Books

[tnguy]

Figured it might be good to start a books thread. Reviews of books you're reading or have read, books you're writing, lending or borrowing books (and ebooks) etc.

 

I'm currently readying "Enemies, Foreign and Domestic" by Matthew Bracken as lent to by another member here (won't name him in case the BATF is looking in ;) ). It's a little preachy in places but not doesn't seem to be overboard. It's not my usual fare, I'm more a SF reader but it's keeping me reading so far.

 

I don't have too much that would be relevant but one people might be interested in is "Lies my Teacher Told me". It leans a bit liberal in places but is a very interesting take on how the educational system has become distorted over time to produce an almost completely incorrect view of US history. Of course, as a homeschooling family, I have a bit of a bias but there's some very solid research been done behind this book.

 

I guess I might be interested in factual suvival/prepping type literature with a particular leaning towards medical and natural substitutes for medicines (note that I have a very skeptical eye towards natural remedies). Also anything that might give me a clue as to what the hell I'll be doing when I assemble my AR from the group buy.

[buck1032]

Cool idea. Recent reads are;

 

The Last Stand of the Tin Can Sailors- A book about the Battle of Leyte Gulf. A little dry on the technical aspect but a good read.

 

Ghost Soldiers-An interesting book covering the Raid on Cabanatuan. The WWII raid on the Japanese POW camp in the Philippines.

 

American Patriot- Awesome story of Colonel Bud Day. A WWII, Korea and Vietnam Vet. One tough man. He was a POW in Vietnam and was awarded the MOH. As a side note he sued the USG to reinstate medical benefits to military retirees in the 90's. He passed away recently, and America lost one of its great Sons.

[Guest TankerHC]

Currently reading Heroic Conservatism by Michael Gerson. Probably one of the best books on Conservatism I have ever laid my hands on. Actually second reading, finished the first time about a week ago but wanted to read it again for Political points he makes. Gerson covers positive points and mistakes by all Conservatives and clearly makes the case on several of his points. Several good points he makes. Like the beginning of the temperance of Religion in government.

 

Bush "one" is a very religious man and gave a great speech at Reagan's funeral about how a man who faced death twice, who believes so much in his cause and is in religious peace with himself can accept death gracefully, (For example, when he found out he had Azheimers), Bush II was more temperate, but people made all sorts of accusations about his over religiosity. Mostly progressives. He points out that the Progressive Roosevelt made the entire announcement of D-Day in the form of Prayer. What happened?

 

One of the other points he makes that I feel is correct is the idea of "Heroic" Conservatism in the form of keeping "Changless Ideals". Which is exactly how I think, Not that there shouldn't be movement forward but there are things that do not change. Your God given Constitutionally protected right to self defense for example, the right to speak your mind and the fact that the Government is not all powerful, they work for the people, not the other way around. But the Progressives have it the other way around. Bill Clinton for example at the DNC saying if we re-elect Obama he will completely change America. Why?

 

The writing style is simple and excellent, bold and an easy fast read. The writer was a Presidential Speech writer for Bush and had the inside track and knows what he is talking about.

 

Those are just a few things. But to sum up this short review. If you consider yourself a Conservative, then this book is for you. If you consider yourself a Fiscal Conservative (Which in no way, shape or form is Conservative) or a Liberal or Progressive or both, don't waste your money, you wont make it past the first page.

Edited November 9, 2013 by TankerHC

[BigJim]

Just finished reading Trident K9 Warriors by Michael Ritland and Gary Brozek. Ritland is a former Navy Seal who trains K9's for the military and law enforcement agencies. This is a very interesting book about what goes into the selection, training and use of these amazing dogs.

[peejman]

Just finished "A Higher Call" by Adam Makos. A true story about a chance meeting of an ME109 and a B-17 over Europe. Great story about much more than the title implies.

[Guest nra37922]

"Killing Jesus","Killing Kennedy" and "Kiling Lincoln" by O'Reilly aren't bad reads but I am waiting for O'bamas "Killing America'

[Guest TankerHC]

"Killing Jesus","Killing Kennedy" and "Kiling Lincoln" by O'Reilly aren't bad reads but I am waiting for O'bamas "Killing America'

 

If you are interested in Kennedy, there is a book on sale at Books a Million, was there tonight, its a Time Life publication and its just called "The Day". And covers a lot of that in photographs.

[jgradyc]

Books I've read over the past year with a few comments.

 

Brad Thor books... all good to great.

Matthew Bracken... not well written. I read all three in the Enemies... series but I probably won't read any more of his works.

Business Model Generation: An outstanding read for anyone starting or growing their own business. It's about how to build a strategic plan around your business.

Ender's Game: Better than I thought it would be, since it's about a little kid saving the universe.

Life After Life: Raymond Moody's classic about life after death written nearly 50 years ago. Pretty limited in scope, but a good, objective read it you're new to the subject. I read it many years ago and on a whim, decided to read it again.

Starship Troopers: Heinlein's classic. A good military read that stands the test of time. Quite a bit different from the movie.

Restaurant at the End of the Universe: Okay. Not as good as a Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy.

Backwards: Another life after death book that has been highly acclaimed, but which was very disappointing to me. It was very poorly written and so repetitive in Part I that I kept thinking I had inadvertently lost track of the pages and was rereading the same text. Otherwise, Parts II and III are very good. There are much better books in the genre, such as Journey of Souls and Destiny of Souls by Newton.

Clive Cussler's first three books: Disappointing. My favorite hero Dirk Pitt came across as sexist and misogynistic. Cussler didn't hit his stride in writing until the mid-1980s apparently, because I love his books from the mid-80s to early 2000s.

[enfield]

Reading "Lee's Lieutenants", the abridged Kindle version.   A really good read if you're a history buff.

 

I've been reading Livy's "History of Rome" for well over a month and haven't made it to Julius Caesar yet.  LOOONG book and a little dry.

 

I'm addicted to Ralph Cotton westerns, but I'm nearly caught up and he isn't writing them fast enough.  Good writer, but he obviously dictates his books and doesn't use a human proofreader.  There are some really laughable homonym errors.  If he doesn't actually write but dictates, does that make him a dictator instead of a writer?

[McGarrett]

I have been reading the detective books by author Robert B. Parker. I have read all the Jesse Stone and Sunny Randal series and I am reading Spenser now, You may have seen the tv movies based on the Jesse Stone books starring Tom Selleck.

 

I have enjoyed reading these books very much. Very easy reading, great author. I think he also has some western themed books as well as the detective ones.

http://www.robertbparker.net/

[Raoul]

Berlin Diary: The Journal of a Foreign Correspondent 1934-1941

By William Shirer

[Mark@Sea]

Kratmans' Caliphate series.

[Guest Wesley33]

I've been reading Ender's Game as well. I always prefer to read the book before I watch the movie. I will say that I was pleasantly surprised at how much I've enjoyed it.

[hipower]

Ok...my current reads.

 

Kratmans Caliphate series...pretty good reads, although sometimes he gets a little too detail oriented and long winded.

 

John Ringo...any and all his books are great; at least for me. But do think he took the Aldenta series a little to long. Seemed to really get bogged down.

 

Larry Correia...Monster Hunter series is awesome, and the Chronicles of Grimnor I've liked so far.

 

Read all the Jack Reacher and Davenport detective series earlier this year. Working on the Virgil Flowers books now.

 

Just finished all the current(8) Longmire novels by Craig Johnson. Really enjoyed them. Could compare them to an updated Zane Grey style. The A&E show is pretty close to the books, but a lot of characters condensed and deleted from the books. About the only ones the same are Walt, Standing Bear and Vic. Oh.. and Ruby. Vic is every bit as rough and rowdy in the books, actually even more so. And a bit of a sizzle between Vic and Walt that's just hinted at in the show.

[JPS]

The Liberty Amendmendents by Mark Levin - These would solve a lot of the country's problems if they could be enacted, but unfortunately I don't believe the establishment politicians (either party) would ever let them be put in place.

 

The Expanse series by James S.A. Corey - Absolutely great space opera sci-fi series, with some really interesting characters.

[jacob]

The Liberty Amendmendents by Mark Levin - These would solve a lot of the country's problems if they could be enacted, but unfortunately I don't believe the establishment politicians (either party) would ever let them be put in place.

Been reading The Liberty Amendments and Ameritopia....Both are pretty good books...Some may be put off by Mark Levin, but that is a very smart guy who knows his history...

[Jamie Jackson]

A book I've read and re-read numerous times is "The Principles of Personal Defense" by the late Lt.Col. Jeff Cooper.

LINK.

I hold it in the same esteem as Sun Tzu's "The Art of War" or Musashi's "Book of Five Rings".

 

Although I don't see eye to eye with Gavin DeBecker on several points, I do find his book  "The Gift of Fear" to be well worth reading.

LINK.

 

"Mindhunter" by John Douglas was pretty interesting as well...at least back before every TV channel started running series on Profiling... :cool:

LINK

[Chris]

Two of my favorites. In my mind, both are must reads for anyone who may face a combat situation. 

 

On Combat by David Grossman (also On Killing by the same author) - If I can recommend only one book, this is it. From the book description: "On Combat looks at what happens to the human body under the stresses of deadly battle the impact on the nervous system, heart, breathing, visual and auditory perception, memory - then discusses new research findings as to what measures warriors can take to prevent such debilitations so they can stay in the fight, survive, and win."

 

Achilles in Vietnam by Jonathan Shay - This is my current read and it is utterly fascinating. The author looks at the root causes of PTSD in Vietnam vets by comparing and contrasting the soldiers experience with Homers Illiad. Specifically with the story of Achilles and his descent into beast like behavior and madness. 

[Jamie Jackson]

I put "On Combat" into my "wish list" on Amazon. Thanks Chris.

 

Along that line, I would also recommend "Sharpening the Warrior's Edge" by Bruce Siddle. Very informative imho.

[url=http://www.amazon.com/Sharpening-Warriors-Edge-Psychology-Training/dp/0964920506/ref=wl_mb_wl_huc_mrai_3_dp] LINK[/url]