In urban environments, the playing field is levelled between the conventional armies and insurgents BE IT ALEPPO or Damascus, Mosul or Ramadi, or even Eastern Ukraine, combatants in today’s conflicts are frequently fighting in and over urban areas. The decision to wage war in cities is driven in part by modern military technology. Frequently,…
Category: Book Suggestions
Military History: What the 173rd Airborne Looked Like Two Centuries Ago
Historic reoccurrence is a controversial concept. However, events, especially in military history, often take place in similar sites. The reason for this phenomenon is simple. Throughout centuries logistics, weaponry and technology change, but terrain and strategic points continue to shape military campaigns. Consequently, soldiers’ accounts share similarities in impressions, discomforts and adventures, even if they happen…
Wingate’s Way: Leadership Lessons from Britain’s Maverick General
I highly recommend Anglin’s book Orde Wingate: Unconventional Warrior for those of you who have an interest in learning about Counter-Insurgency Warfare and it’s timeless principles.-SF “Orde Wingate’s experiences from World War Two offer lessons for 21st Century military planners, particularly in the areas of counter-insurgency, covert and special operations and proxy wars.” By Dr. Simon Anglin MAJOR GENERAL Orde…
21st Century Seapower
When the Tamil Sea Tigers, the ferocious naval wing of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), was destroyed in the Sri Lankan government’s full-throttled spring 2009 offensive that put an end to the country’s decades-long civil war, few were sorry to see its demise. For while the group was a capable adversary of Sri…
My “Proposed” Reading List for 2016
With the New Year upon us, I thought I might share what books I have on deck for 2016. Keep in mind I am a writer and amateur historian, so my “professional reading” tends to have a very heavy emphasis on military history, in particular WW2 and the Cold War. My leisure and fiction reading…
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…
Military History: Napoleon, the First Modern Politican
I have read several Biographies on the military exploits of Napoleon, but this article explores a side of the man rarely discussed: The Political agenda. -SF David A. Bell, Napoleon: A Concise Biography (Oxford and New York: Oxford University Press, 2015), 152 pp., $18.95. Michael Broers, Napoleon: Soldier of Destiny (New York: Pegasus, 2015), 608…
Suggested Reading: Some of my Favorite Non-Fiction Espionage
I have been getting emails lately requesting I list what books I have in my Library. It is no secret I am a huge book worm, so I felt obliged to share some titles with you based on subject. Today we will focus on one of my favorite subjects: Espionage and Intelligence, next month maybe World…
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….
RIP Jim Frederick
Jim Frederick, the author of one of the best books on Military leadership in Small Wars and the Iraq War as a whole, Black Hearts, died an early death at 42. Rest in peace Sir. If you have not read this book, read it ASAP. Stay Dangerous.