Why Is The SWJ Recommended Reading List Devoid of Fiction?

[J Wolfsberger]

By Jean Lartéguy:

Yellow Fever
The Centurions
The Praetorians

"I'd like to have two Armies -- one for display, with lovely guns, tanks, little Soldiers, staffs, distinguished and doddering Generals and dear little regimental officers, who would be deeply concerned over their General's bowel movements or their Colonel's piles; an Army that would be shown for a modest fee on every fairground in the country."

"The other would be the real one, composed entirely of young enthusiasts in camouflage uniforms, who would not be put on display but from whom impossible efforts would be demanded and to whom all sorts of tricks would be taught. That's the Army in which I should like to fight."

Jean Larteguy
French Commando/Soldier/Journalist

[ODB]

IMO Gates of Fire by Steven Pressfield should be required reading for everyone in the military.

Gates of Fire

[patmc]

For general, good-time, fun Army fiction, try the "Brotherhood of War" series by WEB Griffin. Starts with "The Lieutenants" and follow a group of officers and their families through their careers. Starts in WWII and ends with Vietnam, if my memory serves me. There are a dozen or so books in the series, and this group of guys always seem to be in combat and at the forefront of any new Army trend (ie: tanks, aviation, Special Forces, helicopters, etc...). The series is very entertaining, and you really get to love the characters. Leadership and Army / military history more than any particular small wars, though Vietnam and Congo play key rolls in the later book. I read the series while deployed in Iraq, and they were a good escape. Worth the time if you have it.

For our Marine brothers, Griffin also has "The Corps" series. I got about half way through those, but got sidetracked. Focuses on pre-WW2 - WW2 Marines. Also great reads, especially if you're a WW2 buff.

[selil]

For our Marine brothers, Griffin also has "The Corps" series. I got about half way through those, but got sidetracked. Focuses on pre-WW2 - WW2 Marines. Also great reads, especially if you're a WW2 buff.

I have everything WEB Griffin ever wrote except for his behind the badge series. For some reason I don't read police fiction.

I just bought blackfoot. I don't read much military fiction beyond hammers slammers, and WEB Griffin. I did read the "Net" series by Clancy but though it has elements of military it is sideways to the topic.

[Culpeper]

The Man Eaters of Tsavo

Considered nonfiction but the colonel did embellish quite a bit to make it fiction enough and much later a great fiction movie.

BTW, did anyone recommend The Killer Angels yet?

There is also this really thick book titled, Once an Eagle.

America's fighting men have turned to Once an Eagle as a sourcebook for the military's core values since its publication at the height of the Vietnam War. The novel, following the careers of virtuous Sam Damon and opportunistic Courtney Massengale, is required reading for all members of the United States Marine Corps and frequently taught in leadership courses at West Point.

[120mm]

I have everything WEB Griffin ever wrote except for his behind the badge series. For some reason I don't read police fiction.

I just bought blackfoot. I don't read much military fiction beyond hammers slammers, and WEB Griffin. I did read the "Net" series by Clancy but though it has elements of military it is sideways to the topic.

Oddball trivia factoid: I've been corresponding periodically with David Drake since the late 1980s; first by letter and then by e-mails. He's really a nice guy and is an extremely driven writer.

BTW, I dislike the genre of police fiction as well, but I await, with baited breath each and every book my John Sandford....

[selil]

Oddball trivia factoid: I've been corresponding periodically with David Drake since the late 1980s; first by letter and then by e-mails. He's really a nice guy and is an extremely driven writer.

Next time you talk to David Drake tell him thanks from a fan.

[Backwards Observer]

Loyd Little wrote two novels that were particularly adept at walking between the worlds. Parthian Shot has been mentioned on the Council. In The Village Of The Man, about a somewhat burned-out CIA guy posing as a Catholic priest in Seventies Laos, is also excellent.

Loyd Little related links:

Loyd's Memories

Gia Vuc A Camp

Council related:

http://council.smallwarsjournal.com/...ead.php?t=2179

http://council.smallwarsjournal.com/...ead.php?t=1788

[120mm]

Next time you talk to David Drake tell him thanks from a fan.

Wilco.