Last Naval Book read and opinon of it.

RAL's_pal? · 06-30-2007, 00:03 AM

I initiated a similiar thread last December, but I'm sure most of the people have read a book or two since. Personally, I haven't read any books since, but I might be willing to look into one or another if some of the replies catch my interest.

**TopHatter** · 06-30-2007, 09:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RAL's_pal?

I initiated a similiar thread last December, but I'm sure most of the people have read a book or two since. Personally, I haven't read any books since, but I might be willing to look into one or another if some of the replies catch my interest.

Just finished two of my recent purchases.

War Plan Orange: The U.S. Strategy to Defeat Japan, 1897-1945

Inside the Danger Zone: The U.S. Military in the Persian Gulf, 1987-1988

War Plan Orange was extremely detailed and full of a little written about subject, the pre-war plans for dealing with Japan.

Danger Zone was a fine study of the Persian Gulf Tanker War of the late '80s.
It nicely complimented No Higher Honor, the story of the mining of USS Samuel B Roberts.

B.Smitty · 06-30-2007, 09:41 AM

Fleet Tactics and Coastal Combat by Capt. Wayne P. Hughes

I know this is a classic, but it disappointed me a bit. I was looking for a more in depth treatment of littoral warfare.

**TopHatter** · 07-19-2007, 19:12 PM

Got another one on the way, hopefully it'll be here tomorrow.

Hawaii Under the Rising Sun: Japan's Plans for Conquest After Pearl Harbor

John J. Stephan

gf0012-aust · 07-19-2007, 19:49 PM

I've ordered a few last week, so once they get here I'll fill everyone in on their merit.

COMMAND AT SEA; Naval Command and Control Since the Sixteenth Century
A LEADER BORN; The Life of Admiral John "Slew" McCain, Pacific Carrier Commander
SUNBURST; The Rise of Japanese Naval Air Power,
GREAT HARRY'S NAVY; How Henry VIII Gave England Seapower

currently reading:

ALL THE FACTORS OF VICTORY; its a bio on Adm Joseph Mason Reeves and the origins of carrier air power. Its an excellent read about a man who deserves considerably more credit on his contribution to the development of USN carrier concepts and naval airpower

Galrahn · 07-19-2007, 21:38 PM

I just finished Inside the Danger Zone: The U.S. Military in the Persian Gulf, 1987-1988 by Harold Wise and No Higher Honor: Saving the USS Samuel B. Roberts in the Persian Gulf by Bradley Peniston.

Ironically, Tophatter we were about on the same page last time GF did this thread if I recall. You posted an pic of my library collection at your house if I remember correctly. You spying on me or something?

No Higher Honor First and would recommend anyone who buys them both to read them in that order. Both books are sourced, so it has led me on a lexusnexus search to dozens of other sources of great material. I'll be busy at the library for another month after reading these two books.

No Higher Honor is really good on a number of levels, starting with an excellent short history of the Oliver Hazard Perry class, and not a bad short history of Bath Iron Works in the late 70s, early 80s. It also gives some great details on how the crew was able to save the USS Samuel B Roberts when in fact, if you do the math, it had to of been heavier than it was supposed to be able to support.

Inside the Danger Zone is also an excellent book. Few people realize that the Persian Gulf tanker war was really the last time the US really participated in a naval war, and it is interesting to see how far the US Navy has come. It also exposes some harsh realities about operations in the Gulf often missed by anyone who has never deployed there.

I bought them on Amazon.com for those interested in a 2 book special at discount. Anyone interested in the US Navy should read them both, and follow up on the citations. You will not be disappointed.

Next up is "The Art of War" again, and "The Prince" again, both are classics that should be read annually in my opinion.

WaltzingMatilda · 07-20-2007, 00:17 AM

The following books may be of interest...I just started Colin Gray, who delivers time and again. His book dovetails quite nicely with Menon and the two could easily be read together. Friedman's "Seapower as Strategy" wanders a bit, although its worth a read...his "Seapower and Space" is far superior, but much more narrow in scope.

Amazon.com: Navy In Postcold War World: Books: Colin S. Gray
Amazon.com: Maritime Strategy and Continental Wars (Cass Series--Naval Policy and History, 3): Books: Rear Admi Menon
Amazon.com: Seapower As Strategy: Navies and National Interests: Books: Norman Friedman
Amazon.com: Seapower and Space: From the Dawn of the Missile Age to Net-Centric Warfare: Books: Norman Friedman

In addition, the following article by Barry Posen may also be of interest...

http://bcsia.ksg.harvard.edu/BCSIA_c...ummer_2003.pdf

gf0012-aust · 07-20-2007, 00:38 AM

A good source that I regularly buy from is Scholar's Bookshelf - Books and Videos - and you often get titles at less than 80% of their usual price.

Its also an excellent source for Janes annuals - and well worth subscribing to.

Dreadnought · 07-31-2007, 12:38 PM

Shadow Divers..The story of U869 lost off the coast of New Jersey. A very interesting read. Author...Robert Kurson.

06-30-2007, 00:03 AM	#1 (permalink)
RAL's_pal? *Defense Professional* Join Date: 01-22-06 Posts: 467	Last Naval Book read and opinon of it. I initiated a similiar thread last December, but I'm sure most of the people have read a book or two since. Personally, I haven't read any books since, but I might be willing to look into one or another if some of the replies catch my interest.

07-19-2007, 19:49 PM	#5 (permalink)
gf0012-aust *Defense Professional* Join Date: 05-30-06 Posts: 394 Country:	I've ordered a few last week, so once they get here I'll fill everyone in on their merit. COMMAND AT SEA; Naval Command and Control Since the Sixteenth Century A LEADER BORN; The Life of Admiral John "Slew" McCain, Pacific Carrier Commander SUNBURST; The Rise of Japanese Naval Air Power, GREAT HARRY'S NAVY; How Henry VIII Gave England Seapower currently reading: ALL THE FACTORS OF VICTORY; its a bio on Adm Joseph Mason Reeves and the origins of carrier air power. Its an excellent read about a man who deserves considerably more credit on his contribution to the development of USN carrier concepts and naval airpower

07-31-2007, 12:38 PM	#9 (permalink)
Dreadnought *Senior Contributor* Join Date: 05-12-05 Posts: 5,319 Country:	Shadow Divers..The story of U869 lost off the coast of New Jersey. A very interesting read. Author...Robert Kurson. __________________ Fortitude.....The strength to persist...The courage to endure.

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06-30-2007, 09:41 AM	#3 (permalink)
B.Smitty Contributor Join Date: 08-15-05 Location: Oak Hill, VA Posts: 549	Fleet Tactics and Coastal Combat by Capt. Wayne P. Hughes I know this is a classic, but it disappointed me a bit. I was looking for a more in depth treatment of littoral warfare.

07-19-2007, 19:12 PM	#4 (permalink)
TopHatter Administrator Join Date: 09-03-03 Location: Fort Myers FL Posts: 9,693 Country:	Got another one on the way, hopefully it'll be here tomorrow. Hawaii Under the Rising Sun: Japan's Plans for Conquest After Pearl Harbor John J. Stephan

07-19-2007, 21:38 PM	#6 (permalink)
Galrahn *Defense Professional* Join Date: 04-14-06 Posts: 405	I just finished Inside the Danger Zone: The U.S. Military in the Persian Gulf, 1987-1988 by Harold Wise and No Higher Honor: Saving the USS Samuel B. Roberts in the Persian Gulf by Bradley Peniston. Ironically, Tophatter we were about on the same page last time GF did this thread if I recall. You posted an pic of my library collection at your house if I remember correctly. You spying on me or something? No Higher Honor First and would recommend anyone who buys them both to read them in that order. Both books are sourced, so it has led me on a lexusnexus search to dozens of other sources of great material. I'll be busy at the library for another month after reading these two books. No Higher Honor is really good on a number of levels, starting with an excellent short history of the Oliver Hazard Perry class, and not a bad short history of Bath Iron Works in the late 70s, early 80s. It also gives some great details on how the crew was able to save the USS Samuel B Roberts when in fact, if you do the math, it had to of been heavier than it was supposed to be able to support. Inside the Danger Zone is also an excellent book. Few people realize that the Persian Gulf tanker war was really the last time the US really participated in a naval war, and it is interesting to see how far the US Navy has come. It also exposes some harsh realities about operations in the Gulf often missed by anyone who has never deployed there. I bought them on Amazon.com for those interested in a 2 book special at discount. Anyone interested in the US Navy should read them both, and follow up on the citations. You will not be disappointed. Next up is "The Art of War" again, and "The Prince" again, both are classics that should be read annually in my opinion.

07-20-2007, 00:17 AM	#7 (permalink)
WaltzingMatilda Regular Join Date: 04-02-07 Location: San Francisco, CA Posts: 75 Country:	The following books may be of interest...I just started Colin Gray, who delivers time and again. His book dovetails quite nicely with Menon and the two could easily be read together. Friedman's "Seapower as Strategy" wanders a bit, although its worth a read...his "Seapower and Space" is far superior, but much more narrow in scope. Amazon.com: Navy In Postcold War World: Books: Colin S. Gray Amazon.com: Maritime Strategy and Continental Wars (Cass Series--Naval Policy and History, 3): Books: Rear Admi Menon Amazon.com: Seapower As Strategy: Navies and National Interests: Books: Norman Friedman Amazon.com: Seapower and Space: From the Dawn of the Missile Age to Net-Centric Warfare: Books: Norman Friedman In addition, the following article by Barry Posen may also be of interest... http://bcsia.ksg.harvard.edu/BCSIA_c...ummer_2003.pdf

07-20-2007, 00:38 AM	#8 (permalink)
gf0012-aust *Defense Professional* Join Date: 05-30-06 Posts: 394 Country:	A good source that I regularly buy from is Scholar's Bookshelf - Books and Videos - and you often get titles at less than 80% of their usual price. Its also an excellent source for Janes annuals - and well worth subscribing to.

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