5 comments about Easy Company Soldier: The Legendary Battles of a Sergeant from World War II's "Band of Brothers".

1. A good book if you want to learn more details about the men from Easy Company. You should also read Dick Winter's books.



2. It is a good book, but the actual battles are not really in depth. If you are looking to learn more about the was battles don't buy this book. If you looking to learn more about Don Malarkey because you liked his character in the series then this is a must read.



3. Having read the "Band Of Brothers" by Ambrose and the books written by Maj. Dick Winters which were all great books and very interesting, Don Malarky also came up with a very good one. He sure lasted a lot longer in combat than the average infantryman. He seemed very conscientious in doing his job. I can relate to a lot of the situations that he was in. I was in "Easy Company" 318th Reg. 80th Division. Our 2nd Battalion was attached to the 4th Armored and made the contact to the 101st Div. at Bastogne. I've read most of the memoirs of the ETO fighting and this one rates among the best.



4. A good easy read and another great perspective of the efforts of the soldiers of the 101st. Not written as boldly as some other easy company author's work but a good read`all the same. When comparing you do however pick up on how the wars affect was different for the individual soldiers of easy co.



5. Excellent story and book. Sgt. Malarkey played a major role in the Band of Brothers which I have watched at least 10 times. My Uncle fought in the Battle of the Bulge yet seldom mentioned what he went through...except he had frost bite up past his ankles. He never mentioned his medals: Two Bronze Stars, Good Conduct Medal and the Victory Ribbons. We learned of these from the VA upon his death at the age of 95.
   
   Thank you Sgt. Malarkey for writing this book.

5 comments about One Bullet Away: The Making of a Marine Officer.

1. 'One Bullet Away' by Nathaniel Fick
   
   Nathaniel Fick's literary debut does not disappoint. The author's engaging narrative recounts his decision to join the US Marine Corps in 1998, through Officer Candidate School, Recon Training and eventually tours in Afghanistan and Iraq, respectively.
   
   'One Bullet Away' is a solid boots on the ground portrait which reveals the good, the bad and insane of war: from incompetent commanders to maddening postwar planning tactics to unparalleled bravery displayed daily by the grunts to the soul wrenching effects of battle. Fick's idealism is challenged by the realities of battle, however, his solid decision making and focus on keeping his Marines alive and safe while still accomplishing his missions makes for an interesting study.
   
   Anyone looking for an excellent war memoir from someone who was in the "bang bang" or wants to get a better feel for what makes a US Marine should definitely pick up this book. Moreover, this book clearly illustrates the importance of smart decision making and being disciplined enough to always consider the consequences of ones actions. It's a smart and informative read that is as captivating as it is poignant. Mr. Fick, along with many other brave military men and women, has a fairly amazing story to tell and told it well.



2. In a time when many people already consider the war in Iraq pure hubris and stretching of muscles by a superpower gone mad, it is refreshing indeed to read true, honest stories from the men who fought the war.
   
   The good intentions, the fears, the disappointments and triumphs all paint a picture that is very different from the cynical jeering presented to us from almost all media outlets.
   
   While Nate Fick's "One Bullet Away" dedicates a lot of its 369 pages to events that occurred before the war and made Captain Fick the man he is today, the book really earns its keep during the section dedicated to Fick's combat deployments in Iraq and Afghanistan.
   
   The action is frenetic, the musings are deep and the humor is warm. A very well written book that is a pleasure to read and kept me powering through in three mammoth sittings. Deserves to be held up there with other legendary chronicles of a modern warrior's life.
   
   For any possible purchasers, also consider Evan Wright's "Generation Kill" as a companion piece. Both books deal with the same unit, giving you two separate views on the same events and thus a better overall picture.



3. Amazingly written by "one of the few and the proud" to inform the readers of the honor, courage and commitment that it takes to be a leader of one of the finest fighting force on the planet.



4. The stories that get someone to a particular point or event in their lives are many times as important as the moment itself. Here is where Mr. Fick excels brilliantly, as he recounts to us the set of events that led him to this odd choice of work. Think about it he not only chose to become an infantry officer but rather went a step further and joined Marine Recon. Decisions like this aren't made lightly and are in essence a reflection of the complexity of the person who makes them. He shows this complexity in motion when he recounts the painful decisions that he had to make. He made the tough calls and put himself out on the ledge and I for one am glad that he was able to show how as Marines, we are not mindless imbeciles. We feel pain for all the others that suffer in this world needlessly as well. I am also in closing impressed by his depiction of his struggles with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Blessings be onto all those that go through such tribulations and hopefully they in the end make the world a bit better for all of us.



5. Bottomline up Front: Author held back making this a disappointing book that had the potential to be great!
   
   I had a lot of hope for this book, me being of somewhat a similar background, same age, same upper-middle class back ground, while also a military officer, however this book did'nt deliever and infact at the end I found it very disappointing.
   
   The beginning of the book was great, i would give it a solid 4-5 stars, when he is talking about going through the Marine Corps OCS and how his view on life changed after going through that. That should be a required read for anyone thinking of trying to become an officer, having been through combat I found much of his commentary on being an officer and what it takes to be an officer, resoundingly true and accurate.
   
   The book started going downhill on his commentary about War. I don't need to get into it too much other than to say it was bland and boring, his views of Afganistan were okay, but when it came to Iraq, I found I was longing more.
   
   One of the reasons I picked up this book was that I had read Generation Kill a few times, and though I loved that book I figured some of the commentary provided by Evan Wright was skewed because he was with the younger NCOs/PFCs and did'nt have all the facts surrounding the orders that were given. Though Fick says in both books that the heart of the Marines is the NCO corps I was longing to understand better some of the overall rational behind the orders that were given.
   
   Instead, Fick glosses over many of the major mistakes that Wright points out, I'm assuming since this came out after Generation Kill that Fick was somehow trying to protect those officers that made the mistakes. I was getting to a point where I thought that Wright perceptions were wrong, then in the final part of the book where it talks about the CO leading PT and the Company's response, it was clear that Fick had covered alot of what happened up to "protect the innocent."
   
   Let me be clear, the book was an good read, I just found myself thinking that Fick did a dis-service to any young person/enlisted troop that wants to be an officer someday. Instead of pointing out some of the flaws in the decision making of the supierior officers he instead glosses over those facts and makes it seem like it's a big deal. You could tell at times that Fick was holding back on what happened during a particular sitation. This could have been a book that would be required reading for any of my young Lts or Cadets that I meet in stead I'm going to tell them to read the first back and be done with it.
   
   The final 15-20 pages or so were a good overall commentary on the war and why he got out. Once again, i felt he was holding back, but it at least ends on a plus note.
   
   Final thought, if your interested in this book/time period in Iraq, I would first read this book and then Generation Kill, it will shed light on alot of the issues Fick just touches on.

5 comments about In a Time of War: The Proud and Perilous Journey of West Point's Class of 2002.

1. Ever since reading Absolutely American (Lipsky, Houghton Mifflin 2003) I have waited for In a Time of War: The Proud and Perilous Journey of West Point's Class of 2002. I would have been happy to wait longer for a better book. In a Time of War takes its title from President George W. Bush's graduation address to the 2002 class of the United States Military Academy at West Point (USMA). The 2002 class entered the academy in peacetime but graduated into active duty wartime service. Mention is made that the USMA class of 2008 not only graduates in a time of war but entered the academy with America in two wars. Perhaps books will be written about this group of admirable people also.
   
   While frequently fascinating and riveting, In a Time of War falls flat in places and portions of the last few chapters verge on being boring. I would have liked to read an epilogue that would go something like: "As of press time, x of the 2002 class of West Point have been killed in action; y are currently deployed in Afghanistan and Iraq. Z% of the young captains and lieutenants have left military service. America has yet to see how this group of extraordinary individuals will shape her future. May she be receptive to their leadership and worthy of their sacrifices."



2. Author Bill Murphy offers a compelling portrait of selected members of the West Point class of 2002, the first ones to graduate after 9/11 and help launch the global war on terrorism (GWOT). From patriotic fervor to growing disillusionment with the costs, aims and strategy of the war, the Army officers undergo a transformation. Some pay the ultimate sacrifice. Others bear surgical scars. Still others bear psychological wounds.
   
   "In a Time of War" is not an anti-war polemic, but it will provide fodder for those who question America's strategy there. It will also offer a vivid portrait of the sacrifices called upon those who serve there.
   
   My biggest issue with the book was that the cast of characters was so wide that it was difficult to keep track of the different subjects of the narrative. Old men start wars and young men fight them. "In a Time of War" illustrates the price paid by those young men



3. I enjoyed this book. I thought that the author could have integrated the various soldiers' stories more cleanly than he did. The story about Todd Bryant is just tragic. Such a promising young man cut down in the prime of his life. And the effect on his wife was just devastating. It's interesting that even among West Point officers there is mixed support for the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. If nothing else, this book puts names and faces to headlines.
   
   Of course, as for the West Point mystique, I did not really get that. The book focuses more on the war than on West Point. As someone from a non-military family, I do not understand why West Point is the place it is. But then again I am an outsider not part of the military culture.
   
   Good book.



4. As a veteran of the Iraq War, this book was deeply personal for me. If you are a veteran who hasn't reflected on your service, then you should read this book. I didn't know any of the young officers in the book, but I felt their struggles and their friendships because the book does an amazing job of demonstrating what it is like to serve. I feel as if most books either talk of the evils of the war and paint soldiers as victims of an out of control administration or they are Candyland sugar coated stories about the glory of serving. This book does neither. It is the true story of young officers experiencing the war. You get a sense of their love of country and their love for each other, but you will also understand their frustrations and their sadness. Soldiers are not one dimensional and this book shows their inner turmoil. I thank Bill Murphy for writing the book, but my fear is that it will only be read by those who already understand what it is to serve.



5. I have a grandsond, class of 2002 who has been in Iraqi and wounded by IED, now in Afghanistan and a co. cmndr. It is well written but seems to co-op some of the content from The Long Road Home which was also a wonderful well written book.

3 comments about The Drillmaster of Valley Forge: The Baron de Steuben and the Making of the American Army.

1. I truly enjoyed this book. The writing flowed nicely and the quality of the scholarship was good.
   
   This is a standard biography of de Steuben that covers his life in great detail drawing upon a number of sources including many that are highly critical of the Barron. It was a "page turner" and the author strove to be even handed in his presentation of the sources available to him although his analysis of that evidence was heavilly slanted towards the Barron. The author's statements border on the hagiographic. This is, however, not a problem since he makes is very clear when he presents his own opinion and he includes all sources including those which are highly critical of the Barron. He also did a fine job of marshalling his evidence to support his assertions.
   
   That said, it was an entirely conventional biography without any very keen or deep insights. This does not stop me from giving him five stars however, because the writing is clear, the Barron has not been adequately "biographed" (is that a word?) prior to this book, and the life covers often overlooked portions of history and the American Revolution. This should be viewed as an introduction to the Barron and his work and times rather than a definitive text. It is a great jumping off point.
   
   I can unreservedly recommend this book to anyone interested in military affairs, the Revolution, or even the enlightenment period as there are interesting lessons and insights for all of these areas contained in the Barron's life.



2. This is a well-written and honest account of the life of Baron De Steuben. Provides a lot of insight into his character and by following him through the war, you get info on events that are normally not given much coverage in general American Revolution history works (such as the activity in Virginia while Greene and Cornwallis were in the Carolinas).
   
   It is a popular history, so don't expect a ton of detail, especially if you're interested in a point-by-point analysis of De Steuben's 'Blue Book' -- the author is content with providing a couple illustrative examples. This is not a reason to avoid the book, though, and increases its readability substantially.
   
   In summary, an enjoyable and welcome addition to the recent focus on the individuals that helped make the American Revolution possible.



3. Paul Lockhart's biography of Baron de Steuben proves to be long time coming to the American Revolutionary War literature. This book clearly shows excellent research and clear writing that make this a very easy book to read, filled with important information on the contributions Steuban made during the American Revolution for our nation.
   
   The author also helped clear up many misinformation on Steuban regarding his background. He make it clear that Baron von Steuben was a real baron although not a Prussian baron and he was born of minor Prussian nobility. Only time Steuben falasified his records was during the initial period when he was trying to get into the door to help the American cause. He enhance himself to get attention and he had a lot of American help to do so. Once he was in, he revealed the truth to George Washington and to others who he really was so there will be no political ambush. By then, Steuben have already proven himself at Valley Forge as he remade the American army into a something more professional then it ever been. I can almost imagine the joy in Washington's eyes when he see his army transformed into a weapon that will someday be able to stand toe to toe against the British regulars and win.
   
   The author is quick to point out that one of the main reasons for Steuben's success was his amazing insights into the American character. Steuben's abilities to adjust and adapt to his new surroundings and to people around him in the New World were the key elements to his success.
   
   The book goes on to give excellent narrative on Steuban's career with the American army and his influence afterward. It was upon his recommendation with a lot of support that went with it, that the United States retained a small professional army to back up the state militias, a policy that continued almost up to the World War I. He wrote a book called the "Blue Book" during the war that provides the blue prints for training and drills that been tailored for Americans with an European touch.
   
   If there was one minor weakness I thought the book should have address, was whether von Steuben was a homosexual or not since that rumours been flying around the historical circles as long as his claims as a baron and all. Personally, I don't think so but there are others who may think differently.
   
   Overall, this is a well written book on an very important individual who served our nation so well during the time of its greatest need but yet, so little have been written about him.

4 comments about Lincoln and His Admirals.

1. In the deluge of new books about the sixteenth president appearing in anticipation of the bicentennial of his birth, Lincoln and His Admirals stands apart. It begins to fill the void resulting from the frequent neglect of the naval aspects of the Civil War. For this reason alone, the book is worthwhile.
   
   The book, however, is more than merely worthwhile. It is a comprehensive account of the events and personalities involved in this crucial phase of the Civil War that is told in a fine narrative style. Symonds provides a compelling story of how Lincoln's initial reluctance to command was replaced by an increasing confidence that led to his personal role in many great and small details of naval administration. This "sea change" was the product of Lincoln's perceptive intelligence and his relentless determination to preserve the Union.
   
   Symonds includes informative portraits of many naval officers now almost lost to history and judiciously tallies their strengths and weakness. It did seem odd to me that he has comparatively little to say about Farragut or his torpedo-damning ascent of Mobile Bay. I was also surprised by the omission of the duel between Alabama and Kearsarge -- only the outcome is reported. Perhaps the author concluded that these events are already well-known. My only other criticism is that the first portion of the book would have been improved by relating the less familiar events afloat to those ashore that are much more widely known. At one point, I thought a timeline would have been helpful, but later, the author links the war at sea with the land war very well.
   
   Finally, I have to say that this very good book has a very good dust jacket. In the foreground is a vivid image of the encounter between Monitor and Merrimack (or Virginia), but looming above it is the ghostly face of Abraham Lincoln. It is a perceptive introduction to this highly recommended book.



2. If this book is not a finalist for a major award in Lincoln and Civil War history, we will have a gross injustice. This intelligent, interesting, readable book is one of the most original informative Civil War histories I have read this year. The author is retired from the U.S. Naval Academy after 30 years of teaching. During that time, he won both the Naval Academy's "Excellence in Teaching" award (1988) and its "Excellence in Research" award (1998). This shows in his ability to construct a sentence that contains a lot of information without boring or losing the reader.
   His portraits of the players are excellent. We never lose sight of the fact that they have not read the history book and do not know what is happening. Each crisis has the feel of current events unfolding as we read. Lincoln's management style is fully developed and we understand what a masterful politician he is. The fighting between the departments of State, War and Navy are fully developed and completely understandable. While the book is written from the Navy's perspective, the author never takes sides and faithfully reports the whole story.
   Most Civil War history ignores the Nay's role. This book gives us a detailed history of naval operations and the development of combined Army Navy actions. Lincoln never had a quite day as President. He had just sat down when the problem of supplies at Fort Sumter dropped on him. The author provides a detailed account of the decision-making and the problems associated with that action. His account of the Trent Affair could be one of the best accounts in existence. The same can be said of his Red River Campaign and his discussion of the impact of cotton on the war.
   This is not a book of blazing guns! It is a book of politics, technology and personalities interacting during war. Ambition, personal preferences and personality quirks make up the story. This is not a view of the war we often see but it is a very important view that we need to be aware of. Craig L. Symonds gives us this view in an entertaining and informative book that belongs in every library.



3. This book by Craig Symonds should be read alongside McPherson's work in order to understand why Lincoln was an excellent commander in chief. Lincoln had a difficult time in ordering his admirals into action. Lincoln pressured his admirals to link up with each other on the Mississippi River and also to take Yorktown in the spring of 1862. Also Lincoln's relationship with admirals DuPont and Goldsborough was very similiar to the one he had with McClellan and eventually had to replace them both for their inaction. The failure of the navy to take Fort Fisher in North Carolina was very much like the unsuccessful attempts by the Army of Potomac to destroy Lee's army. Like the Army of Potomac, Lincoln had to wait for the navy's Grant which happaned to be Admiral Porter. Porter's agressive style eventually led to the capture of Fort Fisher in 1864, and in the same year the navy subordinated itself in order to support Grant's army around Petersburg. The navy's new argressive leadership and working together with the army helped the North to acheive victory in 1865.
   Symonds also describes Lincoln's pragmatic leadership when it came to avoiding a potential naval conflict with Great Britain. Lincoln returned the Confederate diplomats Slidel and Mason to Great Britain after they were captured by the Union navy. In another crisis, Lincoln forbade the reading of British mail after the capture of the British flagged steamer the Peterhoff. Both of these acts of conciliation prevented the British from interveing in the Civil War. Overall Symonds does a masterful job at how Lincoln was sucessful militarily and politically in handling of naval affairs.



4. It is difficult to imagine that some aspect of Lincoln and the Civil War has not been covered in detail, but until now that was the case with Lincoln's role as commander in chief of the Navy. Craig Symonds has not only filled that void but has done it masterfully. In the tradition of the finest Civil War authors, he has created what will surely become a classic that will be treasured by scholars and buffs alike. Could not have been done better.

5 comments about My War: Killing Time in Iraq.

1. This is the sort of war history your cousin or nephew would have written -and still might! It's not a polished meditation on the nature of war or a defense/attack of invading Iraq in the first place. Colby Buzzell's book is best described as an average combat infantryman's experience told in a vivid, raw and real way.
   
   I can easily hear my nephew's voice when Buzzell tells of his life before the Army and his reasons for joining. In his focus on certain incidents - his rejection by a bored Marine recruiter followed by an enthusiastic Army recruiter, for example - Buzzell's account must ring true for countless other soldiers. His matter-of-fact, unblinking descriptions of the mostly tedious life of occupation troops punctuated by combat with enemy jihadis is compelling reading. While every Army infantry soldier will have his own story, almost certainly all would find something in Buzzell's narrative that would make them say "Yeah. I remember that. It was like that. That's my war too."
   
   So why only 3 stars? Well, I thought we could have used a lot more "what I felt" moments, stronger characterizations (we only know Buzzell), and a better sense of how Colby thought the war and his life were going. Unlike some other reviewers, I thought the start of "My War" was the best part: Colby introduces himself as a directionless young man looking for a purpose, trying to decide what he wants to do and finally choosing to enlist as a way of doing something purposeful, something more than parking cars, earning some money, in the meantime.
   
   But while we get a good idea of the aimless pre-Army Colby, we don't get much of Colby's interior life after. He drops into a more descriptive "we went here, did this, and went there" mode. There's little of Colby's attitude to the monotonous base life, little of the feelings combat must've aroused. It's as if Buzzell doesn't have too many introspective moments that he cares to share with us. It would've helped our understanding if he'd included more moments like the 4th of July celebration and how the army's attempt to make things more like home only served to make you miss home all the more. Colby wonders then if his old civilian friends are even thinking of him and deciding that it wasn't likely.
   
   We don't even get a good sense of his army friends. Virtually none are even given a capsule description. Aside from a sentence or two on a disliked leader or a respected squad medic, we don't know these guys. A quick bio and description would've gone a long way to making the other soldiers real.
   
   I wouldn't expect Buzzell to analyze the war and his part in it to any great depth - but I did think we needed more about this infantry soldier's opinion on what he and the Army were accomplishing. Did he feel that progress was being made? What did Colby the private think of his mission? Was he finding purpose as a soldier or "just killing time".
   
   I hope that the "killing time" subtitle is not an apt one. At least, not in the "wasting time" sense. Colby has a talent for writing. I hope that he's able to direct himself into that direction. As he develops, maybe Colby can give us those characterizations we missed this time. I've no doubt he has it in him to be more introspective and not just about the war. I understand that since he's left the army, he's been divorced (his marriage was a quick, mostly unexplained paragraph or two in the book), moved back home, and seems mostly at loose ends (at least if you judge by his own writing of life after the army) again. Fortunately, his re-call to active duty in 2008 wasn't completed and Mr. Buzzell is not Pvt. Buzzell again.



2. I was also in Mosul, Iraq at this time and it is a GREAT depiction of what life was like out there before I lost my leg and came home. Anyone that wants to know what Mosul was like. READ THIS BOOK!!!



3. Colby Buzzell started one of the initial troop blogs in Iraq during his 2004 tour of duty. As time wore on, Spc. Buzzell's blog gathered steam and became popular with both military and civilian readers. He provided a grunt's-eye view of the war that drew admiration from many, but dismayed his chain of command, who eventually required him to submit his dispatches for official clearance before posting them. "My War: Killing Time in Iraq" collects Spc. Buzzell's blog posts along with additional exposition. It's a fascinating first-person literary glimpse into a war that most people follow on TV.
   
   The author begins his memoir by cluing us in on why he joined the Army. At 25 his life was going nowhere, and the military looked like a better option than low-paying data-entry work. He initially considered the Marine Corps, but they preferred a younger demographic. The Army recruiter caught him on the way out of the Marine recruiter's front door, and the rest is history. Mr. Buzzell signed up for two years of active duty as an infantryman and was assigned to a Stryker Brigade at Ft. Lewis, Washington. His unit was soon deployed to Iraq, where the author started blogging to counter the boredom between missions. Over time he garnered an avid following and became somewhat of a celebrity (as he reminds us quite often towards the book's conclusion).
   
   Spc. Buzzell posted various bits of military lore that provided context for his situation, such as excerpts from relevant Army manuals, rules of engagement, official after-action reports, and military equipment descriptions. These factoids are interesting, but he really shines when depicting grunt life in Mosul. His "Free Advice" to those deploying in-country, Q & A sessions with blog readers, and even a metal-flavored "Stryker Soundtrack" playlist on his iPod will serve as historical records of Generations X and Y at war in Iraq. Of course, "My War" wouldn't be complete without some harrowing tales of combat. Spc. Buzzell avoids flowery heroic prose in favor of a nuts-and-bolts writing style that conveys the fighting in the best "show, don't tell" tradition, providing a sense of immediacy with the action.
   
   Despite his talent as a writer and fine service to the nation, I found myself a bit confused about Mr. Buzzell as a person. He gives positive portrayals of his fellow soldiers and chain of command (no "Captain America" portraits of incompetent officers here, as in "Generation Kill"). But in the end, Mr. Buzzell vehemently dislikes the Army, the Administration, and the mission in Iraq. What made him that way? Unlike the constant stream of sparse yet heartbreaking situations presented in the excellent "The Last True Story I'll Ever Tell," Mr. Buzzell merely teases us with a couple examples of high-command doublespeak and Iraqi brutality. Perhaps he was unable to blog more explicit reasons due to fear of retaliation from his superiors, but this book would've benefitted from deeper insights into the birth and development of his "FTA" attitude - because his distain comes across as merely the "cool" thing to do vs. the result of sustained trauma, betrayal, and disillusionment.
   
   Then again, perhaps it's best not to burn bridges while still attached to one's nemesis. I checked the author's website while writing this review, and it appears that he's been recalled to active service. One thing about enlisting in the military is that they still have you by the shorthairs for a number of years after your active duty time expires. Apparently volunteer manpower must be short, and I wish the author good luck on his second tour. I recommend "My War" for its keen portrayal of a warrior's first go-around in Iraq (along with "One Bullet Away" by Nathanial Fick, "Generation Kill" by Evan Wright, and "The Last True Story I'll Ever Tell" by John Crawford). The question is: will we see "My War II: Killing Even More Time in Iraq?" I know I'll be looking for it.



4. I just finished reading My War - Killing Time in Iraq by Colby Buzzell. I bought this book some time ago and started it but was more than a little put off by the first couple of chapters quite frankly because his lifestyle prior to joining the Army is a total antithesis of my own.
   
   I really enjoy military history but I couldn't get into reading it and it eventually ended up in a plastic storage container under the bed in the spare bedroom which is where all my "to read eventually" books end up.
   
   A few days ago, I dug it out, forced myself to start over and to say I'm glad I did is a total understatement.
   
   Very engrossing read. The author is irreverent, loyal, absolutely laugh-out-loud hilarious at times, self-deprecating and honest in his accounting. I'm impressed with his writing style, his total lack of pretension and snobbery and most especially his honesty both about his own life pre-Army and of course, while in Iraq. No "spin doctor" here. These are his experiences, warts and all. His writing drew me in so much and was so vivid that his accounting of an ambush/firefight entitled "Men in Black" had me on the edge of my seat. Very you-are-there-ish. Once started, I couldn't put it down.
   
   I love this book. I read a lot and every once in awhile I get the pleasure of reading a book I hate to finish because I enjoy it so much and this is one of those few books for me.



5. I must say that I found Colby Buzzell's account of his time in Iraq to be spot on! I am back for a repeat tour....and it is a lot of the same! He nails things on the head from the moment he is recruited to the moment he arrives back home free from his military obligation. I applaud Colby for standing up and writing his blog. I can honestly say that his accounts are by far some of the most accurate and TRUTHFUL personal accounts of a soldiers time in Iraq. I picked this book up while I was at Fort Lewis myself and found myself chuckling at the very same things that he wrote about....get this book, read it and you will see for yourself. Thank goodness there are people out there like Colby that can share their true experiences and give others a taste of what it is like for us soldiers! And I hope that he is enjoying every moment of his freedom! He earned it!

5 comments about Dispatches from the Edge: A Memoir of War, Disasters, and Survival.

1. It was an eye opener into Anderson's life and amition to do what he obviously it very good at, along with the pain of losing his father and brother.



2. Anderson Cooper is one of the best journalists to come along in a long time. He has gotten me interested once again in current and world events because of his honest and compelling way of reporting and seeing things.
   
   I thought this book was excellent and well written. I could not put it down. It pulled me in the whole time and I usually don't completely finish books in 2 days.
   
   I think it is a must read for anyone wanting to understand our world as it is today.



3. I trust major newspapers more than the broadcast media, but there are trustworthy stalwarts who stand out on the tube. Anderson Cooper is one such person.
   
   I "only" knew him to be a reporter with integrity, and who was unafraid to challenge the blatantly self-serving blather days after Katrina hit, drawing upon the observations of his own eyes, and sympathetic to the plight and indignities of the NOLA residents.
   
   Andersen shared enough of his family background, both privilege and tragedy, to provide another element of respect. This is a man who could easily have coasted on family fortune, hobnobbed in the Hamptons, and lived a leisurely, carefree life. He committed himself to a career, and was compelled to go to the sorriest (and riskiest!) places and situations on Earth. The memoir itself is an easy read. It's informative on events he witnessed. AC shares enough of his background to provide perspective, but it is fact and background only - no rosy glasses, no salacious tidbits. Enough.
   
   If you think this guy is likeable, read this book. By the time you finish, you'll respect him.



4. This book is fantastic! I purchased it and read the entire book within 72 hours. His descriptions of the accounts are breathtaking. The section that touched me most was about Katrina and the Aftermath. I lived in New Orleans as a volunteer relief worker for 1 year, November '06 - October '07. It was a life changing experience for me. The experiences I had begin 14 months after the storm. To read Anderson's accounts, just hours and days following the storm, it was unbelieveable. To read his accounts from the view of someone who was choosing to be there, it's amazing. I recommend this book to everyone.



5. I loved this book. He is a wonderful journalist. I recommend this book to anyone that loves world news and travel all in one.

5 comments about Washington's Crossing (Pivotal Moments in American History).

1. I would recommend this book to anyone who had interest in the New Jersey Campaign. It gives a good background view on the disaterous New York Campaign and the retreat across New Jersey. Sometimes the book seems to drag a little bit, but that is only becuase of the great detail in the book.



2. This is a masterful account of one of the most trying times in the nascent American revolution and Washington's miraculous campaigns at Trenton and Princeton (1776-77). It's a book I still appreciate four years after first reading it. The text is lucid and the volume (hardcover) lavishly illustrated.
   
   Washington, given a questionable legacy in the Colonial War - the peacetime death of Joseph Coulon de Villiers de Jumonville and over ten others (28 May 1754), the surrender of Fort Necessity (3 July 1754 to Jumonville's elder brother Louis Coulon de VIlliers), and his role in Braddock's defeat at Monongahela (9 Jul 1755), his elder brother Lawrence and Lieutenant Governor Dinwiddie's role in the Ohio Company - wasn't worthy of banking odds (this is not part of the text - read Fred Anderson's `Crucible of War' et al).
   
   Washington proved audacious and unrelenting in his winter campaigns against his mother country. Despite all odds (and not without cost) he defeated them at Trenton (26 Dec 1776 and 2 Jan 1777) and at Princeton (3 Jan 1777). That is the tale of this volume. Without those victories, the United States wouldn't exist.
   
   This work is as enjoyable as the author's `Paul Revere's Ride' (1994).
   
   Well worth reading and highly recommended.



3. This is a truly great piece of historical writing. Over the past several years, there have been three outstanding books about Washington and 1776: McCullough's "1776", Ellis' biography of Washington, and this book by Fischer. Fischer's is by far the best and deserved the Pulitizer Prize.
   
   Modern Americans have always been able to identify more with Lincoln than with Washington, the latter being more aristocratic and less modern in outlook (not to mention being a slaveowner) and seemingly austere and rigid. What Fischer is able to do is to capture the enormous problem Washington faced in trying to manage a completely unmanageable army and politics, plagued by geographical and cultural differences as well as by the lack of central political authority. Once one fully appreciates the daunting challenge faced by Washington -- as daunting as that which faced Lincoln in 1861 -- one can fully appreciate Washington's success in managing it.
   
   Fischer spares no punches in showing Washington's tactical failure in New York and his frustration with being unable to make a rag-tag army of mostly New Englanders function like a "real" European army. But he gives credit where credit is due in showing how Washington was able to create a different kind of army -- an American army functioning in a uniquely American kind of polity. Washington is not the rigid aristocrat we imagine. He is able to appreciate the democratic nature and impulses of his army, and he leads by consensus. He takes pains to build consensus among his subordinates and to involve and respect ordinary citizens in building better intelligence gathering.
   
   Added to this is Washington's larger-than-life charisma. He is physically imposing, a brilliant horseman, and a man of great physical courage. This earns him the respect necessary to lead the army -- and the ability to build consensus without looking weak.
   
   The completely desperate circumstances of the New Jersey campaign in 1776 are vividly portrayed and add to the drama of the story -- as well as add to Washington's luster in handling it so well. Tactically, Washington is brilliant in how he managed the campaign, and Fischer destroys the myth that all Washington did was to surprise a bunch of drunk Hessians sleeping off a Christmas binge.
   
   Fischer's concluding chapter summarizes his work and does so in a moving way that points Americans, in the present dark times, toward recapturing the better angels of our nature -- the American insistence on placing a high value on life, treating even enemies with humanity, and building national strength through consensus. This is historical writing at its best -- as a form of literature.



4. This was an absolute joy to read. The book is not only about the crossing, but gives a good background of the events, politics and emotions that surrounded the American Revolution. Then it gives eyewitness accounts, from diaries, about the actual events that happened. It also gives details on aspects of the army, culture, political background and important figures that fill in the gaps and make the whole story read like a motion picture or documentary. The book tells how all the parts fit together. Truly a great book.



5. This was a very well written book, it was easy to follow and it's maps were of great help in following the battles events. I'm a new reader to the revolutionary war and since I was able to follow this book, I would definately recommend this work to others who are new to this subject. From start to finish this book kept my interest every word of the way!

5 comments about Saddam's Secrets.

1. Have only read a small amount so far, but already would rate it very good and something all americans should read.



2. It's a shame that the public has to dig for the truth rather than rely on the press to be honest, but that's the situation. If you really want to know what was going on rather than buy into the juvenile theory that this was somehow all about W's oil buddies, this is a great start.



3. This is an important book that every American should read. Gen Sada is an amazing man, an eye-witness in Saddam's regime who lived to tell about it and claims to have actually seen WMD with his own eyes. Fascinating!



4. Finally, the inside scoop! Questions of WMD answered! Why isn't this information made more readily available to the American People? This is a story of one man's faith and honesty in the worst of situations! You want to know the truth? Read this book!!



5. I enjoyed the information in the book. Poorly written but never the less informative

5 comments about Faith in the Fog of War: Stories of Triumph and Tragedy in the Midst of War.

1. I had seen Chris on a local Atlanta Christian TV program promoting this book. Since I have a military ministry helping wounded Marine Families,and am interested in the spiritual treatment of PTSD, this man and his book interested me. It gave me more insight of our military's war experiences and
   how those who believe in God were able to face the daily grind of war with more strength. I liked his parallel comparisons of war experiences and Bible
   verses to help him cope with what he was doing in Iraq.
   I recommend the book we all need to understand what war is and how it effects our military (all volunteer)men and women and their families.



2. One of the most eye opening situations one can be in is on the battlefield, with one's mortality at stake. "Faith in the Fog of War: A Soldier's Stories of Triumph and Tragedy in the Midst of Battle" is the memoir of a U.S. Soldier who served in the Iraq war, and his reflections on his faith. His experiences are poignant and enlightening. "Faith in the Fog of War" is especially recommended for Christians and anyone concerned about the Iraq war.



3. This book changed my view of the war in Iraq, what is happening over there and what it means to me. Chris brought truth into my life through his stories and the applications he draws. The sheer honesty he exudes is inspiring and refreshig.



4. This book is a literal testimony of God's power and love. Chris' straightforward account of just about everything that happened in the front lines will enable one to be transported to Iraq and experience battle in God's presence without dodging the impact of war - from the distinct sound of bullets flying over his head to the honest human emotions that stirred in his heart will make you laugh and cry. Chris has vividly narrated how God carried him through it all. It's absolutely encouraging and inspirational and it would not take long for one to realize that God really authored this book. Chris was just a mere instrument so that we can see and feel His love and power in all and every given moment. We will be doing ourselves a favor for reading this book especially if we want to recognize God's presence in our lives...whether you're a believer or yet to be one.



5. A book and devotional written with the raw point of view that is War, barest of human condition coupled with the life of a Christian's walk of faith. Chris brings new perspective to the many faces of war and the perspective observation through the "Christian len" looking at our own individual lives. His writings allow each of us to apply that view to our own lives with the soul searching questions he includes in each chapter and we find ourselves asking at many points in our lives. Reading his writing had me stopping and taking into account many areas of my own walk of faith and what it means to me. I would highly recommend this book to anyone seeking a devotional with the meat of what we need to be asking ourselves in our daily lives as Christians. A must read. A Must HAVE for those Christians serving our country.