadagain! Overall I have enjoyed all of Keegan's books.
East of Chosin: Entrapment and Breakout in Korea, 1950 by which is on these lists: Army, General Eric Shinseki
I've read it, but it was quite a while ago so my recollection is somewhat blurred. On Mount Tobereadagain!
I do recall this being part (at the time when I read it) of a trilogy, all three being good.
The History of the Peloponnesian War by which is on these lists: Marines, General Eric Shinseki
I've read it, but it was quite a while ago so my recollection is somewhat blurred. On Mount Tobereadagain!
Band of Brothers : E Company, 506th Regiment, 101st Airborne from Normandy to Hitler's Eagle's Nest by which is on these lists: Marines, General Eric Shinseki
The story of one unit in the Western Front during WWII. Also an excellent miniseries (but I liked the book better). I also enjoyed "Pegasus Bridge" by Ambrose, which looks at one unit during one action on D-Day.
The Killer Angels: A Novel by which is on these lists: General Eric Shinseki, National Capital Region Medical Joint Task Force
Very intense, very moving novel about the American Civil War (or the late great unpleasantness). Not a "Northern Book" or a "Southern Book", but a dang fine read.
Baghdad at Sunrise: A Brigade Commander's War in Iraq (Yale Library of Military History) by which is on the Marines list.
Very good mix of the personal (both biographical details and day-to-day journal) and the professional (how to win friends and influence people both in the service and in the country you are occupying). Lots of good "COIN" nuggets in the text and the final chapter is a must read.
The Soldier's Load and the Mobility of a Nation by which is on the Marines list.
A pretty brief book (two long essays). S.L.A. Marshall has something of a reputation nowadays (especially after Hackworth's "About Face" came out), but has produced some good stuff. This essay, on how weight can kill an assault and how staff tends to overburden the soldier makes some great points. And there are some very funny bits that every commander should read, especially the one about the one commander who put on everything that staff had dictated a common soldier should carry--and presented himself to the general of the unit (who obviously had no clue of what his soldiers were being asked to carry!).
The Korean War by which is on the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff list.
A great look at our "forgotten war".
Black Hawk Down: A Story of Modern War by which is on the Headquarters 3d Armored Cavalry Regiment list.
I can't count the number of times I've read this (or "read" it as an audiobook--alas, abridged) or seen the movie. Excellent study of what went right (how people fought for each other) or wrong (no tanks, leadership mistakes, not sticking to what should have been part of the equipment, etc.). Very highly recommended.
The Art Of War by which is on these lists: Marines, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Canadian Army
I've read this several times (and have even "read" it as a audiobook). Be warned that there are multiple editions (and multiple translations). Most seem to prefer the edition by Sawyer, I'm still undecided. A classic work.
The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by which is on these lists: Navy, USMC (Civilian)
Had to read this for work one year. Some interesting stuff, but avoid all the "spin-offs" (Covey has run this horse into the ground.). Not everything in the book will work for all, but everybody should find something of use.
D Day: June 6, 1944: The Climactic Battle of World War II by which is on the Navy list.
My favorite book on D Day still remains the classic "The Longest Day", but this one by Ambrose (as well as works by Keegan and others) are good updates/expansions. Hopefully the third volume in Atkinson's "Liberation Trilogy" will be the capstone to this period of the war.
The Innovator's Dilemma: The Revolutionary Book that Will Change the Way You Do Business by which is on these lists: Navy, National Capital Region Medical Joint Task Force
I read this during the dotcom bubble and even had the chance to see Christensen speak at a conference (and get my copy autographed). Good way of getting people to think "outside of the box" (which hasn't helped in herding the flock of cats that is my daughter's Odyssey of the Mind team! ;) )
Master and Commander by which is on the Navy list.
I've run through the O'Brian tales of Captain Jack Aubrey and his friend Stephen Maturin several times now. They are among my favorites. Hint for new readers: M&C is somewhat slow to start, keep at it and you'll be rewarded handsomely!
"What a fascinating modern age we live in." (J. Aubrey, RN)
March 2010 Update: Just read it again.
The Tipping Point: How Little Things Can Make a Big Difference by which is on the Navy list.
Fah. Couldn't get through this one. Too much fluff.
Starship Troopers by which is on these lists: Navy, Canadian Army
One of the best military SF novels out there. How can I say that? Look at the number of author's who have followed in the footsteps (Joe Haldeman, John Scalzi, John Ringo, John Steakley and many others). Good mix of how to train, philosophy and morals, and great action. On the bounce!
Fire in the Valley: The Making of The Personal Computer (Second Edition) by which is on the Coast Guard list.
An O.K., book, but somewhat aged. I prefer Tracy Kidder's "Soul of a New Machine" for a look on how the IT industry works (also aged, but just a better written book, so has stood the test of time more gracefully).
Company Commander: The Classic Infantry Memoir of World War II by which is on these lists: Army, USMC (Civilian), General Eric Shinseki
Anything by MacDonald is worth a read, and this intensely personal view of combat is one of his best.
We Were Soldiers Once...and Young: Ia Drang - the Battle That Changed the War in Vietnam by which is on these lists: Army, Marines, General Eric Shinseki
Dang fine book (and a dang fine movie). I would love to have an edition with larger (fold-out) maps.
Ender's Game by which is on these lists: Navy, Marines
While an enjoyable read, I think that Robert A. Heinlein's "Starship Troopers" (which I think this book replaced on the list) is a better read and a better tool for members of the military.
Rifleman Dodd by which is on the Marines list.
Read this as part of my non-fiction/military fiction reading program for 2010, following the USMC list as a model. Good story of a soldier who is cut off behind enemy lines for several months (!). He manages to survive and build and irregular force that harasses the enemy until he can rejoin his unit--clothing worn, severely underweight, but with his rifle functioning and his equipment present. Excellent!