Steve Zaloga is one of the leading scholars on Russian and Warsaw Pact armor, and this book was one of the first to take advantage of the new information that became available after the fall of the Soviet Union. It traces the development of the weapon and its deployment by Russia, its allies, and the third world customers who bought the export versions. Zaloga also reveals the Soviet designations for the various subtypes. The Russian obsession with secrecy meant that many spurious designations appeared in NATO manuals on the subject, and the author finally clears up the actual designations of the variant models. The T-72's poor performance in combat is examined and the reasons are discussed, and it is compared to its design rivals, the T-64 and the T-80. There is a nice selection of pictures of all subtypes, and a color center section by artist Peter Sarson shows the markings and camouflage of the vehicle. This title is aimed at model builders, wargamers and those with a casual interest in military technology, but the format is too limited for the dedicated historian or defense analyst.

I have always been curious about the British Warrior Infantry Fighting Vehicle, so I bought the Foss book and began to see why the British Army selected the Warrior over the Bradley Fighting Vehicle (BFV). Foss explains that the British Army was involved with the BFV's development and didn't like what they saw and came up with their own vehicle that is simpler and with a lower profile.

The Warrior has some features we could easily incorporate into our BFVs, if we would realize its an INFANTRY fighting vehicle not a wannabe-tank with gunnery driving training with the men in back as security guards. In contrast, the Warrior has always had bench seats to carry 7 men, has a low-pressure 30mm Rarden cannon so the infantry can have their heads out the top hatches to fire/see what's going on, while we tinkered with firing ports. What is amazing about Warrior is that it has rotating periscopes for the infantry in the back to see what is going on when "buttoned up" while in the BFV you are as blind as a bat. The Warrior has a full NBC protection system and even a toilet in the vehicle! If that were not enough Foss explains that the Warrior has a heater for meals and coffee/tea and a large power operated rear door and not a ramp--so the infantry in back can get themselves out quickly without having to beg the driver to open it like we do on the BFV. The British used CHOBHAM armor to applique to the outsides of their Warrior ICVs--this is the same stuff used to armor main battle tanks. When a warrior was hit accidentally by a tank gun round in the Gulf war, it glanced off doing only minor damage. When a tank round hit a BFV in the Gulf, it demolished the vehicle and killed/wounded the men inside.

Reading Foss' excellent work you wonder why we don't put a rotating periscope in the BFV on the top troop hatch, replace the rear ramp with the large power door, put a decent NBC over-pressure/air filtration system in, install a troop commode, and apply REAL armor to the outsides to include the lighter M113A3s? Why not replace the BFV turret with a low-profile one-man turret with a 30mm autocannon using the same low-pressure ammo as the AH-64 helicopter uses and return our BFVs to Bradley Infantry Fighting Vehicles--to their original purpose as infantry transports?

The faults of the Warrior are that it doesn't come with Forward Looking Infared (FLIR) or cannot fire on the move like the BFV, but must stop to shoot. This can be fixed by using a low-profile 25-30mm turret like the Desert Warrior improved version has that was selected by Kuwait over the BFV for its armed forces. Fire/Forget Anti-tank missiles like the Javelin would be easily attached to the turret outsides like the Desert Warrior has TOW ATGMs. These same things can apply to the BFV.

So which vehicle is better, Bradley or Warrior? Clearly they both could be equally as good if the best aspects of each one were integrated in the other. Both vehicles need to remove their fuel tanks from inside the vehicle which could incinerate the men and place them in the rear outsides like the M113A3 does. Clearly the British Warrior has more of an infantry purpose in mind with more field craft, as the tubes for camouflage net sticks around the vehicle facilitate. They do not curse their infantry by permanently assigning them to vehicles where they get lazy (or worse get assigned to a 2-man turret and become wannabe tankers obsessed with BFV "gunnery") and lose their light infantry skills--infantry is infantry and can be attached to helicopters or vehicles or "yomp" on foot as required. When Foss describes the infantry actions on foot to secure some objectives during Desert Storm, it makes you wonder about the U.S. BFV mentality. I admire the British tactically-oriented approach and wish we would emulate it.

My only fault with Foss is that he clearly misunderstands mobility issues having bought into the heavyist mentality that "bigger is better". Bigger is not better if it cannot get to the battlefield---one of the reasons why the British and U.S. Armies keep lighter AFVs like the FV 432 and M113A3 around. Foss never seens to mention/realize that the same technology that makes a Warrior fast could also make a FV 432 fast, like the U.S. Army has done to make the M113A3s keep up with the M1/M2s in the open desert.

Other than this, buy this book and compare the Warrior design to the BFV and the Russian BMP-3 and BMD-3 (see Zaloga's works) and ponder on British successes with their vehicle-encouraged infantry mentality and the troubles the Russians had early on in Afghanistan and Chechnya when the vehicle eroded infantry capabilities.

This book examines the hypothesis that innovation is easier during wartime than peacetime. It does so by considering a number of historical shifts of interest, and the technological inputs. It concludes with discussion about how a military can keep itself in touch with where technology may be going, and the difficulties of doing so.

Rosen adopts a tight definition for the term "innovation", requiring a major shift in doctrine or practice. The introduction of radar to the RAF is, for instance, not an innovation, because the RAF had already undertaken the doctrinal shift towards integrated air defence, through the policy shift away from bombers to fighters and the establishment of ground stations. True innovation may require the raising and acceptance of new strategic measures of effectiveness. This is a key reason why innovation can be as readily implemented in peacetime as in wartime; in wartime, the tendency is to discard risky ideas and focus on what is known to work.

The analysis is backed by a historical base of case studies, and turns up some surprises. He argues, for instance, that the British introduced the tank about as rapidly as was feasible - it was coupled to a new strategic measure based on minimising casualties, the zero-sum gain of infantry units versus tank units, and the need to gain tactical experience. The raising of naval aviation in the US Navy versus the Royal Navy is a useful example of how a new technology may require a reversal in primacy of extant technologies (ships and aircraft), with success or otherwise thus riding on doctrinal change. The US Army experience of raising the airborne cavalry concept points to a minimum time of about a decade for full acceptance of innovation. Truly successful innovation can and will withstand substantial setbacks if there is confidence in the strategic measures and concepts, as seen in the US Marine Corps invasion of Tarawa versus (implicitly) the Australian & New Zealand experience at Gallipoli.

Given that innovation may require a change in strategic measures, Rosen observes that new technologies are most rapidly introduced top-down - that is, a technology can and will be rapidly introduced if it presents a compelling strategic advantage and can be fielded through a small force. A notable example is the French mitrailleuse, a precursor to the machine gun, which was regarded as being a strategic weapon and hence not deployed into wider service. Subsequent to the book's publication, one might make similar observations about the uptake of stealth and space technology.

Rosen concludes that a Type II investment strategy is both effective and feasible for handling (technological) innovation; that is, one cannot predict which of a range of technologies will pan out, but can have in place a strategy for exploiting those technologies that do. Notably, the acquisition of equipment can come quite late in the innovation process, building on early work in doctrinal and strategic change. Within this, a key indicator is if the process is being lead by someone with an impeccable conventional background, who can shepherd the careers of the new staff officers who will go on to implement and support the new systems.

Overall, I found the evidence presented in a well-organised and well-written manner, and the conclusions compelling.

Of all the graphic novels I've read of late, this was far and away the most compelling and intriguing.

I'm still wondering why.

I didn't identify or sympathize with any of the characters. The story itself is kind of thin. Heck, even the heroes mutant abilities are the most far-fetched and silly yet. And Mike Allred's art is in direct contrast to the John Byrne/Jim Lee school of conventional wisdom of bulging biceps and powerful pecs.

In large measure, I think it's the sheer AUDACITY and courage it took Marvel to publish this book. I thought Grant Morrison was turning the X-Men concept on its' ear. By comparison with what Milligan and Allred are up to on this title, he's...well, it's still pretty great, but think of Morrison as Bruce Springsteen - original within the traditions he sets to follow and expand - to Milligan and Allred's Tom Waits - bizarre, deconstructionist, and startilingly unique.

This book was designed to draw a line in the sand. You'll either be completely absorbed in it or just be totally offended and turned off by it. One way or the other, you'll walk away with a strong opinion, but either way you'll be aware of a whole perspective and possibilites that maybe previously you weren't.

And that's what art is all about.

When I was in middle school, I occasionally read X-Men and The New Mutants. Eventually, the latter series became X-Force. I stopped reading all of the X-books by the time I got to high school, and thought I'd never pick up one again. When Marvel decided to revamp several of their series, including X-Force, I was mildly intrigued. Several people recommended this title to me, so I picked it up on a lark. I was glad I did. Milligan and Allred have turned a hackneyed mutant title into a dissection of media culture and celebrity with a twist. Bravo! Any negative reviews will doubtlessly come from nostalgics who don't want to see the comics medium reach its full potential or are trapped in an endless adolescence.

It's about time that Peter Milligan is getting some serious attention. Milligan should be considered as one of the best writers of the past decade or so. His original, captivating work on Human Target, Enigma, Shade, Skreemer, Extremist, Minx, etc. is some of the best out there. Since only some of it is available in collected TPB's, I'm very happy to see that X-Force and X-Statix are all getting released as multiple books.

And whoever thought of teaming Milligan with Allred is a genius! Allred's work, especially with his own Madman title, is fun, quirky, and bright. Teamed with Milligan, Allred appears to add some lightness to Milligan's darker style of storytelling.

This is not your typical Marvel superhero stuff. Some readers, expecting a standard good vs. evil, heroes and villains duking it out tale, may be disappointed, or even disturbed by the behavior of X-Force and the world in which they live.

The characters are raw and edgy. As the story develops, X-Force's reluctant leader, The Orphan, endears himself to the reader with his ability to steer through the surrounding chaos, keeping his idealistic sense of good intact. The Orphan is a character, and leader, worth cheering for. As his relationship with Edie develops, as well as his relationship with the rest of the team, the basis for the good vs. evil conflict becomes better defined, in a very refreshing way. Congrats to Milligan and Allred for creating a fresh exciting look at the traditional superhero universe.

This book gives you a nice all-around view of night fighting in Europe during WW II. It is extremely technical, and I thought it lacks a little bit concerning the human side of the pilots, engineers, etc. But it is the best book ever written about the subject, no doubt about that.

Without taking sides the author tells the story of both sides of the night bombing campaign. Technical details were especially fascinating since I was an air search radar operator in the Navy in my younger days. Great description of progress made by both sides in a short period on things we take for granted today such as air intercept radar and electronic countermeasures. Well compiled with interviews from both British and German aircrew. Highly recommended!!

When I say this book is impartial, I mean it is impartial in the fullest sense of the word. The author not only presents a bias-free view, he also writes in a lucid manner. The operations are described in great detail, and with proper analysis. Each stage and battle has significance, and we are brought to appreciate this complex air battle that raged for five years, involving the brave crews of the Allied bomber fleets, and the equally brave and tenacious Nachtjagd crews. We come face to face with the elite of the nightfighters including Schnaufer, Lent, Prinz zu-Sayn Wittgenstein and Becker. I feel this book is a must for understanding night operations over Europe during world war two and for all military buffs.

This TPB reprints Uncanny X-Men #294-296, X-Force #84-86, X-Men #14-16 and X-Factor #16-18.

Cable has been framed into the assasination of Professor Charles Xavier. But nobody knows this except Cable himself. So the X-Men, X-Force and New Mutants suspect each other as they try to find Cable. And the biggest of foes join in. This is also the prologue of the release of the deadly Legacy Virus from Stryfe, which will kill some great characters on later issues of X-Men.

The story is very long, but good enough. The art is okay and differs in style from book to book. But it's nothing bad at all. And at least the characters are drawn well, opposed to some more recent issues that put the characters to shame.

A lot of the X-members feature in this arc, but it's mainly more a Cable story.

I read this in its original 12-installment crossover form in the mid-'90s so some of my facts could be off.

This crossover was basically an excuse to cram as many characters as possible into one storyline and that results in a lot of confusions. Also, it detracts from the believability of the Stryfe character and also makes his motivations somewhat unclear. He's out for vengeance against Apocalypse (who had injected him with the virus as a child), Cable (whom he sees as his inferior clone), and his parents Cyclops and Jean Grey (for abandoning him). But what's his ultimate vengeance? And the X-teams' method of finally locating him is pretty ludicrous, the story getting a little too busy with sending its heroes here and there that for two or three issues worth, the X-teams just seem to be wandering here and there fighting everybody. The most focused storylines are that of Wolverine and Bishop, who encounter Cable, the falsely accused assassin, and Beast, desperately trying to save Xavier and finally succeeds only because of Apocalypse's help.

It's still fun, of course, to watch Bishop and Wolverine duke it out with Cable, and X-Factor rounding up X-Force with the help of the X-Men. But these are weakened by some really weak scenes like Apocalypse's fight with Stryfe (no power, no excitement, with huge lapses in logic) and some embarrassing dialogue at points (Jean Grey's lovey-dovey conversations with Cyclops during their attempted escape from the moonbase are just awful writing).

The most valuable thing to me about the X-ecutioner's Song series is a comparison of the different visual styles of the three series. X-Factor is stark and more than a little whacked (its stories as I remember are also much more off-kilter thanks to smart-mouthed characters like Polaris, Wolfsbane/Rahne, Quicksilver and Agent Val); X-Force is more violent and rebellioius; and X-Men, the parent series, is more restrained and middle-of-the-road, less eccentric.

Worthy examination of the relationship among the X-series. Writing issues are compensated for by the big showdowns and action sequences, capped off by Cable's final, violent confrontation with Stryfe.

This crossover has it all! X-Force v.s. X-Men, Cable v.s. Bishop and Wolverine, Apocalyps teaming with the X-Men. Cyclops and Jean kidnapped! Professor X assasinated by Cable? Sinister's deadly plan. Stryfe releasing the Legacy Virus, and a final showdown that is well worth the price!

For students of the Vietnam War, military history, or history generally, I highly recommend "First Force Recon Company: Sunrise at Midnight". This book transports the reader back in time, into the lives and the daring missions tasked to this elite Marine team. The author also provides insightful historical perspective by analyzing how the distant political and diplomatic actions had real, observable impact on the chances for survival of this team of Marines.

It's interesting that the only negative review of this book comes from the only person who failed to give their name - but claimed to be a "Force Recon Marine who was in Vietnam in 1969". I suggest two likely possibilities: (1) this person is not what he or she claimed to be, and / or (2) they have some serious personal problems or agenda that leads them to criticize what is a first hand account of some of the most courageous and skillful Marines in the history of the Vietnam War. If this person can refute the basic accuracy of Bill Peters' book, let's see their book with verifiable facts.

Was I there to verify the facts recounted in "Sunrise at Midnight"? No. But the Recon Marines covered in this book can do so. How do I know this? As a lawyer for one the nation's leading companies, I report to General Counsel Lynn Lowder, who is highlighted in this book and is a recipient of the Purple Heart, Silver Star and Bronze Star.

Lynn tells me that Bill Peters told it just the way it was. Given Lynn's integrity in the legal and corporate battlefield - I have no doubt that "Sunrise at Midnight" is a credible and accurate retelling of events.

The First Force Recon Marines described in this book have continued to achieve at high levels during the past 30 years. They don't seek egocentric praise for their contributions; quite the opposite. This fine book is clearly written with humility, as a tribute of remembrance to the team - collectively. Hopefully, as time continues to pass, posterity will take note of their extraordinary courage in the face of terrifying adversity, faithfully responding to their nation's call. This book helps us remember and remain grateful.

Excellent book about the small recon teams of the marine corps. Highly skilled and trained these small groups of men served as recon elements deep inside enemy territory. They were always outnumbered and outgunned but played a vital role in intelligence gathering missions. I have read many books related to vietnam and rank this as one of the top books I have read.

This is the first book that I've read that was about the vietnam war, and is probably going to be one of the best viestnam books I'll ever read. The guys in this book were like scouts or the eyes of the army. They were alone on those dangerous missions.

Cottingham does a very good job of tracing his war experiences from the Aleutians to Italy and France. His description of a naer attack of walruses in the Bering Sea is facsinating as well as his near death in Italy under tank fire. The only weakness is the inability to develop the profile of his friends and fellow soldiers. A good well paced narrative.

A very well written book that follows one man through his training and fighting with the First Special Service Force. There are a lot of mini stories that show the bravery and tenacity that these hardened and well trained men possessed. This is not the glossy, "hell is for heroe's" kind of story, but it tells of the boredom and fear of waiting for combat and combat itself. The movie(Devil's Brigade) shows just a portion of what these soldiers went through..."Once Upon A Wartime" gives it a face and a shot of reality. Hats off to Mr. Cottingham and his fellow "Forcemen". Well worth reading

Having read almost every available book and text published about the First Special Service Force, this book is not only one which I found hard to put down but is also one of the few that I look forward to re-reading.

Mr. Cottingham's recollections are obviously the product of a sharp mind and are doubly valuable when recounted through his clear and concise writing style. The historical events described are obviously important in and of themselves, but the reader becomes much more engaged by the fact that Mr. Cottingham and his fellow Forcemen are sympathetic men rising to face the extraordinarily difficult demands made of them.

This is not a "blood and guts" book thrusting the subject before the reader and attempting to impress by grandious "war stories". Rather, this is a personal recollection presented in a self-deprecating style that allows readers to come to their own conclusions that these men were true heroes at a time in our history when they were needed.

We should be thankful for the wartime contributions of the men of the First Special Service Force and grateful to Mr. Cottingham for this historically valuable, well-written contribution to the topic.

So here's the problem I always had with the X-Men: They were feared and hated by the world they were sworn to protect. Okay, so that makes for good angst, but was it that realistic? These days, it seems to me that anybody with any sort of special power wouldn't be reviled, he'd be a celebrity! He'd get music videos and endorsements and his picture on a cereal box! He'd be... well... exactly what Peter Milligan and Mike Allred turned X-Force into.

Before they took over, this was just another militaristic X-Men clone. Under them, it became something different. These are mutant celebrities, brought together mainly to become famous and get rich. (Another reviewer said they're a government sponsored team -- he's totally wrong. They're a commercial outfit).

Somehow, in this setting, they've managed to tell great character stories about the cult of celebrity and what it means to be a hero. This series continued as X-Statix, and it's still just as good.

yes [strange] celebs .you don't see those words used together very much. this is the story of a government funded mutant supergroup. they must cope with prejudice and celebrity and supervillans

Well, if you read "New Beginnings" than you're already going to get this, and if you haven't then you really should read that first. In any case, this was a spectacular volume with enthralling plots, that don't switch between humor and drama, but maintain both at the same time.

I never thought of Brats as 'victims.' Yet, this book portrayed us brats - all brats - as victims of all types abuse, mental and physical. I certainly didn't see the prevelance of alcohol (that this book seems to think is the #1 evil in all military families) in the families I grew up with and was very close to, including mine. There were definitly a couple of chapters that I'm glad I got to read and really hit home! But overall... it just was way too negative! I think I lived a very good life as a Brat... this book makes you think that no brat ever did.

It's been over 10 years since I originally bought this book. Mary Edwards Wertsch did not reach her own conclusions about life as a brat, but instead brought together through interviews, scores of of us to share their life experiences. Even at age 53, I still cannot answer a simple question, "Where are you from?" It also clearly documents that life in the military is not a job, but a career experience for an entire family.
This book illustrates the challenges many of us faced growing up and the similarities we have had in adulthood. It also helps brats, like myself, understand some of the public service values we inherited from years of family public service.
I have bought five copies to share with other friends who are brats. The stories in this book served as a unifying experience for all of us.

Mary Wersch provides wonderful insights into the pressures and experiences which shaped the lives of more than 75 "military brats". Through her own efforts to understand her father and the factors which shaped her life, she provides a framework for others to do the same. This book helped me understand myself and my father, who was in the Air Force for 21 years and retired as a Major. This book should be required reading for anyone entering the military, and shared with any son or daughter from a military family. My thanks to Mary for having the courage to write this book, and thank you Pat Conroy for writing "The Great Santini" which inspired Mary to explore this important issue