Top 3 All-Time Favorite Military/Strategy/History/Other Books

Supersix00

Supersix00

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During my DS’s first meeting with his ALO, he was asked what books he was currently reading. He answered with a few required readings from his classes, although it was clear he wasn’t that passionate about them. The ALO seemed to sense this and encouraged my DS to read a few titles that he found fulfilling. I’m still impressed with the coaching that took place in that moment.

Therefore, appreciating the wealth of experience / knowledge / wisdom associated with this site, I would like to extend the question: What are your all-time favorite book recommendations for 18 year olds (and their parents) as they set out to pursue a career in Military Service?
 
Well no wealth of knowledge here. I'm just an 18yo, college freshman. A few books I read before adulthood:

The Iliad by Homer
The Art of War by Sun Tzu
Extreme Ownership by Jocko Wilink and Leif Babin

I love old Greek historical stuff so, I've read: The Campaigns of Alexander, Greek Tragedy, The Persian Expedition, History of the Peloponnessian War, A War like No Other, etc. I'd recommend them all, especially anything on Alexander, by 25 he pretty much had conquered what was at that point most of the known world to the ancient Greeks.
 
“The Lens of Leadership,” about servant leadership, written by a USNA grad.

“Team of Rivals,” about Lincoln’s unparalleled leadership during the Civil War.

“Lonesome Dove,” a brilliant novel of friendship, honor and sacrifice during a 19th Century cattle drive.

Just about every former officer I’ve known (mainly as classmates in business school or workmates in corporations) has been well read — broadly, deeply, thoughtfully. Of books, not just blogs, magazines and social media.
 
Some personal favorites of mine:
- "One Bullet Away: The making of a Marine Officer" by Nathaniel Fick (great book applicable to leaders across all branches, not just USMC).
- "Small Unit Leadership" by Col. Dandridge M. Malone (Ret).
- "The Art of War" by Sun Tzu.
- "Brothers Forever" by Col. Tom Manion (Ret.) and Tom Sileo.
 
"Once an Eagle" by Anton Myrer
"19 Stars" by Edgar Puryear Jr.
"American Generalship" by Edgar Puryear Jr.
"Twelve O'Clock High" by Beirne Lay Jr., & Sy Bartlett
"Stars in Flight" by Edgar Puryear Jr.

I just noticed...three are by Puryear. He passed in 2018 at 88...a great author on leadership. There are many more books on my shelf, and not all are aviation/air force related. I have a host of naval books as well (some are biographies of British officers from the Napoleonic wars...Hollywood can't write stories as amazing as those gents lived!).

Steve
 
Col Thomas X. Hammes is a retired Marine officer with a PhD from Oxford. He's a USNA grad and a former CO of mine. He has books and tons of other things to read (see his web page). One of his books is on the Marines' reading list for major. I got an autographed copy for my son. Fortunately T. X. as he told me to now call him, lives just a few miles up the road.

inss.ndu.edu

T.X. Hammes

Future Strategic Concepts; Humanitarian Assistance & Disaster Relief; Insurgency/Irregular Warfare
inss.ndu.edu
 
Have some fun googling Gen Mattis’ (the Warrior Monk Chaos) reading lists, also the reading lists of various Services and Service Chiefs.

Look for the podcast “DOD Reads,” available on all the usual platforms. It was started by a USNA grad. They do book reviews and interviews with some high-powered people such as ADM (Ret) James Stavridis and former SecState Madeleine Albright. The website tries to list all the current reading lists.

Anything by ADM Stavridis, though I haven’t read his first fiction book coming out soon if not already.
 
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Supersix00 said:
During my DS’s first meeting with his ALO, he was asked what books he was currently reading. He answered with a few required readings from his classes, although it was clear he wasn’t that passionate about them. The ALO seemed to sense this and encouraged my DS to read a few titles that he found fulfilling. I’m still impressed with the coaching that took place in that moment.

Therefore, appreciating the wealth of experience / knowledge / wisdom associated with this site, I would like to extend the question: What are your all-time favorite book recommendations for 18 year olds (and their parents) as they set out to pursue a career in Military Service?
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"River of Doubt: Theodore Roosevelt's Darkest Journey" by Candice Millard. Teddy Roosevelt's true store of his journey through the Amazon. It has been one of our favorites.

"On Killing" The Psychological Cost of Learning to Kill in War and Society by Lt. Col. Dave Grossman , my hubs thinks every young man should read this. Grossman is a former army Ranger, paratrooper and psychology professor at West Point. I would like to read it to get an understanding of what my DS is going to be prepared for psychologically. It's lengthy.

And then, read something fun like Treasure Island :).
 
Capt MJ said:
Have some fun googling Gen Mattis’ (the Warrior Monk Chaos) reading lists, also the reading lists of various Services and Service Chiefs.

Look for the podcast “DOD Reads,” available on all the usual platforms. It was started by a USNA grad. They do book reviews and interviews with some high-powered people such as ADM (Ret) James Stavridis and former SecState Madeleine Albright. The website tries to list all the current reading lists.

Anything by ADM Stavridis, though I haven’t read his first fiction book coming out soon if not already.
Click to expand...

Amazon.com: 2034: A Novel of the Next World War eBook : Ackerman, Elliot, Stavridis USN, Admiral James: Books

Amazon.com: 2034: A Novel of the Next World War eBook : Ackerman, Elliot, Stavridis USN, Admiral James: Books
www.amazon.com
 
Forgot this particular favorite: “Undaunted Courage,” about the Lewis & Clark expedition. They were truly courageous and intrepid, and demonstrated amazing leadership.
 
To broaden knowledge, books about the WASPs, Women’s Airforce Service Pilots. Plenty of choices.
www.npr.org

Female WWII Pilots: The Original Fly Girls

About 1,100 young women flew military aircraft stateside during World War II as part of a program called Women Airforce Service Pilots — WASP for short. These civilian volunteers ferried and tested planes so male pilots could head to combat duty. The groundbreaking program lasted only two years...
www.npr.org www.npr.org
 
A1Janitor said:
I recommend your DS read whatever he is passionate about. Doesn’t matter the subject. I always encouraged my kids to read the classics.
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I second this, people should read topics that they enjoy - be it Nordic Noir or the classics, or Le Carre.
I'd also suggest reading more so in order to keep abreast of current events. Since most kids are more into digital than print, you could subscribe to the websites of the Economist, NYT, WSJ, Financial Times. Plus, on the free side, there are excellent websites on military-related matters.
But, keep in mind that, one, not everyone reads - adults and kids. His ALO might find reading a great hobby (I do), but not everybody feels the same.
And, two, some of our kids are doing a lot of reading in school and the last they want to do with free time is read a book.
Having said though, I'd recommend Graham Greene's The Quiet American, McMaster's Dereliction of Duty, or Max Boot's The Road Not Taken.
 
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Harry Truman once said: “Not all readers are leaders. But all leaders are readers.”

One General James Mattis would wholeheartedly agree!

While there may be a bit of hyperbole in Truman’s statement, the point is clear: Those who read broadly and deeply are better informed to capably lead men and women in times of crisis.

No, we can’t make our young people read if they don’t want to. But the ones who do read are significantly better for it.
 
For historic pleasure of junior officers having fun, C.S. Forester’s “Horatio Hornblower” series, or the PBS series starring Ioan Grufydd.
 
Capt MJ said:
For historic pleasure of junior officers having fun, C.S. Forester’s “Horatio Hornblower” series, or the PBS series starring Ioan Grufydd.
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And if you like that...try Ramage...or Bolitho...or Aubrey...
 
Capt MJ said:
Read ‘em all, multiple times. CAPT Jack Aubrey is my favorite.
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Okay...let's dig...have you read:

Masterman Ready
The Privateersman
The Dog Fiend
Percival Keane
The Phantom Ship
The Pacha of Many Tales
Peter Simple

Yep...I know it's reaching...
 
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