No comments about Warburtons War: The Life of Maverick Ace Adrian Warburton DSO DFC DFC(USA).

No comments about U.S. Grant: The Making of a General, 1861-1863 (The American Crisis Series).

1 comments about My Miracle Marine.

1. This is an absolutely wonderful book. It is very inspiring and demonstrates the power of prayer.

3 comments about Life- Changing Events often Put Lives On Hold.

1. This book should appeal to both men and women. Anyone who has loved ones in the service,the Viet Nam War, or any war will relate to the emotional hurt that these men went through. His war experience while serving in the Army shows what hardships they had to endure. By looking for answers to Jerry and Laura's personal tragedy Jerry found a way to deal with his own grief by reaching out to others. Jerry was able to express his own feelings throughout the story and you find yourself grieving with him and his young family and also for his Army buddies.



2. I served with Sgt. Rohr in 1st Squad 1st Platoon B Company 2/5 Cav. The story of Dennis Wirt is one that has stuck with me for almost 40 years now. He was in our squad and was killed in a plane crash going on R&R to see his girl friend Nikki. We all knew of his death immediately and wondered how and when Nikki found out what happened after he did not walk off his plane to meet her on Okinawa. I think about him and this incident often. In the book, Jerry actually contacts Dennis' mother and I learned what happened to Nikki. I also learned that Dennis' mother wondered why she did not hear from Dennis's friends after his death. I wish now I had done what Jerry did. Maybe there is still time. So many lives are connected in so many ways.
   
   Jerry links life's events together in spiritual ways, but life is spiritual if we are lucky enough to experience it deeply. I am biased, of course, but I think this is an amazing and emotional book. Thanks, Jerry. I hope to see you and the others at your next reunion, 40 years is too long. I will give this book to my two sons.



3. I met Jerry at work a few years ago and instantly knew he was a kind and honorable man. In his own small way he helped me through what I thought was a most terrible time in my life (my daughter moving to another state). He said someday he would share a part of his life with me that may be helpful. Well Jerry left that job after a brief time and I never got a chance to hear much about his life. A few years later I came to know that he had written this book. I now know that life had given Jerry a lot to bear, but instead of bitterness, he always had a smile and a kind word each day. Had I known he was a veteran, I would have thanked him for his service. But not only was Jerry gentle, but he was humble as well. I haven't seen Jerry in quite a while, but I won't forget him and hope that he is peaceful in his life as he and his comrades deserve everything wonderful that life has to offer. Thanks to all the men and women who served or are serving our country now. We owe you a debt of gratitude. (Jack)

No comments about 110th AAA: Driving Hitler's Crawlin' Coffin.

5 comments about At Hitler's Side: The Memoirs of Hitler's Luftwaffe Adjutant.

1. Von Below was Adolf Hitler's Luftwaffe adjutant for eight years, from 1937 to the very end of the war. As such he held many intimate conversations with Hitler and in this well-written (and very well translated) memoir, he claims to have had Der Fuhrer's confidence. That he remained in this job for 8 years is proof enough of that fact. Von Below's portrait of Hitler on the job is very different from the raving single-minded maniac usually portrayed in movies and popular biographies. Von Below claims that if one knew how to approach Hitler one could reason with him and even get him to change his mind. By this account Hitler was a hard-working, dedicated, charismatic and intelligent leader who was often misled by his subordinates. Von Below claims to have known nothing about the mass murders committed by the Nazis. He also claims to have had serious misgivings about Hitler's war strategy; and he writes that he was well aware of the shortcomings of the Luftwaffe. As a pilot himself, I tend to believe him outright on this point, but otherwise I don't know how much of the insight he claims to have had into strategic matters might have been colored by hindsight. In any event, he was never able to convince Hitler although he writes that many times he did express his doubts to Der Fuhrer, who always heard him out. Compare this book with the memoir written by Hitler's pilot, Hans Bauer. Both men, knowing the end was inevitable, stuck it out and for that we must admire their courage and dedication. I don't think they remained with Hitler in Germany's doomed capital because of some lemming-like compulsion to destruction ingrained in the German psyche, but because of their personal devotion to Hitler. And since neither man was an idiot nor a war criminal with nothing to lose, commanding such loyalty from men like these says a lot about Adolf Hitler's personality. Bauer spent 10 years in a Russian POW camp while von Below managed to escape the Russians after Hitler gave him permission to escape from Berlin. For my money this book ends too abruptly. I would like to know what happened to von Below after the war and that is why I gave it only 4 stars. But in summary, this book is a valuable addition to the study of Adolf Hitler and a testament to its author, who I think was a man of honor.



2. Although the book ends quite abruptly, it was a book that I could not put down. One can almost see in first-person Hitlers moods and thought processes. It's as if you were in the room with him. Very, very interesting.



3. Readers expecting a plethora of new information on Hitler will be sorely disappointed. Von Below is a pedantic, careful and very dry reteller of history and his memoirs seem contrived in points and highly self-serving. Many reviews point out that von Below never heard Hitler mention the Jews or the death camps, but this is quite believable. Hitler compartmentalized all personal relationships and why would he mention these any atrocities to his Luftwaffe adjutant?

   Von Below doesn't really tell us anything new about Hitler, and his personal anecdotes are tragically few. He comes up with some pithy observations on Goering and Goebbels, but it's frustrating that he doesn't elaborate more on Hitler, his entourage, or the inner workings at the Berghof, the Chancellory or in various wartime HQ's.

   The book's main flaw is that it ends almost mid-word and mid-sentence. There is no explanation of what happened to von Below after the war, he simply stops the narrative and packs up shop. Very curious indeed. One improvement over the German-language version is the addition of notes, an expanded index and some editorial inclusions. Another weakness is that von Below was never close to Hitler, nor part of his intimate personal entourage. His transactions with Hitler were generally of a military, not personal, nature, but don't expect many fireworks in this dry tome.




4. This book doesn't present anything groundbreaking about Hitler, but it s particularly valuable for its picture of what it was like to live around Hitler for many years. As part of Hitler's personal staff, especially for such a long time, Below's experiences were obviously unique and would be interesting to anyone interested in WWII or Hitler. It present an insider's view of what was going on at Hitler's headquarters. In many cases (he claimed) he was not in the know. Below wrote that it was only later, after the war, that he found out the full extent of the atrocities. This was probably true, as it was with many members of his personal staff, who lived isolated lives with Hitler, who never spoke directly about it. Below does say, however, that he finds it inconceivable that Himmler would have exterminated Jews without Hitler's knowledge. Himmmler would not have informed Hitler about the details, writes Below, but Hitler certainly gave his go-ahead. It's little passages like this one that make this book interesting to read, if one is interested in the subject.



5. Von Below was Hitler's Luftwaffe aide. He details his story through the war years at Hitler's side. Von Below is somewhat self serving here as he tries to portray he had Hitler's ear on many important matters such as equipment and personnel. Perhaps he did, or maybe Hitler used him as a sounding board. It is interesting to read the revelations on Hitler's inner circle. Nothing new in facts are proved by his story. However, we get a better idea on how Hitler functioned during the war years.
   
   Historians will find nothing new in this story. Hitler is portrayed as a hypocrite when he hears about the Katyn Forest Massacre of Polish officers and says that one should expect that from the Soviets. This was during the time when his soldiers and SS were massacring millions. As stated, the author inflates his contribution to Hitler's decisions. Otherwise, this is a nice read.

No comments about Journals of Robert Rogers of the Rangers.

3 comments about Winged Dagger: Adventures on Special Service.

1. For all those interested in military history, and in this case, the desert war and the following allied forces campaign in Italy this book proves entertaining reading. The book is a commentary by the author of his own experiences as an armored corps officer, and later, as a pioneer of "behind enemy lines" commando warfare. Included are reflections on the tides and fortunes of the British forces, which provide the context for some riveting accounts of the authors own combat experience. The author describes himself and his actions candidly, especially as a young inexperienced officer. The authors' story includes capture, escape and subsequent return to operate behind enemy lines with other British troops, leading Italian partisans in their fight against Germany. This form of warfare was at its infancy in its modern form, its importance not fully understood by the British high command. The success of this operation depended greatly on the authors' initiative and drive in the face of an unsympathetic and disinterested general staff. The book was written some two to three years after the end of the war, and the events are fresh in the authors memory. End.



2. nothing groundbreaking here, but it is a nice look at early special warfare. The British SAS invented special warfare during WWII and this books looks at some of the earlier operations. Thre are some real good adventures here. The book is a first hand account. The book does not have any analysis. Any fan of the SAS should give it a shot.



3. The book covers the period from 1940 to 1945 and chronicles the adventures of the author over this period, being split into 3 parts. Part I covers the Middle East 1940-1943 and covers Farran's part in Wavell's successful campaign against the Italians in Cyrenaica and the subsequent withdrawl as Rommel's Afrika Corps arrived and counterattacked. Farran's unit withdrew and was reequipped and sent to Crete, where he fought alongside the New Zealand Army (he has a lot of nice things to say about the Maori Battalion). Farran was captured, ended up in a prison camp in Greece and escaped. He ended up back in Egypt, back with Tanks again, and fought on the Western Desert and El Alamein, where he was injured. Following injury, he was evacuated to South Africa and then back to the UK in 1943. End of Part I.
   
   Part II covers Farran's time with the Special Air Service. He'd managed to escape from the UK back to the Middle East where he was looking for active service and stumbled on an acquaintance in the SAS. He was promptly recruited, trained and started on SAS operations with the invasion of Sicily, where he led a SAS unit. This section covers SAS operations in Italy during 1943 where the SAS roamed in jeeps behind the enemy lines in the early part of the invasion. Farran then participated in SAS operations behind German lines in France in 1944, where he led a SAS unit operating with jeeps in roving attacks. Part III covers SAS operations in Italy in 1945, where SAS units joined and led units of Italian partisans in attacks on the Germans.
   
   The book really is an account of Farran's adventures during the war. It's an interesting account, pays no attention to strategy or tactics except in passing. He concentrates on the actions themslves and his part in them, what he did, what his immediate unit did and what he felt and thought at the time. He's a good writer, you can get a good idea of what it must have been like and you can recapture some of the emotions and feelings of the times. The book was written in 1948, soon after the war ended, there was no sympathy for the Germans and in those non-PC times, Farran could be quite open about actions that would now result in expressions of outrage - machine-gunning surrendering Germans in Crete for example - something any New Zealander of the time would have been quite happpy to assist with after some of the atrocities committed by the Germans against NZ'ers there.
   
   It's a good read but don't expect a history of the SAS or anything like that. It's a history of Farran's adventures in the war - which included 2 years with the SAS and 3 years prior to that with the Armoured Corps fighting in the Western Desert and Crete. Stirring stuff indeed!

No comments about "Next Voyage Will Be Different!".

5 comments about 182 Days in Iraq.

1. i worked with this guy for almost 2 years and i have to say he is one of the worst people i ever met.
   he was always sneaking out of work to hit the lake so he could ride his wave runner. his work load was pretty easy compaired to other jobs in the army and he did it poorly. the stories he sent back from Iraq (all two of them) were about his time at the pool getting a tan. there is a pattern here.
   i am glad the army doesnt want him anymore and he is no longer serving this great country.
   there are better books, written by better people who actually did some REAL good in Iraq. read them.



2. This is a great, easy read. In journal form, it makes it easy to follow. I felt like I could image what it would be like to become accustomed to being in Iraq, in a war zone. Written from the point of view of a "regular guy".



3. Having lost a son in this war, I am thirsty for any accounts of the "real" feedback of some one who has been there, and Phil has. I have met the author in person just recently and wanted to hear more of his story. I find it hard to put down, so much that the average American nevers hears of, about this war, is found in the pages of Phil's journal.It is written from the gut, no flowery adjectives, just the real story, so refreshing when it comes to accounts of what has and continues to happen. I wish that the media would tell the stories of the hope, renewal and justification of our troops finishing the job they were sent to do, with pride and honor.



4. This self-published work is a "diary" of an enlisted Public Affairs soldier written during his six-month Iraqi tour in late 2004 (with additional material describing events subsequent to the author's discharge). It would have benefited from the attention of an experienced editor as the raw prose and gratuitous editorializing detracts from the work.
   
   The author clearly believes in the mission, and is interested in emphasizing the positive aspects of the coalition presence, such as building schools and roads, as well as facilitating elections. Unfortunately, he fails to elaborate on these events and instead focuses on himself, conveying an almost false bravado that left this reader uncomfortable. I have no doubt that the author covered the missions described, but there is a nearly narcissistic perspective that prevades the commentary indicating a direct rather than indirect involvement in the events.
   
   The entries provide glimpses into the author's personality, and occaisionally the reader gets the impression that he is describing a genuine personal experience (sadness, depression, elation). However, one can't help but feel that it is somehow "scripted," and when the author encounters something that is outside his expectations, he attacks -- and he attacks his fellow soldiers.
   
   A particular favorite is SPC Birmingham, whose opinions he invectively dismisses without the courtesy of indicating what they are or the reasoning behind them. If the chronology is accurate, it is apparent that the author judges and pigeon-holes his fellow soldiers within hours of making their acquaintance. The author appears disingenuous in that he often claims not to "point fingers" when he is clearly "pointing fingers!"
   
   Another thing that made this reader suspicious of the journalistic value of this work is the liberal use of inflammatory language. For example, rather than referring to the "enemy" there are repeated references to "savages" and "terrorists." The author leaves no doubt that he is ready, willing, and able to take the fight directly to the "savages." There is a clear message that he wants to mix it up, and kill these terrorists. According to the author, he is in top physical shape, an expert marksman, and knows what has to be done. One can't help but to wonder why he didn't opt for a stint in the infantry. The satisfaction that the author received from pulling the lanyard on a Marine artillery piece and taking care of the terrorists borders on perverse. The Marines that were actually doing the job did not appear quite as "thrilled" as the author, but then the author does not really seem to care what others think. Again, the author journals himself, rather than the situation, to the detriment of the work.
   
   The author's assignment as a broadcast journalist obviously demanded his presence at many events involving officers that would ordinarily not be attended by junior enlisted personnel. Furthermore, one could imagine there being a slightly less degree of formality in interactions with members of the officer corps under these circumstances; but the author gives the impression that he acted as their peers. Perhaps the most shocking was the author's attempt to embarass his CO in front of a junior officer. The CO had apparently offered the author a drink, and rather than being gracious, he "grabbed the arm" of an LT in order to show off that the CO was getting HIM a drink. If this is true, there is no wonder that his bosses, including the sergeant major would get on his case, but the author seems oblivious to the significance of these events; including being passed-over for promotion.
   
   "182 Days in Iraq" could be sub-titled "What NOT to do in the Army (a recruit's guide)," in that it documents the demise of a specialist who despite his good intentions for "getting the message out" in Public Affairs, instead took the "Army of One" slogan to the wrong extreme.



5. I, too, am a 46 Romeo, or Broadcast Journalist in the Army. I am on my second tour in Iraq with the 10th Mountain Division's 1st Brigade. I have read both positive and negative comments on Kiver. Although I do not know him personally, I can relate to his story. Sometimes you do feel like the smartest guy in the room when no one else really knows your job. This isn't to say that you are better or even truly smarter than the next guy, but I can tell where Kiver's feelings are coming from. You are the only one out of thousands on a FOB that can actually do your job. Yes, it can be both stressful and frustrating. I can tell you that being a Journalist in the Army is not as easy as it looks. I work 18 hour days and find myself many nights locked away trying to finish the next big Army project while other soldiers (both combat arms and combat support) are out playing cards or the newest X-Box game. I hear soldiers complain about a 12 hour work day. For Army Journalists, especially broadcast, the day is long - whether inside or outside the wire. I have respect for all soldiers, but "Sam" - please do not tell these people that Army journalists do not actively engage the enemy. That is an outright blanket statement without much research because I, and many of my Army counterparts, have been actively engaged. You can take that to the bank. To Kiver - at least you got your story out there man, no matter what anyone says. Hearts and minds, right? You may or may not be as egotistical as these people say you are, but you are what your environment has made you. For the Army, sometimes you have to be a little strong in the ego to deal with everything going on. I completely understand brother. God Bless.