Recommended Readings
Winner of the Pulitzer Prize and National Book Award.
A gripping narrative that delves into the forces pulling the United States apart, capturing the collapse of political processes and the growing tensions that ultimately explode at Bull Run.
New York Times bestseller and the inspiration for the acclaimed HBO series.
A group of ordinary men who became extraordinary soldiers during World War II. From their rigorous training in Georgia to their pivotal role in major battles like D-Day and the Battle of the Bulge, these soldiers displayed unmatched bravery and camaraderie. Despite personal flaws and hardships, they formed a brotherhood, enduring extreme conditions and high casualties. Their journey culminates in capturing Hitler’s Eagle’s Nest, embodying the spirit of sacrifice and unity.
From Jocko Willink, the New York Times best selling author of Discipline Equals Freedom and Leadership Strategy and Tactics.
Combat is the ultimate test of leadership, as Jocko Willink and Leif Babin discovered while leading SEAL Team Three’s Task Unit Bruiser in Iraq. Their mission to secure Ramadi taught them that leadership is critical to success. After returning, they created SEAL leadership training and founded Echelon Front to share these principles with businesses and organizations. Their book Extreme Ownership, which has revolutionized leadership training, illustrates how the same principles that drive success in combat can be applied to any team or organization.
On October 3, 1993, about 100 U.S. soldiers were deployed into Mogadishu, Somalia, to capture two top lieutenants of a warlord. What was supposed to be a one-hour mission turned into an all-night battle, as they were ambushed and pinned down by thousands of heavily-armed Somalis. By morning, 18 Americans were dead, and over 70 were wounded. Mark Bowden’s gripping, minute-by-minute account of the battle, drawn from extensive interviews and records, vividly captures the heroism and reality of modern combat.
In January 2007, President George W. Bush introduced the “surge” strategy for Iraq, aiming to secure Baghdad where previous efforts had failed. The young soldiers of the 2-16 Battalion, known as the Rangers, were determined to be the difference in this effort. After fifteen grueling months in a dangerous Baghdad area, they returned home, deeply transformed by their experiences. Pulitzer Prize-winning reporter David Finkel was with them, documenting nearly every challenging moment of their deployment.
In March 1965, Marine Lieutenant Philip J. Caputo arrived in Vietnam with the first ground combat unit, returning home 16 months later physically intact but emotionally scarred and disillusioned. A Rumor of War is more than just his personal account; it revealed the harsh realities of the Vietnam War to the American public. Since its publication in 1977, it has become a seminal work on the Vietnam War, exploring the profound impact of war on those who fight it.
David Finkel’s Thank You for Your Service delves deeply into the psychological toll of war on soldiers after they return home. Building on his previous work, The Good Soldiers, where he documented the brutal realities of the Iraq War, Finkel follows the men of the 2-16 Infantry Battalion as they struggle with the aftermath of combat. The book offers a poignant and intimate portrayal of their lives, highlighting the challenges they and their families face as they attempt to heal from the scars of war.
Phil Klay’s Redeployment offers a powerful exploration of the emotional and psychological challenges faced by soldiers during and after the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. Through a series of interconnected stories, Klay portrays the harsh realities of war and the difficult transition back to civilian life. The characters grapple with themes of brutality, guilt, and survival as they navigate the extremes of combat and the alienation of homecoming. Written with profound emotional depth, Redeployment is a significant work in modern war literature.
New York Times Bestseller
Born on the Fourth of July recounts Ron Kovic’s journey from a patriotic Vietnam soldier to becoming a paralyzed veteran and leading anti-war advocate. After serving two tours, Kovic was severely injured in 1968, leaving him in a wheelchair. His powerful story, also portrayed by Tom Cruise in the film directed by Oliver Stone, captures his transformation and the impact of war on his life. Kovic’s compelling new introduction places this classic antiwar narrative in a modern context.
In 1968, twenty-three-year-old Karl Marlantes, an inexperienced lieutenant, led a platoon of Marines in the jungles of Vietnam. Surviving the harrowing experience, Marlantes has spent decades grappling with its impact. In “What It Is Like to Go to War,” he offers a deeply personal and insightful exploration of combat, blending gripping narratives with analysis and reflections on how we might better prepare soldiers. His book is poised to become essential reading for anyone interested in understanding the profound psychological and spiritual challenges of war.
