2 comments about A Different Kind of Courage.

1. Normally I read books by authors that I know and trust. I am not familiar with author Jim Horsley. I was hesitant in buying and reading his book. I did buy his book and have read his book--I am glad I did. The content of the book kept me moving through the book. The way his life is now compared to when he graduated from college is definitely an inspiration to me and I believe his life will inspire others as well.



2. From the moment I cracked this book open I knew I was in for a great read. The author knows how to grab hold of the reader's attention and keep it throughout. I enjoyed the stories about Horsley's military training and his exploits in VietNam. The book is loaded with all the testosterone things most guys only dream of doing. The writing of the book gives the reader a way of living vicariously thourgh Jim Horsley as he navigates his A-6 Intruder through the triple-A fire of VietNam. The extreme concentration necessary to land a jet on an aircraft carrier. And, probably my favorite stories were of those while Horsley was a member of the Blue Angels. I think every guy wants to be a Blue Angel and perform some of the incredible manuevers they do. This book gives you an inside look at what it takes to be a Blue Angel and just how good these men are. But, the book is about more than just guy-stuff. It gives a person a great example of how life can be rewarding even when you are not the envy of most people. It shows that a relationship with God and your family are the two most important things in a person's life. Once those relationships have been cemented, then it becomes eaiser to help those around us and make a difference in someone else's life.I was able to relate easily with many of his experiences in coming to know the Lord. The "mistake of going to church" was dead-on, as well as many other things he encounters on his trip to being saved. This book has inspired me to re-assess my own life and what God has in store for me. It is also helping me look for someone for whom I can make a differnce in their life. This book is a great read for anyone who wants to get an inside look at one of the greatest jobs in the world: Being a Blue Angel. But, more importantly, this book and it's author set an excellent example for people to follow. I strongly encourage this book be added to your collection.

   Marseilles Chavez Sacramento, Calif.

No comments about The Forgotten Black Soldiers in White Regiments During the Civil War.

1 comments about The Final Hours: A German Jet Pilot Plots Against Goering.

1. Having read this book several years ago (courtesy of Johannes), the feel of the pilots, the elite of the Luftwaffe and their battles, both in the air and on the ground against their own leadership are critical in understanding how these patriots continued their struggle. Johannes Seinhoff was only one of a handful of men who were qualified to write on this topic; he was present during the revolt in January 1945, along with Galland, Luetzow, Trautloft and others. In order to understand the war, both militarily and politically from the German viewpoint, this book should be read.

2 comments about Our Little War: The 1139th Military Police Company in Baghdad.

1. This book provided an interesting insight into the experiences of the 1139th Military Police Company, a Missouri National Guard Unit that was called up and deployed to Iraq shortly after the fall of Bagdad. The book chronicles the experiences of the individual soldiers during their mobilization, pre deployment training, their year of occupation duty and the eventual return to civilian life. The period the book covers is the first year of occupation May 2003 through January 2004, so it doesn't include the subsequent events on the ground concerning the insurgency and the Sunni/Shia confrontation.
   
   All in all a good book for those looking for a soldier's view of the early stages of the occupation or the experiences of citizen soldiers serving in an operational area.



2. John Thulin, a veteran of America's war in Kuwait and the first Gulf War, presents Our Little War: The 1139th Military Police Company in Baghdad, a soldier's no-nonsense description of his front-lines service from the September 11th attacks to 2004. Yet Our Little War is also take on why the United States under President George W. Bush never should have invaded Iraq, and what desperately needs to be done instead. Thulin is not a pacifist, as his service record and the experiences he relates in sharp detail prove; rather, he is a realist who recognizes that the misguided war weakens America's position of world leadership and drains its resources. In order to keep America safe from terrorist threats, Thulin argues, its intelligence services must be re-tooled to deal with jihadists; increased emphasis must be placed upon teaching American operatives the language of the enemy; there must be a concentrated campaign to win over the hearts and minds of the Arab world; the war against terror must be battled in a more concentrated fashion with every financial, military, diplomatic, and legal means available; and perhaps most important of all, America must create an energy policy to free itself from dependence upon Middle Eastern oil, an addiction that effectively funnels money to its worst enemies. Our Little War balances its vivid impression of daily life in a war zone with a sharp and well-reasoned political statement, and is highly recommended.

No comments about Pointman.

No comments about Memoir Of Colonel Seth Warner: To Which Is Added The Life Of Colonel Ethan Allen.

3 comments about Medic!: How I Fought World War II with Morphine, Sulfa, and Iodine Swabs.

1. "Medic!", by Robert "Doc Joe" Franklin. Subtitled: "How I Fought World War II With Morphine, Sulfa And Iodine Swabs". University of Nebraska Press, 2006.
   
   When Robert Franklin was officially drafted into the United States Army, he had already given up his room and quit his job at the Associated Press. He was afraid that he would flunk the Army medical and then have no place to go. At the age of twenty-five, he entered the Army in Los Angeles and was assigned to the medical unit of the 28th Infantry Division, where he received virtually no training in being a medic. On page 4, Franklin states that he learned his "...job as a medic through on-the-job training". The remainder of the book is just as blunt, concise and clear. For example, on page 33, the author relates that a
   "... friendly Sicilian had warned them that a small bridge was mined, but the lead officer scoffed and led his men across. It was mined."
   This kind of understatement flows throughout the book. Another example: on page 129, Franklin was being awarded the Silver Star by General Alexander M. Patch. General Patch stood on a wooden platform while Medic Franklin stood in the mud. This was all captured in a photo published in an LA newspaper in 1944.
   
   His writing continues in this understated pace, from Sicily to Anzio to Salerno, and, each time he helps a wounded solider down from the front, the author records that departure with the words, "...and I never saw him again". (See, for example, page 124.) There were far too many descriptions of wounded men that ended with the term, "...and I never saw him again".
   
   There is a final two paged summary, where he describes his life after the war, his marriage to his beloved, Betty, and how she died on April 27, 2001 at 4:10 in the afternoon. He ends the book with the notice that his doctors gave him another year or two ...to which he replied, "That doesn't bother me. I've never been afraid to die, and at eighty-eight, I've lived long enough".



2. I enjoyed this book. However, I wished Mr. Franklin had been able to spend more time writing about his experiences after the Italian Campaign, though it is understandable since his wartime diary ended at that point.
   
   Two other excellent books on this subject, but not written by former Medics are Ross Carter's "Those Devils in Baggy Pants" about his service the 82nd ABN and Farley Mowat's "And No Birds Sang" about his service in Canadian Army in Italy. Mr. Franklin's book is very close to the caliber of these two classic works, and I highly recommend it.



3. The author saw WW2 action from Italy, through France, and into Germany. He was lucky: he was not killed, unlike many around him. In a narrative that reminds me of Dragnet ("Just the facts, Ma'am") the author tells the horror of war. Ultimately the book is more grim than fun, but a fast, worthwhile read.

No comments about Sail Easy in Peace and War: An Autobiography.

1 comments about Life in a Rear View Mirror.

1. This book is a heartfelt look into a miltary career, with all the emotions included. It shows the lack of support our troops receive both internally from the military and externally, from the general public, and proves the point our military gives their lives to our country, from beginning to end. It was written with humor, and portrays a window into a career most people would find hard to believe, it was both extrodinary and horrific at times. It also goes to show that there are very few people like Colonel Horne, a true hero in my opinion!

5 comments about James Longstreet: Lee's War Horse.

1. This book, like its subject, is destined to remain controversial. James Longstreet was one of Robert E. Lee's two main subordinates, and, after the death of Jackson, Lee's right arm. He was either a vain, insubordinate man, who should have been cashiered from the Army, or he was a genius ahead of his time. Longstreet was one of the officers most loved by his own men. Two others of whom that can be said were Joe Johnston and George McClellan. All three were defensive-minded leaders, who never wasted their men's lives in vain assaults. In addition, Longstreet shared some of the "bad habits" of his troops, and was approachable, unlike Lee and Jackson, who seemed to dwell on Mount Olympus.
   
   After the war, Longstreet was blamed for the loss of Gettysburg; interestingly, that was NOT the impression at the time. Some of the General's political statements after the war angered his own people, and may have caused them to "look back" for things not seen earlier. The debate over who was "right" at Gettysburg will continue forever. I suppose my own opinion is obvious, though I still consider Lee to be the greatest officer that ever lived. See "The Killer Angels".
   
   James Longstreet certainly did not help himself with his post-war political associations, or with the book he wrote. The authors of the book under review did not like General Longstreet, though they did admit his physical courage. "The man never lived who could call James Longstreet a coward". Longstreet seems to be one of those very rare leaders who are at their best ONLY when things fall apart....Churchill and Rudy Giuliani come to mind. I do wish the authors had given more space to Longstreet's first 40, and last 40, years. The book is well written, but ultimately I disagree profoundly with the authors. That's fine....this is America. If you want to read about James Longstreet, try Jeffry Wert.



2. I'm a fair student of the Civil War and read this book a week after making my first visit to Gettysburg. In all my years of reading about the War I had read of Longstreet, but, not a considerable amount about him. It finally occured to me that this wasn't from a lack of my reading, but, a lack of material. I picked this book up at my library to learn more about him.
   
   Most of my impressions of him in general reading had been fairly positive. Particularly the "Killer Angels" portrayed him as Lee's discenting General, but, one that obediently obeyed. From other readings I had him listed as the Godfather of trench warfare of WWI.
   
   This book really took that shine off his overall generalship, but, showed him as an EXCELLENT defensive tactician. If it was a defensive operation none was better. Other than that he is made out to be an extremely egotistical person who will sacrifice anything for his own glory. That sacrifice including his men, his army, others army's, and, his country he is fighting for. I'll need to read other sources to be sure this is true, but, this text definately changed my opinion.
   
   I would have liked more detail on his life after the war. I briefly coves how he was a Republican and a friend of Grant, but, this part is a mere sketch at best. If the detail of troop movements can be covered for Chickamauga, then the last forty years of his life can be covered in more than one chapter.
   
   Having personally walked Gettysburg and seen the terrain involved, I can only conclude that Lee was absolutely insane to keep attacking after the second day. The successes seen at this battle were made in spite of Lee's direction. Lee's men would have been justified in shooting him as they came back from Picketts charge. The Japanese Kamikazees were at least given upfront expectations of their mission.



3. This is one of the first bios on Longstreet going back to 1936 when the first edition was published. The subsequent second edition is graced with Gary Gallagher's introduction that is more balanced and gives you a better and fuller picture of Longstreet with the benefit of more recent research. The authors' writing is very good and presents all of Longstreets warts full bore and pretty much hang Gettysburg on his shoulders. But, the Gettysburg segment is not very balanced and the authors do not write very complimentary of Longstreet and are more than punishing. It is still an engaging book but oddly the authors wrote a complete book without foot notes so sources are missing. But still, the book gives you a reference point of what Longstreet's reputation was in the south in the 1930's, virtually a pariah in the south still. The high point of the book is Gallagher's introduction that in 1986 was up to date on a broader perspective that the authors do not give. A much friendlier more up to date book is Piston's classic.



4. General James Longstreet has always been one of the most controversial southern generals. Long before the end of the war, in fact dating back to the battle of Gettysburg, the revisionist history began and continued until well after the turn of the century. This book is a picture perfect example of that revisionist history. The generals from both sides of the conflict were very flawed and imperfect men. Longstreet was no exception. His vilification is however unjust. He was blamed for the ill advised failure at Gettysburg, for no one could bear to place the blame on the true culprit, General Robert E. Lee. Lee was a great general , but this battle was none the less a mistake. His mistake. Eckenrode's book however blames Longstreet for this defeat and for nearly every other defeat the Confederacy suffers in the last two years of the war. The idea that Longstreet had some nearly mystical power over Lee, a very strong personality in his own right, is simply preposterous. The only accurate information in the book seems to be related to Longstreets dismal campaign as an army commander in the west. He truly did show greater tallent as a corp commander than as an army commander. This was certainly one of the best southern generals of the war, but is unfortunately given no credit for this in this inaccurate account. The only reason I gave the book two stars instead of one was for the simple fact the book was well written, and easy to read, if not based in fact. It would seem its author was certainly a more gifted writer than he was historian.



5. Although this book was very easy to read, excluding the very boring aspect of the Seven Days Campaign which was very hard to understand, the book made Longstreet seem like the bad man in every situation. This book even made Longstreet seem bad at Fredricksburg, quite possibly one of the greatest defensive stands ever. The authors clearly do not like Longstreet and show it throughout the book. However, I am a Longstreet and Civil War fanatic and I would still suggest you read this book just to get everyone's opinion on the controversy that is James Longstreet.