Military Books

BuckJamesRogers · 13-01-2010 7:16pm

Just finished HelFire too, enjoyed it, very easy book to read!

Also finished a book called House to House by former StaffSgt David Bellavia, about US army in Fallujah, its a tough one to read but great book.

Heckler · 14-01-2010 12:51am

Just read Hellfire too. Thought it was very good. One question thats being bugging me, a couple of times he mentions, and I'm paraphrasing, re-aligning the rockets in the pods to make them more accurate (as he knew he'd be firing close to friendly troops) and if he was caught doing this he'd be more than likely drummed out of the air corp.

Why would this be the case ? Surely more accurate firepower=better firepower ?

Also thumbs up to sniper one, operation certain death, the forgotten soldier. Also all of Stephen Ambroses stuff (band of brothers, citizen soldier etc) and Anthony Beevors books. Meh to lone survivor. Bit too Hell Ya Go America for me. Gotta admire the dedication and bravery though.

BuckJamesRogers · 14-01-2010 3:54pm

Heckler wrote: »

Just read Hellfire too. Thought it was very good. One question thats being bugging me, a couple of times he mentions, and I'm paraphrasing, re-aligning the rockets in the pods to make them more accurate (as he knew he'd be firing close to friendly troops) and if he was caught doing this he'd be more than likely drummed out of the air corp.

Why would this be the case ? Surely more accurate firepower=better firepower ?

i think its cause he's fiddling with lethal equipment thats to be fired close to friendlies. Sure, hes aligning them but its not a SOP (standard operating procedure) so if he gets it wrong, its just the same as the missiles firing banty in the first place. He knows he'll get it spot on every time but if everyone starts doing it unofficially, it only takes one to get it wrong and cause a cock up of monumental size!

thats just what i think though, i am open for correction

BostonB · 14-01-2010 4:05pm

Might be because its an aircraft, it might be under different regulations than regular military equipment. Officially a crew member might not be qualified or certified to make any adjustments like that. If people started doing it themselves it would be chaos.

I'm also guessing.

BuckJamesRogers · 14-01-2010 5:02pm

BostonB wrote: »

Might be because its an aircraft, it might be under different regulations than regular military equipment. Officially a crew member might not be qualified or certified to make any adjustments like that. If people started doing it themselves it would be chaos.

I'm also guessing.

i dont think any of the arming team or fitting team in the Stan (at the time, it may have changed) were allowed to make any changes to it as it was such a new bit of kit and the MoD didnt want any f-ups involving it, as he says in the book, it was seen as a white elephant due to its cost

rookie09 · 15-01-2010 12:32am

not so much a gung-ho military book 'Stakeknife' but a very interesting read on the British force research unit and its agents operating inside the IRA on both sides of the border of Ireland

imme · 15-01-2010 1:28am

D-Day by Antony Beevor is available in hard back for just €12 from Waterstones. I saw it in Waterstones, Jervis Centre, Dublin. I think it's an excellent read, easy to follow story of D-Day up to the Liberation of Paris.

Artur.PL · 20-02-2010 10:25pm

I'm not sure about translation to english but if you can find it it is really interesting.
Mark Solonin, June 22 (The Cask and the Hoops)
or,
At the Airfields that Seemed to Be Asleep

air assault · 05-03-2010 10:04pm

If your interested in the reading up on the day to day life in the French Foreign Legion, theres a book called LIFE IN THE FRENCH FOREIGN LEGION.

Its written by Evan McGorman. A canadian who served in the Legion in the early 90's i think. I got it a while ago and its the only book i could not put down.

cannonball · 19-03-2010 4:48pm

Another big thumbs up for Chickenhawk by Robert Mason here.

The Last Valley by Martin Windrow is also very good and gives a thorough account of the French defeat at Dien Bien Phu.

Finally on the Vietnam theme - I can't recommend Tiger Force by Michael Sallah & Mitch Weiss. Although it's an important piece about American atrocities in the Nam, it's just not very well written (in my opinion), even though the authors won a Pulitzer prize. The amount of second hand copies I saw in Charlie Burns book store in Galway, would indicate that others would agree.

Heckler · 24-03-2010 1:23am

Task Force Black by Mark Urban. About the SAS in Iraq. Meh, bit dry to be honest. I guess the political machinations behind all the special forces operations is something I never really thought about so its kind of interesting that way but not the "explosive" and "riveting" story I was expecting.

Riderlad · 30-04-2010 11:47pm

Immediate Action and Seven Troop by Andy Mc Nab are great first hand accounts of military life which are very easy reads love them theyr'e very good to re-read. Highly recommend

iceage · 01-05-2010 12:10pm

last post just rang a bell with me. I was killing time in an Easons bout a month ago and came across a short story book by same said author supposedly a fact/fiction account of lads in Afghanistan. A really short story book, ideal for a short trip/flight type of thing anywhy, it was really about PTSD as you'll quickly realise if you manage to find it. Fact or fiction..I couldn't put it down. For the life of me I can't think of the name of it!!

Local-womanizer · 02-05-2010 1:47am

I was in Easons the other day as well,seen a book about a journalist embedded with American troops in Afghanistan,but like you I cant remember for the life of me what it is called!

Think it was called The Brave Soldiers or something........

BuckJamesRogers · 26-05-2010 2:51pm

House to House by David Bellavia is an excellent read, former SGT in the US army, all about the Army's view of the assault on Fallujah, as opposed to the Marines, who are most famous for the attack. good read anyway. Not sure if thats been posted on here already...

EDIT: just saw it has been posted already...by me!! DOH!!

pegasus1 · 30-05-2010 2:09pm

BuckJamesRogers wrote: »

EDIT: just saw it has been posted already...by me!! DOH!!

Epic Fail!

Just starting to read Task force helmand by Doug Beattie MC. a follow on of An ordinary soldier..

D.McC · 09-06-2010 5:44am

Stev_o wrote: »

Guns for Hire: The Inside Story of Freelance Soldiering by Tony Geraghty.

Consdering the rise in the popularity of PMC/PSC this is a must read. Will certainly break down the illusion most people are under of said organisations and give you a insight into how they are currently being used.

If you liked that, try PMC.INC forget who wrote it, but its a real eye opener.

Oh don't forget might be the daddy of all the books in this genre, Soldier I

ReacherCreature · 10-06-2010 12:05am

Recently read:

'The Iraq War' by John Keegan.
This one is a mystery to me. It offers an excellent narrative account and is a good overview of the 2003 campaign in Iraq. It covers Saddam, his wars, the crisis of 2003 and the war itself. Unit details, commanders etc. are all well explained. Here's the problem imo, the book ends quickly. It seems that the ending was rushed. The book ends suddenly discussing the death of Dr. Kelly a british scientist involved in the WMD affair - tbh I don't know much of it, it was a confusing aspect. Dr. Kelly's death and involement seems very irrelevant to the that stage of book.
However it's a great overview and Keegan does well in explaining the war. There are some great appendix(es) in the book too. Will probably use it for research purposes if neccessary. Reccommended.

Gneration Kill by Evan Wright.
A Rolling Stones writer's account of when he spent two months embedded with Bravo platoon in Marine Recon in Iraq, 2003. I really enjoyed this. Wright offers a perspective which reads like he's one of the Marines. He offers great insights into who the soldiers are and gets their camaderie across - an essential point of the book. It's really readable and flows well. Wright discusses the Marines blistering speed into Iraq as well as the severe incompentences of their commanders.
Some parts of the book like the indiscriminate killing of people will put some off as well as the gratious violence and swearing but these are expected and Wright tells the story as it should be. Worth a look.

Local-womanizer · 10-06-2010 1:15am

ReacherCreature wrote: »

Generation Kill by Evan Wright.
A Rolling Stones writer's account of when he spent two months embedded with Bravo platoon in Marine Recon in Iraq, 2003. I really enjoyed this. Wright offers a perspective which reads like he's one of the Marines. He offers great insights into who the soldiers are and gets their camaderie across - an essential point of the book. It's really readable and flows well. Wright discusses the Marines blistering speed into Iraq as well as the severe incompentences of their commanders.
Some parts of the book like the indiscriminate killing of people will put some off as well as the gratious violence and swearing but these are expected and Wright tells the story as it should be. Worth a look.

+1 for this,fantastic read,I prefer it to the HBO mini-series too,which was also excellent.

globemaster1986 · 27-06-2010 1:21pm

I just finished reading "Vipers in the Storm" by keith Rosenkranz. He was a USAF Captain flying the F-16 in the First Gulf War. A brilliant read for anyone thats interested!

P.S. Apologies if this one posted before;)

globemaster1986 · 27-06-2010 1:28pm

helimachoptor wrote: »

Just watched 9th Company, a story about young recruits being sent to Afghanistan during the Soviet invasion, a great film.

I saw that recently enough also, a verry good film!

Local-womanizer wrote: »

Picked up Apache Dawn the other day,still have to start it.

Apache Dawn is a brilliant read. Great detail in the book on all aspects of their time in Afghanistan

BostonB · 27-06-2010 2:53pm

globemaster1986 wrote: »

I just finished reading "Vipers in the Storm" by keith Rosenkranz. He was a USAF Captain flying the F-16 in the First Gulf War. A brilliant read for anyone thats interested!

P.S. Apologies if this one posted before;)

I've read that a few times, its especially interesting if you are into sim like Allied Force (Falcon 4), get info regarding F16, and modern jet combat over the gulf war etc. But I couldn't warm to it even after re-reading it. Not sure why.

globemaster1986 · 27-06-2010 3:49pm

BostonB wrote: »

I've read that a few times, its especially interesting if you are into sim like Allied Force (Falcon 4), get info regarding F16, and modern jet combat over the gulf war etc. But I couldn't warm to it even after re-reading it. Not sure why.

I think its probably the author, its hard enough warm to him for some reason. Only thing I remember not liking was when he started getting all religious and god this and god that I started to :rolleyes: a small bit

BostonB · 27-06-2010 4:07pm

Your probably right. Its still well worth reading regardless.

globemaster1986 · 27-06-2010 4:16pm

BostonB wrote: »

Your probably right. Its still well worth reading regardless.

Absolutely. Its one of those ones thats a really really good read but at the same time you don't kind of form a bond with the author if that makes any sense at all!:D

helenwalks65 · 19-07-2010 6:51am

Having read a couple of these books now, I am so grateful they were written. Studying Brookes, Owen and Sassoon while powerful had a kin of unreal quality to them, like it was from a by-gone age. These modern military accounts written by everyday soldiers really bring home both the horror of war, but also how some people crave for it.

Helen.

elius · 26-07-2010 1:09am

Anyone read Task Force Helmand written buy Doug beattie? He also wrote An ordinary soldier. If an Ordinary Soldier is anything to go buy its for shore to be a good read.

punchdrunk · 28-07-2010 2:18pm

elius wrote: »

Anyone read Task Force Helmand written buy Doug beattie? He also wrote An ordinary soldier. If an Ordinary Soldier is anything to go buy its for shore to be a good read.

i did,great book!

elius · 28-07-2010 4:56pm

punchdrunk wrote: »

i did,great book!

So ill go pick it up the weekend so...Thanks

ReacherCreature · 28-07-2010 5:32pm

I'm currently reading 'Fiasco' by Thomas E. Ricks. Have a read of the description as it's difficult to explain. Ricks, basically, discusses how the American leaders etc. have poorly went to war using bad decisions and so on. It's good but heavy reading. It's very interesting but getting to the end may be a struggle I fear!

BostonB · 28-07-2010 6:28pm

Four Weeks in May: The Loss of "HMS Coventry"
http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/184354590X/ref=cm_cr_rev_prod_title

This should be a gripping story, but the book isn't. Seems to be more about the Captain than anything else, and hes just not that interesting. he annoying tbh. Where its not about the Captain, its an interesting story. Hopefully one that gets a better book in the future.

elius · 18-08-2010 12:58am

punchdrunk wrote: »

i did,great book!

Finished it yesturday Loved it to be honest...

ReacherCreature · 23-09-2010 12:09am

Recently finished: The Influence of Air Power upon History.

Amazon link: here

In a word this book is superb. The author, Walter J. Boyle encompasses the history of flight from its early days of balloons up until the 2003 air assault on Iraq and covering everything in between. Boyle has extensive publications with regard to the air aspect of warfare and his skill shines through calling on a wide range of sources and excellent analytical skills.

It's pre-dominantly a military influence which makes it so much more interesting in my opinion over civilisan flight. The military side of things advanced on to airliners and civillian flight. The book's broken up into chapters which make for easy reading and enables the reader to view certain time periods at ease. WWII obviously is given much depth. Vietnam also receives views. WWI is also explored. Wherever airpower featured, it's noted.

Boyle's work is an eye-opener for the causal and experienced reader; he explores the hefty cost of bombing Germany, the weaknesses of the Japanese Air Forces/Luftwaffe, how Politicans on the homefront crippled American air efforts in Vietnam and how WWI had such a change on humanity among many others.

It's extremely compelling stuff that manages to capture the history of flight. Downsides are minimal; 2003 Iraqi invasion is only briefly covered as well as the 'small wars' of the 80's and 90's - Panama, Grenada and Somalia etc. However these are trivial to his overall piece of work which is a great volume on Air power.

D.McC · 23-09-2010 2:16am

Anyone else read The Boys From Baghdad by Simon Lowe?

It's not as good as read as other of this type and I've come across pictures and events that others have claimed credit for!

One example is of an arrest of insurrgents which the author claimed was carried out by his co-workers, but other sources claim that a different companies employee's made the arrests. :eek:

siblers · 27-09-2010 5:54pm

punchdrunk wrote: »

i did,great book!

Just started reading it yesterday, did about 60 pages, reminds me a small bit of the Sniper One book in terms of his attitude towards soldiering, his narrative style etc but it's a bit slower and more detailed, it's good so far but I'm not exactly riveted to read on.

I just finished Call sign Hades last week by Patrick Bury which was amazing and finished Sniper One by Dan Mills a couple weeks back, Sniper One was awesome as well, funny as **** at times, while being really exciting as well.

Tenger · 12-10-2010 11:10am

ReacherCreature wrote: »

I'm currently reading 'Fiasco' by Thomas E. Ricks. Have a read of the description as it's difficult to explain. Ricks, basically, discusses how the American leaders etc. have poorly went to war using bad decisions and so on. It's good but heavy reading. It's very interesting but getting to the end may be a struggle I fear!

Its is indeed a struggle to read. I am currently about 3/4 through the follow up, "The Gamble" which deals with the troop surge and the tenure of Gen Dave Petraeus. I also picked up "Imperial life in the Emerald city" very easy to read and shocking viginettes of the bubble they lived in. It deals with the activities and attitudes of the CPA from 2003-2004 under Paul Bremer. The book is written by the Washington Post Baghdad correspondant.

Example: 6 days before the CPA handed over power $2.4 BILLION in notes was delivered to its Iraq. It has since been unaccounted for!
Example: Bremer didn't want Mid East veterans as his advisors as he didn't want to be influenced by any preconceived notions!

Funny fact: The marine Lt. in Generation Kill actually attribute his decision to join up to a lecture given at his college by Thomas Ricks. Ricks argues that intoducing the military (OTC programs) to 3rd level insitutions will actually liberalise the military rather than militarise the universities.

iceage · 17-10-2010 8:54pm

Extreme risk by Major Chris Hunter is an enthralling read. Only started it the other night and I'm half way though it already! Some of the funniest Squaddie one liners I've read in ages and some of the darkest images described in vivid detail. I'd Recommend it.

siblers · 18-10-2010 5:18pm

Currently reading thishttp://www.amazon.co.uk/Red-One-Disposal-Expert-Front/dp/0297860550/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1287418539&sr=8-1
Red One: A bomb disposal expert on the front line by Cpt Kevin Ivison. Really good read, bomb disposal experts are insanely brave, can't imagine walking up to a roadside bomb, trying to manually disarm it while at any moment it can be remotely triggered. Insane stuff.

cyrusdvirus · 09-12-2010 6:26pm

http://www.amazon.com/Combat-Morale-North-African-Campaign/dp/0521192706/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1291882892&sr=8-1-spell

new book coming out in January. I've read bits and pieces of it (my cousin is the author) and it seems like a good read.

Just thought i'd drop in a plug for it, and him!!

Nhead · 16-03-2011 5:45pm

If I should die in a combat zone-Tim O' Brien, fantastic book on Vietnam
Matterhorn- Karl Marlantes- ditto
Ireland and the Crimean War-David Murphy-a really illuminating look at the Irish influence in this conflict.
On Another Man's Wound-Ernie O' Malley
Siegfried Sasson- The War Poems-eye opening
Homage to Catalonia-George Orwell. Typical Orwell i.e. genius look at the Spanish Civil War.
My American Journey- Colin Powell
F.N.G-Donald Bodey

PanhardPL · 23-03-2011 9:13pm

Here is the latest relating to the Defence Forces, written by an American chap.

AFV’s in Irish Service since 1922.

BuckJamesRogers · 10-05-2011 2:20pm

Just finished reading Barefoot Soldier by Johnson Beharry VC. Great read, written in the Grenadian colloquialisms too which makes for good reading. Amazing story of courage too!

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9780751538793.JPG?hei=200&wid=160&op_sharpen=1

Steyr · 11-05-2011 10:26pm

Finished reading "Bridge Of Spies" excellent Cold War read. About Cold War Spies and Gary Powers U2 fateful flight over Soviet Russia.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Bridge-Spies-Giles-Whittell/dp/0857201638/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1305149071&sr=8-1

At the moment reading "The Dead Hand", Reagan, Gorbachev and the Untold Story of the Cold War Arms Race

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Dead-Hand-Reagan-Gorbachev-Untold/dp/184831230X/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1305149117&sr=1-1

ReacherCreature · 11-05-2011 10:57pm

The Bomber War

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This is a remarkable book. Written by Robin Neillands and the topic of the Allies' bombing effort on Germany during the Second World War. It's an excellent read covering a deeply interesting and often hidden area of the war. Neillands delves into the history of the Bomber Dream, the first tactical and strategic bombing affairs, the RAF and USAAF history and coming towards the war it's broken into different aspects.

It's an accessible account, richly informative, and very readable yet being scholarly at the same time - something that's difficult to do. His source base is fantastic and I'm envious of what he had at his disposal. Made up of mostly oral histories from both sides the interviews are informative, frank and show ordinary men doing their jobs.

Interesting areas are covered, the 8th Air Force's role, the great raids: the bombing of Schweinfurt, Hamburg, Dresden, Ploesti, and the RAF use of Area Bombing, and a discussion on Arthur Harris. These are all very good, Dresden is a terrific read and seeing how the Allied air forces blossomed into the mighty force it was is good reading

It isn't all plain sailing though. Neilllands gets bogged down in too much description of navigational aides and vindicating Harris and there isn't enough attention focused on the bombers themselves. It becomes a little turgid to read sometimes and the amount of information the brain needs to process it can slow the reading. However in the larger scale of things these are petty comments.

A very recommended read but note that you must have some element of an interest in it to really appreciate it.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Bomber-War-Arthur-Offensive-1939-1945/dp/0719556376/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1305150350&sr=8-1

(Note: the buy used the seller is requesting £100 for new!)

barakus · 21-05-2011 4:48pm

siblers wrote: »

Just started reading it yesterday, did about 60 pages, reminds me a small bit of the Sniper One book in terms of his attitude towards soldiering, his narrative style etc but it's a bit slower and more detailed, it's good so far but I'm not exactly riveted to read on.

I just finished Call sign Hades last week by Patrick Bury which was amazing and finished Sniper One by Dan Mills a couple weeks back, Sniper One was awesome as well, funny as **** at times, while being really exciting as well.

enjoyed call sign hades as well. plenty of action and well written.

Justin1982 · 19-06-2011 4:32pm

"Hidden Soldier" by Padraig O'Keefe. Some book. Couldnt put it down. Finished reading it over a month ago and my life has felt empty since

That lad had balls on him like a Bengali Tiger.

Been reading "Bullet Magnet" the last month. Half way through it. Not really enjoying it at all. Going to try finish it anyway and see if something worth reading happens.

Morlar · 20-06-2011 6:23pm

'Putin and the Rise of Russia'

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http://www.amazon.com/Putin-Rise-Russia-Michael-Stuermer/dp/1605981311/ref=sr_1_8?ie=UTF8&qid=1308590087&sr=8-8

(different cover in Ireland). Interesting to note his father fought at Leningrad in a very-high casualty rate group. His posting in the KGB in (then) East German Dresden and business contacts and rise to power are also fascinating. The general basic concensus of this book was that Putin was always anti-corruption, and an extremely hard worker. No one actually liked him and he did not kow-tow to anyone, but basically no one hated him that much either, hence he was the candidate everyone could live with.

Also . .. .
One Soldier's War in Chechnya

http://www.amazon.co.uk/One-Soldiers-Chechnya-Arkady-Babchenko/dp/1846270391

Chechnyan wars from the point of view of a Russian soldier. Very gritty with some horrific anecdotes (particularly about Russian mothers getting on trains to go this this region looking for their missing sons) and stories about conditions, equipment, treatment and experiences and so on of the Russian soldier.

ReacherCreature · 20-06-2011 10:28pm

Morlar wrote: »

'Putin and the Rise of Russia'

(different cover in Ireland). Interesting to note his father fought at Leningrad in a very-high casualty rate group. His posting in the KGB in (then) East German Dresden and business contacts and rise to power are also fascinating. The general basic concensus of this book was that Putin was always anti-corruption, and an extremely hard worker. No one actually liked him and he did not kow-tow to anyone, but basically no one hated him that much either, hence he was the candidate everyone could live with.

Putin's a fascinating character in my opinion. I do admire him for his help with Russia in getting them out of Russia's free-fall post-Yelstin. He was an extremely hard worker indeed and recognised what needed to be done. Have you read Richard Sakwa's effort? It's quite decent but heavy going at places. Using it for college I only had the chance to skim over.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Putin-Russias-Choice-Richard-Sakwa/dp/0415407664/ref=sr_1_7?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1308605075&sr=1-7

Also . .. .
One Soldier's War in Chechnya

http://www.amazon.co.uk/One-Soldiers-Chechnya-Arkady-Babchenko/dp/1846270391

Is this recommended?

Morlar · 21-06-2011 1:35am

ReacherCreature wrote: »

Putin's a fascinating character in my opinion. I do admire him for his help with Russia in getting them out of Russia's free-fall post-Yelstin. He was an extremely hard worker indeed and recognised what needed to be done. Have you read Richard Sakwa's effort? It's quite decent but heavy going at places. Using it for college I only had the chance to skim over.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Putin-Russias-Choice-Richard-Sakwa/dp/0415407664/ref=sr_1_7?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1308605075&sr=1-7

Also . .. .
One Soldier's War in Chechnya

http://www.amazon.co.uk/One-Soldiers-Chechnya-Arkady-Babchenko/dp/1846270391

Is this recommended?

Completely agree Putin has done an awful lot of good for Russia and yes he is a fascinating character imo. Haven't read the Sakwa one so may check it out.

The Arkady Babchenko one is recommended, it's a nitty gritty book. Not much for strategic overviews or long term outlook or any of that, it is basically one guy and what he saw on his various tours and how it affected him and the people around him. I found some of the unreported details and anecdotal information pretty mindblowing. Some parts of it reminded me of World War two soldiers histories, actually some parts of it kind of reminded me of the 'Forgotten Soldier'. The impression you are left with is that the author wrote a very honest book.

BuckJamesRogers · 21-06-2011 12:29pm

Just finished "Desert of Death" by Leo Docherty. Not recommended by me anyway...it's mostly just him going to A/stan with noble ideas about reforming the country and local government and then finding out that there is no real plan to reform the country (or wasn't when he went there)

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