Author Becky Akers has long lived in the eighteenth century—or at least she wishes she had. Now readers can join the excitement via her debut novel, Halestorm. They’ll meet such icons as General George Washington, who must learn the British Army’s plans for quashing the rebellion or perish with his troops; Sir William Howe, the…
Category: Book Reviews
The Literary Corner: Bernard Cornwell’s Professional Fictions
As a writer, I am also a prolific reader. My two favorite genres for fiction are without a doubt spy thrillers and historical fiction. I was introduced to Bernard Cornwell a few years ago by my good friend, Mr. A. We both share a keen interest in Viking history and lore and he suggested I…
Espionage Files: The CIA’s Phoenix Program in Vietnam and the “War on Terror”
The Phoenix Program in Vietnam in many ways provides a blue print for our own times. Assassinations and torture are the essence of the war on terror. As are death squads and false flag terror attacks. As are mass surveillance of the populace. Thanks to the work of Douglas Valentine in his classic book “The Phoenix…
Terminal Lance Creator sais He’s Just Getting Started with White Donkey
For all Veterans out there who served in Iraq, in particular, the Marines, you need to buy this book and read it a couple times. Fantastic is the only word that comes to mind. -SF Terminal Lance creator Max Uriarte talks about his long-awaited graphic novel “White Donkey” with Task & Purpose. “White Donkey,” a…
Cold War Files: Forgetting Castro’s Crimes
‘Fighting Over Fidel: The New York Intellectuals and the Cuban Revolution’ Between the Old Left and the New Left, between the radicalism of the 1930s and the radicalism of the 1970s, there comes the curious figure of Fidel Castro. A celebrated revolutionary thinker. The absolute ruler of Cuba—and, for a time, the man believed to…
Military History: Marine Corp General James Mattis, “Nothing New Under the Sun…”
In 2013 General James N. Mattis retired after a 41-year Marine Corps career that included field commands in the Persian Gulf War, Iraq and Afghanistan. In the theater of combat the hard-charging general was known by the call sign “Chaos.” But it was his respect for history and studious commitment to training in strategy and…
War on the Rocks 2015 Holiday Reading List
Some real gems in this list..definitely worth a look and read. -SF We are a little tardy with this year’s holiday reading list, but there is still time for Santa (or Amazon) to get these books to you or your loved ones in time! Please see what our contributors think you should be reading this…
Book Review: The Counter-Offensive Rifle by CR Williams
I finally was able to get around to reading my friend CR Williams 3rd Volume of his Series Gunfighting and Other Thoughts about Doing Violence: The Counter-Offensive Rifle. CR has Two other books in this series, Gunfighting and Other Thoughts about Doing Violence Vols. 1 and 2; they can also be bought at Amazon HERE….
Books for September
One Million Steps: A Marine Platoon at War (Bing West) I am a fan of West ever since I Read No True Glory. The guy gives it to you straight with no bullshit or fluff, if you want to know about War with a Marine Platoon, read this. Level Zero Heroes: The Story…
Book Review: Rattenkrieg: The Art of ECQ Combat Pistol
Bob Taubert’s latest work, Rattenkrieg: The Art and Science of Close-Quarters Battle Pistol is a book that is right up there with Styer’s Cold Steel or Applegate’s Kill or Get Killed. The book reminds you of the hard fact that necessity is definitely the mother of invention when it comes to relevant and practical combat skills….