Combat Essays, American History, a Veteran's Perspective, Volume II by John J. McBrearty

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MWSA Review

Near the end of his book—and at the end of his service in Iraq—author John J. McBrearty explains that “through my series of essays written in the combat zone of Operation Iraqi Freedom, I want to shed light on military operations in Iraq that are far less known to the general public. These operations include a multitude of civil-military efforts designed to make a difference for that country.” His observations, written during his tour and sent back to the States on a regular basis, accomplish this goal.

Some readers might equate “combat” only with explosions and destruction, but this book demonstrates how support units and relations with civilian populations are essential to battlefield success in contemporary warfare. McBrearty argues that working with local authorities and community organizations to determine needs, assess capabilities, and coordinate joint projects allows more freedom and greater opportunity to a population that had been oppressed in Saddam Hussein’s reign.

In his chapters we learn that McBrearty’s unit was “activated for 545 days of federal service...the first wartime mobilization of a combat arms maneuver battalion from the National Guard since the Korean War.” Being away from home and in a war zone was not anticipated by soldiers who expected to serve in this country. They and their families had to adjust and adapt.

McBrearty’s Armor Battalion “executed more than 2,500 combat patrols that included day and night mounted and dismounted patrols, raids, and cordon and search missions.” Losses are mentioned but we don’t get much explanation of how they occurred or details of the soldiers’ lives. An exception is when McBrearty hears one casualty report: “This time my heart sank...as I vividly remembered this young man. Specialist Quoc Binh Tran, 26, from Mission Viejo, California, was killed at approximately 11:00, Sunday, November 7, 2004, from injuries sustained from a vehicle-borne IED that detonated near his convoy in Baghdad, Iraq. SPC Quoc Binh Tran was a member of Detachment 3, Company.”

The book’s primary focus is how “three different countries [Poland, America, Iraq] with vastly different cultures...bonded together to work for peaceful solutions for Iraq's future.” Improvements to schools, roads, and drainage are explained as a process involving assessment of a problem with input from local authorities, design and budgeting of solutions through funding agencies, and implementation using Iraqi firms. Challenges had to be overcome as, for instance, getting supplies in a war zone was not always simple. Members of the unit used off-duty time to improve their own conditions, too, for example, creating an Internet Café, which helped morale by making it easier for them to stay in touch with family and friends at home.

Not only did the Iraqi region gain from these efforts, explains this book, but the American soldiers themselves came to appreciate events back home like Thanksgiving, “a quintessential holiday that Americans enjoy year after year.” Especially when they are welcomed back after their overseas service, they understand “that each and every moment of our time as well as each and every relationship is exceedingly valuable.” McBrearty himself describes the thrill of finding his children matured: his son had been “barely walking” when he deployed; “now he has grown into a fully functional boy of four years old. No diapers and talking a mile-a-minute!”

Whether that son will follow his father’s example—taking on the role of citizen soldier and putting what he learns into words—may be hard to predict. But that some of McBrearty’s readers will do so is an admirable goal of this collection.

Review by Michael Lund (June 2024)

 

Author's Synopsis

General Gustave Perna U. S. Army, Retired, Commander of Operation Warp Speed:

"Lt. Col. John McBrearty, a natural leader, combat Veteran, and family man, shares his unique perspective on history. In Volume II, Lt. Colonel John J. McBrearty chronicles his unit's triumphs and failures in the combat zone of Iraq through a selection of essays and letters written home. With his insight, candor, and love for history, Colonel Mack provides the reader with a rare inside view of this microcosm of American military history."

"I want to shed light on military operations in Iraq that are far less known to the general public. These operations include a multitude of civil-military efforts designed to make a difference for that country. While facing hostile enemy engagements, we built schools, hospitals, roadways, water canals, bridges, and even a golf course. These infrastructure improvements elevated the Iraqi citizens' quality of life. This book is a testament to how citizen-soldiers made a difference."

John J. McBrearty

Format(s) for review: Paper and Kindle

Review Genre: Nonfiction—History

Number of Pages: 117

Word Count: 18,311

American History, a Veteran's Perspective, Essays, Reflections, and Reviews by John J. McBrearty

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MWSA Review
John J. McBrearty’s American History: A Veteran's Perspective is the first of two volumes of collected essays, “discussions,” and book reviews on American history through the lens of a combat veteran.

There does not appear to be an overarching theme, other than the veteran perspective, however, the material is presented in chronological order and understandably focuses on America’s wars of the past 250 years as a means to build up a loose but comprehensive historical picture of where we are as a nation today.

While somewhat disjointed when read continuously, each piece is self-contained, which lends itself to being read as stand alone, individual chapters. Written from a veteran’s perspective, most sections, especially the first eight chapters, present a comprehensive social, economic, and ethnic framework in which the specific conflict is presented.

Placing war in such a context educates the reader on how a war comes into being, and that it is not just a function of two competing militaries on the battlefield.

The author is to be commended for his long service to our country, and his effort to express his unique experiences to a general audience.

Review by Terry Lloyd (June 2024)
 

Author's Synopsis

General Gustave Perna U.S. Army Retired, Operation Warp Speed Commander

"Lt. Col. John McBrearty, a natural leader, combat Veteran, and family man, shares his unique perspective on history through his essays, reflections, and reviews. His personalized style provides the reader with a kaleidoscope of American history, in which he cleverly weaves his own military story within. This is a must-read for all Veterans and American history buffs alike."

Having risen from the rank of Private to Lieutenant Colonel, combat veteran John J. McBrearty shares his unique insight of American History through essays, reflections, and reviews. “Colonel Mack” takes the reader through the significant milestones of American History, starting with a discussion of the initial human migration of the North American continent right up to and through the Global War on Terror. He concludes his personal journey through American History with a speech given in honor of a fallen comrade.

Format(s) for review: Paper and Kindle

Review Genre: Nonfiction—History

Number of Pages: 195

Word Count: 44,290

Unraveling the Myth of Sgt. Alvin York: The Other Sixteen by James P. Gregory Jr.

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MWSA Review

James P. Gregory, Jr. took on a herculean task to untangle the facts of a World War I controversy. In his book Unraveling the Myth of Sgt. Alvin York: The Other Sixteen, Gregory painstakingly lays out the facts dating back to the battle of October 8, 1918, complete with footnotes documenting his findings.

On that date, seventeen soldiers from the 82nd Division, American Expeditionary Force, crept upon a German machine gun emplacement and opened fire. Some were killed, others seriously wounded, and one man emerged as a mythical hero. Through less than thorough fact-finding, officers used the opportunity to also advance themselves. One man out of seventeen who participated got all the glory, fame, and medals. While Cpl. Alvin York received accolades for the destruction of German machine gun nests and the capture of more than 132 German soldiers; sixteen other brave soldiers sought to be recognized for their service and duty on the battlefield.

The 1941 movie Sergeant York, starring Gary Cooper, solidified York as a legend and one of the most well-known military figures in American history. The other sixteen suffered indignities in the press and from their own superiors, who portrayed them as jealous glory seekers. Gregory set out to change this.

Historian James P. Gregory, Jr. writes a well-documented account of the other sixteen with a thumbnail sketch of each man and the efforts to have this war hero recognized. He sets the record straight for those who want to find the truth.

Review by Nancy Panko (May 2024) 

Author's Synopsis

On October 8, 1918, seventeen soldiers from the 82nd Division, American Expeditionary Force, led by acting Sgt. Bernard Early, flanked a German machine gun nest that had inundated their unit with withering fire. In this sneak attack, they successfully surprised and captured more than 80 German soldiers before an unseen machine gun suddenly opened fire and killed six men.

Acting Cpl. Alvin York, a member of the patrol, received the credit for taking control of the squad and single-handedly killing 20 Germans, capturing 132 prisoners, and eliminating 35 machine guns, all before leading the men back to Allied lines. For this act of bravery, York not only received the Medal of Honor and was promoted to sergeant, but he also rose to fame and glory. The 1941 movie Sergeant York, starring Gary Cooper, solidified York as a legend and one of the most well-known military figures in American history.

In Unraveling the Myth of Sgt. Alvin York, historian James P. Gregory Jr. tells the story of the other sixteen soldiers who took part in the battle, capture, and return before fading into relative obscurity in the shadow of Sergeant York. As the tale reached mythological proportions, the other survivors began to speak out, seeking recognition for their parts in the engagement, only to be stymied by improper investigations, cover-ups, and media misrepresentations. Here, Gregory recovers the story of these other men and the part they played alongside York while revealing the process of mythmaking in twentieth-century America.

Format(s) for review: Paper and Kindle

Review Genre: Nonfiction—History

Number of Pages: 216

Word Count: 58500

Warrior Dogs by LTC (ret) Richard A. Vargus

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Author's Synopsis

The unvarnished story of military working dogs. The hero handlers and their dogs throughout history, especially their impact in Iraq and Afghanistan during Operations Iraqi and Enduring Freedom. Bringing to the forefront the challenges and tunnel vision by Pentagon bureaucrats in projecting the MWD platform. It's the true story of the author's experiences during his years at US Central Command, and the Pentagon as the Army and DoD MWD Program Manager.

Format(s) for review: Paper and Kindle

Review Genre: Nonfiction—History

Number of Pages: 202

Word Count: 102,614

Phoenix Rising: From the Ashes of Desert One to the Rebirth of U.S. Special Operations by Col. (Ret) Keith M. Nightingale

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MWSA Review

Phoenix Rising is a two-part, behind-the-curtain story on the failed 1981 Desert One Iran hostage rescue attempt and the subsequent years-long effort to build a viable strategic Special Operations capability across the U.S. military.

The author was one of the principal planners of the Iran hostage rescue attempt. The first half of the book consists of his detailed notes and observations of the planning staff’s struggle to assemble, train, and transport a rescue force forged from disparate elements of Army Special Forces and Rangers, as well as Navy, initially, and then Marine helicopter pilots and crews, along with Air Force C-130 operators.

This is a fascinating account of the “heroes and zeros” involved with making this mission possible and those determined not to see it happen. Along with the usual Pentagon politics, dysfunction, and service parochialism, the stubborn adversity of the Central Intelligence Agency and State Department are prominently highlighted and explored. This part of the book is extremely exciting and reads like a documentary-style screenplay like Apollo 13.

The second part of the book takes us through the tireless efforts, including those in Congress, to get a recalcitrant Pentagon and service chiefs to create the seamless, highly capable special operations capability that exists today. This part of the story is extremely detailed, and a bit dry, but unavoidable given the subject.

Individuals interested in special operations will not be disappointed in this book, as well as those interested in the Iran hostage crisis and this phase of the Cold War.

Review by Terry Lloyd (March 2024)
 

Author's Synopsis

“As a junior officer and the lowest ranking 'gopher' at the creation of these forces, I saw how the several Services had great reservations regarding SOF to the point of studied dislike of it and a distinct distaste for its inclusion as a member of their force structure. The single lone exception was Army Chief of Staff Shy Myer, who saw terrorism and asymmetrical warfare as the emerging National threat and worked to build a missing capability. He did this as a lone wolf in that much of the Army leadership as well as the other Services, looked upon SOF as a high-risk loose cannon on their stable conventional deck.”

Phoenix Rising recounts the paradoxical birth of SOF through the prism of Operation Eagle Claw, the failed attempt to rescue fifty-two Americans held hostage in the U.S. Embassy in Tehran. When terrorists captured the Embassy on November 4, 1979, the Joint Chiefs of Staff quickly realized that the United States lacked the military capability to launch a rescue. There was no precedent for the mission, a mission that came with extraordinary restrictions and required a unique force to take it on. With no existent command structure or budget, this force would have to be built from scratch in utmost secrecy, and draw on every branch of the U.S. military.

Keith Nightingale, then a major, was Deputy Operations Officer and the junior member of Joint Task Force Eagle Claw, commanded by Major General James Vaught. Based on Nightingale’s detailed diary, Phoenix Rising vividly describes the personalities involved, the issues they faced, and the actions they took, from the conception of the operation to its hair-raising launch and execution. His historically significant post-analysis of Eagle Claw gives unparalleled insight into how a very dedicated group of people from the Chief of Staff of the Army to lower-ranking personnel subjugated personal ambition to grow the forces necessary to address the emerging terrorist threat—a threat which the majority of uniformed leadership and their political masters denied in 1979. The Special Operations capability of the United States today is the ultimate proof of their success.

Format(s) for review: Paper and Kindle

Review Genre: Nonfiction—History

Number of Pages: 336

Word Count: 90,199

The Human Face of D-Day by Keith Nightingale

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MWSA Review

There have been so many books written about D-Day. In The Human Face of D-Day, Col. (ret.) Keith Nightingale adds to the wealth of D-Day knowledge. He has led many trips to Normandy, conducted tours of the beaches and towns, and arranged for the paratroopers under his command to participate in a reenactment parachute drop on the 40th anniversary of D-Day. His book adds depth of understanding to what happened immediately before, during, and after June 6, 1944.

He talked to many "Originals"—the survivors of the invasion and battle. He mingled with French citizens who witnessed that day. Over decades, while walking the beaches of Normandy and through formal interviews, he gathered information from major players whether they were generals or privates in 1944. The book, therefore, focuses a great deal on the people, not only in a macro sense, but also as individuals. And therein lies the human face of D-Day.

The author explains what was planned for each assault location. He informs the reader what was supposed to occur for Omaha Beach, or Utah Beach, or Pointe du Hoc, and many other locations. Then he juxtaposes the plans with what happened, which was often quite different. We hear specific soldiers recount their actions, thoughts, and feelings about battle. After reading these accounts, one is convinced that in addition to the planning for Operation Overlord (as the invasion was called), it was the grit and commitment of the soldiers that ultimately made D-Day successful.

Some takeaways I gathered from this book were the bravery of the troops, their willingness to deviate from orders based on the situations before them, the devastating amount of carnage, and the still-warm gratefulness of the people of Normandy. They have never forgotten that so many young men who were not French died for the liberation of France and Europe.

Throughout this well-researched work, Keith Nightingale makes it abundantly clear, in his own words, that in early June 1944, thousands of “ordinary people did extraordinary things.”

Anyone interested in World War II, D-Day, the bravery of both troops and civilians during an invasion, and true accounts of people involved in the drama of Operation Overlord will find this book appealing.

Review by Pat Walkow (March 2024)

 

Author's Synopsis

Ever since Allied forces landed on the beaches of Normandy, the men who survived have sought to return, to honor their dead, and to teach others of what they went through to liberate Europe.

Soldier Keith Nightingale has conducted terrain walks in Normandy for over forty years with veterans, active-duty military, and local French civilians. Over the decades Nightingale conducted dozens of formal interviews and informal conversations with many of the principals of the day, including Generals Bradley, Collins, Gavin, Ridgway and Hill. Added to this rare, new primary material from the top brass are numerous conversations with lower-ranking vets who did the heavy lifting, many of which took place as they actually walked the battlefield with Nightingale—Major Howard of Pegasus Bridge; LTC Otway of Merville Battery; Captain Piper of La Fière Bridge; LTC Vandervoort, CO of the 2-505/82d; Cpt Raeen of the 5th Rangers; Lt Dick Winters of Brécourt Manor; PFC Marcucci of Omaha Beach; and SSG Lem Lomell of Pointe Du Hoc.

This unique approach to D-Day combines the author’s discussions with veteran and civilian participants in D-Day, his personal reflections on Operation Overlord, and the insights that occur—often at the very site of a battle. Interspersed with veterans’ remarks, Nightingale’s personal essays are inspired by specific discussions or multiple interviews. Taken together, the succinct, human observations of these participants illuminate the hard facts to create a unique work of long-lasting interest that will attract specialists, military history buffs, armchair generals, and general readers alike.

Format(s) for review: Paper and Kindle

Review Genre: Nonfiction—History

Number of Pages: 288

Word Count: 137,342

Army Spouses: Military Families during the Global War on Terror by Morten G. Ender

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MWSA Review

Author Morten G. Ender relates the findings of a study he conducted regarding the effects service members’ deployments have on their spouses. The period for which data was collected began in 2003, continued for fifteen years, and focused specifically on Army deployments.

He explains the stages of deployment from pre-deployment, through official notification, the deployment period, and finally, the soldiers’ returning home.

The interviews with 199 spouses reveal how well (or not) spouses dealt with the absences of their soldier spouse. It touches on the Army services – formal and not-so-formal – available to spouses and families. The author makes sensible recommendations that, if embraced, could make the deployment experience easier for Army spouses and their families, especially in this age of multiple deployments.

The inclusion of a glossary of Army acronyms, ranks, and demographics of interviewees is quite helpful to the reader.

If you are interested in how Army spouses fare during deployments, this study will help you understand how the military affects them, which ones thrive or wither, and what can be done to support them. Some of the recommendations are common sense, and others are more intriguing – like spouses being more emancipated from military life, rather than being enmeshed in it.

If an Army spouse (or for that matter, a spouse of any other service person in any branch of service), is looking for an enlightening read, they should pick up this book.

Review by Patricia Walkow (February 2024)

 

Author's Synopsis

Army Spouses is distilled from nearly two hundred interviews, conducted from the 2003 invasion of Iraq on, and marshals an incredible breadth of individual experiences, range of voices, insider access, and theoretical expertise to tell the story of US Army husbands and wives and their families during wartime in this century. Army Spouses offers a contemporary study of the emotional cycle of deployment and its impact on military families in the post-9/11 world. Military spouses, as Ender shows, operate both near and far from the front lines, serving on the home front to support combat service in the so-called Global War on Terror that has intimately bound together soldiers, families, the military institution, the state, and society. Ender paints a vivid picture of army spouses’ range of responses to deployment separations that illuminates the deep sacrifices that soldiers, veterans, and their families have made over the past twenty years.

Format(s) for review: Paper or Kindle

Review Genre: Nonfiction—History

Number of Pages: 240

Word Count: 80,000

Berkshire Patriots: Stories of Sacrifice by Dennis G. Pregent

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MWSA Review

Berkshire Patriots: Stories of Sacrifice by Dennis G. Pregent includes short stories of twenty-seven men and one woman who had some connection with Adams, North Adams, and Williamstown in Berkshire County, Western Massachusetts. Rather than simply personal stories, each entry includes a great deal of historical context. The patriots who were written about served in the French and Indian War, the Revolutionary War, the Civil War, the Spanish-American War, World Wars I and II, Korean War, Viet Nam, and Afghanistan. Some returned to the States to continue their leadership roles; some died in battle. Appropriate photos and illustrations are part of many stories. The author used various prime sources including a couple of unpublished memoirs. Each vignette begins with a brief explanation of why this story is included. The book concludes with six plus pages of a reading list organized by patriot. In addition to these books, the author often cites the local newspaper, The North Adams Transcript (which later became the Berkshire Eagle).

Review by Nancy Kauffman (February 2024)
 

Author's Synopsis

Western Massachusetts, in particular Berkshire County, has produced an astounding number of war heroes, all the way from the French and Indian Wars through the war in Afghanistan. Dennis Pregent brings to life twenty-eight of them in this inspiring collection of hometown heroes who responded to their country's call with selflessness and sacrifice. As a native of the Berkshires and a Marine veteran himself, Pregent was able to collect rare and never-before-published war documents and personal correspondence, enriched by intimate interviews with family members and descendants.

Format(s) for review: Paper or Kindle

Review Genre: Nonfiction—History

Number of Pages: 388

Word Count: 90,000

Milledgeville's Sesquicentennial Murders by Susan Lindsley

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MWSA Review

Every small town has a story worth telling. Intriguing events, colorful characters, and bizarre circumstances all combine to tell those collective stories. Milledgeville, Georgia, has Marion Stembridge, and the story of the murders he committed in 1953 (and these were not Stembridge's only killings!). Susan Lindsley has told this story, and described the cast of characters behind it, in clever detail, drawing on court records, family biographies, and first-person accounts. It has some of the elements of Erik Larson's Devil in the White City by combining a big-picture view of events that whirled around the horrible crimes committed by Stembridge. A good read for anyone interested in true crime and an insight into mid-20th century America.

Review by Frank Biggio (February 2024)
 

Author's Synopsis

His home town of Milledgeville planned celebrations for its 150th birthday, Marion Stembridge planned revenge against those he though had betrayed him. He should have been in state prison, but ole-timey Southern hanky-panky in a nearby courthouse overruled even the U. Supreme Court decisions. On May 2, 1953, he acted and killed his own attorney who defended him in his first murder trial, and also killed the attorney who was representing his wife in her divorce case. Susan Lindsley’s book reveals forgotten details of his life and actions and clarifies the many misconceptions and rumors that have spread through the years. The cover is the only known photograph of Stembridge, taken when he was a student at the local Georgia Military College’s high school; the photograph was discovered shortly before the book was published.

Stories still persist in Milledgeville that his ghost inhabited his last residence and the basement of his store building.

Format(s) for review: Paper and Kindle

Review Genre: Nonfiction—History

Number of Pages: 241

Word Count: 84,978

Unaccounted by Michael McDonald-Low

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Author's Synopsis

The Vietnam War was an ugly, brutal conflict that ended lives and tortured its survivors. Nobody knows that better than the infantry grunts who served in northern I Corp - Que Son Valley area of operations. More U.S. Army infantrymen and Marines died there than at any other location in Vietnam. More medals for heroism were awarded in this region than in any other single combat location. On 5 May 1968, the downing of two helicopters in the Que Son Valley marked the beginning of the North Vietnamese Army’s second Tet offensive and their goal of destroying all U.S. forces. At 1728 hours, Delta Company, 1st Battalion, 20th Infantry conducted a combat air assault to join Bravo Company, 1st Battalion, 6th Infantry at the helicopters fatally downed location. During the next six days, their experiences would set the stage for a three-month-long battle that lasted only hours for some. In the end, there would be more than 2,300 dead and wounded, and one American soldier missing in action. It will take over 44 years to find his location. UNACCOUNTED is his story.

Genre(s): Nonfiction

Format(s): Soft cover, Kindle

ISBN/ASIN:B092XFBQNM, B092WTK254

The Saigon Guns by John Thomas Hoffman

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MWSA Review

Saigon Guns by John Thomas Hoffman is an interesting and thought-provoking story of one soldier’s tour of duty during the final year of the Vietnam War. The story that John Hoffman tells has apparently never been told before, and his readers should be thankful that John made the effort to tell this story despite the wishes by some in our government that it never see the light of day.

Author Hoffman tells his story of a young enterprising man who works his way through college doing the types of jobs that many of us only dream of doing. Aa a fireman, a policeman, and a bartender, he did it all in order to pay his way. With all this work, he had little time for the normal social life of a college student. Still somehow, he managed to work hard enough that he was appointed the cadet commander of his ROTC detachment. The patriotic son of a military pilot, the author aspired to serve his country, just as his father was doing. For reasons that are not completely clear in the book, the author is directed to testify before Congress while still a student at university. In many ways, this one event shapes the author’s initial career in the Army.

Once commissioned, the author goes on a strange and wonderful odyssey in the Vietnam era American Army. As a new second lieutenant, he attends Ranger training and earns his tab. He then becomes a military policeman and is sent to helicopter training, where he excels. After earning his helicopter pilot wings, he is sent to Vietnam where he spends the last year of the war in service to his country, but under circumstances that deny him recognition of that service.

Hoffman tells the story of his participation in the Vietnam War during a period of time in which the government of the United States was actively denying that soldiers were still serving there. This is the true story of a real American hero. The story deserved to be told, and now it finally can be, thanks to John Hoffman.

Review by Larry Sharrar (July 2023)
 

Author's Synopsis

Few Americans know the facts about the final year of US combat operations in South Vietnam. As political will to sustain the fight in South Vietnam shrank and the US withdrew most of their ground forces, the Soviets and North Vietnamese sought battlefield success to strengthen their negotiating position at the Paris Peace talks. In March of 1972, North Vietnam invaded the south with five armored divisions, massive artillery support, and modern Soviet anti-aircraft weapons, intended to sweep any remaining US military aviation support to South Vietnam from the skies. But the Soviets and their North Vietnamese proteges had miscalculated. The remaining US Army aviation forces still supporting the South Vietnamese, along with US Air Force and US Navy and Marine aviation assets, would not be easily removed from the battle. For the US Army forces still in-country, this is an untold story of heroism, dedication, and refusal to yield the battlefield despite being largely considered by US political leaders as “expendable.”

Format(s) for review: Paper and Kindle

Review Genre: Nonfiction—History

Number of Pages: 424

Word Count: 142344

Women of the Blue and Gray: Mothers, Medics, Soldiers, and Spies of the Civil War by Marianne Monson

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MWSA Review

War has always played a defining role in the evolution of man. While one side seeks an outcome, the other defends what is threatened; families are displaced, and the door is flung open to famine and disease. Body count and lost or claimed territory determine success and failure. Too often overlooked, is the emotional, psychological, and physical impact on women and children, the ones left behind while their sons, brothers, husbands, fathers, uncles head into battle, perhaps never to be seen or held again. In Women of the Blue and Gray, Marianne Monson sheds light on that sacrifice by sharing women’s journals and literary works written during the Civil War. She does not limit voices to the white and privileged. Represented in this fascinating account are the insights and reflections of women born into slavery, Native American survivors, and women on both sides who risked their all to support the cause they believed in and the men they loved.

With a personal interest in the wisdom of women’s voices as well as the historical significance of firsthand documentation, I had a vested interest in reading this book. I was not disappointed. As the author allows her characters to speak in their own words, the reader learns how some women chose to dress as men to fight on the battlefield; how others became spies using their charms, their ears, and their skirts to convey information; while other women inched their way into field hospitals saving lives that may have been lost without them.

Born outside the United States, my knowledge of the Civil War was gleaned from a few brief conversations, the occasional sighting of a Confederate flag, and a sobering afternoon spent at Vicksburg. I now understand the depth of a conflict that perhaps could not have been avoided. The author’s words inspire a reflection on how much headway we have made on racial issues and women’s rights. She also lays out a possible path for how the nation, again divided, can avoid another brutal sacrifice. The key rests in education, hope, freedom, forgiveness, understanding, and a vision of peace. Could these scribbles on whatever paper accessible at the time teach us something one hundred sixty plus years later? Sallie Watie, one of the few Native American voices whose words survived, summed up the dire impact of diversity when she wrote: “‘I would like to live a short time in peace just to see how it would be. I would like to feel free in life again and feel no dread of war.’” In bringing these long-ago voices to the fore, Marianne Monson invites the reader to ponder: Can oppression be overcome without hatred and violence? Can differences be resolved without hatred and violence? Is difference possible without oppression?

Review by Janette Stone (June 2023)

 

Author's Synopsis

Hidden amongst the photographs, uniforms, revolvers, and war medals of the Civil War are the remarkable stories of some of the most unlikely heroes—women.

North, South, black, white, Native American, immigrant—the women in these micro-drama biographies are wives, mothers, sisters, and friends whose purposes ranged from supporting husbands and sons during wartime to counseling President Lincoln on strategy, from tending to the wounded on the battlefield to spiriting away slaves through the Underground Railroad, from donning a uniform and fighting unrecognized alongside the men to working as spies for either side.

This book brings to light the incredible stories of women from the Civil War that remain relevant to our nation today. Each woman's experience helps us see a truer, fuller, richer version of what really happened in this country during this time period.

Format(s) for review: Paper and Kindle

Review Genre: Nonfiction—History

Number of Pages: 208

Word Count: 60,000

Washington’s War, Triumph, Trials and Treason by Donald J. Farinacci

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MWSA Review

Washington’s War views Washington from multiple aspects, and at the same time ends up giving a fairly complete history of the Revolutionary War. It is practically a comprehensive biography, without trying to be, at least from his early days to the end of the Revolution. This unique perspective enables the author to make the war personal through the victories and tribulations that Washington experiences as he tries to fight a desperate war for the freedom of a new nation and ideals that will eventually free tens of millions across the world. The book is logically organized, and the storyline flows smoothly. It would appeal to readers with an interest in George Washington and the Revolutionary War, American military history, and people interested in the general history of the latter eighteenth century.

Review by Terry Lloyd (June 2023)
 

Author's Synopsis

This book is a history of the American Revolutionary War, but focusing on George Washington, Commander in Chief of the Continental forces.

George Washington was a man of action who never shirked from danger but was at the same time deeply introspective.  He examined his inner-self to make sure he was doing the right and correct thing before making any decision.  He was a man of great courage, sincerity, empathy, conscience, intellect, ideals, passion and strength of will.  He cared as deeply for the well-being of the troops under his command as he did for the ideal of an independent nation.  He was also ambitious, driven to be the very best he could be, a greatly skilled and accomplished leader in the eyes of others and of himself. 

The book fully examines and provides factual descriptions of the key battles of the war and Washington’s critical influence on each one.

Washington may not have been the greatest battlefield General, a thought certainly shared by British generals such as Howe, Clinton, Burgoyne and Cornwallis; but among all military leaders on both sides, he was the only one possessed of the special qualities of heart, mind and soul required to achieve victory in a long and bloody war.  He was successful principally because he brought every ounce of intellect and will he possessed to both win the war and in so doing establishing the foundation for a democratic republic.

Most of the British generals and certainly George III, King of England, underestimated  Washington’s skills and viewed him as little more than an inferior colonist.  They did this to their ultimate regret.  The book provides convincing evidence that both Washington and the residents of the thirteen colonies were up to the task of earning freedom for themselves; and in the process supplanting autocracy with democracy.

Format(s) for review: Kindle Only

Review Genre: Nonfiction—History

Number of Pages: 264

Word Count: 21,834

Moms In The Military Raising A Child While Serving In The Armed Forces by Patricia Qaiyyim

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MWSA Review

In her own words, Author Patricia Qaiyyim advises us she wrote Moms in the Military “to help other women understand that they are not alone and provide some helpful insight into their roles as servicewomen and mothers.”

The book accomplishes exactly what the author intended and, in the process, reveals to the civilian the challenges faced by military personnel who are also mothers.

Active duty, reserve, and retired servicewomen from all branches of service offer their insights and experiences on several topics: choosing motherhood and service, family reaction to that choice, the impact of raising a child without a nearby family, the impact of the mother’s extended absences, the impact on the mother’s military service because she is raising children, fears and regrets, rewards and motivations, and, finally, the impact of motherhood on military service.

Several themes emerge as the interviewees share their experiences. Not least among them is the desire to be a good role model for their daughters, to be part of something larger than themselves, to recognize the need to create “family” among other military women, and to enjoy a job with good pay and outstanding benefits for themselves as well as their spouses and children.

Patricia Qaiyyim does an excellent job of explaining military terms and leads off with a glossary at the beginning of the volume. References are well-annotated, and the rank structure is explained. There is also a page of “Tips for Moms” that is helpful.

Although many of the challenges military moms face also apply to mothers in civilian life who hold demanding jobs that require relocation, travel, and long hours, the military service of the interviewed moms is unique. And very few of them would give up one role for the other. They manage, they thrive, they innovate, and they make the path smoother for those who will follow them.

This is a book worth reading for any mom or dad, for any woman or man. But more importantly, it is valuable for any person responsible for setting military policy regarding servicewomen.

In a society that continues to demand more from women than from men regarding raising children, our policymakers should be required to read this book.

Well done, Ms. Qaiyyim!

Review by Pat Walkow (June 2023)
 

Author's Synopsis

As much as thirty percent of the women on active duty and almost thirty-five percent of those serving in the Reserve and Guard are raising their children while serving in their chosen branches. That was not always the case. Fifty years ago, women had the choice to serve in uniform but lost that choice once they became a mom. And today, Congress is still dealing with that decision to force women to separate simply because they had a child.

Today, almost fifty years later, women continue to prove that motherhood is compatible with service in the Armed Forces. The women in this book have served or are serving their country and raising their children in the Army, Air Force, Navy, Marines Corps, or Coast Guard.

Check out what this group of “Moms in the Military” have to say about choosing the obligation of service while tackling the responsibilities of motherhood and see how they are proving that motherhood is not a barrier to military service.

These Moms in the Military openly discuss:

     -The decision to remain in the military after pregnancy

     -The impact of military service on their children

     -The impact of separation due to temporary duty/deployment

     -And more

Format(s) for review: Paper Only

Review Genre: Nonfiction—History

Number of Pages: 136

Word Count: 43,161

The Golden Brigade by Robert J. Dvorchak

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MWSA Review

The Golden Brigade: The Untold Story of the 82nd Airborne in Vietnam and Beyond by Robert J. Dvorchak is a compilation of stories by those who served during this unpopular war from their time in Vietnam in the late 1960s as well as many years later as the men became more able to talk about their experiences. It provides a true feeling for what these men went through in 445 pages and 57 short chapters including an epilogue that describes their golden anniversary in June 2018 with a week of special events. The index is 22 pages, so those who served or who had family members in the 82nd can look up people and topics. There are 69 pages of photos and maps courtesy of the 82nd Airborne Museum, combat photos by professional photographers and by members of the 82nd. The stories are told in the present tense with dialogue where appropriate. This is history brought to life by an experienced journalist.

The 82nd Airborne's time in Vietnam began as a classified mission that morphed into a 22-month operation in two major areas of the country. 227 of their members died in Vietnam and are referred to as their Forever Young. They are listed on the memorial at Fort Bragg, NC, which predates the Vietnam memorial wall in Washington, DC. The Golden Brigade was formed while they were in Vietnam and refers to their sense of brotherhood. While this book focuses on just one group, their experiences were similar to those of other units serving. It is a valuable resource to those who want to understand the war from the viewpoint of the participants.

Review by Nancy Kauffman (April 2023)

 

Author's Synopsis

An epic tale of brotherhood forged during war as masterfully told by a lifelong journalist, war correspondent and U.S. Army veteran. The story tracks the exploits of the 82nd Airborne Division from its deployment in February of 1968 in response to the Tet Offensive through 22 months of combat during two of the most tumultuous years of American history. Not only is the story told through historical documents and unclassified material, the book gives voice to the voiceless through scores of interviews of combat veterans who are speaking publicly for the first time in five decades. Also part of the tale are the experiences of soldiers when they returned home and the decades spent in finding the gravesites of comrades killed in the war, including Medal of Honor recipient Felix Conde. This book has the power to heal the invisible wounds of a divisive war.

Format(s) for review: Paper and Kindle

Review Genre: Nonfiction—History

Number of Pages: 473

Word Count: 100,000

Better Men by Steve Quesinberry

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MWSA Review

Better Men by Steve Quesinberry is a impactful book that delves into the lives of 23 men from Coweta County, Georgia, who lost their lives in the Vietnam War between 1966 and 1971. As a high school history teacher in Newnan, Georgia, Quesinberry brings a unique perspective to this deeply emotional topic, providing a detailed and heartfelt account of their stories.
The socio-economic background of these men, who had limited choices upon dropping out or graduating from high school, either waited to be drafted or voluntarily joined the military to fight in Vietnam. Quesinberry paints a vivid picture of Coweta County's strong sense of patriotism, passed down by World War II veterans raising families in the county.
Quesinberry does not shy away from the gruesome reality of war, describing lethal injuries caused by bullets, shrapnel, or fire. The grief felt by the friends, fellow soldiers, and families of these men is palpable, and the book portrays the devastating impact of losing a loved one in a war that many did not fully understand.
Stories of two Medal of Honor recipients from Coweta County are told, highlighting their incredible bravery and valor in the face of adversity.
The book also includes the town of Newnan's relationship with the Vietnam War, with stories about the adoption of a helicopter unit during the war, the arrival of the Vietnam Memorial's Traveling Wall after the War, and Quesinberry's personal experience of teaching a Vietnam History course at the local high school.
Better Men is well-researched and deeply emotional, capturing the true human cost of war and the profound impact it has on individuals, families, and communities. The book is a compelling and poignant read, prompting deep reflection on patriotism, sacrifice, and the lasting effects of war.
A tribute to the lives of these 23 men who made the ultimate sacrifice in the Vietnam War, it is recommended for history enthusiasts, those interested in the Vietnam War, and anyone who appreciates powerful storytelling.

Review by Frank Taylor (April 2023)

Author's Synopsis

There is more to the history of Coweta County than just the beautiful antebellum homes and the avoidance of General Sherman’s conflagration. Better Men presents, for the first time, the story of this rural Georgia county and its relationship with the Vietnam War. From the twenty-three men who lost their lives to the more recent recognition and honoring of the men who served in Vietnam, Coweta County’s connection with that unpopular war has been profound and wide-ranging. This is the Vietnam War seen through the eyes of one rural county in Georgia. It is a uniquely American story.

Format(s) for review: Paper or Kindle

Review Genre: Nonfiction—History

Number of Pages: 506

Word Count: 168,446

Pearl Harbor: Remembering How We Served and Survived by MS2 Shannon R. Cooper, USNR (Ret.)

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Author's Synopsis

This book is a collection of personal Pearl Harbor stories from actual survivors of Pearl Harbor to stories from the families of those who were at Pearl Harbor during the attack. It contains an accurate account of events as they took place on the fateful day of December 7, 1941.

Included in the book is a minute by minute account of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. There is information gathered from individual interviews of survivors and their families. These interviews give the readers a personal connection with the survivors and their families.

In reading the book, the readers will gather a true account and connection with those who survived. It will also give a better understanding of what truly took place on December 7, 1941, in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii.

Format(s) for review: Paper and Kindle

Review Genre: Nonfiction—History

Number of Pages: 179

Word Count: 38322

Defenders of the Rock: Sacrifice, courage, and honor, in the defense of the Philippines during World War II by Tim Deal, Spencer Huyck, Ashley Deal

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MWSA Review

Defenders of the Rock is sobering compilation of twenty-four individual stories of American heroes who defended the Philippines at the very beginning of World War Two. From these stories emerges a comprehensive narrative of the service and sacrifice of soldiers, sailors, marines, airmen, one coastguardsman, military nurses, and civilians who withstood the Imperial Japanese attack on the Philippine archipelago. The stories include the aftermath of the horrendous Bataan Death March for most, escape and resistance for some, and the deprivation during internment for military women and American civilians.

Because the book is written in a precise biographical style, you can read one section at a time. Given the grim fates of most of the people depicted, being able to only read a few sections at a time is benefit to the reader. Despite the somber nature of the book’s subject, it is inspirational and uplifting to learn from and recall the stories of the defenders of the Philippines.

Review by Terry Lloyd (April 2023)

 

Author's Synopsis

Defenders of the Rock preserves the stories of twenty-four individuals who were in the Philippines on December 8, 1941, when war came to the island nation. Their island way of life was shattered in an instant, when the first Japanese bombs exploded. Each story provides a unique perspective on what was occurring to those who were defending the Philippines as they fought back the invaders. They prayed that help would come, but it never arrived. The surrender of the Philippines occurred at noon on Wednesday, May 6, 1942. Of the twenty-four, some would escape capture only to die later during the war, others would become prisoners of war and survive, and others would die in captivity. Some would be tortured and live, while one of them was executed. These twenty-four serve as ambassadors whose courage, honor, and sacrifice represent the thousands of other similar stories we could not include.

Format(s) for review: Paper Only

Review Genre: Nonfiction—History

Number of Pages: 385

Word Count: 66,855

The Original Jeeps in Pictures by Paul R. Bruno

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MWSA Review

The Original Jeeps in Pictures is written by Paul R. Bruno and is a follow-up book to his earlier works, The First Jeep and The Original Jeeps. The book is a chronological review of the development of the first Jeeps during the period preceding the United States’ entry into World War II. Author Bruno uses photographs and original procurement documents to walk the reader through the complicated process of developing a military vehicle from inception to production. The use of historical photographs of events that were happening while the Jeep was being developed imparts a sense of the critical nature of this vehicle’s importance in preparing the USA for a war that was clearly on the horizon.

Author Bruno uses the photos and the original procurement documents to tell the story of how the Jeep evolved over the years leading to World War II. The author does not tell a story per se in this book; rather he uses comments and narratives about the photographs and documents to tie the story together and explain why the photograph or document on a particular page is significant to his story. Some of the procurement documents might be too bureaucratic in nature for readers who do not have experience with government procurement processes; however, the use of the documents offers the reader a view of the complexities involved in bringing any invention to life in the military-industrial complex that existed before World War II.

This book will be of interest to those who are interested in the history of World War II, especially the United States’ lead-up and preparation at a time when the primary political attitude in the country was isolationism. This book will also be of interest to modern day Jeep enthusiasts who want to know something about the early development of the modern-day Jeep 4x4 vehicle that so many outdoors people view as the ultimate macho vehicle. The Original Jeeps in Pictures is not so much a discussion of the development of the first Jeeps as it is a visual salute to those early vehicles.

Review by Larry Sharrar (February 2023)

 

Author's Synopsis

The spring and summer of 1940 witnessed the resounding defeat of the French Army and British Expeditionary Force at the hands of a modernized German Army, designed to take advantage of the latest advances in technology. This included mobile vehicles, tanks used in formation to puncture enemy lines, as well as close air support of ground forces. The evacuation of the British from Dunkirk, and the final defeat of their French ally in June 1940, left only a thin line of English fighter planes between that island nation and total defeat.

While events unfolded rapidly in Europe, leaders of the United States Army, decimated by demobilization after World War I and budget cuts during the Great Depression, knew they were completely unprepared for this new type of mobile warfare, called Blitzkrieg or “lightning war.” Experts in the Army had worked from the end of World War I to develop a combined light weapons carrier and command/reconnaissance vehicle—but with limited success. In June 1940 the military compiled a list of requirements for a revolutionary new truck to replace the cart and mule as the Army’s primary method of moving troops and small payloads.

This book tells the story in images of the American Bantam Car Company, Willys-Overland Motors, Inc., and the Ford Motor Company, who all dared to meet the challenge to build pilot models, and eventually production models, of this vehicle. Their journey throughout 1940 and into 1941 comprises a story from which legends come. Overcoming incredible challenges and long odds these firms built the original ¼-ton truck 4x4 “lights”, later known as the iconic Jeep.

Format(s) for review: Paper Only

Review Genre: Nonfiction—History

Number of Pages: 206

Word Count: 8,500

Red Markers: The Rest of the Story by Gary N. Willis

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MWSA Review

This is the story of U.S. Air Force pilots and enlisted ground crews performing the Forward Air Control (FAC) mission for the Republic of Vietnam military during the Vietnam War. Artillery and airstrikes in the vicinity of friendly ground troops has always been a perilous operation, especially before our current era of precision guided munitions, GPS, and secure communications. While artillery spotting from aircraft started in World War I, faster aircraft introduced during the Korean War led to development of the FAC concept, which reached a peak during the Vietnam War. The Red Markers operated in isolation and in austere environments, with U.S. Army advisors and Special Forces among the Vietnamese airborne troops. This is the second of two books by the author on the Red Markers and builds on the first book with further information on operations with the Vietnamese airborne troops. Through this story, the reader obtains a unique perspective on the major battles and campaigns of the Vietnam War. Five appendices provide a glossary and rosters of the offices and enlisted who served with the Red Markers, as well as other interesting information. This book makes a great reference for this chapter in U.S. Air Force history that is little known but serves as an outstanding example of service and sacrifice during the Vietnam War.

Review by Terry Lloyd (March 2023)

 

Author's Synopsis

Red Markers: The Rest of the Story is a sequel to Red Markers, Close Air Support for the Vietnamese Airborne, 1962-1975, published in 2012. The Rest of the Story expands on the history of the Red Marker FAC detachment with more stories about the 175 airmen who served in the unit. It includes accounts from U.S. Army advisors in MACV Team 162 who fought alongside the Vietnamese Airborne for more than a decade. It also chronicles support provided by other forward air controllers and from Medevac, Cobra gunship, and field artillery units. Stories include the opening hours of the Cambodian Incursion in 1970, the daring rescue of a downed Medevac crew, and fierce battles by the Airborne during the Easter Offensive of 1972. A chapter on Dumb Things in the War Zone captures a lighter side of the unit history. The final story covers the shipboard escape of hundreds of South Vietnamese led by a Catholic seminary student.

Format(s) for review: Paper Only

Review Genre: Nonfiction—History

Number of Pages: 304

Word Count: 100,959