Book Description

This vivid diary of life in a Japanese internment camp during World War II examines the moral challenges encountered in conditions of confinement and deprivation. ... Read more

Reviews (6)

Survival under stress
Gilkey's academic liberalism is tested by the reality of the stress he observes as a mid-20's, very involved leader under prison conditions. His insights in the complex areas of law, food distribution, justice, work (his insight into lazy workers is very good), equality, theology, among other topics makes this book required reading for all managers, supervisors, teachers, religious leaders and lawyers. His associations with gifted intellects as well as self serving persons during his incarceration allowed him to validate his presuppositions. This is one of the most insightful books I've read in a long time. I now know why he is such an highly respected, revered teacher, mentor and theologian. His insight into the original sin of mankind is worth the price of the book! This book is truly a blessing.

Best sociology lesson ever written
This book should be required reading for every college student to better understand human nature and how people function when building a functional micro society from scratch.

One of the most insightful books on the human condition.
Sociologists and psychologists have case studies that enable them to draw various conclusions about human nature and the human condition. Often these studies are severely biased by the various presuppositions of the discipline. In this magnificent book by Langdon Gilkey, the reader gets a first hand account of a mini "civilization". The entire book is insightful. The most rewarding part is the last section. Gilkey's reflections about the human longing for God and trust in providence is brilliant. Gilkey writes from experience, not from the comfort zone of unattached research.

A view of human weakness and the way of redemption
Gilkey shows his readers the weak and pathetic aspects of the often heralded human self. In trying circumstances we often forsake that which should be most dear, furthermore our fragile egos cannot often own up to its actions. We are hypocrite to the bone. Fortunately there is an answer to the human problem, Gilkey demonstrates this also. A challenging but worth while read.

A candid look at human nature
Langdon Gilkey's account of his internment at the Shantung Compound in China during WW II paints a vivid picture of what humans are like: and it is not pretty. Selfish, base, mean spirited, quarrelsome - it didn't seem to matter what anyone's ideology consisted of, for the most part people acted in whatever ways promoted their own self interest. (One notable exception was Eric "Ridley" (Eric Liddell), the Olympic gold medalist in track whose story was featured years later in the film Chariots of Fire. His unselfishness was notable for being so unique in this camp.) Gilkey makes insightful comments about law and human nature based on his observations, concluding that laws are not made to abstractly state what is right and what is wrong, but are implemented to restrain destructive self-interested behavior and turn socially impoverishing habits into socially constructive ones. I didn't agree with everything Gilkey said, but this book is an eye opener and definitely worth reading. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Politicians have been casting themselves as inheritors of the banner of Abraham Lincoln since his assassination nearly a century and a half ago, as former New York governor Mario Cuomo chronicles in the first of this slim but eloquent political treatise. From William Jennings Bryant to William Jefferson Clinton, from FDR through W, figures on the left and right have declared themselves heirs to the martyred "secular saint" of American statesmanship. (Ronald Reagan went so far as to misattribute eight conservative maxims from the great man at the 1992 Republican convention; the adages turned out to be the creation of a early-20th-century clergyman who was putting his own spin on the Lincoln legacy.) Cuomo notes that Lincoln is too complex a figure to belong exclusively to either the left or the right, but that doesn't stop him from finding an enduring link from Lincoln’s vision to Cuomo's brand of unabashed liberalism. The notion may be debatable, but Cuomo, one of the great orators of his generation, is as fluent at the keyboard as he is at the lectern, making Why Lincoln Matters a rewarding read for those on both sides of the divide. Fired by 9-11 and the 2004 presidential election, Cuomo surveys a host of contemporary issues---from the battle against terrorism to religion, race, and the role of government---interpreting the words and notions of his political hero like a true believer deciphers the Bible. One can dispute his conclusions, but his rousing passion and sense of mission are at the very least thought provoking and articulately reasoned. --Steven Stolder ... Read more

Reviews (7)

a valid argument in spite of a clear political bias:
Call this a good book with a number of obvious problems. The first issue I would take (and my four star review is quite sincere, regardless of the spate of criticisms to follow) is the fact that many of these essays were clearly written at different times. The editorial process, or what there is of it, has managed somewhat admirably to keep the issues up to date (or at least to the time of its publication as so many things are happening so quickly it is impossible to avoid an ensuing irrelevence). What is wrong is the fact that so many points are repeated--endlessly, it seems at times--and this makes the reader sometimes wonder if they hadn't just read or overheard the exact same thing elsewhere. Now there are positives and negatives to this impression. A positive, certainly, would be the implied rational logic of the argument--yeah, I've heard that before so this guy really makes sense. The negative (and this probably affected me more specifically) is that you will read the same idea over and over again.

Now Cuomo has some good things to say, some interesting parallels to make between Lincoln's time and the present moment in history and he argues passionately and forcefully. He didn't necessarily need to convince me as I likely already agreed with much of what he is saying. But as a reader I try to avoid applying my own personal biases and look at the issue at hand objectively (although if I disagreed with his points I bet my review would have dropped a star or two).

What is ultimately at hand, after the eloquent sling shots of President Bush and his supporters, is a minimal hypocrisy on the part of Mr. Cuomo, a man I admire and respect tremendously. He condemns certain politicos of the past for "quoting Lincoln out of context" or for applying his words to their own issues. Unfortunately he does the exact same thing here, assuming Lincoln's opinions regarding issues a mid-19th century politician, a radical or otherwise, could not possibly grasp.

Again, I agree (if not wholeheartedly than essentially) with many of Cuomo's criticisms of the way the Bush administration is running the economy, the 'war on terrorism'--even the murky religious/moral issues at hand throughout the world. This is a worthwhile book if only to get an intelligent man's opinions, stated clearly and persuasively, regardless of what you may actually believe. This is not the angry ranting of some spoiled and frustrated 'liberal' nor the embittered mumblings of a professional contrarian, but a well thought out screed and ideology about how to improve not just America but the very world itself.

This is, in spite of its temporary contemporary relevence, a celebration of Lincoln's brilliance in statesmanship and his greatness as a communicator. It is a history book applied to the present. I would whole-heartedly recommend Cuomo's ideas to anyone--to consider, to talk over, even to debate prior to dismissing. I would just warn that the author is guilty of much of what he seems to disparage in his own political opposition, regardless of his greater ability to communicate his ideas.

Lincoln From a (Very) Liberal Viewpoint
Mario Cuomo, three time governor of New York is also a long-time Lincoln scholar. Here he writes a very interesting book on how he thinks Lincoln would have handled the situations facing George W. Bush.

The simularities are striking, not only a war, but deep divisions within the country on the basic conservative/liberal viewpoints.

During the civil war Lincoln silenced some of his enemies by simply arresting them and holding them without trial or due process. In 1866 the Supreme Court ruled this illegal. Now the US is holding some 158 accused Taliban and al Qaeda members. Just this week the Supreme Court said 'no-no.'

Throughout the book Mr. Cuomo uses selected quotations from Lincoln to illustrate how he thinks Lincoln would have handled the current situations. As Mr. Cuomo is an unabashed liberal, and Mr. Bush is an unabashed conservative, I wonder if Mr. Bush might have picked a different set of quotations to prove that he is handling the situation just like Lincoln would have done.

This is a very different approach to using history to illustrate our current problems. One small section of the book is devoted to how Lincoln might have addressed Congress, a Lincoln's State of the Union Message if you will. Mr. Cuomo uses this 'speach' to decry budget deficits (strange how the Democrats and Republicans have switched sides on this issue), but spend more on education, give more money to the states, etc.

Amazing Synthesis
Gov. Cuomo has done a tremendous job weaving together his own commentary on our nation's present predicament with Lincoln's wisdom. When I read Donald's biography of Lincoln, I found Lincoln's humility in the face of his challengers to be the most enduring lesson. In part, I think it grew out of his considerable depression and what was clearly a sense of being alone in the world. Ironically, it became his greatest asset. In a strange way, by contrast, George W is too well-adjusted for our nation's good. The thread that runs through his prosecution of this war, his cynical treatment of the environment, his tax policies, and many other policies is a complete absence of self-doubt. The beauty of this book is that Gov. Cuomo has captured both Lincoln's essence and Bush's in a nuanced contrast.
I found three areas particularly fascinating. First, the discussion of civil liberties and Lincoln's approach to the Supreme Court appointments. I had not thought about the relevance of Lincoln's actions in the Civil War to the current Court's consideration of "enemy combatant" status for U.S. citizens. Second, Lincoln's religion fascinates me in part b/c Jefferson's does as well. I wish it were better appreciated that two of our nation's most foundational thinkers and leaders had deep concerns about the role of organized religion in issues of state and worked hard to preserve the separation without denying the value of religious beliefs and practice. Third, and most important, the State of the State chapter was a terrific idea and beautifully executed. I only wish that it were being issued by the White House today rather than just being published by Harcourt Brace.

Democratic Republican or Republican Democrat?
In today's political climate, the rhetoric and the pressure to be either Democrat or Republican often ignores the fact that the issues are so closely interwoven that it's difficult to tell the difference in some cases. In fact, logic requires that when persons like Reagan or Clinton grow up in Democratic households as Reagan did, or Republican households as Clinton did, (I think), and as many others have, it may be impossible to typecast the person as all Democrat or all Republican, based upon the kinds of issues defined by Lincoln and others who founded the parties. Unfortunately, the political labels of today with respect to conservative or liberal don't really convey much anymore, and the lables of Democratic Republican or Republican Democrat may serve to identify the political hybrids of today which are flocking into the elections as candidates, Hillary included who once, was Republican possibly until the McGovern campaign as volunteer. As America grows more mature, Cuomo may have the perspectives to allow America to evaluate its political momentum more effectively through the number of political crises that reveal more than has been currently discussed with regard to political centers. These rifts have yet to be debated successfully, and may cause the bulk of the derision seen on many current political talk shows.

A Clear Voice For America's Most Important Values
Governor Cuomo, one of the nation's foremost experts on Abraham Lincoln's life and writings, has examined the ways in which Lincoln dealt with the crises facing the nation during his presidency, deconstructed them to find Lincoln's core values, and brilliantly applied them to the key issues facing us today: war, civil liberties, the role of government, economic opportunity, globailization, religion, the Supreme Court, and race. While both Republicans and Democrats have claimed Lincoln as their own, Cuomo's book shows us that Lincoln's legacy transcends party lines, and that Lincoln's views on these issues, his values and his vision of America are as important and relevant today as they were then. Whether you agree or disagree with Mario Cuomo's politics, this is a readable, thought-provoking book by a great intellect, communicator and historian about another great intellect and communicator that reminds us why America became and still is such a great country.
I particularly enjoyed "Abraham Lincoln's 2004 Address to Congress" -- Cuomo's take on what Lincoln would say to us today, and how he would say it. ... Read more

Book Description

The only insider's account ever written on America's most powerful weapon in the war against terrorism

Reviews (37)

a man with a plan
Charlie Beckwith had a vision and he made it happen. That vision was to give the US military an entity that could do the kind of things the SAS does for the British. The result: the Delta Force. Most of the book talks about Beckwith's formative experiences in Vietnam and training with the SAS before his bureaucratic wrangling and efforts to bring Delta into existence. There is also an important section on the failed Iranian hostage rescue mission in 1980. Beckwith's writing is very conversational; it reads like you're sitting with him at the O club. If you're interested in special operations and/or the tragic story of the rescue mission, you'll definitely want to read this book.

Delta Force - An interesting read by its creator
This book covers the creation of Delta Force from the perspective of Col. Charlie Beckwith, who recognized the United States' need for an elite antiterrorist unit based on his experiences working with the British SAS and in Vietnam.

Both military and political aspects of the Delta Force's creation are addressed and covered with a focus on the Iran Hostage Crisis. I found the book an easy and enjoyable read. Those mainly seeking fast-paced action may find it dry, but it tells a very interesting story. As nonfiction/military history, I gave it 5 stars. It was published in 1983, and I was left wishing it covered through the early 1990s.

A book written by a man who was before his time
To understand Charlie Beckwith and Delta Force, probably the best way to do that is to first understand the British SAS. Beckwith was a huge fan of the SAS, he got most of his ideas from the SAS and all in all had it not been for the SAS, there would have been no Delta.

This book is a story that describes how Beckwith went thru a life changing experience when he underwent a Green Beret exchange tour with the British 22nd SAS Regiment in the early sixties. And then he came back to the USA and spent the rest of his Army career lobbying the Army bureaucracy to build a unit based on the SAS model. This lobbying effort was intensely personal and emotional for Beckwith and frequently involved frustration and disappointment.

Beckwith describes his battles with the Army's conventional bureaucracy, which was powerful and all encompassing. But he also describes his frustrations with the Army's already established special forces of that era...the Green Berets and Ranger Battalions of the sixties and seventies. Beckwith describes how he got little to no support from the regular Army in establishing an SAS type unit, but also how the Green Berets and Ranger Battalions tried to block and stymie his efforts.

Eventually, in the mid to late seventies Beckwith got his wish with the help of a handful of sympathetic, high ranking General officers. To build a truly unique special operations unit based exclusively on the British SAS model. It was neither Green Beret based nor Ranger Battalion based, although most of the early Delta operators were veterans of one of the two mentioned units. It was an American unit, but based on a foreign unit known as the SAS. This all occurred in the extremely anti-special forces political climate of the seventies...right after Vietnam.

Beckwith's career ultimately culminated in the failed 1980 Iranian rescue mission. Which was a huge political disaster for the Carter administration. After which he retired from the Army and sort of faded away. He died in 1994. Its sad that Beckwith never got to see his life's hard work become fully appreciated after the 911 debacle. Beckwith was truly a futuristic thinker, an innovator and creative person.

I would recommend this book for anyone interested in the British SAS, Delta or for anyone who has an intense dislike for bureaucracy and the status quo.

Fascinating reading!!!!
Col. Charlie Beckwith is the founder and first commanding officer of Special Forces Operational Detatchment-Delta, aka Delta Force. Col. Beckwith's book begins with his exchange service as a Special Forces Captain with the British Special Air Service. The SAS made such an impression on Col. Beckwith that he designed Delta's organization, selection and training on the British SAS model.
The book covers Col. Beckwith's service in Vietnam, with the precursor of Delta, whose mission was to go behind enemy lines and locate NVA and VC units. He continues with his battles with U.S. Army brass to get Delta established as a counter-terrorism unit and finishes the book with the aborted rescue attempt of the American hostages in Iran.
The book gives an insight of Delta Force as it was first conceived and organized by it's creator but does not cover any recent Delta operations.

Very good read
This was a really good read, and who better to write about Delta Force than the creator and first commander? All and all it is a slow paced book, but it is straight forward and the time span is relatively small. You have to remember Col Beckwith founded Delta Force but as tradition goes he was only the commander for a few years. I would recommend Inside Delta Force by Eric Haney if you are going to get this book. When you put them together you get a really good unclassified account of what Delta Force is about. ... Read more

Book Description

"A GREAT AMERICAN SUCCESS STORY . . . AN ENDEARING AND WELL-WRITTEN BOOK."
--The New York Times Book Review
Colin Powell is the embodiment of the American dream. He was born in Harlem to immigrant parents from Jamaica. He knew the rough life of the streets. He overcame a barely average start at school. Then he joined the Army. The rest is history--Vietnam, the Pentagon, Panama, Desert Storm--but a history that until now has been known only on the surface. Here, for the first time, Colin Powell himself tells us how it happened, in a memoir distinguished by a heartfelt love of country and family, warm good humor, and a soldier's directness.
MY AMERICAN JOURNEY is the powerful story of a life well lived and well told. It is also a view from the mountaintop of the political landscape of America. At a time when Americans feel disenchanted with their leaders, General Powell's passionate views on family, personal responsibility, and, in his own words, "the greatness of America and the opportunities it offers" inspire hope and present a blueprint for the future. An utterly absorbing account, it is history with a vision.
"The stirring, only-in-America story of one determined man's journey from the South Bronx to directing the mightiest of military forces . . . Fascinating."--The Washington Post Book World
"Eloquent."
--Los Angeles Times Book Review
"PROFOUND AND MOVING . . . . Must reading for anyone who wants to reaffirm his faith in the promise of America."
--Jack Kemp
The Wall Street Journal
"A book that is much like its subject--articulate, confident, impressive, but unpretentious and witty. . . . Whether you are a political junkie, a military buff, or just interested in a good story, MY AMERICAN JOURNEY is a book well worth reading."
--San Diego Union Tribune
"Colin Powell's candid, introspective autobiography is a joy for all with an appetite for well-written political and social commentary."
--The Detroit News
... Read more

Reviews (64)

Great American, Yes; Great Book, No
RE: AUDIO TAPE VERSION READ BY POWELL. I am a Colin Powell admirer but a definitive biography would better be told by a skilled independent writer, and after more "chapters" in his life are complete. Powell may indeed be a man of few faults but we can't be sure of that from his own words. I disagree however with reviewers who postulate that Powell has puffed-up his own accomplishments, on the contrary he's excessively modest. Rising to the highest position in the most powerful military in world history (and now to US Sec. of State) without benefit of a West Point education & connections describes a truly extraordinary individual. And far from savaging his detractors and the many incompetants he must have encountered along the way, Powell offers only a few token, and generally mild, criticisms. This book displays insight into Powell's background, development and beliefs but sidesteps tough questions of who screwed up and when. In that sense it is highly Politic - burns no bridges - and gives one hope that Powell may yet consider an Eisenhower-like leap to the highest civilian office.

One of the most Educational Books I have ever Read
An American success story if there ever was one. Colin Powell vividly depicts his extraordinary life and career that could only take place in the setting of America. This autobiography wheels you through life in the poor neighborhoods in the Bronx to Washington Power broker. Colin Powell takes you though his life through his eyes, and into history, in some ways while reading it, I felt as though it was Forrest Gump on steroids, but the story is true.
Anyone interested in the policymaking process should read this book, as Powell describes his role as well as the role of other American leaders in making some of the most crucial decisions, the reader is swept into the pressures and challenges faced with America's leaders on a daily basis. The book delivers an account into the lives of Dick Cheney, George Bush, Ronald Reagan, and others, allowing you to take a more personal look at American leadership. It is so easy to criticize from the outside looking in, but usually criticism as well as praise, is done by the uninformed.
One aspect I found particularly educational was how Powell provided a small glimpse to me (A young white male) of an educated man, a commissioned officer of the United States Army, refused service in restaurants, and discriminated in others ways. It is a credit to Powell, how he rose above narrow-minded bigotry and focused on the positive; resisting the temptation of "victimization" to become one of the most powerful and respected men in the country. I recommend this book to anyone, black, white, Latino, male, female, liberal, or conservative.

Inspirational
Back in the early 90's, I didn't understand America's love affair with Colin Powell. It was only after he was named Secretary of State by George Bush that I read My American Journey, originally published in 1995. While the book obviously doesn't provide much insight into Powell's sudden about-face in early 2003 on whether to invade Iraq, it does provide a great deal of background and context to allow Americans to understand that Powell probably felt he exhausted his options and had no choice but to support Bush's policy or to resign. It also makes plain Powell's disdain for Dick Cheney. Clearly, Powell did not expect to be working again so closely with Cheney when he published My American Journey.

Powell's lessons are inspirational. There is a reason that Colin Powell is one of the most admired leaders in America, and his autobiography makes clear that he cares about his troops and his employees. Strange, then, that he would have forced his Assistant Secretary for Consular Affairs to "retire" in 2002 rather than stand up to the pressure he must have been under from the press and other government colleagues, including, perhaps, his boss, in the wake of numerous visa scandals. That she was one of the most respected and successful Foreign Service Officers shows that even such bigger-than-life heroes as Powell are only human after all.

My American Journey includes some of Powell's setbacks as well as his achievements. His vignette about a poor efficiency report he received at a crucial stage in his career helped me deal with a similar run-in with my boss. I practically quoted Powell to my boss, but was a bit more active than Powell has himself come across. (Powell essentially resigned himself to finding a new job.) In the end, Powell's first rule prevailed: "It ain't as bad as you think. It will look better in the morning."

An Inspiration for All People!!!
Upon reading "My American Journey," I felt an enourmous sense of pride for the United States of America. Secretary Powell is an example of what people can be become through hard work and determination. In his autobiagraphy, Powell allows the reader to become aware of the challenges this country has endured and how he has over come obsticles that have been placed throughout his life.
Powell lets the reader become aware of where he stands on various important issues that have been part of both United States international and domestic policy. Even if one does not agree with him politically, we can all gain from his sense of respect and devotion to ones country. This is a must read for any one interested in the life of a great American hero.

A Hero For All Seasons
It seems everywhere you go these days, there is Secretary of State Colin Powell, "America's Promise." This book shows why. Secretary Powell's character shines through and will continue to do so despite his detractors, who are truly attacking President George W. Bush (who is distantly related) as well as anything the ultra-agenda-driven media, with their WMD (Words of Mind Destruction) 24-hour anti-Bush shark attack.

Secretary Powell's lessons on life, his devotion to his wife Alma, his service to his country and his fond recollections of being "Luther and Arie's Son" create a portrait of a multifaceted man who planted the seed, via Jamie Sepulveda-Bailey, of "The Valley's Promise," a remarkable youth organization in Palm Springs, Secretary Powell's family, including his cousin Sir Rupert A.L. Perrin, author of his own inspiring story, ORDINARY MIRACLES: My Incredible Spiritual, Artistic and Scientific Journey, are undoubtedly as remarkable as he is. ... Read more

Book Description

Richard Marcinko was the U.S. Navy's most unconventional warrior -- and its most deadly.A master practitioner of the "Let's Do It to Them Before They Do It to Us" school of survival, he was often as feared by his own high command as by the enemy.

This brilliant, tough-as-nails military virtuoso of violence -- ambushes, booby, traps, exotic weaponry, high altitude parachute drops, underwater infiltrations, face-to-face killing -- rose through Navy ranks to create and command one of this country's most elite and secretive counterterrorist units, SEAL TEAM SIX.

Now, in his own colorful voice, this thirty-year veteran recounts the story of the secret missions and Special Warfare madness that make up his harrowing worldwide military career.Here, too, he opens doors that have long been locked: the riveting truth about the mystery-shrouded Navy SEALS; what went onbehind the scenes during the infamous Desert One hostage rescue attempt in Iran; and the stunning inside realities of the Granada invasion. Born on Thanksgiving Day, 1940, Dick Marcinko was raised in mining towns, housing projects, blue-collar bars, and on the streets. He quit school at seventeen and enlisted in a new life of thrill-seeking.

He joined the Navy's Underwater Demolition Teams, which he calls "a masochist's dream." Then he attended over eighteen special-training schools, where he excelled in the lethal, survival and leadership skills that would gain him entrance into the upper strata of military warfare: the SEALS.

Marcinko was almost in humanly tough, and proved it on hair-raising missions across Vietnam and a war-torn world: blowing up supply junks, charging through minefields, jumping at 19,000 feet with a chute that wouldn't open, fighting hand-to-hand in a hellhole jungle, and experiencing the tragedy of watching a buddy die in his arms.He was such a threatening force on the killing fields of Vietnam that the enemy posted a reward for his death.

For the Pentagon, Marcinko organized the Navy's first counterterrorist unit, the legendary SEAL TEAM SIX.One of the most feared weapons against terrorism in the world, the Team went on classified missions from Central America to the Middle East, the North Sea, Africa and beyond. Out of this success, Marcinko was tapped to create the explosive unit know as Red Cell, a dirty-dozen team of the military's most accomplished and decorated counterterrorists.Their unbelievable job was to become terrorists themselves -- to test the defense of the Navy's most secure facilities and installations. The Navy was actually going to pay go-for-broke Marcinko to wreak havoc.The result was predictable: all hell broke loose.

In Rogue Warrior, Marcinko recounts his searing adventures in the special branches of the military reserved for a handpicked few. Here is the hard-working hero . . . the killer who saw beyond the blood to ultimate justice . . . and the decorated warrior who became such a maverick that the Navy brass wanted his head on a pole, and for a time, got it. This, and more, is Marcinko, a man made for war.

Reviews (126)

An autobiography from a real American character
This is a great read. Marcinko's style is both literate and rambunctious, and his personality comes through strong; it's almost like he's there telling you these stories in person.

You also learn a lot about SpecWar, as Marcinko addresses some of the standard misconceptions about Navy SEALs and describes the reasoning behind the strategies his men use.

"Rogue Warrior" offers a fresh if somewhat romanticized view of this important facet of modern warfare, and I this book is a must for anyone with an interest in the subject.

an interesting first hand account
Cdr. Marcinko's account of his Naval career with "the Teams" certainly qualifies him as a genuine American hero. From Pennsylvania miner, to BUD/S training, to his active service and eventual creation (and command) of SEAL Team 6, Rogue Warrior is a true story that reads like fiction. Marcinko details some of his operational information, which is probably not enough for some, but provides an idea of what a SEAL does.

What I found more interesting was his relationship with the Navy in general, and his superiors in particular. For anyone who has served in the military, it is readily apparent that Marcinko ruffled feathers and stepped on toes. While the CDR. (perhaps justifiably) feels his actions were necessary, it is evident that his circumscription of proceedure and detail eventually hurt his career. The bitterness and anger he (rightly) feels is apparent and, it seemed to me, part of the reason behind his book. While interesting, I thought it detracted from the "story", which is why I can only give it 3 stars. Nonetheless, for old and armchair warriors alike, there is much to appreciate from Marcinko's exploits.

This Navy vet think's he's at least 50% full of it
Ok, I believe the author was in the Navy. I believe he went to UDT school, he MAY have been a SEAL. What I don't believe is that anybody this uncouth and uneducated was EVER an officer. I wasn't a SEAL, but I did have some contact with them, and it just doesn't ring true to me.

When Marcinko goes on about dealings with purchasing equipment, I KNOW he's full of it. He claims the higher ups told him to buy an American car for undercover ops in Europe and he disobeyed, claiming the US nameplate was a dead giveaway so he bought a Mercedes instead. Yes a US car may have been a bad idea, and yes brass may have ordered one without thinking. I do know however that the procurement system does NOT intail giving a Comander a check for several thousand dollars and telling him "go buy a car".

I don't think the navy has ever acknowledged this yahoot and it wouldn't surprise me to find out he was a E3 Yeoman that got thrown out for drunken brawling.

Apparently he never expected anyone that was station at roosevelt Roads naval station to read this book. In the opening scene he describes an action where his team was sent to recover a stolen nuke, they were not told it was an exercise, didn't check their loads to dicover blanks, and were apparently dumb enough to believe terrorists would hide their pilfered nuke on the Naval gunnery range on the island of Vieques. Which for 2 years I could see from my bedroom window. 3/4 of this island was owned by the military! What kind of moron would hide something you stole in the house of the person you stole it from? OK Jon Benet Ramsey's parents, but other than that?

The positives Outweigh Negatives in this Man
As a person who have read everyone one of his books I am an avid fan of Mr Marcinko. I find Marcinko to be a leader of men among men among men- and the best of the best are willing to follow him when the going gets tough and there is no way out but in .I should say I am not a drinker and do not rate drinking and being out of control as anywhere near acceptable. I do say that Mr Marcinko has negative traits as everyone else.We cant expect someone to be Jesus Christ.So I should tell the people who write such reviews saying he has an oversized ego or that he overstates things or thinks big of himself ---by thinking of what they themselves did for America or for the world for that matter.Did they face extreme dangers to fulfil missions or ever be in situations he has been. The megalomaniac ego he probably has-- is the self confidence needed to fulfil the mission-impossibleS he did during the 1970s-1980s.Whereas DELTA failed (due mainly to the fallibles of the bureaucracy)during Tehran,SEAL SIX was created to succeed or ship out.There was NO room for failures.
Many of the things about fraud that might have occured later in the 1980s which put him behind bars could be true.I would say the people on top should reward men who accomplish impossible missions (by giving them some incentives) rather than treating them like beggars as had been in 1980-1985-1990s to SIX.A Navy Vendetta cannot be ruled out.Made up accussations can also be a probability .Politicians who make money by fraud get away on a daily bases.Especially the one about Commodore Ted Lyon III makes be laugh about the shoelace episode.We deal with such birdbrains everyday.Also Mr Marcinko is humble enough to admit his own mistakes and fallibles.Not a lot of people or politicians or anybody we know do that these days.He tends always to say things with humor and a touch of irony.My only regret is that his drinking and brashness rubbed himself and others the wrong way.Admiral Marcinko would have sounded neat---we really need more men like him --without the drink of course. From a reluctant but ardent Marcinko disciple

Blunt talk from a guy who was SOF before it was hip
I read this book not long after Marckinko's interview with 60 Minutes. At the time, I was very impressed with Marcinko's testosterone filled prose. However, as time went by I began to see Marcinko more as sort of a loud mouth alcoholic than as a guy to be taken seriously. Marcinko definitely went "rogue" after his SEAL Team Six command was up and he created Red cell.

Personally, I believe Marcinko would have gone much further in the Navy chain of command had he stopped drinking. Had the guy had the sense to cut the boozing out, he probably would have made Admiral. I seriously doubt he would have ended up in prison had he cut out the booze. Its obvious the guy lives for booze and is a hardcore alcoholic. Because of his boozing, I dont see Marcinko as someone to look up to, like say I would look up to Colonel Charlie Beckwith or Dick Meadows.

As for the book itself, its basically a more flamboyant, testosterone filled version of Charlie Beckwith's "Delta Force." Marckinko describes basically the same exact problems in establishing SEAL Team Six that Beckwith encountered in establishing Delta Force. Principle among these problems were intense disagreements over the SEAL Team Six chain of command. Marcinko describes how he was oftentimes more at war with the conventional Navy bureaucracy and the established SEAL community of the early eighties era than with international terrorists.

Marckinko describes how conventional SEAL officers of the early eighties era fought vigorously to keep SEAL Team Six in the east coast SEAL chain of command. Basically keeping it regular Navy and having total Navy control. Whereas Marcinko wanted Team Six in the brand new, "high speed" JSOC chain of command that Delta Force was part of. Marcinko wanted Team Six as part of the JSOC, whereas the east coast SEAL Headquarters and conventional Navy resisted this severely. It was only thru repeated bypassing of the normal chain of command that Marcinko got his way. And he obviously made a ton of enemies within the regular Navy and even the conventional SEAL community doing this.

Marcinko was an independent officer who did his own thing, rather than bowing down to the conventional Navy and the conventional SEAL officers of the late seventies and early eighties. Again, many of his problems are exactly what Charlie Beckwith describes in his own book "Delta Force," written in the early eighties.

In addition, some of the things Marcinko mentions in his book are pure bull. Such as his claim that his men had to be able to bench press 500 lbs to climb special ladders to clandestinely board ships underway. Being able to bench press 500 lbs has little to nothing to do with being able to climb ladders or ropes. In fact, the muscle groups used in these activities are totally different. Again, much of this book is testosterone filled bull, from someone who is obviously a megalomaniac.

Despite this, its still a good read and Id recommend it to anyone interested in SEALs or SOF. One thing I admired about Marcinko was his total lack of respect for bureaucracy and conventional thinking.

Its my personal opinion that had he stopped drinking in the late seventies or early eighties, Marcinko probably would have made Admiral and might have ended up commanding the SEAL community when USSOCOM was formed. Or he might have been able to have become the second or third in command officer at JSOC. Instead, he ended up going to federal prison.

After reading this book and Marcinko's other books the basic message Ive gotten is threefold and simple. First, you cant have a real SOF unit without a clean, direct, bureaucracy free SAS type chain of command. Secondly, in the real world the SEALs take a backseat to Delta. And thirdly, booze destroys good men. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Wonderful glimpse into the mind of Sherman
William T. Sherman was an irascible, unpredictably brilliant man and his letters bring out these myriad traits. He was a fascinating man and his own words illuminate his fiery personality. Sherman's own 1875 memoirs are a mixed bag, marred by an over-abundance of wartime correspondence and ancillary material. This collection of his letters actually makes for more engrossing, instructive reading. We hear his opinions on the major players of the Civil War: Grant, Halleck and Lincoln. We gain an understanding of his tortured relationship with his wife, Ellen, to whom many of the letters are addressed. His visceral hatred of the press and reporters is well represented.

The collection is expertly edited by Brooks Simpson, someone who thoroughly understands both Sherman and the civil war era. The notes are instructive and unobtrusive and the introduction lays the groundwork for appreciating Sherman and his correspondence. This is an outstanding book for anyone who wishes to get to know the erratic and intellectual General who was second only to Ulysses S. Grant in ability and results. ... Read more

Book Description

Hailed as a prophet of modern war and condemned as a harbinger of modern barbarism, Sherman is the most controversial general of the Civil War. "War is cruelty, you cannot refine it," he wrote in fury to the Confederate mayor of Atlanta, and his memoir is filled with dozens of such wartime exchanges and a fascinating, eerie account of the famous march through the Carolinas. ... Read more

Reviews (17)

One of the most interesting characters of the Civil War
After the Civil War, there were many public misunderstandings and misrepresentations about General William T. Sherman. Secretary of War Stanton had caused to be published certain opinions of his that Sherman had messed things up, and many supporters of General Grant gave him all the credit for Sherman's famous march to the sea and Atlanta campaign (which was entirely Sherman's idea). Partly to dispel popular misconceptions about him, and partly to provide future historians with a great primary resource (which intention he states in the opening pages of this work), General Sherman decided to undertake the writing of his memoirs, and this is the result.

The historical value of these memoirs is enormous. Sherman contributed a great deal to the war, and was partially responsible for the war ending when it did. He conducted one of the most brilliant military campaigns in modern history (actually, they were three campaigns--Atlanta, Savannah, and the Carolinas) and accomplished what many considered to be the impossible. His policy of total war, applied in the South, was utilized by Sheridan in the Shenandoah, and was later slightly modified to be used against the Indians. Thanks to his memoirs, we have a step-by-step account of how this policy developed.

Sherman's work is engaging and very to the point. He is meticulous almost to a fault in his quest for accuracy and detail. His writing is very, very good, and easy to read. Also, Sherman truly (I believe) endeavored to be completely objective in his evaluations, and accomplished this end better even than most modern historians. He is quick to give praise and slow to censure, but is not afraid to record the failures of his subordinates when necessary. He sometimes points out things they could have done better, but is never overly critical of them. He even admits that he made mistakes sometimes. In fact, I believe this is one of the most objective and fair autobiographies I have ever read. Sherman had much reason to dislike many people, but never, in reading this work, did I find a single instance of him trying to debunk the character of any man. Even Stanton, the man who falsely represented Sherman's actions, receives fair treatment at the general's hands.

William T. Sherman is a very colorful figure in Civil War history. He may well be one of the most complex and intriguing individuals of the war. To some, he is a barbarian; to others, a deliverer. He is immensely quotable, and was very opinionated and outspoken. If you're contemplating studying the Civil War, do not be put off by this book's length. Far from being a dry account of a man's recollections, this is a very engaging and very worthwhile autobiography, and any student of the war will profit by reading it.

A story of a man who changed the face of war.
This book is probably the most fasinating biography I have read. Sherman was an talented outsider whose abilty won the civil war. The book begins with Shermans early military career and civilain life before the civil war. Sherman crisscrosses the content to support his family and becomes a Dean of students, a surveyor, a banker, a rail road man and a partener in a law firm. All these skills and travels blend together to make a master stragist and leader.

Sherman was a man always moving to survive. His plan of attack was to move quickly to destroy property and save lives of his men as well as those of the enemy. He stood for loyality and a chain of command, yet was willing to congole the president and U S Grant into allowing him to march through Goergia and the Carolinas while living off the land.

This is an analytical story of stragidty and passionate story of a man who was unwilling to slaughter men and instead destroyed the means to war.

All war is hell. WT Sherman

"The Most Magnificent Army in Existence"
"What Dercyllidas said of the court of Persia may be applied to that of several European princes, that he saw there much splendor but little strength, and many servants but few soldiers." So Adam Smith (although it was not Dercyllidas but Antiochus). In an anecdote, he thereby captures the essence of classic small-r Republicanism: a society of individuals who are fit, self-sufficient -- and armed. It is the model that gives such sentimental appeal to the campaign for the right to bear arms.

Was there ever such a society? Doubtful. But if you wanted to find one, you would have done well to show up on Pennsylvania Avenue in Washington D.C. a little after 9 a.m. on the morning of the 23d of April, 1865, to review the Army of the West in review formation behind its commander, William Tecumseh Sherman. Here, from his memoirs, is Sherman's own account.

"When I reached the Treasury-building, and looked back, the sight was simply magnificent: The column was compact, and the glittering muskets looked like a solid mass of steel, moving with the regularity of a pendulum. . . . It was, in my judgment, the most magnificent army in existence - sixty-five thousand men, in splendid physique, who had just completed a march of nearly two thousand miles in a hostile country, in good drill, and who realized that they were being closely scrutinized by thousands of their fellow-countrymen and by foreigners. . . . The steadiness and firmness of the tread, the careful dress on the guides, the uniform intervals between the companies, all eyes directly to the front, and the tattered and bullet-riven flags, festooned with flowers, all attracted universal notice. Many good people, up to that time, had looked upon our Western Army as a sort of mob; but the world then saw, and recognized the fact, that it was an army kin the proper sense, well organized, well commanded and disciplined, and there was no wonder that it had swept through the South like a tornado."

Sherman had reason to be proud. One assumes that his name still evokes bitter memories around Atlanta where he tore up and twisted so many miles of rail track. But Sherman was, ironically, the kind of general who is good for victor and vanquished alike. He had the temperament of a fighter, but he knew that the goal of fighting was not to shed blood, but only to win. His campaigns inflicted legendary damage but most of it was swift and highly focused. There was some pillage, but even the pillage seems to have been planned and organized and permitted only to the extent necessary for the campaign. In all the accounts that I have seen, there is little or no talk of rape.

It is a commonplace that good soldiers make bad writers, but the evidence is not so clear. There is a reason why Caesar and Xenophon persist as staples of the classical curriculum. Ulysses Grant, who was said to write military orders so clear that they could not be misunderstood, himself produced a military memoir of great vigor and force. But it is hard to think of anything that will compare with Sherman's own account - particularly his narrative of the long march from Lookout Mountain across George and then up through the Carolinas to the Capital and the end of the war. If there ever was a time to be optimistic about the future of a free citizenry, surely the day of that great parade was the day.

Sherman's own perspective: surprisingly riveting
William T. Sherman was one of the most fascinating, unique characters of the American Civil War. Explosive, profane and brilliant, he was surprisingly cautious on the battlefield and never incured the casualities of either Lee or Grant. Sherman's strength was in manouvering to avoid combat and he generally succeeded.

So, how does Sherman hold up as a writer? Surprisingly well. Though the book is not as well-written as Ulysses S. Grant's Personal Memoirs, it is still a solid, riveting piece of work. A small criticism is that Sherman included copious amounts of correspondence which are printed in small letters at the bottom of many pages. The correspondence is frquently difficult to decipher and not especially edifying. The acual text, however, is stellar. Highly recommended.

Great book, GREAT PUBLISHING!
The Library of America edition of Sherman's Memoirs is one of the most fascinating books I've ever read. The man had a brilliant mind. He was efficient in all that he put his hand too. And, if he failed in some ways, he cleaned up his messes and went on his way. The war would probably have lasted forever if he hadn't had the foresight, the leadership ability, the stamina, and just plain guts. But he knew how to end the war, and he had no illusions that he was playing at war. He knew it was hell, and he did what he had to do. I loved the dated letters and wires between the various players on the scene. Thank God Sherman saved these written pieces of history for us. If he hadn't, his memoirs would have only been from his point of view. And, when something he's telling us is from his memory only, he states it as such. If you are going to war, it's not a good idea to play at it. Sherman knew that. And biding his time, he was given the chance by U.S. Grant to end this. If he hadn't been elected to take his "show on the road" we would probably be living today in a divided, bickering country, and without the power we enjoy as a nation. And, by the way, Grant was brilliant enough and his ego was intact enough so that he was able to award the job of sweeping up Georgia and the Carolinas to the best man--Sherman.
Regarding the publishing, it's about time I didn't have to crack open the binding to read a book. Because the binding is sewn, it opens flat to any page you choose. The paper is thin to keep the book from being too heavy and large. The paper is also acid free so it will not yellow and become brittle with age. The cloth binding is exquisite--designed and manufactured in Holland; it is Rayon, which probably will last forever. Even the dusk jacket is quality paper. That's how my books were when I was young, and that's why I don't remember ever having to break the binding open in any of my books, no matter how large they were. It's a pleasure to be able to lay on my stomach and read a book without having to hold it in place. If you want to write in your books, buy cheaper versions. Don't complain when you receive a gem. ... Read more

Book Description

Read by the author, Larry Heinemann

The Nation Book Award-winning author of Paco's Story returns with a haunting memoir of his year as a combat soldier in Vietnam—and the ghosts he encounters on his return 30 years later.

In 1966, just as the American military buildup in Vietnam was going into overdrive, a working-class 22-year-old from Chicago was drafted into the army. Larry Heinemann serviced one year of combat duty with the 25th Infantry Division, most of it in the vicinity of Cu Chi. It was the most horrific and consequential year of his life, and it served as the raw material for his two classic war novels, Close Quarters and Paco's Story.

The memoir chronicles a 1992 railway journey Heinemann took from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City as the guest of the Vietnam Writers' Association. Along the way, he encounters Vietnamese war veterans and views sites that trigger powerful memories. His journey ends with a crawl through the tunnels of Cu Chi and a climb up the sacred mountain that is this book's namesake. A work of mourning and an act of reconciliation, Black Virgin Mountain considers the psychic costs of a war that is still taking its toll. ... Read more

Book Description

Patton: A Genius for War is a full-fledged portrait of an extraordinary American that reveals the complex and contradictory personality that lay behind the swashbuckling and brash facade. According to Publishers Weekly, the result is "a major biography of a major American military figure."

"This massive work is biography at its very best. Literate and meaty, incisive and balanced, detailed without being pedantic. Mr. D'Este's Patton takes its rightful place as the definitive biography of this American warrior." --Calvin L. Christman, Dallas Morning News

"D'Este tells this story well, and gives us a new understanding of this great and troubled man."-The Wall Street Journal

"An instant classic." --Douglas Brinkley, director, Eisenhower Center ... Read more

Reviews (61)

This book captures the essence of General George S. Patton.
As Carlo D' Este notes in the prolouge to Patton: A Genius For War, much of what people know about George S. Patton is derived from the 1970 film, "Patton". Patton is portrayed as the swashbuckling, profane, destiny-obsessed warrior. This portrait is a mere fragment of the the man.

In his biography, D'Este penetrates Patton's outter-surface to reveal to the reader the many facets that comprise George S. Patton the man, not the warrior.

D'Este begins with Patton's childhood, when he was regaled with stories of his family's bravery during the Civil War, leading Patton to grow up believing it was his destiny to become a great soldier. D'Este also writes rather extensively on Patton's dyslexia, which obviated his education and caused his many feelings of inferiority.

D'Este then moves into Patton's involvment chasing the Mexican bandit Pancho Villa and his service in World War I. In both episodes, Patton served under John J. Pershing, who would become his mentor. In World War I, Patton was responsible for the organization of America's armored corps, which under Patton's leadership played a vital role.

D'Este's discussion of Patton's interwar years reveals Patton's discontent with peace, which serves a catylyst of severe mood swings that take a heavy toll on his family. Throughout this period, Patton seemed sure his destiny would not be fulfilled, which served as a great source of anxiety. Here, the reader sees the undying devotion Beatrice Patton had for her husband, as she served as his pillar of strength throughout his life. Also, Patton the husband and father is shown to the reader in this section.

D'Este then offers great insight into the triumphs and tragedies of Patton in World War II, and reveals the rapport Patton established with his troops, and his deep appreciation for those who fought and sacrificed for his army. Contrary to popular belief, Patton deeply cared for his troops and abhored the carnage of war.

D'Este also writes extensively about Patton's belief in reincarnation and his deeply held religious convictions. This chapter is deeply revealing. D'Este also devotes a chapter to the speech Patton delivered to his troops of the Third Army before their deployment after D-Day. The reader does not wonder for too long why Patton developed such confidence in his men.

D'Este's research is thorough and is taken mostly from primary sources. The endnotes are well detailed. His writing is excellent, and the book flows smoothly, which is a plus.

If one bases bases one's opinion of George S. Patton only on the movie, one becomes a victim of naivety. While one should not accept this book as absolute truth, it should be accepted as a revealing and intimate portrait, as it captures the esssence of George S. Patton.

I began this book a skeptic of Patton, but came away with a deeper understanding and appreciation of the man.

Patton; A Different View
ENN Book Review -05/12/97 - 22:00CDT

By C. L. Staten, EmergencyNet News Service

Shortly after my visit to the local hospital, and during a somewhat extended illness at home, I have had the good fortune to read a lengthy but very satisfying title by a retired U.S. Army Lt. Col. and military historian, Carlo D'Este. The subject of this biography is admittedly a personal hero and the subject of some deep reading on the part of this reviewer on several past occasions. In fact, at the onset of the manuscript, I wasn't sure what more there was to learn about George S. Patton, Jr.. Thankfully, D'Este's treatment of Patton is an amazingly well-balanced and unbiased analysis that will be regarded by some as a non-traditional treatment of the World war II hero.

This is a full-fledged portrait of Patton, from his childhood, through his military service, and up to and including his untimely death at the end of the war. It doesn't spare the reader the blemishes of Patton's life, nor an insightful analysis of his generally acknowledged military genius. Interestingly, this work actually explores the possibility that much of what Americans commonly know about George S. Patton Jr., including his infamous profanity, may have been a facade intended to fool others.

D'Este spends a great deal of time dwelling into the family and private life of Patton, as well as exploring some of the psychological implications of events that shaped his life. He correctly observes, that given Patton's parentage and upbringing that there are few other things that he could have been except a "warrior." From the time that he was old enough to listen to the stories around the fireplace, he was educated about a deep-seated family tradition of military service and sacrifice for the country. These stories and his formal education at VMI and West Point undoubtedly, firmly, shaped his destiny.

Also of note in regard to Patton's education is the not well known fact that he suffered from dyslexia. D'Estes review goes to some lengths to discuss the effects of this condition and the possible emotional ramifications that it can have on its victims. D'Estes expounds on the works of Dr. Harold Levinson, a renowned Dyslexia expert, who contributes much of Patton's eventual success (and subsequent emotional distress) to his normal feelings of inferiority caused by the dyslexic disorder. Levinson's hypothesis includes an opinion that Patton's drive, authoritarian demeanor, macho attitude, and warrior mentality may have all been rooted in compensating for his life-long illness.

Finally, D'Estes covers the strategic war in Europe in great depth. He reviews some of the facts concerning stories associated with Patton's slapping of two enlisted men in Sicily, Patton's alleged feuds with Field Marshal Bernard Montgomery, and his continued "political disputes" with Gen. Mark Clark, Gen. Omar Bradley, and Gen. Dwight Eisenhower. One commonly accepted fact does remain undisputed by D'Estes diatribe...Patton was one of the most successful generals on the allied side. D'Estes well documents the fact that through a combination of audacity, bulldoggedness, and clever tactics he managed to take more ground in a shorter time frame than any other general in the war.

All in all, "Patton; A Genius For War" comes highly recommended. Parts of it do contain mature language, which may not be suitable for children. But, that is only in keeping with Patton's philosophy of "giving it to 'em straight and dirty...so they'll understand it." This book gives significant insight for the serious World War II history student, as well as providing a "behind the scenes" feel that contributes to any readers understanding of a complex and turbulent time in the world's history. It you like detailed WWII history, and especially one of its most controversial generals...buy this book.

Patton in all his glory, vanity, and daring
Let me start out by saying that this this book is, first and foremost, very readable; I say that because, even though I am an avid reader of military history, too often these sorts of biographies can be very dense. I found Patton's early years fascinating - grandson of a Confederate war hero, Patton was raised with stories of his family's military legacy as a core part of his being, leading him to believe in his destiny to do great things. From his academic struggles to get through VMI and West Point, his early military experiences in Mexico and WWI, the tedious interwar years - all form a great foundation for the Patton's entrance on to the WWII stage.

Patton's leadership style was what fascinated me the most. Action oriented with his troops, Patton made sure his troops kney were being LED, and made them believe they could win. Pompous and a stickler for military decorum, he could be seen as a bit of buffoon. But he led by example - out with the troops constantly - and he delegated heavily to his staff even as he demanded the best of them. About what other leader do veterans say things like, "I was with Patton" when describing their war experiences?

Like all WWII military leaders, Patton is controversial, and some readers may want to understand other perspectives on Patton's run-ins with folks like Montgomery, Ike, and Bradley. D'Este's trump card seems to be that the Germans feared Patton the most of all the Allied generals.

The book covers all facets of Patton's military life, his relations with family, and goes into details on all his campaigns. With the Berlin Wall now gone, the import of Patton's concern about the Russians may seem less important now, but he was certainly right on.

As biographies of military figures go, this one is a winner. Highly recommended.

Captures Patton the Man and the Warrior
D'Este's biography of General Patton is as thorough and balanced a treatment of this great man as I have ever seen. I re-read my old (now long out of print) copy of Farago's "Patton: Ordeal and Triumph" afterward and discovered just how different the two accounts are. Both books are essential reading as they give you different (but not disparate) views of General Patton. Both are unashamedly pro-Patton while acknowledging his human flaws. "Genius For War" attempts to delve more deeply into Patton the man than any previous biography. It also helps to detach the General's story from the image portrayed in the fine 1970 film "Patton." Ultimately there is far more to General Patton than the movie could ever convey. However, "Genius For War" conveys this depth quite well. One comes away from "Genius" feeling that Patton's story has finally been told with far more accuracy. I had only one quibble with the account, and it is of minor consequence. I felt D'Este was too invested in portraying Patton as dyslexic; perhaps his information sources were biased on this matter. While the author quickly dismisses the possiblity that the General may have suffered mild traumatic brain injury (perhaps from numerous falls from horses), his descriptions of the General's behavior actually raise this as a credible possibility. While it raises an interesting question, I doubt if 60+ years after the General's passing that anyone will be able to definitively answer that question. This is unquestionably one of the most engrossing, readable biographies I have ever experienced. I give it my strongest recommendation, and thank the author for his efforts. I can think of few books I have enjoyed so much.

An Excellent Biography of a Very Complex Man
In terms of the biographies that one comes across this one is by far the most comprehensive and non judgemental towards its main character.

Patton's life is depicted through the book very vividly and covers a lot more about the man than most people know. It covers his life through his triumphs and disasters very distinctly without making the reader hate or love Patton more or less than he ought to be.

Patton's life is more than just the last three years of his life through which he is most known among the world - His Glory Years - World War II. And those years are very beautifully covered in the book. Infact they show more about him, his nature and his character than the three years of the WWII.

Even though i have always admired him I still felt moved by the book. Not because he is idolised by the author in the book but more because through the book D'Este has shown that even the great Patton was just a human being full of doubts and fallings.

Patton's greatness does not lie in his swashbuckling nature, his outbursts, his abusive language but in the fact that he was more confident in the training that he made his armies go through, the discipline he ensured among his soldiers and in his utter confidence in his them.

Yes! you hate him a number of times during the book. But you come to admire what he did for his men in the field. In my belief inspite of the fact that it was his nature to try to test his fate whenever he went to the front but merely seeing their general among themselves inspired the men who served under him to do their best for him.

I have never ever enjoyed any biography more than this one. It made me laugh many times, it made me cry many times and it makes me sad that such a man wasnt given the respect he deserved - more than any other general who served in the army. In my view he was truly the Greatest General who served during World War II at least the Greatest American General. And he deserved the 5 Stars I have given this Book. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Someone once said that more books have been written about Abraham Lincoln than any other person in history save Jesus and Shakespeare. Indeed, it is impossible to understand the Civil War without getting to know the complex figure of the 16th president. More than any other biographer, Stephen B. Oates brings the plain-talking man from Illinois to life as a canny politician, a doting husband, and a determined wartime leader. Oates has an appealing appreciation for Lincoln's majestic control of the English language, his raw humor, and his undeniable heroism. The final pages, covering Lincoln's death and his legacy, are graceful and moving. ... Read more

Reviews (30)

A "70s" Lincoln, Not The Right One.
Oates' biography, though very readable and quite good on Lincoln's personal tragedies, is far from a persuasive or fair portrait. Oates advertises his 1970s New England liberalism by painting Lincoln as all but wanting to be an abolitionist and egalitarian, but darn those dang border states and that Constitution tying his hands! Such authors have stretched long chapters around a few tidbits like Lincoln's one-time public favor of limited black suffrage and very little more. Lincoln was more of a moderate realist for reasons of his own view on the desireable pace of national reform, and not simply because of external factors. He was neither a Radical Republican restrained by the Constitution, or a conservative wishing to maintain the status quo. Before this book, Lincoln biographers dragged him too far right, and Oates overcompensated, dragging him too far the other way. David Donald's LINCOLN is far superior.

Most readable book ever written on Lincoln
IMO, this is "the" biography of Abraham Lincoln. While I consider David H. Donald's bio of Lincoln to be slightly more sophisticated and detailed, Stephen Oates' bio of Lincoln is the most enjoyable and interesting to read. Prof. Oates has a smooth writing style that tackles complex issues and makes them easy to understand. He never gets bogged down in boring, hard-to-understand statistics or details.

One of the 3 Best 1 Volume Biographies About Lincoln
I have been studying Abraham Lincoln for nearly 40 years. Many Lincoln scholars consider WITH MALICE TOWARD NONE by Stephen B. Oates one of three BEST one-volume biographies of Abraham Lincoln ever written to date. The other two are LINCOLN by David Herbert Donald and ABRAHAM LINCOLN: A BIOGRAPHY by Benjamin P. Thomas.

An excellent biography of an incredibly complex man.
"With Malice Towards None" is a very creditable work and a fine attempt to explain the author's view of Abraham Lincoln. Oates views Lincoln as a genuinely good man, highly ambitious, self-made, and first and foremost: a politician. Like all politicians who are heads of state, Lincoln had to grapple with the issues of his day. In his day, however, the issues were unusually intractable, difficult, and complex, such that the nation was unable to solve them through established institutions. It took an actual Civil War to decide whether slavery in America must go, whether America is first and foremost a union of united States, or whether it was a Union of essentially sovereign single states. These were and are great issues, and the greatness of Lincoln is that he stood in the center of these issues, spent his entire presidency grappling with them, and ultimately, it was his unswerving leadership, not perfect but great, that ultimately led America to resolution of these issues.

Oates shows us that Lincoln was a politician. He wheedled, compromised, and was carried by great events as often as he shaped them. This does nothing to take away from the man who, along with Washington, ranks as doubtless one of our two greatest presidents. While opposing slavery, Lincoln was ready to compromise with it, at least sometimes to some extent. Oates does a good job of explaining this in a non-revisionist way that shows respect to Lincoln and to history.

Oates' writing is clear, and his research thorough. This is not a perfect book in that it is not a complete view of Lincoln. No 400 or so page book about this complicated man could achieve that. On the other hand, Oates portrays Lincoln brilliantly, and with insight, as a gifted leader and politician in an incredibly difficult time.

I would have enjoyed more discussion of some of Lincoln's more extreme actions, his bending (some would say breaking) of the Constitution, and the extremes to which he went to achieve ultimate military victory for the North. Oates does touch on this, but more would have been welcome.

An excellent book about a difficult and complex subject. Recommended.

A decent portrayal of Lincoln, but not a great one
Abraham Lincoln is one of the most written-about men in history. There are scores of biographies, profiles, analyses, everything to do with this great man. Because of this, it is difficult to find a good, comprehensive work that details his life adequately and faithfully. In this book, Stephen B. Oates gives a good representation of Lincoln, giving a pretty good account of his life and not trying to raise the man to deity (as others have done). Despite this, however, there are several flaws in this book that make it only of average quality.

Oates commits what I consider to be the unpardonable sin in biography--he attempts to get inside Lincoln's head. One of the necessary qualities of a good biographer is that he or she should not try to psychoanalyze the subject, should not assume he knows what was going on inside the subject's head, and should certainly not embellish the account with a bunch of supposed conversations and feelings which are more the fabrication of the author than the feelings of the subject. Oates breaks all of these rules.

The most annoying thing about the book is that Oates will paraphrase what he thinks Lincoln said. He may give a short quotation, but then he closes the quote and proceeds to adlib what he assumes Lincoln would say, speaking in the first person as though he were the President himself. He uses the pronoun 'I' in his own narrative, when he should be using 'he.' If you can get over Oates pretending to speak for Lincoln himself throughout most of the book, the rest of the account is pretty decent. But I had a hard time getting past that.

For a 400 or so page biography, this book covers the subject moderately well, though not excellently. Many men, such as Jefferson Davis, Stonewall Jackson, or Admiral Farragut, are barely mentioned, as if Lincoln had nothing to do with them at all. It would have added greatly to the account to have a more detailed description of the Civil War, and about Lincoln's counterparts in the South (such as Davis). Still, this is a pretty good book, though far from definitive in any way. With the mountains of work available on this great man, there's got to be something better out there. ... Read more

Book Description

The inspiring, true story of a top soldier who survived Jim Crow only to land in astruggle for survival beside his racist white captain after they were downed inVietnam

Raised in the segregated South, Ezell Ware was determined to excel beyond the linesdrawn by white power brokers. He became the top recruit in his Marine training class;having grown up without running water, electricity, or sufficient food, he wasn’t dauntedby military life. He eventually earned a chance to join the Army’s helicopter pilotprogram, realizing his dream of flying. It was a role that would change his life, and thelife of an unlikely partner in valor at the height of the Vietnam War.

Downed by enemy fire while on a mission over thick jungles, Ware and his badly injuredcaptain endured a three-week descent into hell, with one canteen and little defense againstcountless deadly forces. But when his captain revealed his membership in the Ku KluxKlan, their situation took a turn that surprised them both—and put Ezell on the road tobecoming a general.

A unique memoir of heroism and humanity, By Duty Bound captures a crucialchapter in American history through the eyes of one of its most remarkable witnesses. ... Read more

Book Description

Taking a highly original, thematic approach to the study of Horatio Lord Nelson, this book analyzes the admiral's unique war-fighting style. Doctrine, tactics, and operational art are part of the analysis, as are Nelson's command and leadership abilities and his attitudes and beliefs. But the book's focus is on how all these elements combined to form the man whose infectious ethos spread through his entire force. It shows that Nelson's creative genius, excitable and intense personality, dramatic visage, and fervor for all things martial not only inspired courage and loyalty but so dazzled and enflamed the hearts and minds of his men that he reached near cult status in his lifetime.

As a professional military analyst who has devoted his career to researching, writing, and teaching about the tactics and operational art of warfare, the author draws on his own training and experience to view the admiral's war fighting from a vantage point not accessible to many of Nelson's leading biographers. Joel Hayward breaks free from the constraints of chronology to thematically explore in greater-than-usual depth and coherence the key aspects of Nelson's fighting style and to answer questions not previously raised about that style and its supporting ideas, including to what degree Nelson's style can be adopted by modern warriors. Nelson scholars and enthusiasts will consider the book to be a fine companion to the more traditional studies of the great admiral. The book will also appeal to students of warfare in general, especially those who focus on the Napoleonic period. 256 pages. 9 photographs. 7 maps. Notes. Bibliography. Index. Hardcover. 6 x 9 inches. ... Read more

Reviews (21)

Book arrived in a week!!! It reveals a Christian warrior!!!
I'm like the book reviewer below; delighted that we have a John Keegan-quality scholar of warfare living in New Zealand (Hayward has just co-written a great book on New Zealand military commanders to add to his many titles). This book, FOR GOD AND GLORY, is about the admiral after whom my own city, Nelson, was named. I've read several books on him, notably Colin White's, Dudley Pope's and Tom Pocock's. But only now, after reading Hayward's finely put-together and superbly written book, do I feel especially proud of my city's namesake. That's because Hayward describes Nelson's Christian faith and shows its huge impact on his life - and naval career - in more detail than I've read anywhere else. Actually, a recent issue of the NELSON DISPATCH (July 2001, pages 446 to 450) even claimed that while Nelson believed in the God of the Old Testament, he didn't show any interest in the Christian gospel and its central tenets of sacrifice (Christ's death for our sins), repentence and forgiveness. Hayward gently but strongly disproves these wishy-washy ideas, and demonstrates that while Nelson may not have often discussed Christ and the crucifixion, they were the dominating factor in his ambitions, hopes and behaviour (even as a heroic and fierce warrior).
I think the rest of the book is also full of rich insights and new ideas, all of which scholars will doubtless debate among themselves in their ever-competitive way. But for them and especially non-professional enthusiasts I think Hayward more than makes his case on most points. They seem water-tight to me.
Hayward shows deep respect for Nelson and does not seek to make a name by harping on about his failures, weaknesses and poor decisions. Terry Coleman did that, and while his sharp criticisms probably helped his book to sell, it made Coleman appear attention-seeking, partisan and unfair. Hayward is more like White and Pocock. His portrayal is even-handed and his explanations of Nelson's bad moments are balanced and non-judgemental. Hayward is most critical when it comes to Nelson's unwillingness to work harmoniously with the British Army on Corsica, but even then Hayward reveals the compl