-
On Mar 07 2010
Fred Kiesche (USA) read
Ender's Game
by
and commented:
While an enjoyable read, I think that Robert A. Heinlein's "Starship Troopers" (which I think this book replaced on the list) is a better read and a better tool for members of the military.
-
On Mar 07 2010
Fred Kiesche (USA) read
Rifleman Dodd
by
and commented:
Read this as part of my non-fiction/military fiction reading program for 2010, following the USMC list as a model. Good story of a soldier who is cut off behind enemy lines for several months (!). He manages to survive and build and irregular force that harasses the enemy until he can rejoin his unit--clothing worn, severely underweight, but with his rifle functioning and his equipment present. Excellent!
- On Mar 02 2010 Carmelle Claude (USMC) read Gates of Fire: An Epic Novel of the Battle of Thermopylae by
-
On Mar 02 2010
Tom Copeland (USCG) read
Hot, Flat, and Crowded: Why We Need a Green Revolution--and How It Can Renew America
by
and commented:
Thomas Friedman is a lively writer and is enthusiastic about green jobs and energy efficiency and all that. One of his primary source in this book, however, is the IPCC, who is now in the process of admitting that their data was not as rock-solid as they had claimed. Friedman also offers solutions like a huge gas tax to make solar/wind more cost-effective - which is easy for him to say, but not so great for the E4 struggling along on $2K per month. There's also Friedman's "China for a Day (but not two)" where he bemoans the democratic process which prevents the technocrats from imposing their will on the ignorant masses. So despite his engaging style and the many interesting anecdotes, I don't think this was a good selection.
- On Mar 01 2010 kcholbert (USAF) read Breakout: The Chosin Reservoir Campaign, Korea 1950 by
- On Mar 01 2010 kcholbert (USAF) read The Last Stand of Fox Company: A True Story of U.S. Marines in Combat by
- On Mar 01 2010 kcholbert (USAF) read Once a Marine: An Iraq War Tank Commander's Inspirational Memoir of Combat, Courage, and Recovery by
-
On Feb 27 2010
Tom Copeland (USCG) read
The Elephant and the Dragon: The Rise of India and China and What It Means for All of Us
by
and commented:
A pretty good overview of India and China's recent rise in power. Outlines the major challenges facing those countries, too - e.g., corruption and pollution. Unfortunately, her recommendations for how the U.S. can keep pace are all about big government - more money for Dept of Education, spending lots of money on government research centers, etc. Anyhow, the bit about China buying up lots of U.S. debt was especially relevant... would be interesting to see a 2nd edition in 5 years or so.
- On Feb 16 2010 kcholbert (USAF) read The Savage Wars Of Peace: Small Wars And The Rise Of American Power by
- On Feb 16 2010 kcholbert (USAF) read The Declaration of Independence and Other Great Documents of American History 1775-1865 by
- On Feb 15 2010 Carmelle Claude (USMC) read A Message to Garcia by
- On Feb 12 2010 fredcole84 read Gates of Fire: An Epic Novel of the Battle of Thermopylae by
- On Feb 12 2010 fredcole84 read Ender's Game by
- On Feb 12 2010 fredcole84 read Rifleman Dodd by
- On Feb 12 2010 fredcole84 read A Message to Garcia by