5 comments about The Coveted Black and Gold.

1. I personally want to become a ranger when I join the army, and this book was an eye opener yet also inspirational. It shows the commitment and self motivation required for Ranger School. This book is a good buy.



2. This book is amazing because it contains his day to day activities. I, too, want to become a Ranger and I've done lots of research about them, but I must admit that I didn't always know what he was talking about, I did understand the hardship and I could picture myself going through what he did, it makes me think that I have no chance of making it through. I found that I would try to picture myself in his shoes, seeing what I would have done in his situation, or keep in mind on the tips he talks about to maintain weight, etc. It kinda gives you a heads up on what kind of mental preparation you need to have. It seemed that this course was EXTREMELY difficult physically, however mentally preparing oneself was the message I was getting from the book. I also liked all the little trivia he put in the book at the end, telling you who was eligible to go to Ranger training, and the meaning of hooah. hahahaha. Although i wish he explained things more in detail, i understand why that wasn't possible. I just hope i can prepare myself enough to take on the crap they dish out at you.



3. I have a whole library of of this type book , since I was in the Airbourn-Rangers 1951-1954.



4. This book was a pretty good account of the day in and day out trials of going through Ranger School. For those of you saying you want to become a Ranger, you need to know one thing, there is a huge difference between going to Ranger School and wearing the Tab after, and actually serving in a Ranger Battalion/Regiment. You should talk to people who served in those units.



5. I have several friends who are Rangers, since they are known to be 'the best of the best' I wanted to see what it took to earn that (trust me, THEY DO) and what is expected of them. Plus these guys can't often talk a lot about what they do, so I figured learning about what they train for may give insight. This book did all of that. It goes day by day and shows the learning process-including the intentional stresses added to force the most out of them in the worst conditions. Plus, he also gives good history/added info on the schooling and Rangers as a whole. If you like to learn more about the military mentality and what all goes into it, its a fun read. Rangers Lead The Way!!

5 comments about The Battalion: The Dramatic Story of the 2nd Ranger Battalion in World War II (Stackpole Military History S.).

1. When you want true, indepth storytelling, you can always depend on Author Col. Robert W. Black. I have read all his books and found them educational as well as entertaining. The war-time accounts of The Battalion are events of historic magnitude and are artisticlly narrated. This book is written for the experienced WWII veteran as well as the young gung-ho soldier and every reader interested in learning about history thu the mind and words of a storytelling genius. Learn about this historic event in Ranger history and get to know some of the great personalities in war-time drama. Here they are brought to life like the characters in a renowned novel. Read the book now, because The Battalion will undoubtedly become an award winning movie and you will want to say...I new that story when...!



2. This book tells the true stories of gallent men who did so much and asked for so little in return.A generation of men that has no equal, may we never forget their sacrifices.



3. Rangers remain a special breed of warrior. Aggressive, confident, self-starters. The author's description of the small groups (2 to 3) of Rangers reaching the top of Point du Hoc and immediately moving forward to their objectives typifies the traditional Ranger action-spirit and ability. Twenty three Rangers have been awarded the Medal of Honor. The book is an enjoyable read as one learns about the famed 2nd Ranger Battalion in a factual way interspersed with the author's wry humor, insights and honest reporting that flows throughout the book. The cast of characters found in the Rangers is captured - one of whose favorite war cry was "We're heading for pay dirt!" Weapons and their care is given high importance by the Rangers, and their on-going marksmanship training pays off as they aggressively and effectively use their favorite weapons (Thompson, BAR, M-1) to kill the enemy. Respect and appreciation is accorded to the Navy support on D-Day - with a breath-taking description of the gallant and gutsy USS Satterlee (DD626) moving at flank speed parallel to and "so close in shore it appeared to be only a few feet off the beach" off Pointe du Hoc as it effectively blasted the Germans with its 5-inch and 20mm guns. And, toward the end of WWII when the 2nd Battalion teamed up with the Armor (102nd Cavalry) to roll across one objective after another with the enemy only being administered swift death and destruction. Worth its weight in historical-gold are the Appendixes that contain, among other things, a complete roster of the 2nd Battalion. Anyone interested in learning the type of American who volunteers for the Rangers, should read this book. Its author is a fully-credentialed combat veteran Ranger, and is one of 228 select members of the Ranger Hall of Fame.



4. Very well written story of the Rangers - based on solid factual research, uncovering many detailed stories of this outstanding unit and putting them in context in an excellent, compeling, narrative about the men who attacked and secured the most dangerous front-line positions and opened the way for victory in WW2.



5. This book was certainly worth the price. I had been searching for a book that including the experiences of my battalion and this one was it! It not only including the listing of my fellow soldiers, but my name and rank as well, which made this a great book to pass on to my children and grandchildren. Thanks to Robert Black for another great book about the Rangers.

5 comments about American Colonial Ranger: The Northern Colonies, 1724-64 (Warror).

1. The quality of Osprey's illustrated military histories varies widely. Some volumes are produced by qualified authorities who know their respective subjects inside and out. Others are shoddy rush jobs put out by hacks. Gray Zaboly's _American Colonial Ranger: The Northern Colonies 1724-64_ deserves to be ranked among Osprey's best. Indeed, it is unexcelled by any volume that Osprey has put out in the past thirty years.
   
   _American Colonial Ranger_ is the result of decades of intensive research. Zaboly is universally acknowledged as one of the leading interpreters of the history, dress, weapons, and equipment of Rogers' Rangers and the other ranger units raised in the North American colonies to battle the French and their Indian allies. His mastery of a wide array of sources is evident from the text, which is as well written as it is authoritative. Zaboly is not only a skilled wordsmith, but he is also a leading historical artist, and his superbly rendered color plates make this book a feast for the eyes. In too many books of this type, the plates resemble groups of mannequins modeling various uniforms. In _American Colonial Ranger_, six of Zaboly's plates are painted scenes that capture important moments in ranger history -- as well as giving the reader a good view of what these remarkable frontier soldiers wore and carried.
   
   With _American Colonial Ranger_, Osprey has set a new standard for itself and its competitors. It can only be hoped that it will commission Zaboly to turn out more titles as outstanding as this one.



2. One of my uncles served in the Rangers during world war two, faught in Anzio. My father served in the Rangers in Korea. He idolized Robert Rogers. His favorite novel was North West Passage, and was just as fond of the movie. And if either were alive today, I would send them this book.
   
   This is the best book on the Colonial Rangers I have yet found. though Sketch Book 56 volume one Rogers'Rangers by Ted Spring is a good second. Very informative. Well illustrated. Straight to the point. Each of its sixty three pages is solid information gold.
   
   For those with a desire to know more about this subject this is The Book to get.
   
   It is probably the best book produced by Osprey.



3. There has been occasional grumbling from Osprey series authors about the limits of the format in the various Osprey series ( Men-at-Arms, Warrior, etc.). Within the 64 page limit for the Warrior series this is a fine reference work. However, it is not an exhaustive study of all Ranger units operating in the time period and geographic region indicated. Mr. Zaboly is clearly an expert in the Ranger units associated with Robert Rogers. But there is very little mention of other Ranger units that existed in the same place and time. The activities of Roger's units are illustrative of most aspects of Ranger operations though. Roger's Rangers exploits are generally acknowledged to represent the pinnacle of Ranger achievements at the time. There are stirring tales of struggle in accomplishing epic raids deep into enemy territory here. There is also no shying away from Ranger participation in the grislier aspects of frontier warfare. Overall, Mr. Zaboly's historical text is informative, substantive and fully informed by many first-hand source documents.
   
   What sets this study apart from other Osprey Warrior series titles though are the illustrations. Mr. Zaboly is an accomplished artist who has illustrated his own work. The numerous drawings by the author that populate this book are vivid illustrations of the way Rangers dressed, encamped, fought and survived in the Eastern wilderness. These outstanding drawings make the modest price of this publication a real bargain. As long as the reader is not dismayed by a tight focus on Roger's Ranger units, this title will not disappoint.



4. This is easily one of Osprey's best titles in the Warrior series. Not only the usual color prints but several of the authors own drawings. It mixes facts with folklore which makes this title very informative. A must read for French and Indian war studies!



5. An excellent source on the colonial rangers, experts at surviving in brutal situations-and an even more brutal war. These rangers, many being Scotch-Irish in descent, formed a unique fusion of European and Indian tactics and fighting styles which proved to be both effective and savage. The author's text is readable, interesting, and detailed, while his color plates are absolutely awesome.

5 comments about Six Silent Men, Book Two (101st Lrp/Rangers).

1. There are few books about modern war that cause me to suspend my awareness of present surroundings while reading. This one does the deed. Kenn Miller's book Tiger The Lurp Dog introduced me to his exceptionally refined and gripping style of story telling. With Six Silent Men, Book Two, Miller continues to impress and inspire me. These were men of my generation "just doing a job" that deserves to see the light of day and a place in our memories and hearts. [...] Give this book your attention. It earns it by not being based just on imagination but on brotherhood, blood and guts and brains. A great read.



2. This is another excellent addition to the series of books about the 101st Airborne LRRPs. The raw emotion will have you laughing, crying and enthralled. Just as with Rey Martinez' Book 1, and Gary Linderer's book 3, Kenn Miller interviewed veterans and got their stories. This is an extremely good way of getting an internal view of the emotions and experiences of the men who served in Vietnam. I have to say that I could not find a quote anywhere as stated below, and find the jealousy of some insulting to these authors with merit. I recommend reading the online "Brother against Brother" to find out just what type of BS some people will go to to slander these honorable men!
   
   Highly recommended book, go out and buy a copy today!



3. A GREAT SECOND STEP IN THE TELLING OF THE LRP ROLE IN VIETNAM FROM ONE WHO WAS THERE. KEN MILLER TELLS THE STORY IN THE THIRD PERSON SO YOU DON'T GET THE "I DID THIS AND I DID THAT" NARRATION WHICH GETS OLD.



4. This is a great book, Kenn Miller is the LRP with one of the higest number of missions in Vietnam...he know what it was like, he has been there, done that
   
   An exelent read, gives a very accurate account about what happend on the 20 of November 1968 and there by rames a spike in the rubbish that a certain Seattle resident has been whining about, " the army record does not match what is written in several vietnam books, so there for Gary Linderer, Larry Chambers, Kenn Miller, WT Grant and Bill Meacham must be fake and they make all the other veterans not like me, bu-hu huh hu, where is my wife's apron so I can hide"
   
   Miller....you are one of my Hero's



5. Read a memoir by a general and then read Six Silent Men. You'll see the difference right away. Nobody is holding back here, and nobody is trying to let anybody off the hook. This is volume two of three, a series that covers the entire life of the unit from activation to stand down. There is no self-serving BS anywhere in any of them. The words that come to mind are honor, honesty, and guts. Somebody once said Vietnam was a "war without heroes." They just weren't looking.

5 comments about The Road to Unafraid: How the Army's Top Ranger Faced Fear and Found Courage through.

1. Fantastic! Jeff Struecker's personal testimony touches the heart and shows man's utter need for Christ in our lives. Themes such as courage, faith, loyalty and death are ingrained into your mind while reading Captain's Struecker's vivid recollection of events such as the Black Hawck down incident in Somalia, the Panama invasion, and his time as an elite U.S. Ranger. Jeff is truly an inspiration. I have bought a half dozen copies of this book for friends and family.



2. Jeff is a proven leader and his story is one that will impact multitudes. Thanks for your courage. -A US Navy Chaplain



3. A couple years ago, I checked this book out from the library and read it for the first time. Right there, it became one of my favorite military books, alongside Entebbe (Iddo Netanyahu) and Zvi (Elwood McQuaid). Although I didn't see Blackhawk Down until just recently (and that being an edited, more family-friendly version), Cpt. Streucker describes the battle very well, not just the physical aspects, but also the more important spiritual and moral aspects, which the film failed to touch on. I highly recommend this book; it's an inspiring read that will strengthen your faith.



4. Well written, and an eye opening account of the Somalia debaucle; an asset to Blackhawk Down and the ingedients necessay to became an Army Ranger.



5. Highly recommended! I gave this book as a gift to my 15 year old nephew who loves all things military. He read it through twice then told another family member/teacher about it. She loved it and is using it for her teen boys summer reading group.

5 comments about To Be a U. S. Army Ranger (To Be A).

1. The picture quality in this book is excellent. The book also does an excellent job of keeping the pictures and information relevant and in good chronological order. Having gone through Basic and Airborne School down in Fort Benning it was great to look back and recognize so much of what was being covered. So you can be assured that these are pics of the actual places being talked about and not just replicas or places with a likeness. The book does not go into great depth on any single topic but does a great job of giving a brief synopsis of a vast majority of the events. I would highly recommend this book for anyone interested in reliving some experiences or in learning what can be expected from a trip to Fort Benning.



2. I thought this book was amazing, lots of pictures, and lots of information. Although there are downsides to the book. They only talked about being a ranger from an enlisted point of view and not of an officer, and there were some other things that i wanted to learn more about but couldn't because they didn't go into complete detail, however i understand, and still recommend this book to anyone interested in the military, and most definitely recommend it to those who want to become a ranger.



3. My son,who is now in Ranger training,says this book has been extremely helpful to him.Not only does it inform him of what the next course will detail but keeps him abreast of what is to follow that. Required reading for any future hopeful Rangers.



4. My sons will enter separate universities this Autumn. Each will enter as an Army ROTC cadet and--by plan at least--emerge four years later as a college graduate and a commissioned officer in the United States Army.
   
   I don't fully understand what makes these strong-sensitive lads of mine yearn to enter the ranks of Americ'a warriors, particularly since their growing-up years were spent almost exclusively in Costa Rica and England. Yet knowing these two strapping third-culture kids the way I do, one or both is likely to end up in Ranger School.
   
   I thought I'd better study up.
   
   And what a way to begin my education! Russ Bryant's TO BE A US ARMY RANGER is not full of the agonized ethical self-doubts suffered by many of my peers. It takes the mission for granted and tells the story of how the Army's version of special operations trains an excellent soldier to be a Ranger.
   
   Clearly, they know how to create an elite force with the highest level of skill and a devout adherence to the Ranger Creed (yes, it's called that).
   
   I believe many families of Ranger candidates will find this book very useful in bridging the gap between what their sons experience as they earn the Ranger tab and what those of us on the outside can only begin to imagine.
   
   I'm already proud of my two sons, who have overcome adversity, seized opportunity, and kept themselves in the game through twenty and eighteen years of life, respectively. Respect is not on the table. But when I see them in uniform for the first time, the heart will swell. And, if ever, I have a son who is a US Army Ranger, I'll remember this book and the first glimpse I had of a corps of warriors that--out there somewhere and in the mix of an ethically confused world, does unwanted tasks that by and large serve the cause of justice--keeps the Creed.



5. Ever wanted to become a US Army Ranger?
   Well, this book will tell you what to expect if you join the ranks of recruits who hold the hope of becoming a Ranger.
   
   This pictorial book will start where the first change occur when we sign up for duty in the armed forces; the haircut! From there it take the reader through the process of training a raw recruit from a civilian life to the life of - not only a soldier - but a US Army Ranger!
   
   We will follow recrutis through the Ranger training, on the firing range, parachute training, patrolling at night, and not to mention the demanding physical opstacles that has to dealt with, if you want to make the pass as a US Army Ranger. The pictures take the reader close enough on the recruits so when you finish the book you can almost say: been there, done that...well almost!
   
   The reader will get a good knowledge about how the life of a Ranger recruit is.
   
   Read it before you sing up, if you do not want to be taken by surprise!

5 comments about No Excuse Leadership: Lessons from the U.S. Army's Elite Rangers.

1. I am a graduate of Ranger School Class 2-99 and I thought this was an excellent book on how individuals that read this book can apply their leadership skills to civilian and military occupations. For the longest time, it has been difficult for me to explain to friends, family, and fellow Army officers what Ranger School was about, other than it being totally miserable for 62 days.
   
   The individuals that shared their stories in this book are authentic because I remember the days they described. Brace Barber made this book interesting because he used other Soldier's points of view on Ranger School and how they perceived the lessons they learned about leadership. The Army claims Ranger School is the ultimate leadership school and I have to agree 100% with them. I plan to make it a requirement for my platoon leaders to read this book when I take command. RLTW!



2. I bought this book for my son who is going in to the Army in a few months. He read the book and found a lot of useful information in it. He's glad that he read it and has gone back through it a 2nd time.



3. Buy this book to a friend or relative, that needs that little motivation to improve your life quality without excuses. Regardless of your life, financial condition , military or not. These principles are universal. Thank, Brace.



4. No Excuse Leadership was purchased because I was in the midst of setting up and delivering leadership training to a potential client from the defense forces of my nation.
   I was quite let-down. I think those from a military and US back-ground would fully appreciate this book.
   I was looking for a book which would share more explicitly the lessons of leadership from within an army or military context. In this respect, Be, Know, Do from Francis Hesselbein & General Shiseki is a much better read.



5. fantastic first hand accounts of real men, real situations, real reactions and emotions, and real about life situations....examines the attitudes and morality of the highly trained and highly skilled mindset. all leaders are on a mission, whether physical or mental: navigation, people skills, and the gut-check define every one of us at critical paths in life. hooah!

5 comments about U.S. Army Ranger Handbook.

1. Just recently purchased this book and have gone through it a few times already. The print is kinda small and it is definitely not something you would want to take out on the field, but overall I consider it to be a great supplement to FM 7-8. This may be a harder book to read if you are not familiar with basic U.S. military terms.



2. Sorry man, your wrong this is not the the Army Ranger Handbook. I just received the latest Army Ranger Manual from the cadre at 4th RTB, Fort Benning. The manual I received from this seller is NOT the latest version / not any version the army would give to a Ranger.



3. The U.S Department of Defense has put out the handbook for U.S. Army Rangers, and this is the book to get on the subject. You can find out information Troop Leading Procedures, Waterborne Operations, Combat Patrols, pretty much anything you would ever want to know about army procedures, is in this book.



4. I ordered this product to help me brush up on my Army knowledge after I was called back to active duty. It is comprable to the Ranger handbooks that you get on an Army post, except this book is significantly larger and seems to be an older version than what I was used to carrying. Not a bad thing to purchase, but much too large to carry in your cargo pocket.



5. I have read the reviews above and I have read this book, in many formats and many times, this book is a stellar reference when it comes to the principles of Patrolling, TLP, MDMP, various other things that not only Rangers but every Soldier should know.
   
   This is NOT the version that the army issues. It is identical in every way except it is in a bigger version. The Army Version is in fact pocket sized, this is not. This is still a great desktop version/version for dudes that want to learn about military matters.
   
   One warning, this book is dry, and only exciting if you are familiar with military terms, and graphics. Like I said, this one is identicle to the Army issued one except for its size.
   
   This is definitely one of those books that is a must read for every Soldier, and anyone curious to learn about how Soldiers operate.

5 comments about Black Hawk Down: A Story of Modern War.

1. I had actually avoided reading this book because I thought I knew the story already. I saw the movie - I've heard the stories. I was wrong. For me, the book unfolded beautifully and horribly all at once. I was drawn into the lives of the people on both sides. I thought Bowden did a good job of telling some of the Somali side of the story without trying to stuff it down our throats. If you're like me and haven't read this book because you don't think it can hold your interest at this point, I say reconsider. I was stunned by how much "more" there was, beyond what I had gleaned from other sources. Great book that captures the stuff we should never let be forgotten.



2. Exciting, fast paced narrative. Reads well. A wee bit disorganized, but not to avoid.



3. Like far too many other Americans, I failed to pay enough attention to the nation's involvement in Somalia. In fact, it wasn't until my wife and I stumbled into a cable broadcast of the film adaptation of "Black Hawk Down" that it really grabbed my attention. Having missed the beginning of the film, we both guessed wrong at where it even was taking place, and in fact initially mistook it for fiction.
   
   Fittingly, Mark Bowden reveals that some of the Rangers engaged in the battle of Mogadishu had trouble accepting the reality of the horrendous situation they found themselves in, at times laughing at the absurdity of the carnage and the increasing liklihood that they would not survive a firefight in the Third World against starving people in sandals. Bowden did a masterful job of capturing those emotions, as well as chronicling all that took place in real time. In this regard, I respectfully disagree with reviewers who have criticized the pace of the book -- which I feel supported the fact that every aspect of the battle took much too long and heightened the peril.
   
   Bowden deserves much credit for having the courage to visit Somalia for research, especially with the knowledge that four Western journalists had been murdered in Mogadishu a few years earlier. He also deserves our thanks for detailing the determination of Somalis who sacrificed themselves to achieve an objective that had become extremely important to them. I can't think of another book that does as good a job of respecting both sides and presenting an even balance of perspectives.
   
   "Black Hawk Down" is also important because it explains how the beating the US took in Mogadishu affected foreign policy for years to come -- including decisions to avoid involvement in other nations such as Rwanda, where human rights were being trounced. I strongly encourage anyone, especially those who, like me, more or less blew off this episode of American History, to buy or borrow this book and devour it. My only caution is that the graphic descriptions of injuries are not for the faint of heart.



4. This is one of the best books I've read. The reader gets a street level view of what really happened in Mogadishu. The media made this incident look like an embarrassment to the United States Military when one can clearly see from this book that they did an exceptional job on an epic scale. The author is incredible in his writing, descriptions, and familiarizing the reader with the soldiers involved in the action.
   
   The only negative I can see is that a reader with no military background may get muddled down with the military acronyms, terminology, and ranking structure.
   
   Aside from that you cannot go wrong with this book and I can see this book being used in a syllabus for a College Course down the road, if it isn't already.



5. Great read, action packed. Some parts make you want to cringe, others make you want to cry. I will say that it can get a little gruesome at times and the violence does get to be numbing after a while.

3 comments about Two Wars: One Hero's Fight on Two Fronts--Abroad and Within.

1. Just got through reading an advance copy of this book. Wow! It's the most vivid account yet of what this generation of soldiers goes through emotionally and spiritually to defend our country. The author bares his soul and his faith in a way seldom seen in a "military" book. And there is still plenty of action from the highest battle fought in U.S. military history -- 11,000-foot mountain.



2. Great book...just finished it. I really appreciate what the Rangers do and how they train to be an elite fighting force. This book is very candid about Nate and his team not only being fighting men but being human. Nate clearly writes well and puts all things into perspective.
   Thanks to a great patriot we know more about the Ranger's sacrifice - not only in war but the home front too.
   My only critque was capturing the battle field and the lay of the land during their ordeal on top of the mountain.



3. We all know, because we are constantly being told, how great are the military men and women who are fighting the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. The greatness thing had become a banality to me until I read this book, which explains the depth of the individual struggle of one very brave man, a struggle on the field of combat and off and between. I know that Nate Self is smart. I've met him and talked with him. But I had no idea of the introspection he bares in this wonderful book. His lucid analyses of where he stood and stands left me in admiration. He is better in touch with his feelings than one would imagine, and I only wonder if this comfort with feelings wasn't the cause of his PTSD or the result of climbing out of PTSD. That truly surprised me. After reading Two Wars, I have a much finer -- and far more concrete -- fix on what makes men like Self great. And he is. Thanks for getting this book done, and so beautifully. Malcolm MacPherson.