This book is used as one of the Text books for I course on U. S. Military history that I am taking at collage and unlike most text books is an interesting and enjoyable read. I would recommend this book to anyone interested in Military history, I would read it even if I didn't have to for class.

I took Maslowski's history class about the U.S. military after 1917 at the University of Nebraska in 2001. "For the Common Defense" was one of the required readings for his class. If you have the chance to take his class, do it, it's informative and entertaining. When most history books just look at the battle statistics and "who did what," Maslowski and Millet's book goes further to illustrate the influence that politicians had on the military establishment. Most students sell their books back to the bookstore when they are done with the class--I decided to keep mine.

This book has been selected by HQDA for their reading list! Enjoy!

Why did revenge and vengeance dominate the 9-11 discussion by public officials and the media? Why do our public discourse and media images seem virtually bereft of the common sense that informs many other areas of life? This outstanding book could help fill the void. It consists of a dozen very well-written and well-documented case studies of the power of nonviolence in dealing with injustice on a national or international scale. And I mean the power of nonviolence like King and Gandhi lived it, not the stereotype of nonviolence as passivity or cowardice.

Good parents know revenge doesn't work with their children, good teachers know it doesn't work in the classroom, good citizens know it doesn't work in their community, and a growing proportion of the criminal justice world is embracing the vision of "restorative justice" as a much more functional grounding for most of their work. Even though the majority of people in the US know that revenge doesn't work, there is a lack of awareness of the power of nonviolence in the larger public arena, even though two thirds of the world's population has experienced nonviolent social change that was successful beyond anyone's wildest dreams in South Africa, Eastern Europe, the Philippines, Gandhi in India, the US civil rights movement, to name just a few case studies covered in this remarkable book.

As someone who has taught and worked in community centers in the highest crime areas of NYC and Oakland and directed conflict and peace studies programs for 80 public schools, a university, and several community and national organizations, I can affirm that people are hungry for the hope that comes from stories of nonviolence in action.

In many ways, these are bleak times. Global inequality widens....This book is an antidote. It tells us about the power of ordinary human actions and voices, even against the most seemingly overhwelming odds. It teaches us how change occurs, and the unexpected leaps that it takes. It reminds us of the power we have to act for justice. And it opens up new possibilities as to how we might resolve our conflicts without violence.

Lots of times people shy away from the history of non-violence because they aren't principled pacifists. They would have fought in World War II or in our own Civil War, against slavery. That's fine. A Force More Powerful doesn't require that we take an absolute moral stand. Rather, it argues, with example after example, that non-violent action is more powerful and effective in a array of situations than violent resistant, even against autocrats and tyrants. The book frees up our imagination and gives us ways to act...

Bravo! These two fine gentlemen are helping to bring nonviolent methods to solve conflict into the mainstream of thought and discussion. It wasn't too long ago that such ideas as national nonviolent resistance was left to "fringe" groups and people like Gene Sharp. This book compliments a number of more recent publications that are attempting to legitmize nonviolent methods and philosophy into the general cultural and international mainstream.

With the spread of nuclear weapons and other weapons of mass destruction it behoves individuals and nations to adopt more sane and humane policies and actions that promote human rights, peace and social justice. Such things are pillars to the nonviolent methods and struggles of any century, especially the new one!

As a Christian theologian and parent I have wrestled with the study and application of nonviolence in all dimensions of life. Two decades ago nonviolent solutions to international problems was considered nonsense and inconceivable. Now it is considered indepensible! We are all in the debt of these two gentlemen that wrote this book and that helped to give rise to the PBS series.

A gripping synopsis of the part that the Roman Army played in history, starting from its initial dominance after it defeated the Greek armies at Pydna in 168 BC, to Vespasian's triumphal parade after Titus' victory over the Jews at Jerusalem. A definate 5-star, must-have book.

This is one of the finest illustrated books about the Roman Army that I have ever read! Its attention to even the most minor historical details is impressive. A must for every student of Roman military history it definitely deserves to be in print again!

This book gives the most thorough and concise description of the Roman Legions from the early republic up through the height of empire. The amount of detail is astonishing, beautifully enhanced and simplified by the gorgeous illustrations.

One of twelve vessels built as a weapons platform for the Royal Navy to besiege costal towns. The vessels carried two huge mortars, and, as Tomahawk cruise missiles are used today, the bomb vessel was used in the fleet for specific purpose. As it typical with this series, it depicts a famous ship, and in this, Goodwin is lavish in his history (he is really surpassed by no one in regards to British naval history apart from LAVERY). Excellent photos of a model from the National Maritime Museum and line drawing details that are really wonderful and very comprehensive. All the frames and beam are depicted, planking, masts, rigging and sail usage. This is a wooden ship, scratch modeller's, dream.

In keeping with the tradition of excellence that the Anatomy of the Ship series has set, this title shines as brightly as it's shipmates. The research is obviously top-rate, covering the development and life of the ship in question. Of particular use to modelers, for whom the series was origionally intended, the illustrations and line drawings cover every aspect of the ship. Included are a full set of draughts, rigging and sail plans, deck arrangement, and virtually every other detail in the ship. This enables the construction of a masterpiece, if that's what you're looking to do, otherwise it makes for a very interesting look into the history and construction of an unique naval vessel.

If you're a naval history buff, a modeler, or a lover of ships in general, this book should definitely be on your 'must-own' list

This is the best photo encyclopedia of German WWII armor I have ever purchased. Great photos, information, and organization.

The Encyclopedia of German Tanks of World War II covers virtually every combatvehicle produced by Germany from 1929 through 1945. At least 90% of the vehicles are depicted in either photographs (most common) or drawings (for prototypical vehicles).

As a builder of 1/35th scale armor, this book provides an excellent ready reference. An emphasis is placed on the vital statistics of each vehicle including (but not limited to): the number produced, the various designations of the vehicle, the engine, range, armament, ammunition carried, and armor angle and thinckness.

Each mark (or Ausfurung) of each vehicle has its own entry, for example, the Panther is split into entries for the Ausf. D, Ausf. A, Ausf. G, and even the Ausf. F (with the Jagdpanther and Bergenpanther being separate as well). Differences between the models are detailed as well.

While the photographs in this book are not comprehensive enough from which to accurize a kit, the text does not unique features of each vehicle (which can be, in turn, looked for in other photographs).

I highly recommend this book to anyone who is interesed in World War II armor, especially anyone who builds armor models.

Similar in some respects to Mike Curtis' 'CQB', this is an account of the author's SAS career, having joined via the parachute regiment in the 1970s. It divides up into three distinct battlefields - Oman, the Falklands the the Gulf, with the meat of the book taking place in the latter area. The first two sections are fairly run-of-the-mill, although it's interesting to compare the Falklands section with Max Hastings' 'Battle for the Falklands' and the aforementioned 'CQB', as one particular moment - in which an SAS soldier shoots down an Argentine aircraft with a Stinger - pops up in all three books, each from a slightly different perspective.
It's the coverage of the Gulf war that's particularly interesting, though, as Ratcliffe took part in an SAS operation that's been gone over comprehensively in other books, books which he has read. Consequently, like some real-life 'Rashomon', he points out the exaggerations and untruths in 'Bravo Two Zero', 'Sabre Squadron' and others, all books which you can find elsewhere on Amazon.com. Whilst he seems slightly petulant at times (his account of leading a patrol gives the impression that he was blissfully unaware that he might come across as being, well, smug), it makes for fascinating reading...

I've read a few Special Forces books but this one is by far and away the best one yet. There's so much in it that one doesn't usually hear about and also I enjoyed 'Billy's' sense of humour which crops up now and again. Tremendous read.

As a young man in the South African conflict in Namibia and Angola these books (Faces and Images) brought back many memories and a large lump in my throat - anyone who has served in that conflict or wants to see another side to war should buy these book.

The Faces of people fighting a war are haunting. Peter Badcock knows how to capture their warness, their tireness, their humor, that you can almost touch them and after a while they become familiar as friends.

I borrowed it from a friend for my first reading, but found there was too much essential stuff here. This book is for the more mature Christian who is interested in exporting the deeper aspects of spiritual warfare.

How can a book with such an ominous title raise one's spirit to praise as this one does? The 13 chapters (nine of them with responses) read like a Marine Corps recruiter's call to join the action. Taking just three chapters as examples, the authors declare that "We Are At War" (Dr. Ed Murphy), that we must reckon with "Deception: Satan's Chief Tactic" (Dr. Timothy M. Warner), but that we may rejoice by "Finding Freedom in Christ" (Dr. Neil Anderson). The authors and respondents offer well-reasoned, helpful insights into the very real battle that has to be fought if we are to fulfill the Great Commission. The contributors do not live in a side eddy of the evangelical church, but serve in such respected institutions as Seattle Pacific University, Evangelical Divinity School in Deerfield, IL., Church of God School of Theology, Fuller Theological Seminary, Canadian Theological Seminary, Talbot theological Seminary, and others. Like its theme, this is a powerful book.

This book was written by Sir Peter Scott who later became famous as a naturalist (Now, sadly, deceased I believe). The book tells the story of the actions fought by British MTBs and MGBs in the English Channel and North Sea during World War 2 with extensive accounts of actions. The book involves you both in the battles and the people and conveys the tenacity and bravery of this extraordinary group of men. It made such an impression on me when I read it at around the age of fourteen that I'm looking for it again twenty two years later.

This is Truly an Encyclopedia! It's full of goodies for the armor enthusiast. It includes a glossary that gives the German abreviation, word, & English translation of many terms. Each Pz Kpfw 1-6 (Tanks) has its own section with all of the varients, armored APC's, Half track's, & wheeled vehicles are all represented with all the info you would expect. There is even a section on non-german vehicles in Whermact service. Tons of pictures with numbered captions are presented. This is the book for you if you want to learn a fair amount about the many different German vehicles of WW2. This book will give you your money's worth & then some!

A well thought out and well written source of the German armored fighting vehicles of the second world war. An excellenat source of refurence.

My only complaints in it are that it is all in metric, and there for difficult to compare tank for tank with the tanks of the United States and Britain. And it provides no refurence on the abilities of German tank armament, unlike thecompanion volume British and American Tanks of World War Two.

I enjoyed this book.

The Encyclopedia of German Tanks is a complete description of the Panzertruppen of the Wehrmacht during the Second World War. The technical details are excellent although some of the picture captions are vague in describing the action or location portrayed. This is a very minor flaw. The book is very complete and includes a number of armored projects which never reached the front. I would recommend this book to any and every student of armored warfare in World War II.