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History
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No True Glory: A Front Line Account of the Battle for Fallujah, by Bing West. This book records the nitty gritty of the battle for Fallujah. It began with the fall of Saddam Hussein in 2003 and intensified in 2004 after four U.S. contractors were executed and desecrated in the streets of the city. The U.S. 1st Marine Division was sent in and performed valorously in close combat with insurgent forces. After some political dithering that had the Marines move to a defensive posture they were sent in again to finish the job. This is the story of that struggle and the brave men who fought to make Iraq a place where freedom can take root.
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Washington's Crossing, by David Hackett Fischer. Dramatic narrative and cogent analysis come together to make this the definitive account of the Battles of Trenton and Princeton. Drawing on primary sources of the men who fought and died there, we are treated to the high strategy of the commanders as well as the reminiscences of the average soldiers. The inspiring actions of the men who crossed the Delaware to cross swords with the British and Hessians turned the tide of war in the Revolutionary era. It also has meaning for us today as the war between freedom and tyranny continues around the globe.
Read Our In-Depth Review in the Conservative Monitor!
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Silently We Defend: The Story of the Desert Storm Ruffians, by Robert Benfer. This in-depth story of one unit's activities during Operation Desert Storm is riveting and thought provoking. Benfer's first hand account of his experiences in the war gives new insights into military life and operations. Focusing on theater level intelligence, The Ruffians worked as targeting analysts. They endured Scud attacks, suffocating smoke from oil well fires ignited by retreating Iraqi forces, sudden sandstorms, tainted food and water, snipers, and boredom. This is a truly fascinating story about the horrors and glory of war.
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A Question of Honor: The Kosciuszko Squadron, Forgotten Heroes of World War II, by Lynne Olson and Stanley Cloud. The Polish fought furiously against the Nazis from the opening day of World War II. Their contributions to the allied war effort have never been sufficiently recognized. Olson and Cloud go a long way to make up for this. Based on diaries, letters and other primary documents they recount the story of the Kocsciuszko Squadron. It was first formed by Americans fighting for Poland against the Soviet Union. Its traditions were carried on by Poles who fought for Great Britain against the Germans. The men of the squadron downed more German planes than any other squadron in the RAF. Their personal stories coupled with the story of Poland at war make for fascinating reading.
Read Our In-Depth Review in the Conservative Monitor!
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An Army at Dawn: The War in North Africa, 1942-1943, by Rick Atkinson. A fluid, intelligent, hands-on account of the first major U.S. involvement in the war in Europe in World War II. Filled with vivid anecdotes, insightful quotes, clear battle maps, concise narrative and dead-on analysis, An Army at Dawn makes the case that Africa was a training ground for the U.S. Army, without which Victory in Europe would have been far from certain. Mr. Atkinson has a way with words that brings history to life and makes it relevant in the modern age.
Read Our In-Depth Review in the Conservative Monitor!
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Basic History of American Conservatism, by Robert Muccigrosso. Presented as part of the Anvil Series, this history of American Conservatism is brief, but informative. It is loaded with names and ideas that have redounded through the centuries. In a clear chronology Mr. Muccigrosso reveals the progression of Conservative ideas as they came to this country from England and Scotland during the colonial days, and how they influenced the Constitution, the actions of legislatures and courts as well as mass political movements. The author remains above the fray, not seeming to take sides in historical arguments over whether a loose or tight interpretation of the constitution is preferable or if Reaganomics was effective. The most controversial chapter deals with Conservatism in the Antebellum South. The appendix contains over 20 documents produced over the centuries. The choices are curious, but always interesting - including selections by John C. Calhoun, William F. Buckley, John Adams and more. This is an indispensable read for anyone wishing to understand the antecedents as well as the present state of American Conservatism.
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By Any Means Necessary : America's Secret Air War in the Cold War, by William E. Burrows. The Cold War was much hotter than most people know. U.S. recon planes were shot out of the sky by Soviet fighters. Mr. Burrows tells the story of how the United States, desperate for information from behind the Iron Curtain, risked diplomatic face and military personnel to gain it. It is the story of the Strategic Air Command, General Curtis LeMay, and of the pilots and crews that flew into harms way. It is right up to date with details of recent events in China. This is an excellent narrative and analysis of our Cold War in the Air.
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Pearl Harbor Betrayed, by Michael Gannon. The true story of a man and a nation under attack is a fascinating narrative and analysis of the battle that would bring the United States into World War II. Gannon is an experienced historian of naval conflict and his expertise shines a bright light on the events leading up to that fateful morning on December 7 in 1941. The book relates the attack from both the American and the Japanese perspective, and delves deeply into the controversy over the competency of the American commanders and whether they were adequately informed of the coming attack by bureaucrats in Washington who suspected that an attack was imminent. This is a book fit for both scholars and enthusiasts.
Read the in-depth review at the Conservative Monitor
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Hitler Stopped by Franco, by Jane and Burt Boyar tells the story of how Spain's Generalisimo Franco's diplomatic maneuvering prevented Hitler from taking Gibraltar and dominating the Mediterranean. Franco was the only fascist dictator to survive World War II, and with good reason. He was basically a reasonable man caught in extraordinary circumstances. He was possessed of a native intelligence that allowed him to make Hitler believe that Spain would enter the war on the side of the Axis at any moment, even while trading with the Allies for much needed food supplies. Through his good offices, thousands of Jews were saved from German persecution. The book is an admitted apologia for Franco, but this narrative history sticks closely to the facts and leads us to believe that the full story of Franco has not been told...until now. Fascinating book.
Read the in-depth review at the Conservative Monitor
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A Portrait of Egypt: A Journey Through the World of Militant Islam, by Mary Anne Weaver is a compelling modern history. Through first hand accounts, in-depth interviews and diligent research Ms. Weaver makes clear the problems confronting one of the most volitile and important regions on the planet. Egypt is the leading Arab nation, and where she leads other nations will likely follow. This is an important work that should be read by anyone interested in international politics or the dynamic behind the militant Islamic movement.
Read our indepth review of this book!
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Ally to Adversary: An Eyewitness Account of Iraq's Fall from Grace, by Rick Francona. From the Naval Institute Press comes a new book on U.S.- Iraqi relations written by a Gulf war veteran and NMIA member. The book provides an insider's perspective of the foreign policy implications of our cooperative relationship with Iraq during the Iran-Iraq war and how that relationship later deteriorated into Desert Storm. The author traveled extensively through Iraq during the Iran-Iraq war, later served as Gen Schwarzkopf's lead interpreter during Desert Storm, and became a principal author of DoD's after-action report to Congress on the conduct of the Gulf war.
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Genius of America, by Lane and Orestes
Day of Battle, by Rick Atkinson
Triumph Forsaken, The Viet Name War, by Mark Moyer
A History of the American People, by Paul Johnson
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