Excellent pick!Originally Posted by Culpeper
Heart of Darkness: J. Conrad
Excellent pick!Heart of Darkness: J. Conrad
All for this thread. Though there are many esteemed writers on this board, there are few novelists
...now I just have to write another one!
Infinity Journal "I don't care if this works in practice. I want to see it work in theory!"
- The job of the British Army out here is to kill or capture Communist Terrorists in Malaya.
- If we can double the ratio of kills per contact, we will soon put an end to the shooting in Malaya.
Sir Gerald Templer, foreword to the "Conduct of Anti-Terrorist Operations in Malaya," 1958 Edition
Back in the mid-seventies, an "old" Sea Dog (or he may have been a Devil Dog) noticed me reading F. Spencer Chapman's, The Jungle Is Neutral. The next time our paths crossed he handed over a copy of Robert Roth's, Sand In The Wind, "Here ya go." I never did finish Chapman's book. Go figure.
The Jungle Is Neutral
Sand In The Wind
I'd have to add:
"What is best in life?" "To crush your enemies, see them driven before you, and to hear the lamentation of the women."
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
Last edited by J Wolfsberger; 05-17-2009 at 10:47 PM.
John Wolfsberger, Jr.
An unruffled person with some useful skills.
Gates of Fire
IMO Gates of Fire by Steven Pressfield should be required reading for everyone in the military.
Gates of Fire
Last edited by ODB; 05-18-2009 at 01:13 AM.
ODB
Exchange with an Iraqi soldier during FID:
Why did you not clear your corner?
Because we are on a base and it is secure.
Brotherhood of War
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.
"What do you think this is, some kind of encounter group?"
- Harry Callahan, The Enforcer.
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.
Sam Liles
Selil Blog
Don't forget to duck Secret Squirrel
The scholarship of teaching and learning results in equal hatred from latte leftists and cappuccino conservatives.
All opinions are mine and may or may not reflect those of my employer depending on the chance it might affect funding, politics, or the setting of the sun. As such these are my opinions you can get your own.
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