1. On Mar 07 2010 Fred Kiesche (USA) read The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen Covey and commented:

    Had to read this for work one year. Some interesting stuff, but avoid all the "spin-offs" (Covey has run this horse into the ground.). Not everything in the book will work for all, but everybody should find something of use.

  2. On Mar 07 2010 Fred Kiesche (USA) read D Day: June 6, 1944: The Climactic Battle of World War II by Stephen E. Ambrose and commented:

    My favorite book on D Day still remains the classic "The Longest Day", but this one by Ambrose (as well as works by Keegan and others) are good updates/expansions. Hopefully the third volume in Atkinson's "Liberation Trilogy" will be the capstone to this period of the war.

  3. On Mar 07 2010 Fred Kiesche (USA) read The Innovator's Dilemma: The Revolutionary Book that Will Change the Way You Do Business by Clayton M. Christensen and commented:

    I read this during the dotcom bubble and even had the chance to see Christensen speak at a conference (and get my copy autographed). Good way of getting people to think "outside of the box" (which hasn't helped in herding the flock of cats that is my daughter's Odyssey of the Mind team! ;) )

  4. On Mar 07 2010 Fred Kiesche (USA) read Master and Commander by Patrick O'Brian and commented:

    I've run through the O'Brian tales of Captain Jack Aubrey and his friend Stephen Maturin several times now. They are among my favorites. Hint for new readers: M&C is somewhat slow to start, keep at it and you'll be rewarded handsomely!

    "What a fascinating modern age we live in." (J. Aubrey, RN)

    March 2010 Update: Just read it again.

  5. On Mar 07 2010 Fred Kiesche (USA) read The Tipping Point: How Little Things Can Make a Big Difference by Malcolm Gladwell and commented:

    Fah. Couldn't get through this one. Too much fluff.

  6. On Mar 07 2010 Fred Kiesche (USA) read Starship Troopers by Robert A. Heinlein and commented:

    One of the best military SF novels out there. How can I say that? Look at the number of author's who have followed in the footsteps (Joe Haldeman, John Scalzi, John Ringo, John Steakley and many others). Good mix of how to train, philosophy and morals, and great action. On the bounce!

  7. On Mar 07 2010 Fred Kiesche (USA) read Fire in the Valley: The Making of The Personal Computer by Paul Freiberger and commented:

    An O.K., book, but somewhat aged. I prefer Tracy Kidder's "Soul of a New Machine" for a look on how the IT industry works (also aged, but just a better written book, so has stood the test of time more gracefully).

  8. On Mar 07 2010 Fred Kiesche (USA) read Company Commander: The Classic Infantry Memoir of World War II by Charles B. MacDonald and commented:

    Anything by MacDonald is worth a read, and this intensely personal view of combat is one of his best.

  9. On Mar 07 2010 Fred Kiesche (USA) read We Were Soldiers Once...and Young: Ia Drang - the Battle That Changed the War in Vietnam by Harold G. Moore and commented:

    Dang fine book (and a dang fine movie). I would love to have an edition with larger (fold-out) maps.

  10. On Mar 07 2010 Fred Kiesche (USA) read Ender's Game by Orson Scott Card 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.

  11. On Mar 07 2010 Fred Kiesche (USA) read Rifleman Dodd by C. S. Forester 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!

  12. On Mar 02 2010 Carmelle Claude (USMC) read Gates of Fire: An Epic Novel of the Battle of Thermopylae by Steven Pressfield
  13. 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 Thomas L. Friedman 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.

  14. On Mar 01 2010 kcholbert (USAF) read Breakout: The Chosin Reservoir Campaign, Korea 1950 by Martin Russ
  15. On Mar 01 2010 kcholbert (USAF) read The Last Stand of Fox Company: A True Story of U.S. Marines in Combat by Bob Drury