Warfare and defence Books

Book Synopsis"To those outside the military, and even to those serving, the rank structure can sometimes be over simplified. It appears that we rack and stack everyone in the organization, and the person with the most rank “wins”—he or she is in charge, and everyone else has to follow orders that flow from the top. While there is certainly benefit in adhering to a chain of command, the interaction between the various ranks up and down that chain, officer and enlisted, becomes the connective tissue that creates a cohesive, successful organization inside of which good decisions and high morale thrive. The most senior member of a unit has the responsibility—and the honor—of leading. But to be successful, the planning and decision-making at the top must reflect a thorough understanding of the strengths at every level of the organization, for it is the enlisted leaders who will ultimately execute those plans in battle, and win."—Foreword by General Peter Pace, U.S. Marine Corps, 16th Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.This book brings together the stories of six former senior enlisted advisors to the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Each tells in their own words how they got their start, how mentors encouraged them along the way, and how they eventually became the highest-ranking enlisted member in their respective service."With invaluable lessons this is a book for junior service members, senior enlisted leaders, officers, but also for those with no connection to the military.“Books on leadership are many, but none are as practical, clear, and proven as Breaching the Summit. Sure to be of value to every level of military leader, it is equally relevant and valuable to leaders in government, in businesses of every size, and in every boardroom. The uniquely experienced, gifted, and tested authors have led, inspired, and mentored thousands in their extraordinary careers of service to our nation. They lived, observed, and led from the most junior ranks to the pinnacle of military service - they walked the talk. This book should be at the very top of every leader’s list, to be read and reread.” — Adm. Gary Roughead, U.S. Navy (retired)Chief of Naval Operations (2007–2011)“Six outstanding American military leaders served our nation admirably and now share their life experiences and the leadership lessons they learned. This book is a must-read for all service members - both enlisted and officer - aspiring to be successful leaders in uniform and beyond. Thank you to each of the authors for selflessly sharing their experiences and insights on leadership and life.” — Gen. Frank J. Grass, U.S. Army (retired), 27th Chief of the National Guard Bureau (2012–2016)“These extraordinary enlisted leaders have ‘walked the talk,’ and we should listen. Senior noncommissioned officers are the backbone of the finest armed forces in the world. This book shows why.” — Adm. Thad W. Allen, U.S. Coast Guard (retired), 23rd Commandant of the U.S. Coast Guard (2006–2010)“A collection of personal vignettes that teach practical leadership lessons, Breaching the Summit is a must-read for leaders at all levels. The authors have served as their services’ highest-ranking noncommissioned officers and are the epitome of the U.S. military’s professional, all-volunteer force.” — Gen. Ed Eberhart, U.S. Air Force (retired), Commander, NORAD/USNORTHCOM (2002–2005), CEO, Armed Forces Benefit Association“The stories in this book are riveting, powerful, and, best of all, true. The leaders who share their stories shaped our armed forces to be the greatest in the history of our nation. I had the privilege of working very closely with Jim and Paula Roy for over two years. They represent the very finest examples of great parents, humble and inspirational leaders, and compassionate partners, and they showed us all how to have fun while performing at the very highest levels of command.” — Adm. Timothy J. Keating, U.S. Navy (retired), Commander, NORAD/USNORTHCOM (2004–2007), USPACOM (2007–2009)“This book is a catalyst to renew the reader’s commitment to reach and exceed their potential—personally and professionally—while also taking joy in fulfilling their respective duties and responsibilities.” — Col. Paul H. Atterbury, U.S. Marine Corps (retired), Judge Advocate (1994–2014)“I found this book inspiring, interesting, and instructive. Six remarkably accomplished authors share their powerful personal narratives, and their diverse and compelling stories lift up essential leadership lessons for us all, whether military or civilian. If you are anywhere along the continuum of leadership—from leading yourself to leading organizations—and want to become a better leader, read this book!” — Vice Adm. Manson K. Brown, U.S. Coast Guard (retired), Assistant Secretary of Commerce (2010–2014)“Of all the books I’ve read on military leadership, this is one of the absolute best. It’s a great opportunity to learn from some of our nation’s top enlisted leaders—a must-read for all service members.” — Chief Master Sgt. W. Allen Usry, U.S. Air Force (retired), Command Senior Enlisted Leader, NORAD/USNORTHCOM (2009–2011)“Breaching the Summit is a motivating and inspiring read. The life lessons and stories shared will serve readers from any walk of life. The wisdom of these senior enlisted leaders in our U.S. military, tempered with their great sense of humility, reaffirms what makes our nation great. The advice these remarkable patriots have given has personally and professionally benefited me.” — Chief Master Sgt. James A. Cody, U.S. Air Force (retired), 17th Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force (2013–2017)“Breaching the Summit is a must-read for those in leadership, those striving to become leaders, or those who want to become a better version of themselves. You will learn traits you want to possess, traits you already have and have forgotten, and traits that will guide you through your own leadership. You will connect and reminisce through the stories that helped mold these average individuals to become six of our top enlisted military leaders. Learn from their lessons of leadership as you become familiar with who they were before they became who they are now.” — Pam Swan, Director, Military Relations for Veterans United Home Loans“Brilliantly illustrating the concept ‘grow where you’re planted,’ Breaching the Summit highlights six disparate individuals’ adaptation of the basic tenets of leadership on their journey to the top of their respective services. Whether you are just beginning your own journey, or merely searching for additional inspiration to refine your own leadership style, the principles stressed in these pages provide a solid foundation for success.” — Force Master Chief Johnny Walker, U.S. Navy (retired), Naval Education and Training Command (2007–2009), MCPON Executive Assistant (2009–2011)“Written by proven senior enlisted leaders, Breaching the Summit is a compendium of personal and professional experiences that distills success for all who choose the life of servant leadership in our military.” — Command Sgt. Maj. Mark Ripka, U.S. Army (retired), Command Senior Enlisted Leader, USJFCOM/USAFRICOM (2007–2011)“Breaching the Summit is an insightful, informative walk through the phases of an enlisted career from some of the most successful leaders in modern history. This is a must-read primer for anyone on a journey through the ranks of our glorious military. Read this book. Learn from the real-life lessons that molded some of our greatest enlisted leaders.” — Chief Master Sgt. John M. Harris, U.S. Air National Guard (retired), Command Chief Master Sergeant, Louisiana ANG (2006–2010), President, EANGUS“I thoroughly enjoyed this book. This is not just for the ‘seasoned’ leader - anyone can relate to these lessons, no matter their level of leadership. I felt as though I were sitting in a Leadership 101 symposium!” — Fleet Master Chief April Beldo, U.S. Navy (retired)Manpower, Personnel, Training, and Education Command (2013–2017)“As I’m passing 10 years since I left my own naval service behind, I am amazed at how the leadership truths in this book apply to any industry, not just the military. Making sure everyone knows their individual role in the unit’s success, take the time to get the little things right, coach each other up, down, and all around, and all the other lessons. MCPON West said it best: don’t just take care of your crew, challenge them to grow and be ready to take the reins. This book is not just for practitioners of the art of war—it is for anyone who wants to lead their organization to excellence!” — Capt. Bob Schuetz, U.S. Navy (retired), Deputy Commander and Chief of Staff, COMSUBPAC (2006–2008), Plant GM, Columbia Generating Station“CMSAF Roy’s anecdote of re-digging the water line in Michigan at age 10 was a foretaste of his sense of duty and doing the right things right throughout his AF career. His is a life well lived that resulted in Airmen being well led—including this one.” — Lt. Gen. Loren M. Reno, U.S. Air Force (retired), Deputy Chief of Staff, USAF Logistics, Installations and Mission Support (2009–2012)“MCPOCG Skip Bowen has a truly remarkable legacy of principled leadership built over an incredible career in the Coast Guard. His story, and the stories of the other leaders who reached the top positions in our military, are inspiring examples of linking personal and organizational success from the entry level to the summit. This book is a great read!” — Vice Adm. David P. Pekoske, U.S. Coast Guard (retired), Vice Commandant, USCG (2009–2010), Administrator, TSA“What an amazing opportunity to read about these great leaders! MCPON Rick West’s story shines light onto his sacrifice and compassion for the U.S. Sailor. Mentor, motivator, and total compassion describe MCPON West. His understanding of tactical and strategic level of knowledge provided excellence across the fleet. Most importantly, he is a chief’s chief who connected and continues to connect with the CPO Mess at large.” — Fleet Master Chief Susan Whitman, U.S. Navy (retired), U.S. Pacific Fleet (2015–2018)“This book offers exceptional insight into what has shaped some of the finest senior enlisted leaders in modern history. Through easy-to-follow stories, Breaching the Summit showcases the impact small life events have in developing leaders. This team of authors has captured service-specific leadership challenges that have significance in today’s joint warfighting environment, and I would consider Breaching the Summit a must-read for officers and senior enlisted looking to lead the military into the future.” — Fleet Master Chief Mark Rudes, U.S. Navy (retired), Senior Enlisted Leader, PACOM (2012–2016)“Breaching the Summit is a colorful and compelling look at the formative years, experiences, and philosophies behind our nation’s preeminent senior enlisted leaders. America’s faith in and empowerment of its enlisted corps has long been recognized as our true strategic advantage when it comes to military success at sea, in the air, and on land. Preston, Barrett, West, Roy, Jelinski-Hall, and Bowen show how humble beginnings and solid, consistent principles fueled their journeys and struck a chord with a generation of troops inclined to question the motives and methods of leadership. A must-read for anyone seeking insight on how to get the most out of people, or for anyone who doubts the tenacity of our young men and women wearing the uniform today.” — Command Master Chief Scott Fleming, U.S. Navy (retired), Joint Task Force Guantanamo, MCPON Executive Assistant (2011–2013)“From their humble beginnings to the pinnacle of their careers as the most senior noncommissioned officers of the U.S. Armed Forces, nowhere else will you find a compilation of lessons learned like those included here. These six senior enlisted leaders provide insights from which service members of all ages and ranks can learn, and that can serve as guides to a successful military career. I am proud to have served alongside these fine NCOs.” — Command Sgt. Maj. Richard J. Burch, U.S. Army (retired), 9th Command Sergeant Major of the Army National Guard (2010–2012)“With stories from the lives and experiences of six of our top enlisted military leaders, Breaching the Summit offers the gift of leadership honing. This book is not only a must–read for current and future military leaders, but for those in the civilian sector as well. These warriors allow you to experience their personal stories of highs and lows on their way to the top enlisted leadership billet of each military branch. Though different in the challenges they faced, they are the same in telling the reason for their successes. Patton once said: ‘Your character is defined by how high you bounce when you hit bottom.’ Each chapter illustrates how they took challenges head on and bounced to the pinnacle position of their respective professions. They suffered the pain of discipline to not suffer the pain of regret. I have added this to my professional library of leadership and urge all leaders - present and future - to do the same.” — 1st Sgt. Mark Gordon, U.S. Marine Corps (retired), Subject matter expert for combat profiling, Camp Lejeune“Whenever a new initiative was considered, I knew no one had their finger on the pulse of the fleet like the MCPON and the SGTMAJ of the USMC. The troops see in these senior enlisted leaders a role model, parental figure, and most importantly, their potential best selves. Their hard-earned insights have value for any aspiring leader in any walk of life. HOOYAH!” — Juan Garcia, 17th Assistant Secretary of the Navy, Manpower and Reserve Affairs (2009–2016)“Breaching the Summit is an amazing blend of leadership lessons from six very successful military leaders who started in humble beginnings and advanced to the highest levels of the enlisted corps. Their ability to weave personal and professional insights on their journey to mastering their tradecraft and leadership skills provides a blueprint of success for others. The evolutionary journey of learning leadership, practicing leadership, and then executing leadership is highlighted through their experiences. For those just starting their leadership journey and those who are seasoned leaders, there is much to be learned in this book.” — Chief Master Sgt. Steve McDonald, U.S. Air Force (retired), Command Chief, Air Combat Command (2014–2017)“It has been my pleasure to be associated with CMSAF James Roy for the last 25 years, beginning on the island of Guam, where he led the CE ‘dirt boyz’ in support of that critical infrastructure mission. Chief Roy possessed a keen insight into personal leadership then, which served our squadron well through five typhoon encounters and continued to serve him well throughout his successful military career, culminating as the Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force. I’m proud to have played a small part in such a superb leader’s life.” — Col. D. H. “Scott” Showers, U.S. Air Force (retired), Commander, 36th Civil Engineer Squadron, Andersen AFB, Guam (1994–1996)“Breaching the Summit gives a rare glimpse into the lives of leaders who served in the highest enlisted positions in the U.S. military. A must-read for any leader who’d like to make a difference in their organization—there’s more common ground than you might think! Problem solvers, influencers, getting pushed out of their comfort zones, and passing it along were a few chunks that jumped out at me. Bravo on this collaboration of some AWESOME human beings!” — Chief Master Sgt. Marty Klukas, U.S. Air Force (retired), Command Senior Enlisted Leader, USTRANSCOM (2011-2014)“MCPON Rick West’s leadership style is more than a pillar from which many grew their naval careers—his motivation to challenge yourself is the foundation by which I continue to live and approach complex situations. His ability to build a cohesive, winning team is second to none. HOOYAH COB!” — Machinist’s Mate 1st Class Rich Hawkins, U.S. Navy (retired), Captain, Delta Air Lines“The U.S. military has long been a preeminent organization for producing leaders of exceptional capability and character. The authors of this book are among the best the military has to offer. It comes as no surprise that their thoughts would be insightful and well worth the attention of both aspiring and experienced leaders from all backgrounds and areas of interest.” — Mike Watt, CEO, Scientific Research CorporationTable of ContentsForeword Editor's Note Kenneth O. Preston, 13th Sergeant Major of the Army Micheal P. Barrett, 17th Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps Rick D. West, 12th Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy James A. Roy, CMSAF Air Force Denise M. Jelinski-Hall, 3rd Senior Enlisted Advisor to the National Guard Bureau Charles W. "Skip" Bowen, 10th Master Chief Petty Officer of the Coast Guard Afterword

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Book SynopsisHezbollah: The Global Footprint of Lebanon's Party of God is the first thorough examination of Hezbollah's covert activities beyond Lebanon's borders, including its financial and logistical support networks and its criminal and terrorist operations worldwide. Hezbollah -- Lebanon's "Party of God" -- is a multifaceted organization: It is a powerful political party in Lebanon, a Shia Islam religious and social movement, Lebanon's largest militia, a close ally of Iran, and a terrorist organization. Drawing on a wide range of sources, including recently declassified government documents, court records, and personal interviews with intelligence and law enforcement officials around the world, Matthew Levitt examines Hezbollah's beginnings, its first violent forays in Lebanon, and then its terrorist activities and criminal enterprises abroad in Europe, the Middle East, South America, Southeast Asia, Africa, and finally in North America. Levitt also describes Hezbollah's unit dedicated to supporting Palestinian militant groups and Hezbollah's involvement in training and supporting insurgents who fought US troops in post-Saddam Iraq. The book concludes with a look at Hezbollah's integral, ongoing role in Iran's shadow war with Israel and the West, including plots targeting civilians around the world. Levitt shows convincingly that Hezbollah's willingness to use violence at home and abroad, its global reach, and its proxy-patron relationship with the Iranian regime should be of serious concern. Hezbollah is an important book for scholars, policymakers, students, and the general public interested in international security, terrorism, international criminal organizations, and Middle East studies.Trade ReviewLevitt creatively deploys his deep knowledge coupled with the scrupulous collection, analysis, and exploitation of information and intelligence in support of his arguments against Hezbollah ... the result is a book imbued with invaluable insights into the inner workings, not only of Hezbollah, but also of the tactics, shortcomings and successes of the American intelligence services. -- Gamal Nkrumah Al-Ahram Weekly Levitt's coverage of Hezbollah's illegal and criminal operations on American soil mightily increases the value of this useful, well-written book. Choice A 426 page compendium providing the non-specialist general reader with an excellent and documented history of this Islamic militant organization and its present activities throughout the world. Enhanced with an extensive bibliography and a comprehensive index ... especially recommended for both community and academic library International Studies in general, and Terrorism Studies in particular. Midwest Book Review Useful, meticulously researched and documented. Australia/Israel Review Matthew Levitt's refreshing study of the history and development of Hezbollah's international network and operational track record provides a convincing profile of a highly professional group whose scope extends far beyond the confines of Lebanese politics. -- Richard Phelps, Quilliam Foundation Terrorism and Political Violence Levitt's exhaustive study successfully breaks down the organization's intricate web of activities, both in and out of the Middle East. His know-how of the Washington Beltway and the intelligence agencies that populate it allow Levitt to cogently and compellingly make the case that the group poses a truly worldwide threat. Journal of International Security Affairs Hezbollah is still viewed in some quarters as little more than a parochial Lebanese political party with an armed wing charged solely with resisting an Israeli occupation that ended 13 years ago, on May 25, 2000. It's this myth that Matthew Levitt explodes in Hezbollah... Mr. Levitt's book delivers suspenseful and even terrifying blow-by-blow accounts of the most infamous of Hezbollah's attacks. He can't dramatize all of them, though, because there are too many-far more than most people realize, because until now no one had bothered to document them in one place. Wall Street Journal, Bookshelf A meticulously detailed examination ... The book sheds new light on the targeting of Western and Israeli interests in Lebanon and abroad. The Washington Times This comprehensive analysis of Hezbollah is meticulously detailed and made gripping by a flowing narrative. ForeWord A wide-ranging portrait of Hezbollah's activities on five continents and its actions. Library Journal A compelling account of the global terror group's operations ... as rich in detail as it is in storytelling ... The compelling narrative leaves readers wondering how it is possible that this organization has grown so powerful and influential with few repercussions. The Jerusalem Post Levitt's account is as rich in detail as it is in storytelling. The Jerusalem Post This book's meticulous documentation of Hezbollah's terrorist and criminal enterprises makes it required reading for all those concerned about understanding its true nature. Perspectives on Terrorism Authoritative and immensely important new book. Commentary If you combine the detective work of an N.C.I.S. episode and the excitement of a Daniel Silva novel with the Mission Impossible theme in the background, you can approximate the narrative provided in this important book. Jewish Book Council Levitt's exhaustive study successfully breaks down the organization's intricate web of activities, both in and out of the Middle East ... Levitt's book is a timely reminder of how dangerous and widespread the genie of Hezbollah truly is, and why there needs to be a concerted global effort to get it back into the bottle. Journal of International Security Affairs A rich literature about Hezbollah covering its variety of operational modes. Matthew Levitt's comprehensive work contributes significantly to our understanding of one of the most dangerous and sophisticated terrorist groups in the world. Through rigorous research written in approachable, sometimes poetic language, Levitt takes us on a journey through the worldwide activities of Hezbollah ... The book uses varied sources, some of them available to the research community for the first time. Levitt's use of declassified CIA and FBI documents combined with exclusive interviews with senior officials of the intelligence community and decision makers from different places around the world provides us with a unique perspective on how Hezbollah's global terrorist activities are perceived by western states and governments ... Levitt's well-written and well-structured book reveals many attention-grabbing details that contribute to understanding Hezbollah's global operations. -- Ido Zelkovitz Middle Eastern Studies A worthwhile read for anyone interested in Hezbollah, or Iran's links with terrorist groups. E-International Relations First comprehensive examination of Hezbollah (Party of God) from its beginning to the present. The Intelligencer Matthew Levitt's Hezbollah ... is likely to remain the definitive work on Hezbollah's global infrastructure for years to come ... Levitt's focus on the global aspects of Hezbollah, and on the details of its financing and logistics, make his policy recommendations meaningful and comprehensive. Studies in Conflict & TerrorismTable of ContentsIntroduction: Researching Hezbollah's Clandestine Activities 1. The Party of God Is Born 2. Branching Out: Targeting Westerners in Lebanon and Beyond 3. Hezbollah's European Debut 4. Bombings in Buenos Aires 5. A Near Miss in Bangkok 6. Beirut to the Blue Ridge: Hezbollah Comes to North America 7. Bombing Khobar Towers 8. Unit 1800: Targeting the Israeli Heartland 9. Finance and Logistics in Africa 10. Unit 3800: Hezbollah in Iraq 11. Party of Fraud: Hezbollah's Criminal Enterprise in America 12. Shadow War Selected BibliographyAbout the AuthorIndex

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Book SynopsisIntelligence agencies provide critical information to national security and foreign policy decision makers, but spying also poses inherent dilemmas for liberty, privacy, human rights, and diplomacy. Principled Spying explores how to strike a balance between necessary intelligence activities and protecting democratic values by developing a new framework of ethics. David Omand and Mark Phythian structure this book as an engaging debate between a former national security practitioner and an intelligence scholar. Rather than simply presenting their positions, throughout the book they pose key questions to each other and to the reader and offer contrasting perspectives to stimulate further discussion. They demonstrate the value for both practitioners and the public of weighing the dilemmas of secret intelligence through ethics. The chapters in the book cover key areas including human intelligence, surveillance, acting on intelligence, and oversight and accountability. The authors disagree on some key questions, but in the course of their debate they demonstrate that it is possible to find a balance between liberty and security. This book is accessible reading for concerned citizens, but it also delivers the sophisticated insights of a high-ranking former practitioner and a distinguished scholar.Trade ReviewThis groundbreaking volume admirably brings these two worlds into dialogue, bridging an imagined divide of utility versus principle with a new paradigm for considering the ethics of intelligence operations. * Theological Studies *Provides valuable both-sides arguments on the issue that warrant a read by both intelligence professionals and the lay citizen alike. * Washington Times *The format is unique, taking the form of a dialogue between the two authors, with each author’s contribution labeled as such. Their approach to the problem of intelligence ethics is promising as they seek to use just-war theory as a way to offer ethical guidance on how to engage in actions forbidden altogether in normal society. * Choice *Table of ContentsPrefaceIntroduction: Why Ethics Matters in Secret Intelligence 1. Thinking about the Ethical Conduct of Secret Intelligence 2. Ethics, Intelligence, and the Law 3. From Just War to Just Intelligence?4. Secret Agents and Covert Human Sources 5. Digital Intelligence and Cyberspace 6. The Ethics of Using Intelligence 7. Building Confidence through Oversight and Accountability Conclusion: Toward Principled Spying Notes Selected Bibliography Index About the Authors

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Book SynopsisSince its founding more than seventy years ago, the National Security Council has exerted more influence on the president’s foreign policy decisions—and on the nation’s conflicts abroad—than any other institution or individual. And yet, until the explosive Trump presidency, few Americans could even name a member. “A must-read for anyone interested in how Washington really works” (Ivo H. Daalder), White House Warriors finally reveals how the NSC evolved from a handful of administrative clerks to, as one recent commander-in-chief called them, the president’s “personal band of warriors.” When Congress originally created the National Security Council in 1947, it was intended to better coordinate foreign policy after World War II. Nearly an afterthought, a small administrative staff was established to help keep its papers moving. President Kennedy was, as John Gans documents, the first to make what became known as the NSC staff his own, selectively hiring bright young aides to do his bidding during the disastrous Bay of Pigs operation, the fraught Cuban Missile Crisis, and the deepening Vietnam War. Despite Kennedy’s death and the tragic outcome of some of his decision, the NSC staff endured. President Richard Nixon handed the staff’s reigns solely to Henry Kissinger, who, given his controlling instincts, micromanaged its work on Vietnam. In the 1980s, President Ronald Reagan’s NSC was cast into turmoil by overreaching staff members who, led by Oliver North, nearly brought down a presidency in the Iran-Contra scandal. Later, when President George W. Bush’s administration was bitterly divided by the Iraq War, his NSC staff stepped forward to write a plan for the Surge in Iraq. Juxtaposing extensive archival research with new interviews, Gans demonstrates that knowing the NSC staff’s history and its war stories is the only way to truly understand American foreign policy. As this essential account builds to the swift removals of advisors General Michael Flynn and Steve Bannon in 2017, we see the staff’s influence in President Donald Trump’s still chaotic administration and come to understand the role it might play in its aftermath. A revelatory history written with riveting DC insider detail, White House Warriors traces the path that has led us to an era of American aggression abroad, debilitating fights within the government, and whispers about a deep state conspiring against the public.Trade Review"This forceful historical account is a much-needed published assessment, given that NSC members are generally not known to the public. . . . This book is essential reading for all interested in politics, government, and contemporary history." -- Booklist [starred review]"This is an especially lucid account of how Washington came to deal with the rest of the world, full of lively anecdotes that make the book not just good history but a good read. John Gans is one of the most knowledgeable experts we have on the National Security Council staff, how it works, and how it doesn’t. He's studied foreign policy both as a scholar and a public official, and the lessons he learned have gone into this book." -- James Mann, author of Rise of the Vulcans and The Obamians"Serving at the pleasure of the president is a one-of-a-kind experience. With keen insights, deep research, and just the right amount of empathy, John Gans takes us inside the long and sometimes crisis-filled days of some of the lucky few who have worked in the White House. Readers will come away better informed about the successes and setbacks not just of the public servants so adroitly profiled here but the United States itself." -- Alyssa Mastromonaco, former White House Deputy Chief of Staff, New York Times bestselling author, and co-host of the Hysteria podcast"In the White House briefing room, I was often asked about the power of the National Security Council. John Gans was one of my best sources to help explain the ways this unique and elusive institution has served the American president, including the one I worked for. In White House Warriors, Gans proves as good a guide for readers as he was for me, taking all of us inside the staff's daily work as well as the debates and decisions that continue to transform America's relationship with the world." -- Josh Earnest, former White House Press Secretary"When it comes to US national security policy, some of the most powerful and consequential people in Washington are also the least well known. John Gans shines a bright light on these National Security Council staffers and shows how they have influenced presidential decisions on war for decades. White House Warriors is must-read for anyone interested in how Washington really works." -- Ivo H. Daalder, former US Ambassador to NATO and coauthor of In the Shadow of the Oval Office"In the tradition of David Halberstam, John Gans Jr. has provided an essential account of one of Washington's most consequential, but also most misunderstood, working parts." -- Graeme Wood, author of The Way of the Strangers: Encounters with the Islamic State"This insightful and compelling book helps make sense of how the White House’s powerful National Security Council staff works and also why it often doesn’t—sometimes helping presidents make sound foreign policy, but all too frequently getting the policy wrong with terrible human consequences. Richly detailed from interviews with White House staffers, the book disproves Donald Trump’s feverish claims of a ‘deep state’ out to undermine the presidency." -- Gary J. Bass, author of The Blood Telegram: Nixon, Kissinger, and a Forgotten Genocide"In White House Warriors, John Gans superbly describes how the National Security Council (NSC) — the most secretive and powerful institution in the country — shapes America’s role in the world, particularly during periods of conflict. The NSC, part star chamber, part gladiator arena, and part Game of Thrones drama is expertly revealed to us in the pages of Gans’ primer on Washington power." -- Dr. Kurt M. Campbell, Asia Group, LLC and former Obama Administration Assistant Secretary of State for Asia and the Pacific"John Gans shows us how the staff of the National Security Council has gradually accumulated or been given extraordinary influence over American national security policy. Sharply critical of this development, the author understands and even admires the people whom he believes have, less through ambition than the abdication of others, inadvertently undermined democratic governance. Controversial, compellingly written, and above all an essential read for anyone who wants to know not only why the United States goes to war, but how." -- Eliot Cohen, professor at The Johns Hopkins University School of Advanced International Studies and author of Supreme Command

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Book SynopsisCJ Hinke was arrested in more than 35 civil disobedience actions organized by the pacifist movement from 1963 to 1969. He was the last American arrested for the Vietnam draft and was pardoned by Jimmy Carter in his first official act as US president. After moving to Canada, he defended himself before the British Columbia Supreme Court, and served prison time, including solitary confinement, for blockading clearcut logging and roadbuilding by multinational corporados. Fear is what keeps most citizens from active resistance. This book is intended to break that cycle of fear and encourage broad resistance to militarism. Free Radicals: War Resisters in Prison is the first chronicle of absolutist resisters to war from World War I through Iraq and Afghanistan, surveying military conscription and desertion worldwide. The book's extensive bibliography on war resistance, conscription, and prisons is the first in its field.

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Book Synopsis"The literature of ideas." When author Pamela Sargent used those words to describe science fiction in 1975, the genre had exploded into the literary mainstream. As a literature of ideas, science fiction has proven to be a powerful metaphor for the world around us, offering a rich tapestry of imagination through which to explore how we lead, how we think, and how we interact. To Boldly Go assembles more than thirty writers from around the world - experts in leadership and strategy, senior policy advisors and analysts, professional educators and innovators, experienced storytellers, and ground-level military leaders - to help us better understand ourselves through the lens of science fiction.Each chapter of To Boldly Go draws out the lessons that we can learn from science fiction, drawing on classic examples of the genre in ways that are equally relatable and entertaining. A chapter on the burdens of leadership by Ghost Fleet author August Cole launches readers into cosmos with Captain Avatar aboard the space battleship Yamato. In another chapter, the climactic Battle of the Mutara Nebula from The Wrath of Khan weighs the advantages of experience over intelligence in the pursuit of strategy. What does inter-species conflict in science fiction tell us about our perspectives on social Darwinism? Whether using Star Trek: Deep Space Nine to explore the nuances of maritime strategy or The Expanse to better understand the threat poses by depleted natural resources, To Boldly Go provides thoughtful essays on relevant subjects that will appeal to business leaders, military professionals, and fans of science fiction alike.Trade ReviewThe anthology has a range of sources and topics as impressive as the contributing authors, who have produced 35 essays, organized into six parts, covering themes from individual command responsibility to civil-military relations to the problems sentient machines pose. * Parameters *The authors convey the various nuances of leadership throughout the book’s essays...a must read for all strategists and military leaders at any level as well as State Department personnel who work with a variety of people from different cultures. * Military Review 07/12/2022 *Table of ContentsForeword - Major General Mick Ryan Introduction PART I: THE CAPTAIN’S HAND 1 Space Battleship Yamato and the Burden of Command - August Cole 2 Of X-Wings and Y-Wings - Kera Rolsen 3 Adama’s Unequal Dialogue - Mick Cook 4 Earth Must Come First! - Jo Brick 5 You’re Not Ender Wiggins, and That’s Okay - Will Meddings 6 Princess Leia and the Strategic Art of Métis - Heather S. Gregg 7 Want to Know More? - Jess Ward PART II: THE FINAL FRONTIER 8 Yours is the Superior - Jonathan Klug and Steven Leonard 9 The Empire’s New Hope - James Groves 10 Graff’s Game - Thomas Bruscino 11 From Tactics to Galactic Grand Strategy - Major General Mick Ryan 12 Where No Port Has Gone Before - Timothy Choi 13 Sun Tzu, Ender, and the Old Man - Kathleen J. McInnis PART III: THE PRIME DIRECTIVE 14 All That You Touch You Change - Jacqueline E. Whitt 15 Romulans and Remans - Max Brooks 16 Are We Such Apostles of Mercy? - Janeen Webb 17 Beware the Beast Man-Steven Leonard 18 Flag Follows Trade - Theresa Hitchens 19 The Vice Admiral and the Flyboy-Kelsey Cipolla 20 I Exist Only to Serve - Julie M. Still and Kelly A. Lelito PART IV: THE WAR OF THE WORLDS 21 One Voice in the Night - Clara Engle 22 There’s No Screaming in Space - Jon Niccum 23 The Final Frontier - Erica Iverson 24 Blood Lessons - M. L. Cavanaugh 25 You Rebel Scum! - Jonathan Klug 26 Calm Men Who Deal Death Wholesale - Rebecca Jensen PART V: THE RISE OF THE MACHINES 27 We Don’t Serve Their Kind Here - Margarita Konaev 28 Things We Learned from Captain Trips - Craig and Steve Whiteside 29 Musings on the Murderbot - Elsa B. Kania 30 Man > Machine - Liam Collins 31 You Can’t Hide From the Things You’ve Done - Francis J. H. Park PART VI: THE DARK SIDE 32 The Mark of Locutus - David Calder 33 From Darth Vader to Dark Helmet - Dan Ward 34 To Live and Die at My Command - Jonathan Klug 35 The Mirror Crack’d - Steven Leonard Contributors Index

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Book SynopsisDuring the last year of the Civil War, the Eighth Minnesota Volunteer Infantry Regiment traveled more miles and served under more extreme conditions than any other unit in the Union Army. From the Yellowstone River all the way to North Carolina, the soldiers endured dehydration, hunger, and exhausting marches, often while exposed to scorching heat or bitter cold. They fought against foes led by Sitting Bull and General Nathan Bedford Forest, but came away victorious each time. Drawn from among the first settlers of the newly-formed state of Minnesota, the soldiers from Company E, the focus of this book, were tough frontiersmen and also proud patriots who enlisted with the determination to be good soldiers in service of their country. Fiercely independent, the men had little patience for bureaucracy and despised injustice. When unfairly treated, they didn't just grin and bear it—they actively rebelled, sometimes with humorous results. Meticulously researched, Sherman's Woodticks for the first time brings together the full story of the men of the Eighth Minnesota Volunteers who gave up so much for their country, from their enlistment in 1862 until they mustered out in 1865.

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Book SynopsisThis work tells the full story of the weapons, including fighter-planes, tanks, ships, and guns, that America produced during the war to defeat the Axis powers, and how they were "sold" to those at home through the countless advertisements that appeared in popular magazines. Though well-known companies such as General Motors, Ford, Kelvinator, and B.F. Goodrich, and a whole host of others, could no longer sell their products to consumers, they instead turned their factories towards supplying the Arsenal of Democracy. In order to keep their names in the public spotlight, these companies advertised in great detail the weapons they were building; Cadillac touted its efforts in supplying components for Sherman tanks and P-38 Lightning fighters, Ford no longer built cars in Detroit, but B-24 Liberator bombers and Jeeps, while the home appliance company Kelvinator built aircraft components and flame-throwers. The story behind these advertisements, many of them stunning visuals which are here reproduced in color, is a unique aspect of World War II history that will both surprise and delight.Table of ContentsIntroduction; Part I: Selling the War on the Home Front; 1 Advertising Basics during World War II; 2 "Reading" the Popular Magazine Ads; Part II: Weapons of War in the Magazine Pages; 3 Tanks and Other Armored Vehicles; 4 Naval Vessels Big and Small; 5 Army Air Force Fighters and Bombers; 6 Navy Fighters, Bombers, and other Aircraft; 7 Military Utility Vehicles; 8 Guns and Other Ordnance; Source Bibliography.

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Book SynopsisIntelligence agencies are reflections of the societies they serve. No surprise, then, that modern spies and the agencies they work for are fixated on the internet and electronic communications. These same officials also struggle with notions of privacy, appropriateness, national boundaries and the problem of disinformation. They are citizens of both somewhere and nowhere, serving a national public yet confronting spies who operate across borders. These adversaries are utilising new technologies that offer a transnational anonymity. Meanwhile, ordinary people are keen to be protected from threats, but equally keen - basing their understanding of intelligence on news and popular culture - to avoid over-reach by authorities believed to have near-God-like powers. This is the new operating environment for spies: a heady mix of rapid technological development, identity politics, plausible deniability, uncertainty and distrust of authority. Hacker, Influencer, Faker, Spy explores both the challenges spies face from these digital horizons, and the challenges citizens face in understanding what spies do and how it impacts on them. Rob Dover makes a radical case for overhauling intelligence to capitalise on open-source information: shrinking the secret state, whilst still supporting the functioning of modern governments in the post-COVID age.Trade Review‘An ambitious, sweeping, post-structuralist analysis of intelligence as practiced in Western liberal democracies today.’ -- CHOICE'The first substantial book to consider how the digital era will disrupt the business of intelligence, it is destined to become a classic and the gold standard for years to come.' -- Professor Michael S. Goodman, Head of Department, Department of War Studies, King's College London'An elegant analysis that reveals espionage as a new form of performative power in the age of Twitter.' -- Richard J. Aldrich, Professor of International Security, University of Warwick'A novel synthesis of intelligence as a crucial tool of statecraft, one increasingly challenged by a crowded information space in which commercial players, other non-state actors and even public opinion may wield power. A topical contribution to the study of the digital age of intelligence.' -- Jennifer S. Hunt, Lecturer in Security Studies, Macquarie University

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Book SynopsisFirst published in 1958 Montgomerys memoirs cover the full span of his career first as a regimental officer in the Royal Warwickshire Regiment and then as a Staff Officer. His choice of the Warwickshires was due to his lack of money. He saw service in India before impressing with his courage, tactical skill and staff ability in the Great War. Despite his tactless uncompromising manner his career flourished between the wars but it was during the retreat to Dunkirk that his true brilliance as a commander revealed itself. The rest is history but in this autobiography we can hear Monty telling his side of the story of the great North African Campaign followed by the even more momentous battles against the enemy ' and, sadly, the Allies ' as he strove for victory in North West Europe. His interpretation of the great campaign is of huge importance and reveals the deep differences that existed between him and Eisenhower and other leading figures. His career ended in disappointment and frustration being temperamentally unsuited to Whitehall and the political machinations of NATO.

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Book SynopsisWilliam Jervois was a military engineer who rose to prominence as a result of Lord Palmerston’s extensive programme of fortification against a feared French invasion in the middle years of the nineteenth century. Ramparts of Empire is a detailed and engaging study of his life and works. As the first comprehensive study of this influential Victorian, the bookis an important contribution to military and engineering history as well as to the history of Imperial Britain. The text is richly illustrated with photographs and plans of Jervois’ forts, while supporting appendices provide a mine of supplementary information. This includes a gazetteer of Jervois’ works and documentary evidence of his involvement in plans for a Channel Tunnel and a proposal for attacking the seaboard of the United States. In 1860, Palmerston’s parliament sanctioned the construction of the largest system of fortifications that the British Isles had ever seen, or would ever see again, to defend against a feared French invasion. For William Jervois, then a young major in the Royal Engineers, his appointment as ‘design leader’ of this programme was a major step in a career in fortress construction that would see his work in Britain, the Channel Islands, Ireland, Canada, Bermuda, India, and later, Australia and New Zealand. Timothy Crick makes extensive use of extracts from Jervois’ diaries and illustrations of his fortresses to give the reader a rounded picture of this Royal Engineer’s wide-ranging career. He also captures a real sense of the fears of invasion that prevailed in this period. Throughout the book both the political background and the technical considerations involved in constructing forts and armaments are carefully explored to flesh out the motivations in what is sometimes referred to as the ‘Golden Age’ of British fort building. Trade Review ‘The book is admirably illustrated and well designed’ ‘The book is as excellent read as well as being authoritative’ John Harris, Fortress Study Group Casemate, 94 May 2012 ‘Exceptionally well illustrated, reproducing numerous plans, diagrams and images, dominated by forts and other buildings, many from national collections.’ ‘Essential reading for students of the Victorian Army and the Victorian Fortress.’ (Professor Andrew Lambert, British Journal for Military History Volume 1 (1), October 2014) Table of ContentsCONTENTS GLOSSARY CHRONOLOGY INTRODUCTION CHAPTER ONE: EARLY DAYS IN AFRICA CHAPTER TWO: APPOINTMENT IN ALDERNEY CHAPTER THREE: THE THREAT FROM FRANCE CHAPTER FOUR: THE 1859 ROYAL COMMISSION CHAPTER FIVE: DEFENDING THE NAVAL BASES CHAPTER SIX: MISSION TO CANADA AND THE UNITED STATES CHAPTER SEVEN: THE IRONCLAD FORTS CHAPTER EIGHT: IMPERIAL PROGRESS CHAPFER NINE: AUSTRALIA, NEW ZEALAND AND THE THREAT FROM RUSSIA CHAPTER TEN: COAST DEFENCE, HONOURS AND RETIREMENT CHAPTER ELEVEN: JERVOIS IN CONTEXT CHAPTER NOTES APPENDIX A: Gazetteer: List of fortified works associated with Jervois APPENDIX B: The Relative Industrial Strength of the Major Powers in the 19th Century APPENDIX C: The 'Battle of Dorking' and its Successors APPENDIX D: The Arming of the Coaling Stations, 1884 APPENDIX E: 'A Plan for Attacking the Seaboard of the United States' APPENDIX F: Jervois and the Channel Tunnel (1883) APPENDIX G: The Relative Value of the British Pound SELECT BIBLIOGRAPHY INDEX OF PEOPLE & PLACES

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