Product Description
In this concise and penetrating study, Roger Barnett illuminates the effect of operational, organizational, legal, and moral constraints on the ability of the United States to use military force. As the tragic events of September 11 demonstrated, potential adversaries can take advantage of these limitations, thus spawning "asymmetrical warfare." Barnett defines asymmetrical warfare as not simply a case of pitting one’s strength against another’s weakness but rather of taking the calculated risk to exploit an adversary’s inability or unwillingness to prevent, or defend against, certain actions. For instance, launching chemical, biological, or suicide attacks; taking indiscriminate actions against critical infrastructure; using hostages or human shields; deliberately destroying the environment; and targeting noncombatants all constitute possible asymmetrical warfare scenarios. Against these acts, the United States has not prepared any response in kind—indeed the United States either cannot or will not undertake such responses—thus making these attacks especially difficult to counter. This refusal to retaliate in "an eye for an eye" fashion complicates the dilemma of American policymakers who seek to wield power and influence on the world stage while simultaneously projecting a peaceful and benign image. Barnett concludes that the United States must create a formal system of selectively eliminating the constraints that dictate our response to certain situations or scenarios. Failure to make such changes will only increase paralysis and, when the use of force is required, contribute to the already heightened risks. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

For non-military audience
This book is geared towards audiences that have no knowledge whatsoever about asymmetrical warfare.The information I gathered from this book brings absolutely nothing to the fight, but brilliantly and clearly defines the scenario of today's operational environment.It does not possess any practical information on how to negotiate the challenges without completely neglecting current established treaties and policies.One of those "good to know" books.

response
The first reviewer despite his technical expertise may have missed the point, this is use of current skills and inventory against those who employ asymmetical warfare methods. It is a mindset for dealing with such tactics and utilization of our ready resources. I found it informative and useful and wish more policy makers would read it.

Re Unfettered Conventional Violence, NOT Asymmetric Warfare

There is nothing objectionable about this thoughtful and well-documented book except its title.It is simply not about "asymmetric warfare" as Ralph Peters, G.I. Wilson, Bill Lind or any of a dozen other authors including myself might speak.This book provides a reasoned and respectable argument against limiting in any way the degree to which strategic nuclear and conventional forces might be utilized.The author systematically discusses operational, legal, and moral constraints that, if permitted to stand, could in effect give a challenger relying on asymmetric means something of an advantage.

The book does not, however, consider for a moment that our existing heavy metal military is anything other than the ideal blunt instrument with which to wreak our will.It does not discuss asymmetric challenges as a range, it does not evaluate the effectiveness or ineffectiveness (whether operationally, or in terms of cost and sustainability) of varying alternatives for dealing with asymmetric challenges (e.g. soft power including covert action), and therefore the book should more aptly have been titled "The Curtis Lemay Handbook for Squishing Mosquitoes with Multiple Nuclear Bombs" or even better, "Don Rumsfeld's Press Briefing on Why B-2 Bombers Were Called in Against 18 Taliban Guerrillas in Afghanistan."

Asymmetric warfare, this is not... ... Read more

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Customer Reviews (2)

Book Review for The Culture of Military Innovation
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This meticulously researched volume presents a rigorous case study in comparative strategic cultures and the revolution of military affairs (RMA). It addresses two central questions:first-- what explains how military innovations, based on similar technologies, develop in different nation states?Secondly--how does a "new theory of victory" originate in different cultural settings?It compares and contrasts the cultures of the United States, Israel, and Russia and how they have approached and interpreted the changing nature of warfare.According to the author, the most recent roots of RMA can be traced to the mid 1970s when standoff precision-guided munitions (PGM) were introduced. The Russians were the first to recognize that PGMs would radically change modern warfare and constitute a fundamental discontinuity which they called the military-technical revolution (MTR).RMA and MTR are terms describing "radical military innovation that render existing doctrine and forms of combat obsolete."
Mr. Adamsky contends that the cognitive art of each national culture dominates and conditions the manner in which their militaries integrate strategy, doctrine, operational concepts, organization, and new weapons technology.
The author argues that the American way of war has relied on material superiority, massive firepower, and advanced technologies over a fighting style focused on an intellectual approach of creative maneuvering and strategic innovation. This evolved from an American cognitive style that is inductive, logical-analytical, and centered on the object being independent from the context in which it is embedded.
The Israeli way of war was founded on a siege mentality, the quest for absolute security, the ability to improvise, and tactical offensive excellence. The Israeli's viewed heroism, combat experience, and leadership as the essence of military art rather than theoretical knowledge or formal education. This resulted in a weak institutional commitment to the areas of military theory and doctrine. They developed and procured new weaponry but treated it as a force multiplier for their current concept of operations rather than something that could change the existing military architecture. Israeli cognitive style is based on a pragmatic, problem-solving approach in which doing comes before understanding.
According to the author, the Russian way of war was based on the notion that battles are won by men and not machines. Technology was considered lifeless if divorced from human and operational factors. As a result, the requirements for weapons were based on doctrine and operational concepts and not the newest technology. Their approach was institutionalized by selecting the best and brightest officers for their general staff.These officers were extensively trained and were expected to have encyclopedic military knowledge. In this intellectual atmosphere, the Russians developed futuristic strategies and creative theories regarding the nature, conduct, and future of warfare.They did, however, lack the material capacity to put their theories into effect on the battlefield. The Russian cognitive style was oriented toward "holistic-dialectical" thinking.Understanding an issue and the unifying principles that underlay all its interacting systems was more important than doing.
This volume has a highly academic and uneven literary flow, an annoying redundancy of key ideas, and seventy-seven pages of detailed notes. Regardless, its originality, the extensive use of primary sources, and the critical thought-processes employed, make it an ideal reference for military strategists, students of security studies, scholars, and those interested in applying cultural models to organizational behavior.

Brilliant analysis of the evolution of modern military thought

Author offers a new and fascinating perspective on the development and application of the new military strategy in the last chapter of the Cold War.His extensive and scrupulous research on this matter presents Soviet Union as a herald of the new paradigm in military affairs, the United States as a technological creator of the new set of military tools and Israel as a pragmatic user who puts these two - theory and practice to the test,ironically against the previous generation Soviet military machinery and theory of it'sArab allies.The book is very professionally written but at the same time is easy to read.It's a must have piece not only for a professionals but also for a wider circle of military enthusiasts around the world.
... Read more

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Focusing on MIT and Stanford, Leslie offers a critical look at American science in the making. He reveals a regrettable series of misplaced priorities and missed opportunities that have characterized the recent history of science and technology in this country. ... Read more

Product Description

This book examines the justifications for, and practice of, war by the US since 1990, and examines four case studies: the Gulf War, Kosovo, Afghanistan and Iraq.

The author undertakes an examination of presidential speeches and public documents from this period to determine the focal points on which the respective presidents based their rhetoric for war. The work then examines the practice of war in the light of these justifications to determine whether changes in justifications correlate with changes in practice. In particular, the justificatory discourse finds four key themes that emerge in the presidential discourses, which are tracked across the case studies and point to the fundamental driving force in US motivations for going to war. The four key themes which emerge from the data are: international law or norms; human rights; national interest; and egoist morality (similar too, but wider than, 'exceptionalism'). This analysis shows that 9/11 resulted in a radical shift away from an international law and human rights-focused justificatory discourse, to one which was overwhelmingly dominated by egoist-morality justifications and national interest.

This book will be of much interest to students of US foreign policy, humanitarian intervention, Security Studies, and IR theory.

Product Description
COURSE OF INSTRUCTION IN STRATEGY, FORTIFICATION, TACTICS OF BATTLES, &c. EMBRACING THE DUTIES OF STAFF, INFANTRY, CAVALRY, ARTILLERY, AND ENGINEERS. ADAPTED TO THE USE OF VOLUNTEERS AND MILITIA. ... Read more

Product Description
Oversize PB-no shelf wear, no scuffs, 1 crease in rear corner, tight binding, Correct ISBN#, clean pages, no marks, not ex lib or remainder, 1st Ed, no spine crease, Awesome Photos, smoke/pet free home. Ships anywhere 7 days a week ... Read more

Product Description
No American military unit can claim as colorful and volatile a history as the 75th Ranger Regiment.From the French and Indian War of the 18th century when its guiding principles were first written down by Robert Rogers, to the most recent combat operations in Iraq, Rangers have led the way in America's wars for well over 300 years. Today's Army Rangers combine the rugged individualism of American frontiersmen with the finely-honed ability to operate as a close-knit team, wreaking havoc amongst enemy forces wherever they are deployed. This book portrays some of the most fearsome warriors of the most powerful army in the world.

The book has three parts: The Rise of the Rangers - Their origins through Vietnam; America's Small Wars - The modern Rangers in Iran, Grenada, Panama, Iraq and Somalia; The Global War on Terrorism - Afghanistan and Iraq. The post-Vietnam era occupies 75% of the narrative, which contains many dramatic first hand accounts of combat withfascinating supporting detail on doctrine, training, tactics and equipment.Appendices supply further information on regimental lineage, honors and citations, organization and equipment, medals awarded, regimental commanders, NCO roles and Ranger doctrine.

From the Ranger Creed
Acknowledging the fact that a Ranger is a more elite soldier who arrives at the cutting edge of battle by land, sea or air, I accept the fact that as a Ranger my country expects me to move further, faster and fight harder than any other Soldier....Never shall I fail my comrades.I will keep myself mentally alert, physically strong and morally straight; I will shoulder more than my share of the task whatever it may be, one hundred percent, and then some more.

From the reminiscences of the first commander of the modern 1st Battalion, 75th Regiment
'The things I remember; it'll be the Gold Medal Infantry of the world; they'll be able to do more with their hands and weapons than any other infantry unit in the world.Wherever they go they'll be recognised for their superior excellence. There will be no hooligans or bums in that organization...There will be a creed that they will develop, live by, train by, and fight by.'

From the Military Book Club
'From the first battles fought by Robert Rogers' Rangers in the mountains and swamps of upstate New York, to fierce battles in the blistering desert towns of Iraq, Shadow Warriors takes you for a 250-year tour with the Army Rangers. And what a tour it is!

...Honor the men who lead the way with this informative illustrated history.' ... Read more

Customer Reviews (9)

A good one for your Ranger Bookshelf
As a Former Old Scroll 2nd Batt Ranger I found the book to be well written and I also happen to agree with the authors political slant. I actually read this several years ago and decided to pick it up again to see if my opinion changed. It has not...Rangers like any other specialized unit have allot of sacred cows and taboos. It was refreshing to see the author try to approach current Ranger Deployments and Combat Operations Honestly without the usual RA RA Ranger stuff. I also find it very interesting that Donald's Rumsfeld's DOD reviewed and approved the final draft of the book before it was published! I wonder if some of the other reviewers here took that into account....

Author got it right
Reading the book several years after its publication the author is correct in holding Bush and Rumsfeld accountable for the mishandling of the current wars.Many generals and admirals have expressed the very same ideas put forth in this book and the author even quotes Marine General Riper who was one of the most vocal military officers at odds with Rumsfeld.

No matter what political affiliation, the stories about the rangers are excellent and well worth the read.

Wanted to like But very disappointed
I really wanted to like this book.Interesting information, the use of actual events to bring the history alive, and an easy writing style are all in its favor.But I can't get around the authors constant politicalization of events and decisions - esp. as he relates more modern history.It becomes VERY obvious that the author has a bias against certain people and their decisions (ok, we all do, that's fine) but when relating the chronology and facts about a battle or a fire fight that is not the place to beat the reader over the head with your views.Makes it difficult to keep reading - I've had the book for 6 months and have still not finished it.

Poorly written
As a former 2/75 Ranger I basically bought the book to find out about more recent missions and activities of the Regiment.I found the book to not be a history as much as a personal opinion of political decisions, the Regiment and the Army. Time and time again he uses his opinion as part of the history and uses "his experience" to speculate what might have happened.I expected a history but that is not what this is.I wish I hadn't of spent the money on this book.

If you are interested in the 75th Ranger Regiment, avoid this book
I am a Ranger currently serving in 2nd Batt at Ft. Lewis. This book is very poorly written, and is interjected with the political views of the auther (someone who could have used a ghost-writer). I appreciate Mir's service, but I wasted money on this book on my last deployment, introducing it to the burn pile rather than lugging it back home. It did do well on the fire, so if you want to shell out your money for bonfire fuel, be my guest. If you want accurate and well-written information on my beloved regiment, look elsewhere! ... Read more

Customer Reviews (4)

Neat little reference!
I bought this hoping to answer some fairly specific questions about older (WWII-Korean era) vehicles. I found nearly all of my answers inside! Just enough photos, neat compilations of technical data and good depth/breadth of vehicles make this a good choice for any buff!

Excellent reference for MVs of the period
This book is a very good reference for military vehicles of the period. I have several other MV books but I always turn to this one because of its layout and decent photos. The photos are very good and the descriptions concise and brief.

The only negatives I can think of are that the prices are slightly out of date from my experience and sometimes too many models are grouped together.

handy general reference
This is a general overview of US military transport vehicles from WW2 to the present. Combat vehicles are present, but not as detailed coverage as other books.The "meat" of this book is the trucks, jeeps, tractors, etc. that keep an army operating.The book covers the diverse array of military vehicles that have ranged from the mundane to the outrageous.Obviously aimed at the vehicle enthusiast or military historian versus a model builder, the book contains handy data such as standardization dates, mechanical data, etc.This book is a good compliment to other publications that specialize in pictorial content.Overall a nice addition to the military vehicle researcher's shelf.

where are the pretty pictures?
I bought this book as an art refferance material and was a bit dissapointed to find out that the photos inside were not as good as the ones on the cover , which shows great looking pictures in vivid colors , crisp and full of details . Inside despite the good quality paper the photos are all b&w and clearly were not taken by profesional photographer , some are bit blury , the details are not clear in most cases and some were taken in poor lighting conditions which means part of the vehicle is lit and part is just a black shade .

For the die hard military vehicles fans its the right book I guess , for the extensive information on each moudle and pricing . The categories range from jeeps to light and heavy trucks totanks and more , as well as amphibious but the motorcycles section is very small . ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

The Bible on U.S. Navy aircraft
Tour guides at the National Museum of Naval Aviation in Pensacola refer to this book as "The Bible."Covers every aircraft in the naval inventory from 1911 - 1990 with minor exceptions.A photograph, diagrams and concise details highlight each type.Explains the confusing designation changes of 1922 and 1962.Overall, if you have one book on Navy aircraft in your library this should be the one. ... Read more

Product Description
The war in Iraq and the problematic military occupation of that country have called into question the adequacy of America's all-volunteer force. Politicians and others have expressed doubts about its equity and capability; some have called for the reinstatement of the draft. Yet over the past twenty years the all-volunteer military has become a technologically advanced force that has contributed to America's overall military advantage. This book analyzes current military pay and personnel policies and identifies changes needed to maintain and improve America's all-volunteer force.

Filling the Ranks argues that to attract qualified and motivated volunteers, the armed forces need to offer better tangible inducements—pay, benefits, and training—to accompany such intangible rewards as pride in serving one's country. Many of the policies related to tangible rewards were established shortly after World War II and are no longer effective. Filling the Ranks presents detailed assessments of US military pay and personnel policies in light of the strategic, demographic, economic, and labor realities of the future. It identifies specific problems that today's military career patterns, training, pay, and benefits pose for officers and enlisted men and women in both active duty and reserve forces, discussing such issues as competition with the private sector for talent, the need to restructure compensation, and provision of family support. It offers recommendations for more flexible, adaptive, and effective policies and a blueprint for achieving them. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Recruiting for Uncle Sam
This book should be read by everyone concerned about the massive US defense budget or interested in the future of the US military.As technology and tactics evolve, so must those who employ them. In these well-written essays, Cindy Williams and her colleagues lay out strategies for improving the personnel system in the military while saving taxpayer money. Although some might find personnel a dry topic, the stakes in play - billions of dollars and national security, are anything but. Highly recommended to policy-makers and those who aspire to that title. ... Read more

Product Description
Explosive and provocative battles fought across the boundaries of time and space--and on the frontiers of the human mind.

Science fiction's finest have yielded this definitive collection featuring stories of warfare, victory, conquest, heroism, and overwhelming odds. These are scenarios few have ever dared to contemplate, and they include:

¸  "Superiority": Arthur C. Clarke presents an intergalactic war in which one side's own advanced weaponry may actually lead to its ultimate defeat.
¸  "Dragonrider": A tale of Anne McCaffrey's Dragonriders of Pern, in which magic tips the scales of survival.
¸  "Second Variety": Philip K. Dick, author of the short story that became the movie Blade Runner, reaches new heights of terror with his post apocalyptic vision of the future.
¸  "The Night of the Vampyres": A chilling ultimatum of atomic proportions begins a countdown to disaster in George R. R. Martin's gripping drama.
¸  "Hero": Joe Haldeman's short story that led to his classic of interstellar combat, The Forever War.
¸  "Ender's Game": The short story that gave birth to Orson Scott Card's masterpiece of military science fiction.
. . . as well as stories from Poul Anderson o Gregory Benford o C. J. Cherryh o David Drake o Cordwainer Smith o Harry Turtledove o and Walter John Williams

Guaranteed to spark the imagination and thrill the soul, these thirteen science fiction gems cast a stark light on our dreams and our darkest fears--truly among the finest tales of the 20th century.


From the Trade Paperback edition.Amazon.com Review
It's not merely a task that's thankless--it's impossible. How can you hope to pick out the best of anything, let alone from such a contentiouscategory as SF (and military SF, at that)? But this 13-story collection really does pull together at least some of the best short stories penned for the genre in the last century. Thanks to editors Harry Turtledove and Martin H. Greenberg, you'll find some of science fiction's biggest names--and most influential shorts--in this expertly chosen anthology.

Chronologically, the entries range from '50s pieces like Philip K. Dick's"Second Variety" and Arthur C. Clarke's "Superiority" to more modernruminations on war like "The Scapegoat" by C.J. Cherryh and "To theStorming Gulf" by Gregory Benford. But rather than quality (all thesestories are of inarguable pedigree) or even breadth, what might recommendthese most to readers new to them are the ideas and other works they laterinspired: Anne McCaffrey's "Dragonrider" and Orson Scott Card's "Ender'sGame" both gave rise to phenomenally successful series, Joe W. Haldeman's"Hero" preceded The ForeverWar, and Philip K. Dick's "Second Variety" became the SF thriller Screamers. The collection also gives you a glimpse of what dark thoughts were rattling around the heads of prolific writers like David Drake and George R.R. Martin in the '70s. --Paul Hughes ... Read more

Customer Reviews (11)

the beginning of a lifetime love...
I'll always have a special place in my heart for this book. This was the book that got me hooked on a subject that I'd previously despised. I'd hated Science Fiction until I got bored and read Joe Haldeman and OS Card's short fiction presented in this compilation.Now I am hooked.The rest of the stories are enjoyable also, just nowhere near the two mentioned.If your a newbie this is the place to start, if your a veteran SF reader you might pick up a new author you didn't know anything about, and if your a full fledged SF geek this might not be for you.

Not military, sometimes not even scifi.
Don't judge a book by it's cover is an aphorism that cuts both ways. I was fooled by the graphics on this one, but I hope you won't be. The book is edited and introduced by Harry Turtledove, an excellent author is his own field. Unfortunately, that field has more to do with alternate history and far less to do with military combat: gripping or otherwise.

The introduction itself is an excellent survey of the genre: highlighting the notable contributions to this corpus by such authors as Heinlen, Pournelle, Drake, Card and Webber. I have the feeling, however, that to make the list you largely had to have several credits to your name. One hit wonders such as John Steakley's "Armor" don't make the cut, although neither is David Feintuch's "Seafort Saga" to be found.

The stories themselves are varied, but rely mostly upon a military backdrop for a more pedestrian space-opera tale. There are a few exceptions. David Drakes's "Hangman" is a treatment of tank combat and "Ender's Game" presents Card's classic story in its short form. Halderman's "Hero" is also presented as the short-story that gave birth to "The Forever War." However, if you buy this book you've probably read "The Forever War," in which case you've wasted some cash as "Hero" is merely the opening chapters of the larger tome.

Turtledove's own contribution,"The Last Article" is an excellent example of the nature of this anthology. It is an alternate history story wherein the Germans are winning World War II. Somehow we must assume that this makes the story "scifi." The only combat that occurs is between German soldiers and unarmed civilians engaged in passive resistance. But, since there are guns involved, I must suppose that this is why it is considered "military."

The strangest inclusion is actually the one given the most space: a hundred+ page novella by Anne McCaffrey set in her Pern universe. Although the story is about dragon riders who write in ink on hide dried hide skins and who never engage in a single military act, this has been included apparently because a long, long time ago these people were 'space colonists' and because the story's 'bad-guy' is a meteor shower. Perhaps an excellent addition to her canon, but here it seems to have little purpose but to sell copies with a powerful name.

In conclusion, none of these stories were bad. In fact, they were all quite good judged in their own right. But judged by the standard of military science fiction they almost universally fall short of the mark. This is a dud that appeals to you with powerful industry names and a nice cover. Don't be fooled.

Those looking for superior offerings would be wise to cull the science fiction works from the Marine Corps (or Navy) recommended reading lists.

Fair Collection of Early Military SciFi Short Stories
BEST MILITARY SCIENCE FICTION OF THE 20TH CENTURY (2001), contains 13 short stories, mainly of a military SciFi theme, and mainly written in the 50's, 70's, and 80's.

HERO (1972, Joe W. Haldeman), ENDER'S GAME (1977, Orson Scott Card), and HANGMAN (1979, David Drake) are all excellent examples of the ground-breaking work done by these leading authors in the Military SciFi field.HERO and ENDER'S GAME were eventually expanded to full-length novels by their authors.

In SECOND VARIETY (1953, Philip K. D.), the Robot Warrior technology was way ahead of its time (too far ahead in the context of the story, however), but the spaceship technology was anachronistic.SUPERIORITY (1951, Arthur C. Clarke) is a very short story that presents an interesting example of a culture trying to press new leading edge military technology into service too fast.In NIGHT OF THE VAMPYRES (1975, George R. R. Martin), the American political environment that is described in this story is really quite fascinating, although the technology is anachronistic, given the story's target year of 1987.

The rest of the stories are either out-of-date, not specifically Military SciFi, or are simply mediocre; and are not worth mentioning in this review... and bring the overall quality of the book down to average.

Some great stories, but not really military
This was my first jump into Science Fiction in about 10 years and I was hoping to get a taste of a genre I havn't really explored before.While many of the stories were great, to say this is a collection of pure military stories is a stretch.

"Hero", a story of a unit preparing for absolute zero battle, was an interesting story that left me wanting more, and it's ending left if wide open.

"Ender's Game" ends up being a something of a philisophical excercise in responsibility in wartime.

One has to question why "The Last Article" and "Dragonrider" where in the book.They were good stories but TLA belongs to alternate history and Dragons fighting Threads, while a good story, it isn't what you would expect from a collection of stories about the military.

Ultimately, many of the stories fall short because they seemed like they belonged in a SF magazine and I would almost suggest searching out the full length versions these stories if they exist because I left feeling a bit unfulfilled.

More of an Intro than a "Best of"
While the thirteen stories in this volume are, for the most part, well done, a couple aren't really military SF at all and others are glimpses into still better works by the same authors. A couple aren't even strong enough to be considered in a "best of" collection.

There are some gems here. Orson Scott Card's classic "Ender's Game" definitely deserves to be a volume with this title. I highly recommend the novel-length expansion of the story and it's sequels (most notably the companion novel, "Ender's Shadow" and "Shadow of the Hegemon"). David Drake's "Hangman" is an excellent introduction to his Hammer's Slammers series which also requires inclusion in a volume such as this. Walter Jon Williams's "Wolf Time" is one of the best stories in the volume, taking place in the same universe as "Voice of the Whirlwind". And Joe Haldeman expanded "Hero" to become "Forever War" (and its sequels).

Anne McCaffrey's "Dragonrider" was, likewise, the beginning of a large franchise, but it's inclusion as an example of military SF is quite a stretch. Similarly, Harry Turtledove's "The Last Article" is an excellent story, but it would have fit much better in his "best alternate history" collection than in this volume.

Other classics include Poul Anderson's "Among Thieves" (an intro to his Polesotechnic League universe), Philip K. Dick's "Second Variety" (recently made, like so many of his stories, into a movie), and C. J. Cherryh's "The Scapegoat". I also enjoyed George R. R. Martin's "Night of the Vampyres".

Gregory Benford's "To the Storming Gulf" is not military at all; it would, instead, fit quite nicely in a collection of post-apocalyptic fiction.

While touted by some as a classic, I have never been impressed with Cordwainer Smith's "The Game of Rat and Dragon". And Arthur C. Clarke's "Superiority" is merely clever. Any number of other stories could have replaced either of these tales in a "best of" volume. ... Read more

Product Description
This comprehensively researched history of the development of military ­ministry within the Christian Science movement from 1917 through 2004 was ten years in the making.It records over eighty years of insight into the hearts and lives of individuals positioned to bring their understanding of the protecting power and love of God into military circumstances, with challenges of conflict, danger, prejudice and life-threatening situations, as well as joys of reformation, healing and interfaith fellowship.
... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

good historical review
in this one can skip around to see specific people or places or events or can read through. It does not tell it all, for some chaplains there are wonderful examples of good done on the job. For others it seemed just straight history or fact, no stories but basically a good documentary of as it was till 2004. ... Read more

Product Description
Australia and the United States have found themselves fighting common enemies on the battlefields of the world for over half a century. Australian ground forces have repeatedly stood shoulder-to-shoulder with American troops in conflicts from Korea and Vietnam to Afghanistan - and now in the 2003 Iraq war. This study looks closely at the key factors which, for over fifty years, have shaped, interpreted and applied the aims and aspirations of this mutual defense agreement to the real world of shifting threats, changing strategic balances and the democratic uncertainties of domestic politics. A departure from the current literature, the ANZUS alliance, now updated to take account of the new post 11 September 2001 realities, is presented as an accessible and concise survey of this often neglected but increasingly important trans-Pacific link between the American giant and its durable Australian ally. Suitable as supplementary reading at the 3rd year undergraduate and postgraduate levels of courses studying international relations generally, but also useful for those engaged with elements of global and regional security, and strategic defense analysis. ... Read more

Product Description
An accessible encyclopedia of military weapons represents a collaboration with The Army, Navy, and Air Force Times, and covers each weapon system, its evolution, development, and combat experience. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (8)

Extensive and Detailed
I have a number of books about military hardware and while this book doesn't have many pictures (and the ones it has are black and white), the strength of the book is in the extensive verified detail.I've found that, despite all my other books, I frequently come back to this one for its comprehensiveness.When I need to bring one book with me for outside research, invariably this is the one I take (especially because, in the paperback form, it's lightweight while still detail rich).

Outdated and or incorrect information.
I can only comment on those pages regarding the Coast Guard. This book was outdated and loaded with inaccurate information about Coast Guard systems when it was new back in the mid 90's. Do not buy and I would not even recommend checking it out of a library for reference.

Don't waste your money.
It's a kind of black and white guide with detailed descriptions of the weapons but no more. I got this thinking in great COLOR pictures not the kinds it have.
Rethibk before you waste your money !

informative but visually lacking
When going over an encyclopedia, one of the main features you expect to have, next to each informative description of the
weapon system is a visual overview, either in a drawn format or
with a picture colour or black and white, and this is where this book is lacking. Though
the book describes several weapons systems, it fails to deliver
as there is too little in the way of visuals.
Personally, I would steer those interested in modern military
hardware into the direction of the Jane's Military books as they
offer what this book lacks

I did not like this book
This book was not good,I dont recomand it. I thought it had pictures orsomething,nut they only had a few black and white pictures.Maybe only 20pictures and alot of information.Once again, I dont recommand it,I gave itone star becouse off the information. ... Read more

Product Description
OBSIDIAN. For decades it has lain nearly forgotten just beyond the Fringes, its inhabitants eschewing membership in the USF, determined to exist outside the laws of the Federation. But things are changing in the Earth Empire. The Federation is weakening, while the Corporates are growing more audacious and ambitious in their expansionism. And Obsidian has caught their eye. A habitable world with a transit point that might well be the gateway to countless new opportunities for growth. New worlds. New riches. The only thing that stands in their way is Fleet, the military arm of the Federation. But Fleet is old and tired and battered. The Corporates are ready to stand against it. They're in for a surprise.

Customer Reviews (1)

Potential with need of better editing.
The book starts of decently, the plot is solid and intricate.Unfortunately the author falls in love with reminiscences of years gone by on a character by character basis. What's needed is a well read editor to honestly tell the author that in some cases long tedious explanations of child hood traumas and motivations don't really add depth to a character, it just creates spots in the story telling that finally leads to readers skipping ahead.

Honestly after the first third of the book I just started skipping the tedious character studies. I'm a fan of Steven Erikson's Malazan Book of the Fallen, so detailed character study isn't an issue, but it is when it's tedious and not properly placed.

Hopefully the author will have a chance to revise the book in the future and find an editor who can help with critical editing. ... Read more

Product Description
Leading a Learning Revolution tells the compelling story of a learning revolution that took place within the U.S. Department of Defense. Written by practitioners who actually walked the walk, this account of the creation of Defense Acquisition University (DAU) provides a clear blueprint that others can follow. It shares, in detail, the best practices they developed, so that the thousands of training organizations worldwide striving to create premier corporate universities can catapult forward.

Offering an insiderÕs look at the process, the authors clearly explain how they transformed an outdated training provider into a world-class university. Step-by-step the book outlines the enduring principles that were pivotal to Defense Acquisition UniversityÕs success and describes the environment, early victories, current methods, and subsequent results. The authors discuss how to establish a mission and vision, develop a performance-based strategic planning process, and tackle change initiative. They also explain the development and implementation of web-enabled learning architecture and reveal how to effectively measure and evaluate performance. In addition, the authors present strategies for assuring continual improvement and organizational growth. With this book, any organization can tap into DAUÕs best practices and winning strategies for improving corporate learning. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

Great book
Excellent book, great read about transforming an organization into one who is eager to learn.

Helpful insights on setting up a corporate university
The Defense Acquisition University, the educational institution that trains procurement professionals for the U.S. Department of Defense, had a rocky start. Its original inefficient structure did not adapt well to technology or policy demands. Its client service was inadequate and slow. That was then and this is now: DAU is a superb, award-winning corporate university - some say the world's best. How did it make this dramatic transition? DAU President Frank J. Anderson and strategic planner Christopher R. Hardy work with writer Jeffrey Leeson to explain its remarkable transformation in their primer on the "reinvention of training." Anderson and Hardy were hands-on at the institution's rebirth. getAbstract recommends this inside view to chief learning officers, human resources executives and trainers. It explains the steps DAU's team followed (and continue to follow) to build and maintain a world-class corporate university. Alas, the book also features a barrage of military acronyms and an excess of praise for DAU's overall greatness. Still, the authors have a great deal of experience to offer training and education professionals who want to set up or improve their corporate universities - and they share their knowledge generously.

Corporate University: The Right Way for a Change
Corporate university types should carefully read this book and apply all they can from it. Having been involved in several corporate university undertakings, in my opinion, what DAU accomplished is phenomenal and absolutely atypical.

It's amazing what some--SOME--companies have the presumptuous audacity to call a corporate university. DAU is the real thing. You've got to have the courage to make the tough decisions and take some very real risks; the wisdom, experience and intelligence to make the right decisions most of the time; the perseverance to carry through when the going gets rough--professional maturity and discipline. But don't take my word for it. Read the book. Measure your corporate university against the DAU. Judge for yourself.

If you are coming late to the corporate university arena, this book contains a lot of real-world advice and experience that can keep you from making many of the mistakes others have. ... Read more

Product Description
The US Air Power series is the definitive illustrated guide to recent American dominance in the skies. Covering the planes and crews of the USAF as well as Naval, Marine, and Army air wings, these books cover a period from World War II through to the present day in which American pilots have prevailed in all combat situations and have laid the foundation for the swift and decisive victories achieved during that time. The series covers all of the major conflicts in which the U.S. has been involved recently, including both Gulf wars, the Balkans, and Afghanistan. Modern US Navy & Marine Corps Aircraft features the cutting edge of America's Navy and Marine Corps aircraft that contribute to its massive combat might. The book includes some of the most famous names in operation today: the F-14 Tomcat, the AV-88 Harrier, the T-45 Goshawk, and CH-46 Sea Knight, among others. The 72 pages include well over 100 photographs, 16 pages of which are in full color. Every photo features a detailed caption outlining combat history and technical specifications. ... Read more